Mr Fin meant so much to so many people.

He was a recognised and highly regarded figure in the community, business, political, religious and social spheres.

He is synonymous with the Italian community in Sydney and often regarded as a “founder” and “father” of the largest Italian community organisation in Australia.

He is a man with 70 years of volunteer work under his belt, who selflessly and decisively fought for justice, for recognition of the Italian community and for its rightful place in the story of NSW and Australia.

Mr Fin’s story is one that we should cherish as unique.

We are lucky to have known him.

His story is la grande storia australiana.

Giuseppe Fin was born in Noventa Vincentina, Vicenza, on May 19, 1930.

Shortly after his birth, the family moved further south to Runzi, a small town in the municipality of Bagnolo di Po, Rovigo, where he spent the first years of his life.

In 1956, against advice of friends and family, Giuseppe made the brave decision to venture to Australia and join his sister in Sydney, believing that God had other plans for him.

He demonstrated a sense of courage and determination to make a life for himself.

“This journey of mine, this departure, you mustn’t consider to be an adventure, not a pleasure trip, but a mission”, he said.

Giuseppe left Italy with due beni – good health and the desire to work.

Just shy of their 60th wedding anniversary, Giuseppe and Patricia Fin shared a long and happy life together.

They have eight children: Rita, Loreta, Anna, Isabella, Silvana, Daniella, Alessandro and Mario, plus 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Community and voluntary work

Giuseppe’s community and voluntary work was extensive.

His understanding of life’s challenges came from lived experience.

In his memoirs, Giuseppe notes distinct memories of witnessing hardship in post war Italy which informed his perception of the world and shaped the man that he became.

In 1948, he founded an Italian Catholic Association in the town of Runzi.

He remained president for several years and then served as secretary until 1956.

In 1949, Giuseppe initiated social activities involving assistance to older people in obtaining pension entitlements.

In 1951, he completed his military service.

During his time in the 157th Fanteria regiment in Genoa, Giuseppe founded a Catholic action group among his colleagues and become the president of that group.

In 1957, he commenced his activities with the St Francis Catholic Italian Association of Sydney.

This association played a major role in assisting newly arrived Italian migrants especially those who became ill or were in need.

In 1968, he was responsible for the construction of the St Francis Hall in Leichhardt and in 1971, the construction and organisation of the St Francis Day Nursery, also in Leichhardt.

From 1961 to 1978, Giuseppe was an active member of the St Vincent De Paul Society, with specific emphasis on visitation of the migrant camps, where new migrants were detained upon their arrival into Sydney.

In 1975, he became part of the Executive Committee of the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW.

From 1977 to 1980, Giuseppe was a member of the Pastoral Council of the Archdiocese of Sydney as adviser on migrant needs to Cardinal Freeman.

In 1988, Giuseppe was elected president of the Polenasi nel Mondo association of Sydney and a member of the Vincentini nel Mondo Association.

He was a founding member of the Veneto Club and vice president of the Confederazione Venete of Sydney.

In 1989, Giuseppe was elected a member of COMITES (Commitee of Italians Abroad) and held the position of treasurer.

In 1995, he was elected president.

Involvement with Co.As.It.

From 1970, Giuseppe was heavily involved with Co.As.It. (Italian Association of Assistance) in Sydney and its many activities.

This included roles as the administrative director and president/treasurer of the Italian Schools Committee (Saturday Schools and Insertion classes).

He served as president from 1991 to 1999 and as vice president from 1999 until 2005.

He served continuously as board member for Co.As.It. from 1984 until his retirement in 2008.

He later re-joined the board for one more year, from 2013 to 2014.

Mr Fin was extensively involved in the establishment and growth of Co.As.It.

He was an advocate for the less fortunate, and believed strongly that children should have access to Italian language education programs.

He worked tirelessly over many years to ensure that these objectives were met and that the organisation and community received the respect that it deserved.

His achievements with and for Co.As.It. are endless but in particular he is respected for having increased the number of students in the insertion program from 4000 to 43,000, for developing and opening the Italian Multimedia Resource Centre, for opening the Casa d’Italia at Norton Street, Leichhardt, and for initiation of an Italian Bilingual School.

Giuseppe’s lifelong passion for learning and teaching culminated in the realisation of his ultimate vision to open an Italian Bilingual School with Co.As.It.

Mr Fin formed a sub-committee that worked for 10 years to attain registration and prepare the model that was to become the first Italian Bilingual School in Australia.

His greatest joy was to see this dream become a reality and attended the school for official events including the annual presentation of the Fin Award to a student who demonstrated excellence through bilingualism.

His last official public appearance was at the opening of the new school hall in late 2017.

Awards and Honours

Giuseppe Fin received numerous awards and honours for his 70 years of volunteer work:

  • Order of Australia medal in 1981 for services to the community
  • Cavaliere of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1991
  • Gold medal award from the Chamber of Commerce in Vicenza in recognition of his activities in Australia in both the fields of welfare, culture and commercial activities in 1994
  • Gold medal award from the Chamber of Commerce in the Province of Rovigo for his achievements in Australia
  • Commendatore of the Italian Government in recognition of a lifetime of service to others, conferred on December 11, 1998, from former president of the Italian Republic, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro

Legacy

Giuseppe Fin was a man of immense community involvement who typified the very essence of altruism and the spirit of volunteerism.

He leaves us with a legacy: doing good for others is what ultimately defines us.

“Carry on the job that someone started before you, and do it with passion and love”, Giuseppe said.

By Tommaso Camporeale