In spirit, they walked the cobblestone streets of Rome, admired the interwoven marbles of Milan’s Piazza del Duomo, felt the serenity of Florence’s Piazza della Signoria beneath their feet and got lost in the shimmering reflections of Venice’s canals.
The immersive art space at The Lume was transformed into a luminous and moving tribute to Italy, welcoming hundreds of guests for the annual Republic Day celebration organised by the Consulate General of Italy in Melbourne.
As iconic images of Italy’s rich cultural heritage surrounded the crowd, Consul Chiara Mauri opened the ceremony with a heartfelt reflection on the significance of June 2.
“A pivotal moment in Italian history: the birth of our Republic,” she declared, “On this very day in 1946, Italians went to the polls in a historic referendum to decide the country’s future.
“The participation of women in that vote sent a powerful message: a new Italy was emerging, built on the principles of democracy and inclusivity.”
She went on to highlight the vital role of women in shaping Italy.
“From the pioneering scientific work of Rita Levi Montalcini to Margherita Hack in astrophysics and the revolutionary educational methods of Maria Montessori, Italian women have left an indelible mark,” she said.
“Today, we continue to see that same spirit in the achievements of Samantha Cristoforetti, the first woman to command the International Space Station, and Fabiola Gianotti, the Director-General of CERN.”
The event was also attended by the Victorian Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos, Victorian Leader of the Opposition Brad Battin, and President of Co.As.It. Melbourne Vince Volpe.
All underscored the importance of June 2, the deep value of the Italian community in Australia, and the shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and cultural exchange.
On this special occasion, Consul Mauri announced that Linda Dessau had been awarded the title Commendatore della Repubblica Italiana, an honour bestowed on individuals who, through dedication, talent and tireless commitment, have significantly contributed to society.
“My parents weren’t of Italian descent, but they deeply loved Italy, so much so that they became fluent in the language,” Dessau revealed.
“The Italian community has always been close to Government House,” she continued, “I felt truly honoured to be a patron of Co.As.It., where my mother also volunteered. It’s a connection that is deeply meaningful to me.”
In 2022, Dessau oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between then Premier Daniel Andrews and the President of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana.
“During that visit to Milan, we discussed the exchange of sports expertise between Italy and Australia, as well as valuable collaboration in the aerospace sector with the company Leonardo,” she said.
“It’s proof that the Italian contribution goes far beyond culture; it extends to industry and investment.”
The evening concluded with wonderful food from some of the finest Italian producers in Victoria, accompanied by live Italian music.
A celebration, yes - but more than that, it was a heartfelt embrace stretching across 20,000 kilometres. For Italians in Australia, it was a chance to reconnect with something that knows no distance: identity.
