Mayor of Wollongong, David Campbell, came to the event, alongside Consul General of Italy, Claudio Fabio De Nardis, the honourable Franca Arena, secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Hon. Stephen Martin, and vice-chancellor of the University of Wollongong, Professor Ken McKinnon.
After the Italian and Australian anthems were sung (with the assistance of the Wollongong Alpini choir), president of It.So.Wel., Efrem Bonacina, welcomed those present and announced the guests of honour.
Wollongong citizen, David Campbell, made a speech, praising the Italian community and the work It.So.Wel. does for the elderly.
Consul General De Nardis then briefly retraced the story of the foundation of the Italian Republic, which arose out of the struggle for liberation, and remembered how the referendum of June 2, 1946, saw Italians vote in favour of a republic government, with a great majority, thereby renouncing the monarchic regime.
The Consul took the occasion to illustrate law no. 91 on citizenship, which will actually become law on August 15 with a probationary period of two years, during which whoever desires it can reacquire Italian citizenship, by applying to the appropriate authority.
It will be possible to reacquire citizenship automatically after a period of residence in Italy of only 12 months.
The Hon. Franca Arena gave a speech in which she reiterated the importance and advantages of multiculturalism and urged those present to feel proud to be Italo-Australians.
The Hon. Stephen Martin concluded the speeches, highlighting the friendship between Australia and Italy and lauding It.So.Wel.
It was a beautiful evening, accompanied by the rhythms of the Corrado Corolla band, during which the Italians had the opportunity to meet the Consul General, who invited the Italian community of the Illawarra to the Republic Day Celebrations, which will be held in Sydney next Sunday.
