Maniaci was a longtime councilman who later became the first mayor of non-British origin to hold that office in the Canada Bay area. Maniaci was also a founding member of the Aeolian Islands Association, where he was president for many years. He also served the Italian community through his profession as an accountant and his work at the patronato where he dealt with Italian pensions.
The event was presided over by Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas, who said the unveiling of Ross Maniaci Place is a special day for Maniaci’s children Caroline and Victor and their families.
The mayor then thanked city councillors Michael Megna, Joseph Cordaro, Carmel Ruggeri, New South Wales Member of Parliament Stephanie Di Pasqua and Deputy Consul of Italy Caterina Pascali for their participation in the ceremony as well as representatives of Italian clubs and organisations in Sydney.
Tsirekas said the Aeolian Islands are “lands of indescribable beauty that have brought important talents to Australia, including Maniaci himself and also former minister and state parliamentarian John Sidoti”.
The mayor also joked that last year he went on vacation to the Sicilian islands gaining 15 pounds as he could not resist the local culinary specialties. For Mayor Maniaci, he will remain a person who not only helped the Italian community but also Australia. “Individuals like him should be remembered in history books, especially for the humane way they approached people who needed help,” said Tsirekas.
MP Di Pasqua remembered Ross Maniaci as an “example for all members of the Italian community, especially because of the great sacrifices he made to develop the neighbourhood and make our community great”.
Di Pasqua said she was proud to consider him “a point of reference for her political commitment” and to have “grown up with Italian values”.
Ross Maniaci’s daughter, Caroline, remembered her father with great emotion, thanking the mayor and the entire city council for voting unanimously in favour of dedicating a place in Five Dock to his memory.
Caroline proudly stated that her father worked in the suburb for more than 40 years, demonstrating great community spirit both as a professional and as mayor, never hesitating to help those who asked, or offering words of comfort.
Finally, Caroline thanked Tornari for taking initiative to dedicate a plaque to her father, and City Councilwomen Ruggeri and Stephanie Kelly for their help in organising the event.
Deputy Consul of Italy Pascali argued that people like Maniaci “are a source of pride for Italy and for all Italians in Australia,” while Aeolian Islands Association Confraternita San Bartolomeo Vice President, Fausto Biviano, recalled when the then mayor of Drummoyne founded the association in 1971, becoming its first president and then serving on the committee in various roles for more than 40 years.
Biviano pointed out that “it is an honour to name a place in the heart of Five Dock after Ross, especially across from the Aeolian Islands Square in Fred Kelly Place, which was opened in 2013 in honour of Aeolians who contributed to the development of Australia”.
Patrizia Biondi, his former employee, recalled that when she finished her studies, Maniaci offered her a job at his accounting firm. “A person of infinite patience and empathy, always ready to help his employees and even newcomers learn the trade,” she said.
Tony Labozzetta, who worked with him at Club Marconi, recalled “his love for the Italian community and especially the sacrifices he made to unite the Marconi soccer team”.
Sam Iacono pointed out how Maniaci had inaugurated a partnership with the Aeolian Islands, while Megna, former mayor of Drummoyne, called Ross Maniaci “not only a good public administrator, but also a person of great honesty and courage in dealing with the various problems of the community”.
