The event took place at a church in Earlwood, where members gathered to honour the long-standing service of the Carabinieri to Italy and Italians around the world. Retired officers, along with their loved ones and many supporters, came together to show appreciation for the dedication and sacrifice of the force.
The celebration began with a Mass, which was held by Father Alejandro. During the service, Father Alejandro invited the Carabinieri to pray to the Holy Spirit to fill their hearts with love for others and to become true apostles of Christ.
Following the religious service, a light lunch was served in the parish hall, offering guests the opportunity to socialise and share in the spirit of community.
The new president of the Sydney Carabinieri Association, Luigi Miotello, welcomed the guests and acknowledged the help of coordinator Antonio Bamonte in organising the event. He also noted that the Sydney group currently has 45 members.
Bamonte then took the floor and recalled the founding of the association in March 1974, in Haberfield. The first president was Angelo Cainero and the group began with 15 active Carabinieri.
By the end of May that year, the number had grown to 45, and by the end of September, to 84.
“Today, only a few of us remain,” Bamonte noted, “Of the original members, only four of us are still actively involved: me, Francesco Rizzo, Angelo Falanga and Franco Indovino.
“However, we now count on the children and friends of the association to keep the spirit alive and ensure our continued presence.”
On behalf of the Sydney Carabinieri, Bamonte also extended greetings to the National President, General C.A. Libero Losardo.
This year’s celebration was more modest due to it coinciding with the King’s Birthday public holiday, but two more events are planned before the end of the year. One on November 4 at the Scalabrini Village in Austral, featuring representatives from all branches of the Armed Forces, and the other celebrating Virgo Fidelis, the patron saint of the Carabinieri.
