The 47th edition of the Festa di San Giorgio was an opportunity for the Italian community to reaffirm their faith and the feeling of unity that comes from Italian-Australian associationism.

The event was organised by the committee of the San Giorgio Association. The group has, since 1977, been committed to preserving their traditions while also introducing new cultural and religious practices.

The association is also passionate about involving families and encouraging young people to take up the baton of perpetuating the traditions of Martone, the small Calabrian village of which Saint George is the Patron Saint.

In the background of the festa was an idyllic countryside landscape, about an hour outside Sydney.

The event started at 11:00 a.m. with the raising of the ‘ntinna tree, followed by folk dancing and music by a local band.

The event was also attended by Hills Shire Mayor Peter Gangemi and Castle Hill MP Mark Hodges, who both praised the Association’s efforts to actively engage the community.

The statue of Saint George was a powerful presence throughout the day, adorned with sguti, the traditional bread prepared by the skilled hands of the women of the association. Every year, these ladies gather two days before the festa to shape the special bread which serves as an integral part of the day.

This custom is one of the many tributes to the Saint, who the people of Martone venerate for promoting the value of sharing, urging people to prepare the bread and distribute it according to the principles of Christian tradition.

A procession led the statue from the shed where the Mass officiated by Father Mirko Integlia was held, in what was a profound spiritual moment.

After the procession came the bread auction, with proceeds going to support the association’s charities.

The event also featured an wide variety of attractions, from craft and food stalls to live performances by Dominic Vasta and Julie Wisniewski, the Nick Bavarelli Band and performances by Tony Lentini and Rosanna Gallo, before an impressive fireworks display brought the evening to a close.

Mary Macri, secretary of the association and one of the chief organisers, was incredibly proud of the event.

“It was a triumph,” she said. “The participation was outstanding and everyone, from the committee to the guests, cooperated harmoniously.”

“This festa shows that for 47 years we’ve been working together to cherish our culture and traditions,” said the association’s president, George Dolores.

With the echo of the fireworks still in the air, the Kenthurst community is already looking forward to next year, ready as always to renew its unbreakable bond with the beloved Saint George.

During the event, secretary Mary Macri announced that the winning raffle numbers will be published in La Fiamma. Therefore, we would like to inform the public that the winning ticket numbers are:

First Prize 32126

Second Prize 21880

Third Prize 26296

Fourth Prize 23745

Fifth Prize 30016

Sixth Prize 33895

Seventh Prize 29523

Eighth Prize 23393

Ninth Prize 21847

Tenth Prize 24374

The winning number for the Cuccagna Tree was 2010.