The Isole Eolie Society of Melbourne marked a milestone few can match: the centenary of its founding. A century of shared stories, of lives intertwined across generations, of roots transplanted.
The refined Pullman Melbourne Albert Park set the stage for an event that became a little corner of the Aeolian Islands. Soft lights and tables were adorned with fresh flowers, and at the entrance of the vast hall was an exhibition on the timeless (and UNESCO heritage-listed) wonders of Lipari, Panarea, Salina, Stromboli, Vulcano, Alicudi and Filicudi.
The official welcome for the roughly nine hundred guests was given by the well-known Italo-Australian comedian James Liotta, who hosted the entire event with his signature light touch.
Soprano Rebecca Gulinello enchanted the audience at the start of the evening, performing both national anthems as a reminder of the bridge between two homelands, distant in geography yet so close in the hearts of thousands.
The floor then went to the president of the Isole Eolie Society of Melbourne, Sam Portelli. He emotionally recalled the mission that, a hundred years ago, had given life to the association and built a refuge for Aeolian emigrants.
“We don’t just want to celebrate the incredible longevity of the club, we want to honour all those who shaped our journey and the progress we have achieved together,” he said.
“A century ago, our journey began with a simple mission and a strong sense of community. Since then, we have grown, adapted and achieved far more than we could have imagined, driven by the dedication of those who came before us and inspired by the energy of those who will guide us into the future.
“In the last decade, during which I have also served as president, we have successfully completed several projects to improve our club,” Portelli continued. “I would like to thank Michael Angelini, who played a key role in bringing us into the digital age, launching a new website and an active presence on social media.
Some special guests with the cake
“Our future looks bright, full of promise and potential. Our community is vibrant, and our goals, though ambitious, are within reach,” added the president.
“The foundations laid over the past hundred years give us every reason to be confident about what lies ahead. But this evening would not be possible without your continued support and, above all, the generous backing of our sponsors. Thank you, truly.”
As dozens of waiters entered the hall in perfect single file to serve the entrée, Portelli ended his speech in Sicilian dialect. “Mangiate, ballate, fatevi una bella chiacchierata e soprattutto scialatevi” (“Eat, dance, have a nice chat and above all enjoy yourselves”), met with thunderous applause from the diners.
Also present were the popular comedy trio Sooshi Mango and actress Pia Miranda, along with political representatives from Victoria and government institutions, including Lily D’Ambrosio, State Minister for Climate Action; Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin; Ubaldo Aglianò, president of Com.It.Es. Victoria & Tasmania; and Gabrielle Marchetti and Silvia Renda from the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Soprano Rebecca Gulinello performing with Siesta Cartel
Gulinello’s voice returned to fill the hall with renditions of L’amour est un oiseau rebelle (also known as Habanera) from Bizet’s opera Carmen and the nostalgic Se by Ennio Morricone, from the iconic Cinema Paradiso soundtrack.
The band Siesta Cartel then lit up the dance floor, moving from a Lucio Dalla song to a tribute to Domenico Modugno, through Morandi, Celentano and some of the most popular regional folk songs. Gulinello also joined the band to pay homage to Italian music.
During the evening, in an intimate and evocative corner, Melbourne artist Joe Zapp surprised guests by creating a live portrait of Sooshi Mango, which was later auctioned off.
Meanwhile, Com.It.Es. Victoria & Tasmania honoured the Isole Eolie Society of Melbourne with a certificate of recognition, presented by Ubaldo Aglianò and Gabrielle Marchetti to Portelli as a sign of gratitude for a century of “tireless community commitment”.
Artist Joe Zapp created a piece during the event
In a moving moment to honour the invisible thread still linking past and present, the association presented special awards dedicated to the founding members of the club and past presidents, received by their families or descendants. It was a symbolic gesture meant to once again highlight the “eternal gratitude toward those who began this long journey”.
All the special award winners
The gala evening also marked the presentation of the book From Volcanoes We Sailed: A History of the Aeolians in Australia, written by Cristina Neri with contributions from many community members and association affiliates such as John Barnao, Janetta Ziino, Frank Bongiorno, Paul Strangio, Joseph Lo Bianco and Joe and Giulia Biviano.
The work retraces a hundred years of Aeolian community history in Australia: the first departures, the hardships of migration and two world wars through to integration and pride in identity. It also includes Aeolian recipes in a bid to keep alive the aromas and flavours that crossed oceans.
From Volcanoes We Sailed: A History of the Aeolians in Australia by Cristina Neri
The event concluded with an extraordinary raffle that amazed the lucky winners: a round-trip flight for two to Italy with Turkish Airlines, including a $1000 travel voucher and dream stay on the island of Lipari.
At midnight, the venue’s doors began to close, sending home about a thousand enthusiastic guests, proud to have taken part in a living tribute to the strength of community, its resilience and identity which endures and blossoms.
The Aeolian Islands do not seem to be just a memory; rather, they continue to sprout in the stories and songs of many.
