The Friendship Group, dedicated to the memory of Enrica Inglese, held its annual general meeting reviewing the activities carried out over the year.
This group has distinguished itself for its ongoing commitment to promoting the Italian language and for the success of its projects, such as scholarships and cultural initiatives aimed at students of Italian and the wider community.
Over the past year, the group strengthened its main goal: to encourage the study of the Italian language.
Among the most significant initiatives was the essay competition, which involved 21 students in the Year 5-6 category, 15 students in the Year 7-9 category, 21 students in the Year 10-12 category and 16 students from the bilingual Italian school.
To promote participation, the committee sent 400 letters to Italian schools across Australia, often contacting teachers personally.
Thanks to these efforts, three winners in each category were awarded during the Awards Presentation Day.
This event saw a strong attendance, including 20 representatives from Italian associations. It also received enthusiastic praise from the parents of the winners, expressed through emails sent to the board.
The success of the Friendship Group is the result of the tireless work of a dedicated committee, composed of Armando Tornari (coordinator); Antonio Palamara (president); Rita Maniaci (vice president and secretary); Vincenzo Macrì (vice president); Concetta Cirigliano Perna, Carmen Di Napoli and Giuseppina Lombardo (scholarship advisors); Giuseppe Palamara (treasurer); Antonio Cipolla (councillor); Antonella Francè, Alba Rosa Fabro, Linda Palamara, Anna Maria Cirene and Rosalia Salerno (public relations) and Matilda Di Certo (honorary secretary).
During the assembly, Angelo D’Angelo was appointed as legal representative and auditor.
The group announced that on July 26, 2025, the Italian Forum Theatre will host an innovative awards presentation.
The event, to be held on a Saturday afternoon, will include not only the next award ceremony for students but Italian musical and cultural performances to be enjoyed by families.
Afternoon tea will also be served. This new format, more academically oriented, aims to make the event a special moment for all participants, combining cultural and academic elements into a single celebration.
Also among their future projects is a book focusing on the first, second and third generation of Italians in Australia as well as the origins of this La Fiamma, founded in 1947.
The book, created by a team led by Concetta Cirigliano Perna, Frank Panucci and Daniela Iacono, will examine how the Italian community has kept its cultural and linguistic traditions alive within the Australian context.
It will include interviews with prominent Italian figures, both well and lesser known, offering a comprehensive and engaging perspective on the history of Italians in Australia.
This project also aims to highlight the crucial role La Fiamma has played in providing informational support to the Italian community during periods of mass immigration and social and political change.
The book will offer an extraordinary contribution to the understanding of the history of Italian migration to Australia, shedding light on both individual stories and the sociocultural changes within the community.
Another major new addition is the Angeto Maggiotto Scholarship, worth $1000 for Italian students at universities in regional New South Wales.
2025 will also mark the sixth edition of the Italian Education Awards, promotion for which will begin in February 2025 with letters being sent to all Australian schools teaching Italian.
The topics for the upcoming year will include:
Year 5-6: Write about their best (or worst) holiday experience.
Year 7-9: Write about climate change, its impact and what can be done.
Year 10-12: Write about artificial intelligence and its potential impact.
These topics aim to stimulate young people’s interest, encouraging them to express opinions on current and relevant issues.
The registration deadline is set for the end of May, 2025.
