Tom Padula – November 2011
When we speak of multicultural Australia, we often refer to the numerous groups of people from all over the world who now call Australia home. In the case of the Italian Community, several questions come to mind: what does it really mean when we say the Italian Community of Melbourne. Do we mean that this community is located in one place? That it speaks its own language, that it follows its own cultural and religious traditions, that it is a closed shop so that no outsider can penetrate its cultural walls and political make up? That it educates its young to follow strictly to a code of behaviour and lifestyle? That it is a patriarchal or matriarchal family unit and continues to exist and live in the same manner as in previous decades and generations?A reflection of what is really meant by Italian Community in our Australian context is worthy of some reflection: for no other reason perhaps than to understand clearly where our reality lies at this time in our social development. Let’s look at the questions and try to find whether perception and reality match.
The Italian Community is located throughout the City of Melbourne. You will find Italian background Australian Citizens in most suburbs. Little Italy or the suburb of Carlton represents the symbolic home of the early Italian settlers, together with other suburbs such as Brunswick, Coburg, Reservoir, Carlton and also Kew, Elsternwick and Toorak! I should also mention the great number of other Italian immigrant groups in most regional centres of Victoria: places such as Mildura, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Morwell and others. The Italians have built in many new suburbs as Melbourne has continued to grow and expand. The presence of Italians in many aspects of Melbourne life cannot be ignored. Its presence in small, medium and large enterprises and community life is a fact that continues to play its part to the present days.
The great plethora of Italian Clubs and Associations, including sporting, cultural, religious and pensioner groups, is the real glue that keeps our Italian Community together. But without the ability to communicate and inform in the Italian Language, our rich bilingual and cultural heritage would quickly be lost to Australia. We would stop digging for our cultural gold!
Australians of Italian heritage need to continue to access educational, cultural and social opportunities. These are of paramount importance for their ability to retain membership of the very real Italian Community that is so easily identifiable today, even after many generations who have been buried in the cemeteries of Australia.
Our Italian Media networks play a significant role in the daily needs of people who want to retain a connection with Italian and Italy. We are proud also of the fact that politicians of all political persuasions recognize, encourge and support the retention of all Community Languages, the support of school programs and Community television along with the very real local intellectual contributions by our Libraries. The public in general lives daily the rich fibre of diversity that exists in its midst. English plays a major role in the lives of newcomers who have to learn and use it daily. Therefore support for English learning to adults and children in schools are essential. I would also support that our print media in other languages expressed their editorial leanings in English, so that their reach of political wisdom can play an even greater role than it does now.
History and an appreciation of the contribution of each group of people who have settled in this Country can be acknowledged and recognized. In this way we can truly be proud of all citizens and people who have lived the Australian experience. The Italian Australian historical connection goes back to the early years of pre settlement with the significant contribution of James Mario Matra and his three submissions to the colonial office in the ten years before the voyages of Captain Arthur Phillips and the first European settlers in New South Wales.
It is the passage through time and the respect of people for their forebears that holds the key to a future in peace with our neighbours and makes us aware of the rights of all people to respect and hold dear their own identities. However only looking back produces a very sad and impoverished community. So it’s important to identify the gains made in the new homeland. Australia has been extremely generous to people who have embraced its opportunities. Being part of the general Community is even more important for the well being of individuals, families and neighbours.
The Italians have shared their knowledge and skills with others. The Italian Community of Melbourne has an everyday presence within the general fabric of Australian society. This is perhaps its greatest achievement and place of pride in the passage of time. The retention of a very unique contribution has promoted peace and harmony at all stages of its migrant experience, from generation to generation.
The Italians have shared their knowledge and skills with others. The Italian Community of Melbourne has an everyday presence within the general fabric of Australian society. This is perhaps its greatest achievement and place of pride in the passage of time. The retention of a very unique contribution has promoted peace and harmony at all stages of its migrant experience, from generation to generation.
Tom Padula - November 2011
