The pain of the Mineral Boom

The pain of the Mineral Boom

Tom Padula – 16 September 2011

   The more money comes into Australia from sales of minerals to hungry Asian Countries for our unlimited sub ground resources, the more this profit is used to capitalize this ultra profitable industry. Profits are spent and utilized to acquire more mines and provide infrastructure in other countries with similar resource opportunities or in more remote areas of Australia. The latter scenario is to ensure that more resources are found for the next generation minerals boom. It’s like well-fed cattle preoccupied for the next patch of green grass.

 Our overall economy has been invaded by one very successful sector. The mistake is made when we count this success alongside our everyday economy made up of various strands of production, manufacturing and services that impact on our everyday life and commercial relationships. We harbour the mistaken notion that the success in the export of minerals will reassure us that we are directly benefiting from this success. Reality is far from the truth. The retail sector depends on people having enough disposable income to be able to maintain the current availability of products and services in our shopping centres, malls and street fronted shops.

 The general feeling of unease is spreading amongst the general population and there doesn’t seem to be a fair appropriation of velocity in our two-speed economy. It’s as if the more successful the minerals based sector, the slower and more demanding the rest of the economy becomes. It’s the difference between the very rich and our proverbial battlers. It’s as if they live on two different planets. Only people in our nation involved in the faster lane of mineral exploration, production and exportation have that buoyant feeling of success. The others who don’t do ‘minerals’ can expect to be told that we are successful, that our interest rates need to go higher and higher, or remain at its current high levels. Great thinking! The less inflation there is… since noone can afford to spend… the more stable will our two-speed economy remain! 

   Ex Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had good intentions on two fronts. The first one was to take out some of the profits from the mineral boom and then ensure that every family, including all single people and all sectors of the Australian community, could only borrow no more than they could afford. So, in the second instance, new rules regulating banking and loans came in. The new rules of serviceability were brought in at the expense of equity holdings and more generous equity to borrowing ratios.

 A few years later we have very little income from the minerals boom that go towards financing our social obligations projects and maintenance:  pensions, schools, hospitals, transport routes that don’t go to the mines and so much more. These projects and maintenance have all been carried forward thanks to the years of saving under the traditionally financially tight belt attitudes of conservative governments. The income needed for all the new plethora of social obligations and high maintenance institutional organizations are extracted from ordinary Australians in the form of old and new taxes, higher interest rates, a raft of new charges from energy suppliers, the use of roads and services tolls, parking spaces (even in hospitals and airports!). Not one day goes by without someone in Government or in our Institutions thinking up some other scheme to extract more disposable income from the general Australian public!

   Well, at least we are not alone in doing this to our country. It’s not much better in similar developed countries. That’s why our politicians need to visit the rest of the world! New ideas are always needed to keep abreast of how to keep on taxing our very accommodating citizens! We understand that this is the price to pay for a better world! So the well-travelled good intentions of our ex Prime Minister have given over time the exact opposite of the original well thought out sentiments. All that generosity of spirit, good feelings of a government that came to power on such high hopes for social betterment and infrastructure improvements have been realized… but not thanks to the money generated from the mineral boom. The ordinary people of Australia in the last few years have been asked to finance these extraordinary projects: from the savings of the previous belt tightening years and the current raft of ever increasing tax and charges burden. We have had a brief period of fast food type financial feed bonanza of a very short duration, but we have now been left with a "malaise" that will need extraordinary will power to overcome and to eventually eradicate these new set of economic circumstances and global condition effects.

   Will we be so lucky to have the vision to realize that ‘progress for all’ is a dream that can only come true and be maintained if everyone involved realizes that in our economy as in Life, one must give to Caesar and to God what is duly, rightfully theirs! Can our Politicians in Parliament, our Big Business Brothers, our Not For Profit and Charitable Organization realize that we are all in this together.  So, Be fair. Act not in your own self-interest and preservation, but behave as if you really care! Listen to the needy, don’t be fooled by the greedy! Proceed with caution… our true Capital lies within our best interest as a humanitarian community under our Brilliant Sun and Southern Cross!

Tom Padula – September 2011

In search of Multiculturalism

In search of Multiculturalism

What is ‘Multiculturalism’: the way in which we practise it here in Melbourne? As against the term ‘Cosmopolitan’… meaning that nations allow people to come into their country, but who can remain on the edge of that society because not a part of the original inhabitants…  snobbery born out of the right side of the bed, so to speak. In both cases there is a mix of people who live together, but whose behaviour will calm the waters or incense them when conflict arises. In peaceful times there is no problem which model is adopted… tourists come and go in short to medium blocks of time. As long as they enjoy themselves, the definition of this mix of people is not that important. However the way in which a particular society approaches its governance is very important indeed!

Multiculturalism is not always practised in modern society… where there is non-acceptance, intolerance, inverse snobbery by groups that want to impose their particular views at all cost or by rejecting general cultural ideas of inclusion … so I can wear what I want as long as you don’t think that what I wear is wrong, I can eat what I want provided that you don’t say that eating particular foods is wrong, or is eaten at the wrong time! Multiculturalism ought to be part of all Governments regardless of their particular leaning: it has to be accepted by Labour, Liberal, Green, Democrat and also by marginal Parties.

Multiculturalism is when Governments of all persuasions are able to implement policies that allow all groups to participate in the day-to-day politics of the Municipality, the State and the Nation. The Multicultural dollar goes a long way when it is spent in such inclusive policies as the availability of translators and interpreters, the well stocked libraries with books and materials that inform and enlighten the individual, the presence of the right carers who understand all backgrounds. If these carers don’t, they ought to be able to call on the right professionals who can then administer caring policies for particular individuals or small groups from the same background i.e. whether it’s food, faith, language, fashion and cultural make-up.

European societies are cosmopolitan, they are not multicultural societies… there people are well defined in their categories for generations… a Turk in Germany remains a Turk, he cannot and does not become German, an Italian or Pakistani or Indian in England is still Italian, Pakistani or Indian even after many generations. A Chinese, Vietnamese, Greek remains identified with that identity over many generations. Here in Australia as in Europe we are all proud of our family’s ethnic identity and our backgrounds. So when does a Nation become multicultural? A nation becomes multicultural when all its governments and institutions make real provision to include everyone in its policies and laws… within the national geographic boundaries, in the wider community, in schools, churches, hospitals and everywhere else, even prisons.

The main aim of multiculturalism is the ability of people of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, different faiths, mode of processing life, respect for equality of both sexes coming together and accepting their differences, to then work with each other to make their community or society work in harmony by remaining ‘open’ and welcoming to others within their own communities… ie there cannot be a suburb or special place where people are excluded because they are different …

The test of a multicultural nation is when members of each group with different or very different cultural practices protect others and themselves by denouncing ‘extreme behaviour’ within their own group. In such cases members of this particular group want to exclude or endanger others because they think of them as inferior.  These people can sometimes be treated as lesser beings because they are different. Preachers, teachers, politicians, and whoever is involved in the projection of ideas, like poets, songwriters, writers, journalists have a responsibility to develop as mediums of peace, harmony and tolerance, with touches of healthy philosophies and appreciation of diversities. Members of faiths that preach exclusion or have special laws by which they would rather be judged have real problems… they need to tone down their own belief systems to embrace a more open and democratic system in which the ideals of egalite’, liberte’, fraternite’ are embraced and practised.

Therefore if you feel special and believe that you are better than others, if you want to be treated better than your neighbour, if you have innate arrogance, or are on the right of might, if you believe that you deserve special advantages and privileges, if you want to deal only with your own kind, then multiculturalism for you is only an ideal that yet remains to be embraced or from which you want to be excluded. On the other hand, if you happen to live, work, entertain yourself and socialize with all types in peace and harmony, then you have embraced multiculturalism and all that it offers… you can still remain a part of your group of friends of the same culture, language and identity… but you must also defend your right to feel equal, free and fraternal towards all others who belong to different groups or ethnic background in your wider community or society! Let’s have a Multicultural Day of National Celebration, maybe combining it with the Australia Day Celebration Week, each year! 

Tom Padula - 1st September 2011

Till Debt Do Us Part

Till Debt Do Us Part 

by Tom Padula – 28 August 2011

The current problems with western world countries and their economic policies have existed for a very long time. In fact since Debt was invented. You can do more with less if you have debt. Debt, you see, enables you to get today what you should have tomorrow, if you only will have had the capital to realize what you want. Without debt, there is progress only when you are actually able to build or make or agree to work together with others… to then split the profits in appropriate parts. A little capital in the hands of the right people can go a long way.

We have the story of the three brothers (and/or sisters in today’s world), who were given an equal number of gold coins. The first one went out to spend them without a return and he quickly became poor again; the second one kept his coins under the bed and used what he had very sparingly, but could not change his life around; the third one used what he had and borrowed some more in order to do things with what he had and what he had borrowed. In this latter case, both capital and initiative enabled this brother to become wealthy.

If you borrow for the purpose of building your wealth or provide services for the benefit of everyone or make products that will give you a profit, then the Debt is a good debt. But if you borrow in order to give yourself advantages that you cannot afford, and from which there is no profit, then debt becomes a burden because you live life with resources that don’t belong to you and which has to be payed back eventually (and with interest!). Managing what you have and what you borrow as an individual, as a company, as a club or association, as a municipality, as a State or as a Nation is directly related to income and expenditure. There is no escaping the debt!

We know about people who steal out of necessity, or cheat to gain and advantage or do all sort of bad things in order to enable themselves to do what they cannot afford to do! Gamblers, punters, risk capital investors and also people who lend money to these types of people usually get into a lot of trouble. This happens when the borrower runs out of the money resource that did not belong to them and that they cannot pay back! To avoid personalized conflict, the institution of Bank was created. A Bank holds capital that belongs to investors who want a particular return for their investment, and traditionally without necessarily wanting to know how their capital was spent!

Those people who are confident that if they borrow what they need for a particular project and can actually repay their debt are the winners, the wealth builders. They enjoy in time the fruits of their labour, so to speak! Those people who do not rely on borrowings but are able to live well and do with their own capital will enjoy peace of mind and lack of pressure, because they don’t owe anyone anything. In the majority, these latter people don’t also have the hunger to achieve or produce since they are under no pressure… they can enjoy their ‘caffellatte’ without worries!

Governments or Institutions that don’t have debt don’t generally have the capacity to build infrastructures that propel their society into a vibrant, hardworking and modern communities.  When there is acceptable debt ambition is fuelled because people have to work a little harder to achieve individual or common goals. They also need to work together in order to meet all their funded commitments, with loans attached to their tails! Unfortunately, sometimes these loans go towards maintaining the lifestyle of people who want to be on a permanent holiday, and have expectations and needs based on what the Government can do for them. If Governments cannot raise enough taxes to meet these costs, then the economy suffers… unless they have revenue coming from what is extracted from their territories. In other words the management of a national economy has to be based on the country’s ability to make more than it spends! Or to borrow in the short term but then have the ability to repay back debt!

In order for things to happen or be possible, the availability of Capital, the use of management of this resource and, in the medium to long term, the possibility of meeting all debt obligations have to be present. In the short term or for as long as is required, interest on borrowed capital has to be paid. There has to be a timeline, and there usually is, when all lenders and borrowers are able to say safely to each other ‘until debt do us part’. In economic terms, this is the best marriage!

P.S.  A divorce occurs when one of the partners or both believe that there is an ‘irrevocable reason to split’, but that’s another article!!!

Sport and Culture / Sport e Cultura

Sport and Culture

by Tom Padula – 2 June 2011

I have been invited by Ugo Cendron to participate in the Circolo Ferraristi Melbourne as promoter of Italo-Australian Culture. I liked the idea also because I recognize in the practice of sport its importance for health and physical and mental well being. I have always been attracted by sport, but I am passionate about culture. Therefore to have the opportunity to reflect on the relationship between Culture and Sport is a great privilege. And then in the middle of all, this is one of the sporting symbols of Italianity at the world level, with the House of Ferrari. And here in Melbourne we are in the middle of celebrating Italy’s Unification 150 Anniversary and its 65th year as a Republic.

Where do I begin with sport and culture? Reflecting well on it, culture and sport are a part of the inside and the outside of our human spirit. The presence of culture amongst the activities of the Grand Prix of Formula One is necessary to balance the passion of competition with respect for the various teams that participate in it. Only because I like Ferrari, this doesn’t mean hating competitors to such an extent than to render this sport impracticable. People like to enjoy themselves, to be distracted from daily problems, socialize with others and find common interests. Then to feel being part of a team to compete with others in other teams. But the spirit of a supporter at times drives the fan to the extremes of conduct against other... fans!

Therefore culture is necessary to break the more negative aspects of the spirit of competition among many teams and champions of sport, among the various groups that support them, among the nations that are involved. Culture and social conscience tell us that sport is only a part of the sentiment of belonging to something. It’s important to respect others in the competition and hold back our hatred as fans in order to make the sporting activity more pleasant for everyone! We want that culture and sport hold hands and that they distinguish themselves, as an example of great civility. In this way sporting activity will be more pleasant for everyone.

The Circolo Ferraristi Melbourne plans to resuscitate Italo-Australian pride in its passionate sporting fans for the House of Ferrari, and for its machines and motors. We who no longer live in Italy but who are citizens, or Australians of Italian background, recognize the Made in Italy and its importance in our individuality and identity. For this reason we want to see one of our local champions accede to the opportunities to compete, driving a Ferrari, symbol of Italianity in the world circuit of automobiles of Formula One.

It would be nice to manufacture a Ferrari in Australia. In the meantime we shall content ourselves with an Australian driver behind an Italian Ferrari ... so we too will feel as genuine products of Italianity at world level. We recognize in the Australian driver our appreciation of Australia to have welcomed us in its bosom... like a second mother, as a new adopted fatherland. But never forgetting our family and historical ties with Italy. The opportunity to compete with the rest of the world, with a doubling up of talent coming from two nations, will be the necessary stimulus to give, to who lives in Australia with Italian roots, the rightful recognition of his contemporary reality. With Mark Webber, or young ...... Ricciuto, at the wheel of a Ferrari in 2012, we say...“Viva Italia! Viva Australia!”

Lo Sport e La Cultura

di Tom Padula – 2 June 2011 

Sono stato invitato da Ugo Cendron a partecipare al Circolo Ferraristi di Melbourne come promotore della Cultura Italo-Australiana. L’idea mi e’ piaciuta anche perche’ riconosco nella pratica dello sport la sua importanza per la salute ed il benessere fisico e mentale. Lo sport mi ha sempre attirato, pero’ sono un appassionato della cultura. Quindi avere l’opportunita’ di riflettere sulla relazione fra Cultura e Sport e’ un grande privilegio. E poi c’e’ in mezzo a tutto questo uno dei simboli sportivi dell’Italianita’ a livello mondiale con la casa Ferrari. E qui a Melbourne siamo nel bel mezzo delle celebrazioni dei 150 anni di Unificazione d’Italia e del 65esimo Compleanno della Repubblica Italiana.

Dove comincio con lo sport e la cultura? Riflettendoci bene, la cultura e lo sport fanno parte del dentro e del fuori dello spirito umano. La presenza della cultura fra le attivita’ del Grand Prix di Formula Uno e’ necessaria per bilanciare la passione per la competizione con il rispetto per le diverse squadre che vi partecipano. Soltanto perche’ a me piace la Ferrari, questo non significa odiare i competitori a tal punto da rendere questo sport impraticabile. Alla gente piace divertirsi, distrarsi dai problemi quotidiani, socializzare con gli altri e trovare comuni interessi. Poi sentirsi parte di una squadra per competere con gli altri in altre squadre. Pero’ lo spirito della squadra a volte spinge il tifoso agli estremi del suo comportamento contro gli altri… tifosi!

Quindi la cultura e’ necessaria per frenare gli aspetti piu’ negativi dello spirito di competizione fra molte squadre e campioni dello sport, fra i vari gruppi che li sostengono, fra le nazioni che ne sono coinvolte. La cultura e la coscienza sociale ci dicono che lo sport e’ soltanto una parte del sentimento di appartenenza a qualcosa. E’ importante rispettare gli altri nella competizione e frenare il nostro odio di tifosi per rendere l’attivita’ sportiva piu’ piacevole per tutti! Noi vogliamo che la cultura e lo sport si diano la mano e che si distinguino insieme, come esempio di grande civilta’. In questo modo l’attivita’ sportiva sara’ piu’ piacevole per tutti.

Il Circolo Ferraristi di Melbourne si propone di suscitare l’orgoglio italo-australiano nei suoi appassionati sportivi per la casa Ferrari e per le sue macchine e motori. Noi che non viviamo piu’ in Italia ma che siamo cittadini Italiani ed Australiani, o Australiani di origine italiana, riconosciamo il Made in Italy e la sua importanza nella nostra individualita’ ed identita’. Per questo vogliamo vedere un nostro campione australiano alla guida di una Ferrari della Formula Uno. Affermiamo che anche noi abbiamo il diritto di vedere uno dei nostri campioni locali accedere alle opportunita’ di competere, guidando una Ferrari, simbolo di Italianita’ nel circuito mondiale di automobili di Formula Uno.

Sarebbe bello produrre una Ferrari in Australia. Nel frattempo ci acconteteremo di un autista australiano dietro ad una Ferrari italiana… cosi’ noi anche ci sentiremo dei genuini prodotti dell’Italianita’ al livello mondiale. Riconosciamo nell’autista australiano il nostro apprezzamento all’Australia per averci accolti nel suo grembo… come una seconda madre, come nuova patria adottiva. Pero’ mai dimenticando i nostri legami familiari e storici con l’Italia. L’opportunita’ di competere con il resto del mondo con un doppiaggio di talenti proveniente da due nazioni potra’ essere lo stimolo necessario per dare a chi vive in Australia con radici italiane il giusto riconoscimento della sua realta’ odierna. Con Mark Webber, o il Giovane …… Ricciuto, al volante di una Ferrari nel 2012, diciamo “ Viva Italia! Viva Australia!”

Per il Campanile: incontro con Padre Luciano

Per il Campanile: incontro con Padre Luciano

Domenica 26 Giugno 2011 nel salone della Galli Estate Winery sulla Melton Highway  nel sobborgo di Plumpton si e’ svolto un interessante incontro all’insegna dell’amicizia schietta e della familiarita’. Un buon numero di famiglie associate alle attivita’ religiose, sociali e culturali di un progetto che vuole ripristinare lo spirito di fratellanza con donazioni ed aiuto alla Chiesa Italiana di Melbourne che piu’ di ogni altra rappresenta il passaggio storico di una Comunita’ Italiana all’estero.  La Comunita’ Italiana si e’ integrata abilmente nel tessuto sociale australiano, rimanendo fedele alla cultura religiosa paesana in Italia ed allo stesso tempo venendo incontro alle nuove generazioni di giovani nati nel Paese dei canguri e dei koala. 

E chi meglio dei tanti religiosi che emigrarono in questo continente insieme a quelli che andavano in cerca di un futuro dignitoso conoscevano le necessita’ spirituali e culturali di questi emigranti al principio di una nuova vita in un nuovo paese’. Le difficolta’ iniziali ben presto vennero superate e la costruzione di una Chiesa tutta italiana fu identificata come  un mezzo comunitario per celebrare la famiglia e la sua prole. Sin dagli inizi i Padri Cappuccini di Hawthorn sono stati attivi  nell’amministrare i sacramenti a tutti coloro che lo richiedevano.  Battesimi, Comunioni, Confessioni,  Cresime, Matrimoni, Servizi Funebri, visite ad ospedali, prigioni, anziani nelle loro case e poi in case di riposo, alle attivita’ sociali e culturali per i giovani,  alle visite a scuole ed universita’: non c’e’ stato una singola attivita’ produttiva che non ha visto questi Benedetti uomini essere presenti e far fronte ai bisogni spirituali, sociali, emotivi, religiosi di una intera Comunita’, attraverso le generazioni di chi oggi si considera di casa e cittadino di questa grande nostra Australia.

I vincoli con l’Italia, la sua cultura e la sua lingua sono rimasti  stretti grazie alle tante persone che hanno assistito i nostri Padri Cappuccini nello svolgere la loro importante missione religiosa. Allo stesso tempo I Padri cappuccini sono sempre stati aperti agli altri gruppi che insieme formano la popolazione multiculturale d’Australia. Un luogo religioso e’ storicamente anche un punto d’incontro per la comunita’ che lo frequenta. E nel nostro caso questa comunita’ puo’ venire anche da molto lontano perche’ si riconosce al Santuario uno speciale stato di trattamento. Vengono accolte in questa chiesa gli ultimi arrivati allo stesso modo di quelli che una volta sono stati responsabili per la sua costruzione ed il suo uso di luogo sacro.

Come gia’ si sa tramite le pagine de Il Globo, il Santuario di Sant’Antonio ad Hawthorn ha bisogno di un rinnovo della sua cupola e del Campanile che tanto e’ stato il simbolo dello spirito cristiano e cattolico degli Italiani  ed  i loro discendenti qui a Melbourne  dal 1960. Il FundRaising al Galli Winery e’ stato un incontro che ha anche celebrato i sessanta anni di servizio al Signore ed ai suoi fedeli del riverito ed amato Padre Cappuccino Luciano Rocchi, che ha ottantacinque anni di ancora giovane  eta’. Una presenza spirituale che segue i passi della Comunita’ Italiana di Melbourne da cinquant’anni. Moltissime famiglie che furono generosi nell’appoggiare la costruzione della Chiesa dell’allora schiera di giovani che arrivavano sulle navi della Flotta Lauro o Loyd Triestino hanno continuato la loro associazione ed il loro generoso intervento in momenti di bisogno. Percio’ siamo sicuri che il FundRaising organizzato tramite e con l’appoggio de Il Globo ed il suo Direttore Generale, Ubaldo Larobina, avra’ un gran successo.

Il pomeriggio nel salone di ricevimento al Galli Winery ha avuto il risultato voluto dagli organizzatori. Moltissimi i premi per la buona riuscita della riffa e della vendita all’asta. Il pranzo e l’intrattenimento sono stati apprezzati per la cura con cui si e’ voluto celebrare un incontro fra amici e sostenitori. Padre Luciano accoglie con particolare attenzione i piu’ giovani, fra i quali si e’ distinto il giovanissimo fotografo amatore Max di sette anni! Questi ha preso molte fotografie del Cantante Tony Marchi, il quale gli ha donato il suo autografo sul braccio. Sono sicuro che Max si e’ tenuto questo regalo per alcuni giorni! Padre Luciano era indubbiamente la stella del pomeriggio considerando che tutti hanno voluto delle foto ricordo con lui.

Ci si augura che il Campanile verra’ realizzato al piu’ presto con un appello speciale per chi vuole continuare la tradizione di generosita’ che distingue i fedeli del Santuario di San’Antonio!  I moduli sono disponibili tramite la pubblicita’ di questo giornale. Uniamoci in Coro per questa occasione di solidarieta’ donando ad un progetto che continuera’ ad abbracciare i nuovi arrivati ed i vecchi amici, nonche’ tutta la comunita’ Italo-Australiana.

Tom Padula – Giugno 2011  -  Visit: www.TomPadula.com

(c) 2011 - Tom Padula

What does Labour stand for today?

Traditionally Labour’s workhorse policies have been well defined in terms of achieving fairness and a future for the workers of Australia. Labour has had on its agendas social policies that would protect and care for the young, the old and families in need. Labour’s think tanks always had the wider population’s interest at heart. To meet all commitments has sometimes been a real challenge and we have seen Labour governments actually lose elections as a result. The track record of Labour has been much improved since the Whitlam years: at the Federal level Whitlam, Hawke & Keating, Kevin Rudd, although only briefly as Prime Minister, showed fundamental values that not only embraced traditional Labour concerns but they also borrowed from Liberal and minor parties platforms to achieve great improvements in the social fabric of Australia.

Julia Gillard lamented this development when she said that Labour had lost its way. It seems to me that Julia wants her Party to return to the glory days of Labour where all have a fair go, where all share in the riches of the Nation, where all are taken care of by moving forward to an egalitarian society. Words and deeds have to be closely related. Support is also required. When these elements are missing, the job is harder to achieve. There is also the problem that in today’s world the worker is either a technical or information expert or the work given is of a lower value in the market place.

The great success of Governance in the Australian Democracy has been achieved because the people have seen beyond the ideologies and particular platforms of the philosophies of each Party. The electoral cohorts vote out, in no uncertain terms at the ballot box, Governments that become tired and need to be changed. We can say that healthy debate from opposing forces of the political spectrum leads, in the long run, to a better governed Country, with laws that protect and gives its people as much freedom as possible, in a civilized environment. So how can we find the way that has been lost?

The struggles to achieve our current living standards in Australia have been hard fought over a long period of time. It’s fair to say that a lot of progress has occurred since after the end of World War II. The lowest point in living standards in Australia occurred at the beginning of the 1930’s with the period of the Great Depression. If we go a little further back to the formation of our Australian Federation and the subsequent policies of the White Australia legislations and their economic ramifications, we can say that the Australian people had it pretty tough. Therefore if we reflect on the Labour Party traditions which date back to the 1880’s, we’ll find the base of Labour Party ideology in the requirement of mateship as a way of surviving the harsh conditions of rural Australia.

The now defunct ‘Bulletin’ magazine and newspapers built their own myths and showed the way forward with their poems, ballads, short stories, myths and legends. The search for fairness for all in a more just society led to a number of developments. A just wage was agreed to in 1907, the formation of Unions, the achievement of universal suffrage, the application of the democratic processes to elect appropriate representatives from all viewpoints were established. A timeframe for achieving political program for government was introduced. So much of the ground work was laid in the innumerable debated battles of a Parliament which not only came up with laws for all human activity in society, but which began to also rationalize and review its programs according to the views expressed by all parties. Labour and the Conservative sides of society fought it out to achieve a more egalitarian community.

It’s strange that all this democracy actually developed under the very nose of the British Monarchs… but then they were so far away. There was more room for experimentation in a vast land, with a small population and literally indebted to every individual to do his or her best. At times this best had to be shared in times of crisis, in a land that experienced extreme weather and economic conditions. These mutual needs of survival for rich and poor led to great political ideas from all angles of the electorate.

But it wasn’t until after WWII that things really started moving forward. The great wave of immigration from Europe at first and then the rest of the world has propelled this vast and beautiful country into the world arena with its vibrant embrace of a respect for all humankind within the realms of its Government bodies, regardless of which political leanings. There are some basic values that make Australians humanitarians at heart and in deeds! I know that this seems too good to be true… but look around. Here we have welcomed all people, from all places, in beliefs that are as varied as the world itself. However we expect to produce from this diversity a nation of people who are highly tolerant of the rights of individuals and groups. We hope that extreme cultural backgrounds and practices, whether social or religious, will eventually be able to understand the power of our Southern Cross.

The symbol of revolt against unjust authority, the call to cooperation for a fair outcome in our place of work, the rise of equality in the dealings between government authority and ordinary citizens who try to extract a living from effort which is then rewarded so unequally by fortune and chance. The Australian population is often reminded of these great past experiences to encourage us all to continue to build a fair, just and humane society where cooperation is extended to all in times of need. However when the need is not there we also expect a degree of participation in the work force so that all efforts come together to better our living conditions and society in general.

Labour and the Conservative Parties, together with the new innovative smaller Parties, are essential to our democratic, free loving and fair society. Their politics and political programs need to be clearly defined so that people can choose and then judge whether the promises made were delivered in the time given for governing the Nation. We are fortunate that political opposites accept the will of the people at the ballot box. We don’t want corruption of the processes with which we have built a wonderful country to live in. However we cannot take for granted these achievements.

We need to revisit our ideals and goals, our political choices and the way in which we come to implement these choices. We also must realize that from time to time our opponents have the right to govern as well to see whether they can do better in some of their areas of choice. A balance is then achieved in the long run. But we must remain faithful to our own beliefs. Therefore the Labour Party, indeed all Parties, need to review how their policy platforms rate against their own traditional custodianship of their Party.The challenge ahead is to articulate those areas of living that will continue to make our society progress and distribute its wealth in areas of common need. Infrastructure projects, education, health, security, commercial and industrial activity, commerce within the country and exports, defence, law and order, the list is endless. All of these things cannot be achieved at the same time. All of them are important to us all. It’s essential that the way forward is well articulated and clear, so that we can make our choices and then work together to achieve these and to enjoy the fruits of our Labour!

Tom Padula - 24th June 2011

www.tompadulatv.com

www.insegna.com

Unita’ d’Italia:va, pensiero! Fra aspettative e realta’.

                        Unita’ d’Italia:va, pensiero! Fra aspettative e realta’.

Ogni nazione ha i suoi momenti difficili e le sue scelte sbagliate… eppure e’ lecito ricordare che la storia di un Paese non si puo’ negare, tantomeno dimenticarla. Quindi quando parliamo dei 150 anni d’Italia come nazione, vogliamo ricordare non soltanto i gloriosi eventi del Risorgimento che accesero i cuori e le menti, ma dobbiamo pure ammettere che l’Unificazione dell’Italia non porto’  il  progresso liberatorio a tanta gente da varie Regioni d’Italia, specialmente quelle del Sud Italia e delle isole, costretta a partire per terre lontane.

Dopo la dichiarazione dell’Unita’ d’Italia il 17 marzo 1861 e con la presa di Roma e del Territorio Vaticano nel 1870, gli sforzi dei Governanti della nuova nazione si occuparono soprattutto a sviluppare l’Italia industriale a Nord del territorio nazionale. L’Italia comincio’ a sviluppare a Nord della neo conquistata capitale con rapidita’. Nuove ferrovie e strade collegarono il Nord alla capitale, le industrie si svilupparono rapidamente utilizzando le grandi risorse idriche delle Alpi, nuovi impianti industriali sorsero specialmente in Lombardia e Piemonte. La nuova macchina industriale aveva bisogno di essere appoggiata da manodopera… cosi’ comincio’ pian piano l’attrazione di giovani uomini e donne dal Sud Italia verso il Nord. E questo esodo continua fino ai nostri giorni mentre stiamo celebrando l’Unita’ d’Italia.

L’unificazione riusci’ a mettere insieme i vari territori, stati, ducati, regni  e citta’ indipendenti in un’unica entita’ territoriale italiana sotto l’egida della casa reale dei Savoia, gia’ regnanti dello Stato del Piemonte e della Valle d’Aosta. L’Italia non era piu’ soltanto un’espressione geografica, come la defini’ il Principe Von Metternich nel 1819 al Congresso di Vienna, quando le vecchie potenze d’Europa si riunirono a Vienna per dividersi i territori riacquistati con la sconfitta di Napoleone Bonaparte, imperatore della Francia post Rivoluzione Francese. Mentre la nuova Italia unita, soprattutto al Nord diventava ‘fucina nazionale’, il Sud non ricevette la stessa attenzione  e cura della sua governanza, cadendo in un degrado di fiducia verso le nuove istituzioni nazionali. Cosi’ comincio’ la nuova era del brigantaggio, della ribellione e dell’emigrazione di massa verso il Sud ed il Nord America.

Si puo’ dire che l’emigrazione e la spopolazione dei paesi al Sud Italia divenne la piu’ grande industria del Sud Italia dopo la dichiarazione dell’Unita’ d’Italia. Dal 1880 fino al principio della Prima Guerra Mondiale si verifico’ il grande esodo di milioni di emigranti del Sud Italia e delle sue isole, ma anche dal centro e dal Veneto, partire su quelle grandi navi che divennero simboli di fortuna e di un futuro migliore! Andare in America significava liberarsi dalle difficolta’ economiche e sociali che continuavano ad esistere nella giovane nazione Italiana. Si formava nel subconscio governativo l’idea che queste regioni non erano adatte alla industrializzazione. Anche se cio’ non era del tutto falso, i governanti e gli industrialisti del Nord cominciarono a sfruttare la poverta’ al Sud per garantirsi operai e lavoratori nelle fabbriche e nelle citta’ che emergevano dalla concentrazione industriale e commerciale.

I viaggi di emigrazione all’estero erano spesso senza ritorno, ma in molti casi la fortuna rese possible a pochi di ritornare al proprio paesello e ‘fare l’americano’ con i guadagni ottenuti oltremare o al Nord Italia. In molti casi l’andare a far fortuna fuori del proprio paese rappresento’ il successo dell’emigrazione di ritorno e dei contatti globali che l’Italia ando’ pian piano acquirendo tramite i suoi emigrati ed il bisogno di esportazione dei suoi prodotti industriali. Oggi si contano piu’ di 60 milioni di persone di origine italiana concentrate in varie parti del mondo. Spiccano le presenze italiane in Argentina e nel Sud America in generale, negli Stati Uniti e nel Canada, nei paesi nord europei, il nord del nord Italia!, anche in Sud Africa ed in Australia, che accolse l’emigrazione di massa italiana dopo la seconda Guerra mondiale. Non manca la presenza italiana in altre parti del mondo… e se manca c’e’ sempre qualche referenza culturale e gastronomica ovunque si viaggi nel mondo.  

Durante gli anni dal 1880 fino ai nostri giorni, dagli Stati Uniti D’America cominciarono ad emergere grandi artisti Italo-americani, che furono il diretto prodotto dell’emigrazione di massa alla fine del 19esimo ed il principio del 20esimo secolo. Non solo grandi artisti, ma anche le usanze gastronomiche, il grande contributo italiano in tutti i campi di produzione: dall’agricoltura alle industrie, dal commercio privato a quello delle grandi compagnie, dall’artigianato alle ricerche scientifiche e tanto di piu’! Gli Italiani si ribellarono alle autorita’ quando le leggi non sapevano proteggerli… quindi il mito e la realta’ dell’Italiano delle Mafie e delle Cosa Nostra. C’e’ molto da aggiungere al racconto dell’emigrazione Italiana nel mondo.. e so che non solo lo si sta facendo, ma questo tema continuera’ ad arricchirsi di piu’ ampi riconoscimenti anche in Italia. Ritornero’ su questa tematica in futuri articoli.

Il successo dell’unita’ sul territorio italiano si concentro’ sempre piu’ a Nord del Paese dove c’era abbondanza di acqua per l’energia elettrica, abbondanza di pianure per l’agricoltura tecnologica per sfamare le sempre piu’ crescenti citta’ industriali, e l’accessibilita’ al resto dell’Europa per le sue esportazioni. Quindi l’unita’ d’Italia porto’ benessere ai paesi dentro ed oltre i confini delle Alpi. Al Centro di meno, ma il Sud Italia e le isole vennero sempre piu’ isolate per la mancanza di adeguate moderne infrastrutture fisiche e sociali.

Il fenomeno fascista sotto l’egida di Benito Mussolini va spiegato come un periodo storico dove si riconosceva il bisogno di uno sforzo unitario per portare uguaglianza di strutture e qualita’ di vita su tutto il territorio nazionale. Al centro ed al sud cominciarono le realizzazioni di significativi lavori pubblici e di accesso ad istruzione, trasporto, medicina, utilizzo di terreni non adatti all’agricoltura. Il tutto colorito da un forte impulso al patriottismo ed un infiammazione dei cuori di molti italiani per il Duce. Purtroppo i governi dittatoriali non durano. Hanno il problema descritto da Macchiavelli: il potere prolungato corrompe, il potere assoluto corrompe assolutamente!

Pero’ Mussolini riusci’ a ridurre l’emigrazione di massa degli Italiani… e li mise al lavoro sul territorio nazionale, offrendo loro pane ed ‘olio di ricino’ per coloro che non erano d’accordo. Cosi’ la morsa fascista riusci’ in qualche modo ad unire gli Italiani con la forza, incoraggiandoli ad avere figli ed a servire lo Stato! E cosi’ pian piano l’orgoglio nazionale ed il patriottismo vennero usati per dare vita ad arroganza, divisioni e guerre sotto una ferrea disciplina militare ed ideologica. E Mussolini che capiva l’importanza del marketing demagogico diede all’Italia molti simboli nazionali per preparare la popolazione ad agire secondo il volere del suo Duce! Quanti esempi di dittatori ci sono stati nel mondo che hanno fatto la stessa traiettoria! E la stessa fine!

Si arriva dunque al periodo post bellico della Seconda Guerra mondiale ed alla realizzazione di una Repubblica Italiana che quest’annno celebrera’ i suoi 65 anni di vita. E cosi’ dopo molta emigrazione, sofferenze divisionarie, guerre ma anche il progresso, il modernismo, il miglioramento della qualita’ di vita, l’Italia, dopo i cambiamenti di direazione nazionale dei suoi governanti, si trova ancora, in molti aspetti, a dover svilupparsi per arrivare ad una Unita’ nazionale che non sia soltanto geografica ma anche reale! Di passi positivi verso l’unita’ linguistica e culturale ne sono stati fatti in abbondanza, ma ancora c’e’ da coordinare le azioni governative con piu’ comprensione del territorio italiano per un salto di qualita’ nazionale ed unitario.

Per il 150esimo anniversario dell’Italia dalla dichiarazione della sua Unita’, vorrei rivolgere una mia esortazione a tutti gli Italiani di origine e di fatto, ovunque si trovino al mondo. Bisogna avere il rispetto per la Nazione Italiana in un contesto globale dove potra’ sviluppare culturalmente e socialmente con le altre nazioni in un crescendo di pace e fraternita’. Non sara’ facile trovare i mezzi adatti per riuscirci, ma almeno siamo consci del fatto che l’Unita’ Nazionale con le diversita’ e’ possible! Anzi l’unita’ e’ necessaria per rendere possible la varieta’ che esiste sul territorio fisico e culturale: sia ai livelli materiali con la qualita’ di vita, possibilita’ di lavoro, accesso all’Istruzione e la preparazione tecnica ma anche alle espressioni personali ed artistiche fra cui la conoscenza della lingua, della cucina, della filosofia di vita e di tant’altro.

L’unita’ culturale italiana ha sfondi significative per chi vuole abbracciare un civilta’ umanitaria dove il rispetto per l’individuo viene valorrizzato a livello sociale e dove i Governi e le Istituzioni rimangono al servizio del popolo e non di interessi specifici di alcune classi di cittadini che vogliono sentirsi privilegiati. L’unita’ va vista come la realta’ di una nazione che vive le diversita’ in un contesto di liberta’, uguaglianza e fraternita’. Altrimenti , l’unita’ e’ soltanto un’acclamazione politica, e nient’altro! Le scuse di impossibilita’ di azione per causa di criminalita’ organizzata e burocrazia corrotta non sono piu’ valide in quest’era di alta informazione locale e specifica. ‘Big Brother’ e’ arrivato anche in Italia e puo’ essere messo a buon uso da Governi di tutte le sfaccettature.

Per unire le diversita’ abbiamo bisogno di tanta apertura mentale, di grande tolleranza e di leggi che limitano l’impatto di ideologie di esclusione e di leggi contrarie alla liberta’ di pensiero  e di espressione pubblica. La vera democrazia si ottiene con la difesa del diritto di espressione di posizioni contradittorie. Questo non significa totale anarchia, ma bilancio di diritti e riconoscimenti di offese fatte verso i danni di altri, sia individuali che di gruppo. La magistratura e’ li’ per giudicare e difendere questi diritti nel contesto delle leggi fatte in Parlamento da governi di varie vedute politiche. Percio’ la Magistratura deve essere imparziale. I magistrati non possono essere attivi nelle politiche di gruppo. Non si puo’ essere magistrati e politici allo stesso tempo!

L’Italia ha l’Unita’ geografica, adesso bisogna seguire quel cammino verso l’unita’ degli Italiani in patria e nel mondo con valori che distinguono culturalmente questa nazione fra le altre e che le danno la possibilita’ di un dialogo aperto con le popolazionoi di altre nazioni con connotati diversi. Abbiamo bisogno di un’Italia globale che abbracci tutti i suoi cittadini e discendenti di cittadini nel mondo moderno. Evviva l’Italia!

Tom Padula – Maggio 2011

The Unification of Italy 150 Year Celebrations

Tom Padula – April 2011

The Unification of Italy 150 Year Celebrations

and

the English Language Media in Australia

On the occasion of the beginning of the 150^th year Celebration of the Unification of Italy on the 17^th March 2011, some Italian language observers here in Australia have lamented the fact that the Australian Media hardly covered this Event in our Australian English language Newspapers and Television. Yet who better equipped to rectify such an anomaly than the people who write for our Australian Newspapers in other languages? In this case our own journalists who write in Italian?

In the case of the Unification of Italy 150^th Year Birthday Celebrations, beginning on the 17 March 2011, there were numerous groups of people of Italian background and sympathisers who gathered in various restaurants, social club premises, reception centres, church halls and at home to remember how Italy was unified politically for the first time since the fall of the Roman Empire in 413 AD, when the Roman Empire split in two parts. These celebrations occurred in every State of Australia. In the ACT the Italian Ambassador organized a special Unification of Italy Celebration programme. You would think that such celebrations would be widely covered by the Australian English Language Media. This was not the case, nor it would seem that much fuss will be made about this very important date and year of celebration in the Italian-Australian calendar.  Why not?

The projection of Italy’s image abroad is of paramount interest to those Global Italians who hold a dual citizenship and those others who are of Italian background but only have Australian citizenship. It’s a question of identity. Every person who comes into a nation built from immigration needs to pay particular attention to uphold and respect, and indeed celebrate, the country of origin of its residents. By doing this, respect is gained for Australia.

When people of second, third, fourth and more generations remember the historical ties of their family, they are individually empowered to hold the balance of peace and harmony of their new country with their country of origin. The individuals who recognize the many and varied parental backgrounds should be more careful in their assessment of others in terms of who they are. Race, colour, religion, cultural leanings and indeed any other type of difference become the basis for an appreciation of diversity. Recognition of such diversity leads to a more humane approach in our dealings with others.

Can the English Language Media be held responsible for the lack of interest to report celebrations about individual nations of the world? I would venture to say… no! But it’s up to the individual nation participants to invite as many people or friends to their Birthday or Commemorative event. This was done by many groups in the case of Italy’s 150 year celebration. The unification of Italy that began on the 17 March 1861, but which was fully achieved only after World War One. A Unity that was then impoverished by the Victors territorial re-arrangements after the end of World War II, when Istria was removed from Italy’s political boundaries.

Strange as it may seem, the European Union has achieved what a lot of wars was never able to do. That is, it has removed boundaries and made each nation relate with its neighbours by opening up to people’s movement within the radius of its territorial recognition. It’s just as easy today for a French, German, Austrian, Croatian resident to travel freely to and within Italy as it is for people who hold Italian residency status. This advantage has been extended to all European member countries… So why celebrate the Unity of Italy? And what does this Italian Unification Celebration mean to the Italians themselves?

It’s true that not everyone in Italy is excited about these celebration events when some of the people, especially from the North of Italy, but not exclusively, want the arrangements of a federation of the regions. They say that local is better… look after the immediate territory, ensure that the tax dollar is spent where it is earned… then the nation will look after itself, without having to worry about the balances of necessity which the great economic divide of each region has to confront. Unification is viewed by some people as a patriotic slogan and not much more! Unification allowed the creation of a bureaucracy which made Italy more divided than it would have been if human and material resources were allowed to develop within the regions, according to their own strengths of production, manufacturing and trade. However Unification Celebration is a lot more than mere living!

The Italians wherever they reside identify themselves with the geographical boot, which Prince Von Metternich described in 1819 as ‘a mere geographic expression’ at the Congress of Vienna, after the fall of Napoleon. Italy had been divided since the fall of the Roman Empire. Therefore the Unification in 1861 gave Italy a national identity that remains a hard won possession: for those who were born there and for Italians in the world whose parental connections remains an important part of their identity. After all, Italy is renowned for its beauty, prestige, colourfulness, a place where every piazza is a museum, where the classical appreciation of food, art and music attracts still today a very sizeable tourist population.

Italy remains a land of diversity in spite of Mr Giorgio Napolitano, the current Italian President, who keeps reminding his people that Italy is a highly unified country. Italians are extremely parochial and identify strongly with the village or town or city in which they were born. The President is however correct to call to celebrate the Unification of Italy as a national goal to recognize the importance of identity, heritage and history. The twenty regions of Italy are diverse and they want to propel Italy into the Global arena in order to gain for themselves trading and commercial benefits. Some regions are trying to recapture their sons and daughters who exited Italy many decades ago because of economic, political or other motivations. Other regions want a more autonomous government. Unity is thus a slippery call. I believe the President is right to appeal to national interest and commitment. These celebrations are a good opportunity to appeal to all Italians to be proud of their heritage and to extend their efforts to include all Italians in the world.

For this reason, Italians worldwide have been called to honour the members of their historical family, including the ones who showed such great heroism during the period of the Risorgimento, the movement which led to Italy’s Unification. The great patriotic figures of this RISORGIMENTO were a diverse lot as well… Giuseppe Mazzini, a republican expatriate, Giuseppe Garibaldi, a general, Conte Camillo Benson di Cavour, a statist, King Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont, his father Carlo Alberto, Composer Giuseppe Verdi, Poet Giacomo Leopardi, members of unification movements I Carbonari and La Giovine Italia, the many other minor but important regional and local patriots… like Giacinto Albini from the town of Montemurro in Basilicata region where I was born and so many others from all parts of Italy. The Risorgimento literally means Re-Awakening, revival, resurrect from the dead!

Unity and diversity are twins in today’s political landscape worldwide. A recognition and appreciation of one’s own identity, family history and cultural make up are worth celebrating. Let’s celebrate our Italian Heritage in our Australian context and by doing so we shall develop and strengthen the bridges that have been built over many decades of bilateral relations between our two countries.  May feelings of peace and harmony be developed during the course of this year’s celebrations… let’s invite to our ‘festa nazionale’ friends around us who enrich our lives on a daily basis. May this be so with our Australian English Language Media and Television Networks, whose cooperation we seek to run feel good stories about Italy and the contribution of Italians in Australia. I invite Silvio Berlusconi to come to celebrate the Italians in Australia… every leader needs to meet the Italians in the world… here in Australia I am sure he’ll be able to charm our own woman Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. Evviva L’Italia. Evviva l’Australia.

                                                               Tom Padula – April 2011

Don Antonio e Giuseppe

E’ arrivato il parroco di Montemurro, Don Antonio Mattatello, giovane, preparato, in missione per l’Australia. Qui a Melbourne ed a Mildura, i montemurresi lo accolgono, gli fanno festa,  si riuniscono nei propri ritrovi Melbourniani per dargli un affettuoso e caloroso saluto. L’ascoltano come nei rioni di Montemurro: Chiesa Madre, Piazza Giacinto Albini, Dietro le Mura, Gannano, le varie Chiese del paese, ognuna con i suoi fedeli particolari.

Anche qui a Melbourne, i Montemurresi si distinguono per la loro sobria tradizione paesana: chi ad un Club, chi ad un altro, chi alla festa della Madonna di Servigliano, chi si immerge nel proprio nuovo sobborgo o la societa’ australiana. Insomma ci vuole un’occasione grande per riunirli un’altra volta, questi montemurresi. A dir il vero nessuno ci riesce… e la tradizione individualista e di gruppo scelto continua. Ma poi e’ tanto male agire in questo modo? Per me va tutto bene. Basti che c’e’ la bella tolleranza, l’armonia e ci si mostra l’affetto paesano quando ci si incontra. Perche’ quando si emigra in un’altra terra o nazione, ognuno si deve fare la propria strada. Ognuno fa le proprie scelte, anche a volte se soltanto capita cosi’.

In un arco di meno di dieci anni, Don Antonio ed il nostro ex sindaco Giuseppe De Bellis sono riusciti a riunire i paesani montemurresi di ogni particolare individualita’. Gia’ perche’ loro rappresentano il paese proprio come facevano Don Camillo e Peppone nel paese fittizio di Guareschi. Ed e’ forse in questo binomio di personaggi veri della storia italiana del ventesimo secolo, del dopoguerra, che si trova quell’Italia ancora solidale e fedele alle proprie origini ed alle proprie tradizioni. Perche’ Peppone e Don Camillo facevano magari anche a cazzotto, ma si capivano benissimo e si rispettavano.

Queste due visite augurano bene per il futuro dei montemurresi di seconda, terza, quarta e forse quinta generazione. Si’, i Montemurresi si trovano a Melbourne dal 1924 quando Antonio Di Mase sbarco’ al Victoria Dock e si stabili’ a Carlton, con parenti oriundi di Viggiano, paese di fronte a Montemurro in Basilicata. La visita di Don Antonio ha coinciso con la data della celebrazione del 150esimo anniversario dell’Unita’ d’Italia. E un nostro paesano Giacinto Albini fu uno dei credenti della unificazione quando in Basilicata neanche il cinque per cento della popolazione sapeva leggere o scrivere! Giacinto Albini fu una di quelle rare anime del grande romanticismo Italiano che preavviso’ l’unita’ come la naturale conclusione di una nazione ed un popolo che era restato non unito dalla fine dell’Impero Romano nel 413 AD. 

Adesso bisogna fare la Grande Italia Globale, dove l’ identita’ di ogni persona viene valorizzata ed appoggiata dovunque essa si trovi. Specialmente per chi ha preso residenza nel nuovo paese d’adozione. Il nazionalismo moderno deve essere affrontato senza avere confini che rattristano ed impoveriscono l’individuo nel mondo moderno. Quindi l’identita’ nazionale puo’ essere anche vista come forma multiple e diversa, con connotati nuovi sia di lingua che di cultura quotidiana. Don Antonio mi ha fatto sentire ancor di piu’ Australiano quando ha parlato della sua realta’ paesana, del paese in cui io non piu’ vivo, del paese con cui i miei figli si possono identificare soltanto tramite di me!

La mia lingua giornaliera e’ l’Inglese. Il mio Italiano va sempre piu’ allontanandosi dalla matrice culturale dov’esso risiede. Quindi non potro’ lasciare ai miei figli il mio testamento linguistico se essi non si danno da fare per imparare e mantenere l’Italiano, loro seconda lingua, ed i contatti con la terra dei loro nonni ed antenati.  Il lavoro culturale e linguistico sul quale ci siamo prodigati a Melbourne e nel Victoria, in realta’ su tutto il territorio australiano sin dagli inizi degli anni ’70, va continuato. La lingua delle proprie origini rafforza l’individualita’ Australiana che e’ fluida e diversa per la politica del multiculturalismo di cui tutti i governi fino ad oggi hanno appoggiato e rafforzato. Il dinamismo di questa nazione di popolazioni provenienti da tutte le parti del mondo non si puo’ paragonare ad altre nazioni dei vecchi continenti… qui la nostra stella del sud brilla vivace e serena. Speriamo di riuscire a mantenerla cosi’!

La visita di Don Antonio mi ha dato l’opportunita’ di constatare quando lodevole sono le iniziative dei piccoli paesi d’Italia quando riescono a mandare i leaders sociali o religiosi nelle proprie comunita’ emigrate, le quali si trovano oggi ad affrontare un futuro incerto dal punto di vista culturale. La globalizzazione ha bisogno di moltissimi ponti, di persone che veramente sentono nel proprio intimo quel desiderio di propagare pace ed armonia, contatto e ricchezza dei viaggi all’estero, opportunita’ e scambi personali e commerciali, di vedute nuove e di accoglienza da ambo i lati. Il viaggiare e’ un grande maestro per i giovani … la visita di Don Antonio gli dara’ un’ampia visuale sulle realta’ dei figli dei Montemurresi nati in Australia.

Montemurro potra’ di nuovo crescere ed essere valorizzato come paese e come il paese natale della identita’ familiare di molti cittadini e residenti di Melbourne e Mildura, e come no, anche di altre zone e Stati d’Australia. Lo scambio di visite piu’ frequenti possono di nuovo portare tanta gioia nel cuore di chi e’ stato lontano dalle proprie radici. Mi auguro che i governi locali, statali e nazionali prendano nota dei bisogni di chi non si puo’ permettere una visita oltremare. Montemurro deve anche tenere conto della responsabilita’ di accoglimento, di chi sente di volere ristabilire dei contatti con il paese natale dei propri antenati. C’e’ tanto da fare… pero oggi con l’uso di Facebook e dell’Internet, nonche’ con la facilita’ di viaggiare e tanto di piu’, si puo’ realmente sentirsi una volta ancora in paese, a Montemurro, proprio come ai tempi di Peppone e Don Camillo.

 Tom Padula - March 2011