August 2011

Italian Family History Group Report

August 24 2011

Our August meeting took a new turn as we were obliged to change the location from the Italian Cultural Centre at the Leichhardt Forum. This was due to the fact that funds from the Federal Government have now been made available to complete the refurbishment. The Forum will be fully completed by October, which will finally enable our Family History Group to be accommodated in a specially outfitted conference room designed for our needs.

This did not however disturb our August meeting at which 35 people attended, with nine apologies being received.

Fabian Lo Schiavo, our Deputy Chairman, acted as presenter. He informed the meeting that the State Records Office, where he is employed, will not open on Saturdays as from 1^st September due to economies being introduced by the new State Government.

Dominic Arrivolo, our Chairman, reported on the success of the day visit to the National Archives last month, which replaced the evening meeting. Thirty people took advantage of the visit, and they were much rewarded by the events of the day as they did a tour of the premises, where they saw that 40% of Australia's data and resource material is to be found. Most people were surprised to see the preservation process being carried out in the Film section, where most of the employees work.

It would appear that the suggestion that the July winter meeting be a day affair in future will be well received, and will most likely become a permanent arrangement.

There was a brief discussion on the matter of our reel collection being updated, as more modern equipment was now available. This could facilitate research work for our members. It is anticipated that a report on this matter should be forthcoming, possibly by our next meeting in September.

Our guest speaker Mr Sam Campisi, was welcomed by Fabian, who has had a long previous friendship with Sam. When Sam was a member of the Board of Directors of CO.AS.IT, and chairman of the Heritage Committee. It was from that committee that our Italian Family History Group was founded under CO.AS.IT sponsorship.

Sam detailed how he was brought up in an Italian background as a lad in the Woolloomooloo area following WWII. His first employment was with the Commonwealth Department of Immigration, which led to a lifetime's experience in working in a multicultural environment, and with immigrants arriving in Australia. He also found himself involved in the activities of Centrelink, again dealing with immigrants' problems. He currently holds a most important position with Centrelink, dealing with the financial problems and situations in which immigrants find themselves.

Sam loves his work, as it deals with immigrant people. He is satisfied in his position, especially when he knows the family problems that can arise, such as his own family experienced, on arriving in a new country with a new culture.

Sam has recently returned from a three month overseas visit to South America and Europe. His attention to detail was precise, and very informative.

Meeting closed at 8.45pm for supper

Dominic ARRIVOLO

Chairman