November 2009

CO.AS.IT. ITALIAN FAMILY HISTORY GROUP

25 NOVEMBER 2009

Last meeting for 2009 went off with a bang! Ninety four people were in attendance to see and hear Tony Pantano's family story. He was accompanied by his business partner Carmel Crispino. They certainly made an impression as they joked and had those present laughing their heads off.

The final meeting of the 10^th year of the Italian Family History Group went off well! The entertainers talked their way through the night with the aid of an electronic presentation of their recent six week tour to all those beautiful places in the southern Italy.

Linda Nellor spoke of her current project. It is an exhibition featuring the history of Italian Fruit Shops in Sydney. The exhibition is scheduled to be launched in June next year. Linda is seeking additional material that could be used for all to see.

Fabian Lo Schiavo spoke of the recent official announcement by the National Library's Newspaper project (http://trove.nla.gov.au/), which will aid all to see for themselves via the Internet actual scans of old newspapers dating back to 1803. Each week another series of prints will be added to the library's internet site.

Our chairman Dominic Arrivolo announced that the CoAsIt Italian Family Group will as from next year will be conducted in the new Cultural Centre, located in the Leichhardt Forum

Tony Pantano and Carmel Crispino took over the meeting with their entertaining saga of the history of the Pantano Family from Sicily. Tony was only eight years of age when he arrived with his parents in Melbourne. The boat journey through the Suez took 28 days. His father opened the third Pizza shop in Brunswick, from which the family never looked back.

Tony revealed many of his experiences in the television industry. He had met Graham Kennedy, Don Lane, Bert Newton, and many others, who gave him exposure with his magnificent singing voice.

Tony came to Sydney and lived in Kogarah for five years as he was called upon to perform at the many and various clubs. He is often engaged to work on many of the cruises ships operating in the Pacific.

With Carmen, he related many of the unusual incidents that have occurred in the past whilst performing. He had only returned to Australia from Italy two weeks earlier.

It was a great night as the Chairman thanked and introduced all the committee for the assistance rendered over the past 10 years. A group photo was also taken.

The meeting concluded with a spirited thank you to our guest speaker by Sam Mugavero a fellow Sicilian and Linda Restuccia one of CoAsIt's board members who thanked the Chairman for all his successful achievements.

We all joined into celebrate the festive season by partaking in the many delightful Italian savouries that many of the ladies had brought along for the evening

Buon Natale a Tutti, - see you all next year!

Dominic Arrivolo

Chairman