November 2011

Italian Family History Group Report

November 23 2011

It was a great way to finish the year of Family History Groups' activities!The night had everything - one could say it was most entertaining …

Forty five people attended with five apologies, and a variety of people to speak. Committee member Michael Megna took the podium as presenter for our 116th meeting.

Initially Michael introduced Linda Nellor, who spoke of her redrafted tours of Leichhardt's "Little Italy", which she has been conducting for some years. New brochures were handed out which detailed the three different types of tours, catering for adults and school groups.

Linda announced that Our Family History Group would continue to hold its monthly meetings at the Forum for next year, as an agreement will be entered into. We are to be allocated an updated conference room, which will contain all the facilities to satisfy our needs.

She introduced Vincenzo Galata from the University of Western Sydney, who with Professor Bruno Di Biase and a team of researchers from the University, are about to launch a study to identify and document some of the linguistic and cultural elements of families from Veneto, Calabria and Tuscany. It will involve dealing with first and second generation Italians who are rooted in those Italian Regions.

Michael Megna then introduced our guest speaker for the night, Matthew Quomi, whose father was one of the original employees to work with Electrical Power Transmission (E-P-T) in 1952. He revealed the history of the company that did so much industrial development in this country following WWII. It was a fascinating story in itself. The Italian migrants, who worked with the company in the undertaking of many amazing projects, were an inspiration. His talk was accompanied with a power point presentation.

The talk was recorded and will be placed with others in the Co.As.It. Multimedia Library at Casa D'Italia. 67 Norton St. Leichhardt

We were then entertained by Amelia Granturco (piano accordionist) and Katie Crisp-Miller (Soprano) who provided 3 items from opera. Three bouquets of flowers were presented to the artists and also to Anna Zagame for her continued support in providing beautiful home made SFINCHIs though the year for our suppers.

Our Chairman introduced the committee members for the year. We all retired to La Giara restaurant in the Forum for Italian delicacies and coffee, to celebrate a successful year of operations and for Christmas celebrations.

Dominic Arrivolo

Chairman