CLUB IQ August2017 | Page 24

Clubs in the Community Club Marconi hosts one of the biggest community events in the country Under clear blue skies, an estimated crowd of close to 28,000 people flocked to Club Marconi on Sunday 28 May to celebrate Italian Republic Day in spectacular fashion. They were joined by a long list of dignitaries including Mr Craig Kelly MP, Federal Minister for Hughes and official representative for the Prime Minister of Australia; The Hon Ray Williams MP, Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Disability Services who officially represented the Premier of NSW; Mr Chris Hayes MP, Labour Member for Fowler and official representative of the Leader of the Opposition; Mr Frank Carbone, Mayor of the City of Fairfield; My Guy Zangari MP, State Member for Fairfield and Shadow Minister for Justice and Police, Corrections and Emergency Services; The Hon Senator Dr Francesco Giacobbe OAM, PhD Senator for the Italian Republic and Mr Arturo Arcano, Consul General for Italy in NSW, along with many others. IQ 24 The premier event on Club Marconi’s calendar, Italian Republic Day or Festa Della Repubblica grows in popularity year on year and is one of the biggest Italian festivals in the country. stop entertainment; cooking demonstrations; classic and contemporary automobile and motorcycle displays and a massive Foti fireworks spectacular to close the day. Members, Italians, Australians of Italian decent and friends and visitors from across Sydney come to feast on pizza, roasted pork, panini’s, cannoli, terrone, cristoli, zeppola, gelato and chestnuts, all washed down with copious amounts of wine and coffee. They come to share and celebrate the culture, traditions and pride that makes this community so strong. Club CEO, Grant Imeson said he Club Marconi is a strong community club that plays a vital role, not just in the city of Fairfield but across the entire Sydney Italian community. He also wanted to acknowledge the enormous efforts of the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to deliver such a successful event saying it simply could not happen without their whole-hearted support. Now in its 11th year, the festival takes months & months of painstaking planning, preparation and resources to pull this massive family event together. Underlying the celebrations of all things Italian was a message of inclusion and cultural diversity. Club Marconi President Vince Foti said that while the Club promoted and imparted the values of their rich Italian heritage, the club also recognised, embraced and welcomed other cultures that were part of their wider community. It includes an Italian mass complete with the Marconi choir; over 120 food and specialty stalls; carnival rides, games and activities; non-