Dear Members and Friends of ICCI Queensland,
This month’s newsletter features a message from Minister Grace Grace. Minister Grace is proud of her Italian heritage, her story growing up as daughter of migrants resonates with many of us. She has climbed a mountain in her career of service to Queensland. Thank you, Minister, for your hard work and support of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Queensland and your commitment to Queensland.
On the 3rd of August ICCI Qld will be launching Pavan wines in Australia with an exclusive function at our corporate member venue The Royal Hotel. This collaboration is a result of our Trade assistance provided by ICCI Qld to Mr Roberto Tacchi, Australian Area Manager for the Pavan Group, that have been making wine in Veneto for over 100 years. Mr Tacchi has allowed the Chamber to include a limited number of members as participants of this exclusive event, book now to avoid disappointment.
Please save the date of Saturday the 10th of October for our combined Annual Gala Dinner and Inaugural Business Excellence Awards. It will be an evening to celebrate all things Italian.
The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Queensland has engaged the co-operation and support of Seven Young Italians – Monique Morfea, Domenic Fontana, Andrew Santoro, Samuel D’Arrò, Matthew Devlin, Gemma MacArthur, Christopher Schaffer. It is of utmost importance to encourage the leaders of tomorrow to keep Italian culture strong and relevant in today’s multicultural Australia.
Their Charter is to formulate and drive participation of young people to engage and become participants in the Italian Community via the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Queensland.
Their Goals include growing a young membership base and participate in the promotion of Made in Italy and diffusion of the Italian Culture.
As reported in this newsletter, with the assistance of the Secretary General, Federica Marinatto, and Board Member, Giorgio Giaroli, the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Queensland held an intimate Boardroom dinner recently to launch this initiative (see picture below in this Newsletter).
Speakers at the event were:
- Dott. Salvatore Napolitano, Italian Consul for Queensland and Northern Territory. He gave a speech of deep meaning rallying the young people to be Ambassadors for Italy and to grow the presence and position of Italian culture in Queensland.
- Antonia Mercorella, CEO of the Queensland REIQ, shared her story as a child of Italian Immigrants and her career path and how her Italian culture assisted her to her success.
- Mr. Brad Hines, representative of the Australian Venue Company, a group that actively promotes Made in Italy in their venues to mainstream Australia and engages the young Italians visiting Australia with sponsorship or short term roles within their business spoke about the beginnings of their Italian restaurant business and working with young Italians.
- Dott. Federica Marinatto, Secretary General of ICCI Qld, introduced herself and described which are the main goals that the Italian Chamber is pursuing and expressed her enthusiasm for the Young Members project.
- Vladimiro Marianetti, the current intern at the ICCI Qld, explained the reasons and the motivation that drove him to come to Australia.
- Miss. Monique Morfea and Mr. Domenic Fontana, members of the Young Members project, expressed their desire to connect to their Italian heritage and their willingness to promote Bi Lateral relations with Italy.
I want to go on record to thank our Executive and Board of the Italian Chamber of Commerce. Our Board has made sacrifices during this difficult time to stay active with the Chamber and the commitment and support is most sincerely appreciated.
On a positive and exciting note, last week marked an important moment in Italy’s recovery from COVID-19. This week La Scala, the beating heart of Milan, reopened for performances. This symbolic and important moment is one to celebrate not just for Italy but for all of the arts world.
Cordiali Saluti,
Cav. Filippo D’Arrò
