Easter is already upon us and CNA’s annual celebrations at Carnes Hill were a fantastic opportunity to reconnect, share good company, good food and great memories. Over 60 seniors joined this year’s Luncheon. An exquisite lunch was prepared by CNA volunteers, showcasing a range of traditional seafood and Italian dishes. A sensational assortment of music was led by Maestro Nino Gagliano.
Maria Grazia Storniolo was MC for the day. Welcoming all present, Maria Grazia noted that “today we celebrate Easter and it is a real pleasure to see you all still here at Carnes Hill. Easter is the feast of the Resurrection, we hope that it will be above all a celebration of peace all over the world.”
During the event, CNA hosted Charishma Kaliyanda MP, new State Member for Liverpool and Nathan Hagarty MP, inaugural State Member for Leppington. “Since 2016” – Maria Grazia said – “they have always been present at our events, and we have seen them grow as valuable community representatives, as members of the community itself. They continue to support not only our organisation, but for all Italian and multicultural communities in the area. I would like to say thank you on behalf of all of us and wish you a successful future in your endeavours.”
Kaliyanda thanked CNA for the invitation and wished all gathered a happy and joyous celebration. “Buon giorno everyone! Thank you so much for that very warm welcome. It’s always lovely to join this community, to join with CNA, and all of the wonderful work that you do for seniors in our community and for Italian Australians in our community. There are so many people that benefit from the work that CNA does, but it’s always such a pleasure to join for the celebrations.”
“I know Easter is coming, this weekend, it is a time for reflection, for joining with family, for enjoying each other’s company. And I think we appreciate that a little bit more than maybe we did five, six years ago. I think we truly appreciate those moments with family and where we come together. So I wish each and every one of you a blessed Easter and a very happy time with your family and your loved ones.”
The newly elected MP also took the opportunity to thank all those who supported her during the recent State election campaign to become the new Member for Liverpool. Kaliyanda recommitted herself to working together to address the challenges that are faced by the most vulnerable members of the Liverpool electorate.
“To all of you that supported myself and Nathan so that we could come and join you and now have the positions that we do. It is such a humbling experience for me. I know over the last six years as we’ve been on council, it is events like this that are my favourite part of the role because when we come and join community members for celebrations. When we have Nonna’s dancing, that is always my favourite part of Christmas and Easter as well.”
“These are the moments that are truly important where we join with each other. Rather than the arguing and the reading of big documents. So I, I really want to thank you for all of your support over many, many years, and I look forward to continuing to support this community and to working with you to address any of the challenges that are coming up because there’s always something that we can do and there’s always something that we work together on. Thank you again.”
Nathan Hagarty, inaugural State Member for Leppington also echoed Charisma’s words. “It’s been a pleasure coming to these events for about six years now, whether it’s Easter or Christmas or Italian Republic Day as a councillor. But it’s extra special to be here today for the first time as the State Member for this area,” said Hagarty.
“Thank you so much for the support that this organisation has provided over the years. The enjoyment and the pleasure we’ve had at these events. I always try to carve out some time to come along and have a little bit of red wine, and lots of fun.”
Nathan acknowledged that the local community is facing a number of challenges in the areas of services and infrastructure while noting that the area continues to have a rich presence of Italians. “As the Member for Leppinton, we know this is a very, very fast growing area. There are lots of new communities moving in, but it is of course important to support and acknowledge, some of the communities that have been here for a while and that includes the Italian community who did a lot to build this community out here when it was farmlands and a lot of it out in Austral and Leppington still is farmlands and there are a lot of people from the Italian community that still live and work out there. And of course we have Scalabrini Village in the area too. So the Italian community continues to make a tremendous contribution to this community and I will continue to be there as I always have been.”
Finally, Nathan conveyed his heartfelt best wishes for the Easter season. “Today’s special occasion comes at a very important time, which of course is Easter, where we celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ Resurrection. Enjoy the time and reflect on what this feast means. Spend quality time with family and friends, have a wonderful few days over the next week or so as we celebrate Easter as a community as well.”
To conclude the event, volunteers dressed up as bunnies and distributed chocolates and easter eggs to all those present. Maria Grazia thanked all those that made the event possible, wishing everyone a Blessed Easter Season and extending an invitation to CNA’s Mothers’ Day Luncheon on 10 May to be held at Carnes Hill and for an Annual Family Picnic Day on 21 May at Scalabrini Village.
This event is being organised together with the Alpini Association of Sydney. “Many of you will remember – concluded Maria Grazia – how Father Nevio loved to organise BBQs for Italian families and friends. We will go to Scalabrini Village together with the Alpini to make sure our families and friends have an opportunity to spend a day together.”
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