by Tom Padula
When we speak of multicultural Australia, we often refer to the many groups of people from all over the world who now call this country home.
In the case of Melbourne’s Italian community, several questions come to mind. What do we really mean when we speak of the “Italian community of Melbourne”? Do we mean that this community is concentrated in one place, speaks its own language and follows its own cultural and religious traditions? Is it a closed circle whose cultural walls and political structure cannot be penetrated by outsiders? Does it educate its young people to follow a strict code of behaviour and lifestyle? Is it still based on a patriarchal or matriarchal family unit, continuing to live in the same way as previous generations?
Reflecting on what the term “Italian community” really means in the Australian context is worthwhile, if only to understand where our reality lies at this stage of our social development. Let us consider these questions and determine whether perception and reality truly match.
The Italian community is spread throughout the city of Melbourne. Australians of Italian background can be found in almost every suburb. Carlton, Melbourne’s historic “Little Italy”, remains the symbolic home of the early Italian settlers, together with suburbs such as Brunswick, Coburg, Reservoir, Kew, Elsternwick and Toorak.
We should also remember the large Italian immigrant communities established in many regional centres across Victoria, including Werribee, Mildura, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Morwell and many others.
As Melbourne has continued to grow and expand, Italians have moved into and helped build many new suburbs. Their presence in every aspect of Melbourne life cannot be ignored. Italian Australians have played—and continue to play—an important role in small, medium and large businesses, as well as in the broader life of the community.
During recent decades, new suburbs have emerged across the metropolitan area. Italian-background builders, tradespeople and professionals have continued to contribute significantly to this development. Today, we are fully involved in every area of Australian society and continue to make a substantial contribution to the growth of the country as Australian citizens.
At the same time, we have not forgotten our roots. We continue to work politically and socially to keep our families connected with Italy. We recognise Italy as an important source of our identity, while continuing to love Australia and appreciate the opportunities made possible by its political stability and its philosophy of a “fair go”.
Wherever Italians have settled, they have established associations, clubs, reception centres and community halls. The social and religious needs of the Italian community were met from the earliest years of migration through the many churches and schools originally established by Irish Catholics during the first decades of Australia’s colonial settlement.
