The Italian Roots in the World event, held at Club Marconi, gathered the Italian-Australian community to honour its rich cultural heritage and celebrate individuals who have made outstanding contributions to preserving Italian culture in Australia.
Among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the prestigious Medaglia ANFE, awarded each year by ANFE Sydney to those who exemplify dedication to Italian heritage. This year, the medals were proudly presented by Franco Baldi, honorary president of ANFE, and Marco Testa, ANFE Delegate.
The 2024 recipients, Eileen Santolin and Giuseppe Querin, were recognised for their exceptional contributions to promoting Italian culture in Australia.
Both honourees have deep roots in the Veneto Region of Italy and have devoted much of their lives to celebrating and preserving Italian traditions.
Eileen Santolin, in her acceptance speech, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the award and reflected on her personal journey: “I feel immensely honoured to receive this prestigious Medaglia ANFE 2024, and I’m truly grateful to the Delegates of ANFE for this incredible recognition. Words cannot express my heartfelt gratitude. May I dedicate this Medal firstly to my late husband, who gave me the opportunity to experience life in Italy for 13 and a half years, and over the past 14 years to have become involved and socialised with the community here at our beloved Club Marconi.
I would also like to pay homage to the first migrants (both men and women) and give acknowledgement and recognition of the great contribution they made towards the economic and cultural development here in NSW. To all the nonni and bisnonni – you are walking treasures. It’s been a busy but rewarding year for all ages. Congratulations to all the award winners here today.
Special thanks to Maria Grazia Storniolo and Giovanni Testa for their tireless and valuable work – you graciously give assistance not only to the local community but also in the Greater Sydney and Wollongong areas.
You are always there helping others, irrespective of race, colour, or creed, without expecting anything in return.
Lastly, if I may, I would like to thank Italian Consul General Rubagotti – Sir, you have brought the Italian Associations together at various functions, at times in the presence of the Ambassador, HE Paolo Crudele, relevant parliamentary members, and other distinguished personnel, not only to celebrate significant events but also to give praise and thanks to the Italian community in their host country.
Once again, my sincere thanks to you all. Remember: The heart of all cultures is the family, where life begins and love never ends! Being a family means you are part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life, no matter what.”
Giuseppe Querin, the second recipient, has been a steadfast leader within the Italian-Australian community for over twenty years. His role in the Associazione Nazionale Alpini (ANA) has been pivotal, revitalising the Italian-Alpine tradition and engaging younger generations to cherish their heritage.
Querin’s achievements include the establishment of the “Baita degli Alpini” in Austral, a traditional Alpine lodge filled with cultural artefacts symbolising the enduring history of the Alpini in Australia.
In his speech, Querin emphasised the shared commitment to Italian culture and community: “Receiving this Medal is a humbling recognition. It represents the hard work of our community to keep the Italian spirit alive and serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and solidarity.”
The ANFE Medal 2024 awards honoured two exceptional figures, inspiring future generations to uphold Italian traditions while fostering a spirit of unity and connection across the Italian-Australian community.
