Polenta day
Ms CRUGNALE (Bass) (10:03): After a two-year hiatus polenta day returned with gusto, and what a magnificent celebration. The festa began in Wonthaggi over 35 years ago with the coming together of families who had migrated from San Donato, a village in the Veneto region. ‘We don’t want to lose our traditions that go back generations—roasting chestnuts and cooking for the entire community’, said Frank. Over 200 paesani, amici, parenti e famiglie reunited at the table, and we were joined by sunshine, culture, song, good health and joy—an extraordinary effort by the committees and members of Wonthaggi Italian club, i Sandonesi and Melbourne’s Veneto Club, joining together again to set up, prepare, cook, stir, roast, serve and keep us in tune. A special thankyou also to Frank and Marisa Cengia, Sergio Povolo, Aida Studham, Elio Piasente and Danny Luna, Friends of the State Coal Mine and Parks Victoria for the use of the grounds and facilities.
Polenta was cooked in large cauldrons, stirred by many, with chestnuts roasting around the corner. There was a sharing showcase of homemade wine, liqueurs of great strength, olives, crostoli and more. Speeches were made and people acknowledged. They included Ugo Andrighetto, who turned 90 on 21 May. He came to Australia in 1951, worked in the mines and is our much-loved local treasure. As we had a celebratory moment together, he told me his birthday present was a Labor federal government. I agree. (Time expired)