‘La Nostra Storia: The Story of Italians in Ballarat’

CO.AS.IT. and the BALLARAT ITALIAN ASSOCIATION have the pleasure of inviting you to the Melbourne launch of ‘LA NOSTRA STORIA: THE STORY OF ITALIANS IN BALLARAT’. Guest speaker: Paul Bongiorno AM. Remarks by author Jan McGuinness. Musical entertainment by Phil Carroll and Choir. Light refreshments served. ‘La Nostra Storia’ covers the story of Italians in Ballarat and the contribution they have made since the 1850’s with the most famous being Raffaello Carboni who wrote the only eye witness account of the Eureka Stockade uprising on the 3rd December 1854. Needless to say there are many other Italians who came to Ballarat since then and have made a significant contribution to the development, growth and prosperity of Ballarat. Italians came from all regions of Italy for various reasons, with high hopes of creating a better life for themselves and their families. They became factory workers, shop keepers, builders, restaurateurs, teachers, doctors, lawyers and public servants just to name a few professions. The Italian story presented in ‘La Nostra Storia’ aims to capture the voices and memories of the Ballarat Italian Association founding members before these memories fade with the passing of time. Many descendants of earlier arrivals have also been able to recall the stories of their parents, grandparents and in some cases great grandparents. Other stories of Italians from the gold rush period and beyond needed to be told and included in ‘La Nostra Storia’. Their stories underscore the importance of many voices and diversity of opinions and the enduring connections Italians have with Ballarat. ‘La Nostra Storia’ is a story of adventure, success and resilience. It’s a story of contribution and creativity. It’s a story of successful immigration and intercultural enrichment. The purpose of capturing the voices, stories and settlement experiences of Italians is to preserve this story for posterity. The Italian story presented in ‘La Nostra Storia’ adds to the cultural richness of Ballarat and begs to be told. The many Italians who call Ballarat home have quietly pursued their hopes and dreams and in the process added to the economic and social wellbeing of the community. FREE EVENT. RSVP ESSENTIAL.