Festa Della Republica @ Club Marconi.

Sunday the 25th of May 2008 IMSMC members gathered on the soccer field of club Marconi to celebrate Italy's official 62nd birthdate of her republic.

This event saw our first merchandise stall run by Oriana De Iulio, Renee Di Rocco & Maria Losinno! A special mention to "il commericalista" Joe Lecce who sucessfully, practically singlehandedly sold over 20 Model Fiat 500's plus a further array of Italian model Vespas, Ducatti's & Alfa Romeo's!!

Charlie and Maria Losinno brought along thier newly aquired 1950 Topolino! A serious attraction throughout the day! Congratulations on such a beautiful car!

Our club cars attracted many visitors, so many people shared with us a story about their adventures of yesteryear involving classic Italian made cars.

Many thanks to Club Marconi for providing us with a vast array of Italian
cusine. Including wine, cakes, arancini and traditional Italian pannini e
pasta!

The day concluded with a massive fireworks display and an interesting drive home!

Unfortunatly Garribaldi didnt make a guest appearance! but sent me a photo instead.

Italian Connection Honour Guard!

Several members of IMSMC took part in a historic event on the morning of the 23rd of May.

The Italian connection rally is in the spirit of the Mille Miglia 1,000 Rally across Europe which this year began just one week ago in Italy.The rally is a three day event that for the first time will link Australia’s two most famous Little Italy precincts - Norton Street, Leichhardt and Lygon Street, Melbourne.

After few traffic hassles (as can be expected traveling into Leichardt at 8am!) we made our way to the forum underground car park, amid media, celebrities and car enthusiasts alike!

At around 11am, we were given then go ahead by organizers to follow the entrants of the rally through the streets of Leichardt and onto the Freeway toward Melbourne.

Jazz Under The Pines.

A group of IMSMC members visited the pines in fresh Dural for an afternoon of jazz brought to us by Eric Holroyd’s Hotshotz. The weather was chilly and Mr. Holroyds band played memorable tunes from the jazz era of the 1920’s to the mid 1940’s, including tunes by Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke Django Reinhardt, and Glenn Miller. It was a truly eclectic experience!

On site a number of us wandered over to the tour the colonial house belonging to the Roughley family. The Roughley family story in Australia began in 1817 when Joseph Roughley and his son James were convicted of theft and given a 7-year sentence of transportation to Australia. Five generations lived in this same house! The final family resident, Gordon “Clive” Roughley, sold the property to Baulkham Hills Shire Council for $1 so that it would be maintained as a living history of colonial life in The Hills and remain accessible to the public. Clive used to look forward to Jazz days where he would sit on the front verandah, listen to the music and chat to visitors about his house, the tour guide explained.

Yet again an excellent day passed us by in great company while listening to some extraordinary music!