IMSMC in the Community.

IMSMC Visits Kindikids

On the 29^th November 2011, 5 of our IMSMC members visited the Kindikids Early Learning Centres at Edensor Park. The purpose of the visit was to introduce the children to the Italian Made Social Motoring Club and teach them about our cars to further enhance the children’s awareness of the community.

155 children from the three Kindikids Centres participated in the day. Vice President Charlie Losinno, Committee Member Maria Losinno and Members Andy Mendes-Lopes, Tony Romeo and Giovanna Romeo talked to the children about the cars they brought along; including a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB Koeing, 1960 Fiat 600 and 1950 Fiat Topolino. The children loved hearing about the interesting facts about these historic cars and were amazed how different they were compared to the cars of today.

A highlight of the day was to hear that the models of the cars in front of them appeared in the Disney Pixar Cars 2 movie; specifically characters ‘Luigi’ and ‘Mr Topolino’.

Many questions were asked on the day; including ‘how fast do these cars go?’, ‘How old is the car?’ The children are a very bright bunch, they surprised us around the facts they were giving us on thecars and they were challenging our thinking and made us laugh with their interesting comments.

Each of the children had the opportunity to explore the features of the cars and sit in each of the cars and have a photo. The Ferrari was a big hit, all the children were keen to sit in this ‘fast red racing car’. The horn on the Topolino got a big work out on the day, the children thought it sounded funny. Other children were happy to pile into the Fiat 600 and hang out of the sunroof.

The educators of Kindikids also had the opportunity to have their photo with the cars and enjoyed the ride even though it was for a couple of minutes.

We would like to thank the management, staff and children of Kindikids for the experience of sharing our cars with them, it was very rewarding to know that we made the day of many children and taught them about our cars. We hope we can share the same experience with any future Kindikids children and welcome the families to get involved in the Italian Made Social Motoring Club.

Write up and photos courtesy of Giovanna Romeo

IMSMC Christmas Party

On Sunday the 20th of November over 100 members, family and friends attended our 2011 Christmas lunch at Il Piatto Restaurant in Horsley Park.

It was wonderful to see so many Italian machines in the restaurant car park. A special mention to the members that braved the heat (without an air conditioner in their classic!).

By 11:30am, the restaurant was abuzz. Members continued to arrive while the outside temperature approached 37C mark. soon enough, appetizers & aperitifs (spuntino e aperitivo) - were served.

The "atmosfera Italiana" was extremely evident as the entree's, mains, cake and coffee were brought to our tables by the very competent staff at Il Piatto restaurant - refreshments were plentiful...the staff at Il Piatto truly met every expectation and performed their task with 100% accuracy and competence! Thank you Il Piatto!

A Club raffle was held after lunch - the prizes offered by our club sponsors and great supporters, Yvonne Legge (Ellen Di Rocco's mum), members Dino Capozzi, Frances & Gerardo Mediati, Gladesville Auto Body Works (Nat Stillone), Mastertouch Automotive (Maurizio & Lucy Puglisi) and Prodata Pty Ltd. Thank you also to "Campisi Delicatessen" (member Tony Campisi), who made it possible to allow the Club to offer every person a Mini Panettone.

A wonderful conclusion to 2011. Thank you to each member that has been active throughout 2011. Thank you for sharing in the IMSMC spirit. We look forward to another year of diverse events in 2012.

On behalf of the committee, we wish you all, along with your family and friends, a very Happy, safe and Holy Christmas. May 2011 end well for you all and that 2012, be your best year to date.

Buon Natale!

Norton St Festa

Sunday the 30th of October, 33 members of IMSMC prepared their cars impeccably and represented our club at the Norton street festa di Leichhardt.

Our committee was on site early and prepared the club stall - while our members assembled in Five Dock and then cavalcaded along Parramatta Road and the City West Link - bound for Leichhardt.

Every IMSMC gathering brings it's surprises - with some new additions to the club. Well done guys! We seem to have sparked a restoration/acquisition culture of classic and modern Italian cars.

It's always a very welcoming site, to see the great number of smiles that appear on visitors faces, when they reach our displays. Some of the stories that some of the "old fellas" tell, certainly raise an eyebrow or two!

Our club stall was frequented by passers by. Our Fiat 500 espresso & capuccino cups were are very popular item. Thanks to the stall keepers.

The entire length of northern Norton street was a mass of food & Italian produce. The aroma of all Italian cuisine probably wafted all the way to Katoomba!!!

The day drew to a close and once again, all hands on deck, with many members assisting with the pack up of products from our stall. Respective farewells and courtesies were extended and in a typical Italian manner, the machines exited Norton street and dispersed. A great sight travelling home along Parramatta Road - it's amazing how you can spot one of our Italian Machines in the distance amongst 1000 cars!

Well done IMSMC - Thank you!

Pangallo

On Sunday the 16th of October, 51 members and friends attended our Club BBQ at the Pangallo Estate.

After a very punctual meeting at the McDonalds at Thornleigh we then cavalcaded along Pennant Hills Road on the F3 freeway. The Italian Machines (and guests) made there way toward Cessnock. An eye catching and head turning experience for us all, with every driver receiving freeway acknowledgements from the traffic we left behind!

As we arrived at the Estate, car by car, we transformed a piece of Cessnock into a Tuscan valley; with olive trees and grape vines forming an amazing backdrop for our fine machines!

Free tasting of Olives, Oil, wine and home made salami. The Club has new friends...Lyn & Michael, the proprietors of Pangallo estate who were extremely welcoming and accommodating. They genuinely appreciated our presence at their estate. We are so glad that they joined us for the day.

After our "tasting" the BBQ's were fired up - with EVERYBODY lending a hand...An array of Italian food hit the tables while the steaks, sausages, onions, bread rolls & salad were being prepared! An amazing variety of cakes (one surprisingly made from polenta) hit the table and to top it off, an espresso!

A raffle was organised on the day - First Prize a "Model Car; The Tributo Ferrai". Lyn Pangallo donated 2 bottles of wine for the raffle (another gracious offering).

A huge thankyou to the organisers and to everyone that contributed to the day. Another memorable IMSMC event - one that we will do again in the new year!

Burwood Classic

Sunday morning the 18th of September 21members of IMSMC presented themselves and their wonderful cars at the Burwood Spring Festival. A special thank you to the many, many, many friends, family and "non car members" that visited and contributed to the atmosphere that was beaming from our assembly!

The morning was proving to be a typical Summers morning as the temperature increased rapidly. Our members sought shelter under the trees. Chairs and esky's created an Oasis of comfort.

Fortunately, later in the morning, a cool breeze developed creating "The Perfect Spring Day".

Our display created a great deal of interest, attracting many visitors. Once again it's amazing how many people, at some stage of their driving life, owned a Classic Italian Made Car!

International cuisine, music & dancing were the flavour of the day - With every store in Burwood at the disposition of "shoppers".

Our club raffle was held at the end of the day, with Maurizio Puglisi picking up 1st prize - Fiat 500 nudge bar, Roberto Mattei winning 2nd prize - A Garlenda Fiat 500 shirt and Riccardo Capolino winning 3rd prize - a Bottle of First Creek Chardonnay!

The day came to a conclusion with the SES volunteers thanking us for our contribution to the day - our gate entry fee of $10 per car was donated entirely to them.

Thank you Ladies & Gentlemen!

Eastern Creek 2011

Sunday the 28th of August, saw members of IMSMC participate at Shannon’s sponsored CMC day at Eastern Creek. As always, the day was a huge success. Thirty one classic Italian vehicles adorned the allocated track area the colours were resplendent and the cars certainly were ready to attract the attention of every admirer and spectator on the day. Compliments to all in the manner the cars were prepared. We all approached the track in an orderly fashion and proceeded onto the track to enjoy two laps of the race circuit. The cars moved around the track In true thoroughbred fashion performing nicely and without mishap.

The Fiat Topolino C series (alias ZIO Topolino) took the chequered flag on the day, could the driver please return the flag we shall need it for next year. Thank you!

Joe Lecce represented IMSMC with his FIAT 1100 sedan in the Presidents Concourse; we have it on good authority that Joe’s car made the judging a little more difficult than previous years. Thank you Joe, for your patience on the day, effort in preparing your car and representing our club.

It was good to see the famous marques including Volvo, Chevrolet, Renault, Jaguar and Volkswagen celebrating Birthdays. These marques were well represented on the day with a number of fine examples. A thank you note goes to Dino Capozzi who on the day donated a Ferrari book and two posters to the club which shall be used at some future club fund raising event. A number of visitors to our area commented on our display and congratulated us on the way we present not only our cars but also the way we present ourselves.

A picnic lunch which lasted all day was enjoyed by all followed with coffees and desert.

An eventful day and as usual all good things come to a close. See you next year.

Ferroagosto 2011

Ladies and gentlemen of IMSMC, Ferroagosto 2011 was once again a huge success. All members that registered for the event were present to enjoy a wonderful day full of entertainment. The day was filled with the usual food, drink and song. Alfredo Malabello entertained the crowd, performing on stage, while the clowns and other entertainers mingled amongst the crowd. The all time favorite accordion player entertained the crowd with renditions of “Volare” and some “Dean Martin” greats. Some members were seen enjoying a refreshing ale at the local watering hole. There was certainly no shortage of food, One can only eat so much, but wait there is more. There were many cake stalls and all were overflowing with many traditional delicacies.

Stalls,stalls and more stalls selling Italian wares and goods of every shape and description. It goes without saying that our vehicles certainly made the day with many people chatting and admiring. Does anyone know the woman's details that was sitting in the green 850 spider? Please forward the details for further processing.

A very warm welcome to new members who displayed their fine Italian cars:

Vince Plenzich: 1986 Lancia Thema

Johnny Panuccio: 2004 Ferrari Modena

Frank Failla: 1968 AutoBianchi A112

Chris Petit: 1980 124 Fiat Spider

Mick Diminici: 1967 Fiat 1500 MK III

Thankyou to the IMSMC committee members and friends they did a great job looking after the club stall.

A great stress free day an event like Ferroagosto is the medicine required to take our minds of all the pressures of life. Thanks again and see you soon.

IMSMC AGM 2011

On Friday evening the 5th of August, IMSMC held it's Annual General Meeting at Cub Marconi.

Our compliments to Club Marconi for preparing our room very eloquently. Truly Italian made!

The night included AGM formalities and general business No elections were required, under the model rules and we are happy to announce that the committee for 2011/2012, remains unchanged.

We were introduced to Mirella Perau from "Garage Specialties". Mirella and husband John, introduced a garage/showroom "Flooring Concept" to our members - a product that generated a great deal of interest. Thanks Mirella.

Each person who attended the AGM received a complimentary pasta dinner, offered by IMSMC - cooked to perfection! New Club Sponsor, CASA ITALIA, provided a great deal of sample produce, including Torrone, panforte, roasted almonds and lollies - these items are exclusive to CASA ITALIA, imported from Italy. Needless to say, that the abundance of sample produce dissapeared in a flash!

Members have also now received a 10% discount on all produce available on the CASA ITALIA web site, a very big thank you to CASA ITALIA on behalf of IMSMC.

Our Club raffle was well supported, with all tickets being sold - Thanks guys! Italian Made (The club), Gerardo & Frances Mediati along with CASA ITALIA contributed to the wonderful prizes on offer

Raffle items on the night included: Bottles of Wine, A Fiat 500 (limited edition New York Taxi model), an IMSMC Pack (containing 2 shirts, cap & Viser) a Meguires Car care kit and a wonderful CASA ITALIA hamper!

The night continued in great company - laughter and cheer! The year in review Video was on display for the entire evening, recounting some of our memorable events.

Like all "great IMSMC events", the night drew to a close (close to 11:00pm). many members chose to make use of the full range of facilities and entertainment on offer at Club Marconi.

Thankyou to all who attended another tremendous IMSMC event.