August
2000 meeting of NIMAC
Whittlesea City Council Offices
Seated from left Cr Vince Fontana (Darebin
City Council), Cr Sam De Gabrielle (Mitchell Shire Council), Cr Carl
Marsich (Mayor - Hobsons Bay City Council), Cr Sam Alessi (Mayor
- Whittlesea City Council), Cr Rozi Parisotto (Wangaratta Rural
City Council), Cr Margaret Giudice (Brimbank City Council). Standing
from left Cr Frank Merlino (Whittlesea City Council), Cr Roberto La
Rocca (Moreland City Council), Cr Alex Del Porto (Bayside City Council)
Cr Don Di Vincenzo (Moonee Valley City Council), Cr James Long (Moonee
Valley City Council) Cr Emanuelle Cicchiello (Knox City Council),
Giuseppe Cossari (previous Councillor and Mayor of Maroondah City
Council). Other active members not shown in the photo are Cr Joe Cutri (Maribyrnong
City Council) and Cr Ciro Lombardi (Brimbank City Council). |
|
BACKGROUND |
|
|
NIMAC had its formation in 1998
when a group of Victorian Councillors of Italian background
arranged for an initial meeting. This initial group consisted
of Councillors Joe Cossari, Sam Alessi, Frank Merlino, Alex
Del Porto, Ciro Lombardi and Carl Marsich.
The broad objectives of the group in the early meetings were to
develop a social network at the Local Government level and
establish broad objectives that could contribute to the
development of improved relationships between Italy and
Australia in the areas of governance, culture, industry and
commerce and community involvement.
The original group consisted of 6 Councillors including 3 Mayors
representing 5 municipalities with over 500,000 residents. Today
we consist of 20 active members, including 18 Councillors with 3
Mayors and representing 13 municipalities with over 1.2 million
residents and operating budgets of more than $800 million. The
group is still growing with contact and involvement of further
Councillors.
On 9 September 2000, NIMAC adopted a constitution.
|
|
|
|
|
The constitution
listed the following aims and functions.
- The object of the Network are to
promote the sharing of ideas among the member Councillors, with the
overall object of promoting the profile of the Italo-Australian
community in Australia and developing links with Italy.
- To establish a forum for the
exchange of views, information and materials on Local Government
matters.
- To identify areas for co-operation
on joint projects in Victoria, and between Victoria and Italy.
- To encourage through appropriate
channels the establishment of links between Victorian and Italian
organisations.
- To organise an annual conference on
a rotation basis among interested Councils.
- To develop and maintain a database
of persons and organisations who are interested in and/or working
towards promoting the Italian community in Victoria.
- To assist in promoting multi-culturalism
in our society.
- To improve business, cultural and
social opportunities in the respective Councils and in Victoria as a
whole.
- To promote the Italian contribution
to Australian Society.
- To initiate, seek funding and
develop special projects.
- To establish a web page.
- To maintain regular communications
links with:
- the Consul General
- the Italian Institute of Culture
- other appropriate institutions as identified.
|
During the operation of the group we
have achieved a number of initiatives which include regular contact with
the Consul General of Italy, contact with Federal and State
Parliamentary representatives with an Italian background, invitations to
significant Italian events, hosting Italian delegation visits to our
municipalities and bringing together Councillors from Italian
backgrounds to develop a framework for future directions.
We have recently identified as a
priority the issue of problems in aged care, particularly within the
Italian communities and we are currently developing strategies to lobby
for an improved outcome for our communities.
|
September 2002 - NIMAC members meet at Brimbank City Council
Offices
|
|
