The Italian Picnic in the Park, organised by the GIA Network together with Com.It.Es. NSW, transformed Pioneers Memorial Park in Leichhardt into a large space for relationships to flourish.
Left to right, standing: Marco Zangari, Lisa Genovese, Antonia Scorciapino, Luigi Di Martino, Domenico Stefanelli, Umberto Balistreri, Liana Paolino, Giuseppe Musmeci Catania, Joanne Taranto and Alberto Cutrono; below: Nicole Senatore, Simona Bernardini, Marco Abbondanza and Felice Montrone
Italian and Italo-Australian families turned out in large numbers, with a strong presence of children taking part in games, entertainment and face painting. The atmosphere was simple yet powerful: being together, sharing food, building bonds.
“The strong turnout confirms how essential it is to create spaces where our community can come together, especially for young families,” said Luigi Di Martino, President of Com.It.Es. NSW.
“Moments like this strengthen our sense of belonging and build connections across generations.”
Liana Paolino, vice-president of the GIA Network, echoed the sentiment. “This picnic showed what makes our culture special—children, parents and grandparents together, new relationships forming and networks growing stronger,” she said.
“The success of the event highlights the importance of collaboration between Com.It.Es., the GIA Network and the Italian organisations that supported us.”
The initiative was backed by several Italian organisations, including the Italian Trade Agency, the Dante Alighieri Society and the Father Atanasio Gonelli Charitable Fund.
Behind the scenes, volunteers played a key role. Among them was Umberto Balistreri. “We met early, prepared everything and brought it to the park,” Balistreri said.
“The most important thing? Meeting new people and helping the community connect.”
More than just a picnic, it was a clear reflection of a vibrant, active and growing community.
Dining and Cooking