Matt Williams (Hindmarsh, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I recently attended the 60th anniversary feast day of St Hilarion, a religious, cultural and gastronomic celebration which draws thousands of people from across Adelaide and, in particular, from my electorate of Hindmarsh. As you would expect from an Italian community event, there was plenty of fine food: fine pasta and fine beverages, including that famous Italian beverage, chinotto!

I enjoyed talking to many in the St Hilarion community, including the CEO, Marcia Fisher, and staff at the Fulham facility, Caroline Russo and Rosie Manzilla. The Fulham facility in my electorate of Hindmarsh has undergone some upgrades and renovations recently, which will ensure the residents continue to have great facilities now and into the future.

The Society of Saint Hilarion was founded as a cultural and religious body in 1955. Its origins are owed to the passion of a group of migrants who settled in South Australia after migrating from the town of Caulonia and surrounds in southern Italy, either side of World War II. St Hilarion has grown to become a leading multicultural aged-care service provider in the western suburbs of Adelaide.

This year I have been fortunate to support their quiz night and also to donate to their new bus for the residents. In the past I have attended their fundraising events, which were as sensational as last Sunday's feast—always an enjoyable occasion.

As a not-for-profit organisation, they owe a great deal to their fantastic volunteers and I thank them all for their efforts. And, speaking about volunteers, PISA and ANFE are other great organisations that support the Italian community in South Australia.