The ANA (Associazione Nazionale Alpini or National Alpini Association) is the registered Italian society representing former members of the Alpini corps. Every year since 1920 the ANA has organized a national reunion (ADUNATA). It is not uncommon for hundreds of thousands of Alpini to congregate in an Italian city for a weekend in the late spring, celebrating and remembering old times.
There are also Alpini groups around the world, operating under the statute of the ANA in Italy. These world wide groups have aided in educating the public of who the Alpini were, along with the various community services, charity work and fundraising that they have done and continue to do today. The Alpini have worked tirelessly to create wonderful events and gatherings of family, friends and the public. They really have left their mark throughout many countries.
Around 1972, a group of Wollongong men who were Alpini (with many of them working at EPT, Transfield and the wider community) formed a social group. By this stage the Sydney Alpini social group had already formed with many of the Wollongong group attending the Sydney meetings as well.
At a reunion in Sydney organised by their local Sydney Alpini members, Wollongong resident Cav. Pietro Damin was in attendance, and with the help and encouragement of the then president Angelo Moras, they discussed the possibility of forming a (Wollongong Group) under the Sydney Sezione.
The Sydney Alpini Association became a `Sezione` in 1976, with Wollongong being a part of them. Wollongong eventually became their own Sezione in 1991. Other smaller groups formed in different states and regions. World wide there are 80 associations with approximately 335,000 members.
The first official Wollongong committee consisted of the following people: President: Pietro Damin, Vice-President: Giovanni Manera, Secretary: Matteo Dalla Pozza, Treasurer: Silvano Tonegato, Councillors: Luigino Pozzacchio, Giuseppe Cunial, Giuseppe Consolaro, Giovanni Bresolin, Primo Galanti, Corrado Cazzolli, & Marcello Pojer.
The Wollongong group at its peak consisted of 40- 50 ex-servicemen as well as others who made up the numbers. They first ran their meetings underneath Pietro Damin`s house for several years. Afterwards the meetings took place at the home of committee member Giovanni Penzo. Giovanni had a room in his house that he dedicated just for the Alpini meetings. The Alpini eventually got a shipping container, parked on the grounds of the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow, where they ran their meetings for 25 years. They would eventually require a second shipping container to house all their equipment and supplies.
The Alpini of Wollongong became active in the community and began with fundraising and community events. They quickly established themselves and ran picnic days, road trips, dinner dances and other events to raise money for charity and public donations.
They typically ran two picnic days per year at Cordeaux Dam. The dam is located on Picton Road and it is a 30 min drive from Wollongong. With its large area for picnics and BBQ`s it was perfect for large gatherings but not too far from home. It was well received with family, friends and many in the community. With their famous bolognese sauce they cooked up a feast for all to enjoy. It was many hands on deck, volunteers a plenty and they would usually have a sing-a-long too!
The Adunata
The Adunata is the annual get together of the Alpini. World wide they run them and in Italy thousands are in attendance. The event always brings together current and former members of Alpini. They generally have parades, ceremonies, and cultural activities. It also creates a strong sense of camaraderie.
In Australia the Adunata is usually a two day (weekend) event. The first Adunata took place in in Sydney November 5 -6, 1983. Wollongong had their first Adunata Oct 5 -6, 1991, whilst celebrating their ascension to Sezione. Wollongong was no longer under the arm of the Sydney Alpini. They were their own autonomous Sezione. There would be a second time that Wollongong held an Adunata and that was in 2002 October 5 -6.
The Adunata events have taken place in most capital cities in Australia and some other major towns including Griffith, Cairns and Sydney. The Adunata is still celebrated around the world.
Alpini Park Tarrawanna (PARCO ALPINI)
The following text was taken from the `L`Alpino in Australia` magazine for the
2002 Adunata celebrated in Wollongong, October 5 -6. The Alpini Park was officially opened on Sunday August 29, 1991.
TARRAWANNA PARK DEDICATED TO THE ALPINI
It will remind future generations of the role played by Italians in the Illawarra.
Wollongong; Despite the uncertain weather conditions, a large crowd attended the solemn inauguration ceremony of the "Alpine Park" located on Caldwell Avenue in Tarrawanna (a suburb north of Wollongong), home to hundreds of families of Italian origin.
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Wollongong, David Campbell, Consular Attaché Turo Chiodo, and representatives of the main Italian associations in the Illawarra.
After the performance of the Australian and Italian national anthems by the Wollongong Alpine Choir and the blessing imparted by Father Luigi, Tony Panozzo, president of the Wollongong Alpine section, welcomed the numerous attendees, including members of the Marconi Club and the Abruzzi Club of Sydney. He explained that the creation of the park had been made possible thanks to the work and funding of the group he represented.
The master of ceremonies, Primo Galanti, explained to those in attendance, mostly Australians, the goals and philosophy of the Alpine troops around the world, who have made the symbolic image of the black feather famous through their work of solidarity with others and their representation of the Alpine Corps and their homeland.
Mayor Campbell was responsible for unveiling the two commemorative plaques that stand out on two columns in the centre of the park, where an elegant marble mosaic depicting the Wollongong Alpine group stands.
In his speech, David Campbell, after praising the work of the Wollongong Alpine troops, noted that the inauguration of the Alpini Park represented his last official commitment as mayor, as after the September 11 local elections he would dedicate himself exclusively to state politics. The official ceremony concluded with a speech by Turo Chiodo, who stated that the park, with its monument and commemorative plaques, would remind future generations of the work of the Wollongong Alpine troops, including important charitable initiatives on the South Coast (most notably the Marco Polo Village), as well as the role of the Italian community, which had contributed significantly to making Wollongong the most multicultural city in Australia.
A magnificent magnolia tree was then planted in the center of the park to commemorate the historic event, before those present enjoyed an outdoor breakfast.
The Alpini Monument and The Alpini Museum Sydney
In 1982, at the Scalabrini Village at Austral, Sydney, the Alpini Associations of both Sydney and Wollongong paid for and constructed a monument as a dedication to the Alpini who lost their lives for their country.
In 2016 the Sydney Alpini Sezione constructed a small Alpine Hut to be used as museum for all the Alpini Sezione in Australia. You will find memorabilia, information, artifacts and many stories.
The Museum took three months to construct at a cost of approximately $35,000.00. It was built by the men from the Alpini of Sydney Group. The monument that was previously erected at the entrance on the site of the Scalabrini Village was relocated next to the museum after completion of construction. The relocation came at a cost that was covered by both the Sydney and Wollongong Sezione.
Inside the museum you will also see a large bell donated by Luciano Liberale. Luciano is a member of the Sydney Sezione and the bell is in honour of his young son Antonio who passed away when he was 13. The Bell was presented at the inauguration of the opening of the museum. It was built in Italy but designed here.
The museum was built as a replica of the (Capella della Visitazione). It is a little chapel that was built in 1958 at the Falzarego Pass, situated in the Dolomites. Inside the Capella della Visitazione is a metal plate with a poem that speaks about the loss of life in WW1.
The Italian Alpini Museum at Austral is a one of a kind museum in Australia that is dedicated to Italians who fought for and served their country. For visits to the museum contact Giuseppe Querin: 0414285682. Visits are by appointment only.
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Castagne Day
The Alpini of Wollongong first began their Castagne Day back in late 1970’s. It later took on a life of its own at the Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow. It became an annual celebration. (roasting the chestnuts). The Alpini men, with their hand made large metal roasting drums were manning the large fires and churning out beautiful roasted chestnuts for the public to eat and enjoy.
In 2009 when the Association was invited to participate at the `Festa della Repubblica` (Italian Republic Day) in Wollongong Mall, the Alpini chose to continue with their tradition of (roasting chestnuts), which promoted further to the existing community involvement.
It is has now become a for all the community to enjoy. People from all walks of life attend Castagne day. A day filled with fun activities for the children with rides ect, market stalls, live entertainment and of course roasted chestnuts. Castagne Day is held annually at the Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow on the third Sunday in May.
