Victoria update
Furlan Club unites after devastating incident
“There is no inspiration greater than the spirit of a community coming together.”
On the morning of Thursday, February 22, our club was faced with a venue fire which has been a huge devastation for our community, members, staff, family and friends.
The Furlan Club, celebrating 67 years of history, has been and will continue to be an Italian-Australian community township, right in the heart of Thornbury.
The Fogolar is a community that has grown and flourished, uniting people from different generations and walks of life, sharing stories and celebrating milestones together with love at its core. Despite adversity such as the recent fires, our club will never be broken as these values live within each of us.
For 67 years, The Furlan Club has been a gathering place, whether it’s having lunch or dinner, celebrating a function, sports, cooking, working or growing up with the saying ‘Let’s go to the club’.
For the first time in more than six decades, we woke up to the harsh reality that we couldn’t just jump in the car and head to our club which is absolutely devastating. The things that occupied our days, the lives we worked to help and change, the opportunities offered all came to a grinding halt.
People say it’s not about the building, it’s about the people. Is it that simple? Really, we are so much more.
The Furlan Club has become a local Thornbury township, like in every small town, there is a place, a centrepiece where people gather to laugh, to cry and to celebrate. As the days pass we reflect on our legacy through the many messages, calls and visits of support and care. Thank you to all!
What is our legacy, and what does this really mean?
Our Club Fogolar Furlan legacy is embracing the power of community spirit and resilience. It’s a beacon of hope, optimism and strength in Melbourne’s Italian-Australian culture.
The power of unity and resilience within a community is unparalleled. The destruction caused by the fire on February 22 could have easily crushed our spirit permanently, but we instead chose to stand tall in hope for new beginnings as one strong Friulian/Italian/Australian cultural township. In Melbourne that place is 1 Matisi St, Thornbury.
With our garage and site office we continue to come together at our club now, not solely due to its existence as a venue, but more significantly because it symbolises something much greater than ourselves: love, family values, and passion that are fundamental components in shaping our culture.
In the face of adversity, we chose to regroup and focus on our revival. We come together as a team – staff, committee, members, family, friends and supporters alike. Through shared laughter, tears and questions, we stand united in support, tapping into the power of community resilience.
Our legacy lives on in every kind word, every good deed, every heart felt embrace extend by our Fogolar community, and it grows stronger as we unite with a commitment to rebuild and return to serve our community and once again be that place of assembly for multiple generations of our Italian Australian community.
The cultural significance of our club is undeniably historical. Australians along with our strong Italian community and culture will come together better and stronger than ever as our Phoenix rises from the ashes.
As we work hard to reopen our club, it will happen in a staged approach as our venue is more damaged in some areas compared to others. We estimate this will be done in stages:
- Stage 1: Bocce courts, The Thorn 3071 and Beer Garden. We are aiming to add a multipurpose floor on a section of our bocce courts which will also act as a dance floor so we can host ballroom events.
- Stage 2: Sala Friuli (Ballroom)
- Stage 3: Bistro, reception, gaming and heritage room.
While we don’t currently have a confirmed timeframe on the stages of reopening, please keep up to date on our social media and website for the latest information and news.
The stories will continue, memories will be made, and The Furlan Club will be back!
Written by Laila Favrin.
Trivia night
Get ready to indulge in a night of pure entertainment and camaraderie at Bocce Victoria’s Trivia Night, an event open to all who crave a fun-filled evening of games and quizzical excitement.
Set aside Saturday, April 20, as the Knox Club morphs into the hub of thrilling trivia battles and heartening companionship. This isn’t just for the bocce aficionados – everyone is welcome! Bring along your squad, family, colleagues, and even the in-laws, for a night where laughter and friendly competition collide in the most extraordinary fashion.
But there’s more to this night than just flexing your mental muscles; it’s an opportunity to rally together in support of our Victorian bocce teams as they gear up for the Australian Nationals in June. Imagine Vic metro, Vic regional, Special Olympics Bocce Vic Team, and our esteemed club teams converging in Perth, all aiming for glory and representing our great state. Your presence on this unforgettable night is vital. It’s a chance to contribute to their dreams and ensure they shine on the national stage.
Prepare for an evening packed with not just trivia, but also additional games crafted to boost your table scores. Exciting raffles boasting fantastic prizes and fun challenges interspersed between trivia rounds will keep the energy soaring and the fun unstoppable!
So, mark your calendars and get ready to dive into a purposeful night of fun. Let’s make April 20 a night to cherish – a night where our community unites, celebrates, and supports the journey of our remarkable athletes.
Your participation matters, and together, we can transform this trivia night into a triumph for our teams. See you there!
Written by Laila Favrin.
South Australia update
Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Enfield Mausoleum Easter Cup
On Sunday, March 17, the South Australian Bocce Federation Inc. hosted the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Enfield Mausoleum Easter Cup at the Sicilia Social and Sports Club.
There was fierce competition between the ten duos of bocce players. Among the players there was Giuseppe Musolino, 90 years young, and Domenico Crisci who is 93 years young. Both Giuseppe and Domenico were in the winner’s circle!
Thank you to Adelaide Cemeteries Authority for their support. Thank you to the volunteers of the South Australian Bocce Federation for organising the lunch and helping to run the competition. The sponsor was unable to attend, and the prizes were presented by Anna Piccirillo, the Vice President of the South Australian Bocce Federation.
The winners of the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Enfield Mausoleum Easter Cup are:
- First: Albina Perre and Erminio Ranaldo
- Second: Antonia Zotti and Raffaele Zollo
- Third: Domenico Crisci and Tony Maio
- Fourth: Filomena Meggetto and Giuseppe Musolino
Written by Antonia Zotti.
International Women’s Day in South Australia
The South Australian Bocce Federation Inc. hosted a morning tea at the Sicilia Social and Sports Club Bocce courts to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024. Thank you to all the women that contributed to the morning tea. Our special guest was Miranda Sella-Gianot.
Miranda, together with Gina Beltrame, founded the Women’s Bocce Federation of South Australia in 1976 at the Fogolar Furlan Club. Miranda is an inspiration to all in the bocce community. At 93 years of age, Miranda is still driving and only stopped playing bocce in 2023.
The federation also pays tribute to the former president of the federation, Mirella Mancini. Mirella has been involved in bocce for more than 30 years, holding various roles. In 1995, Mirella became the first woman to hold the position of president of the South Australian Bocce Federation.
In 1995, South Australia proudly hosted the very first National Women’s Bocce Championships.
Happy International Women’s Day to all the women in our community and beyond!
Written by Antonia Zotti.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics Melbourne Eastern Ranges Interclub – March 15 at Knox Italian Club
Thirty athletes attended one of the Interclub tournaments at KICC in Rowville.
Special Olympics athletes need to attend the minimum of eight training sessions in a year and two Interclub tournaments to be selected for state games in July.
They also attended the all-inclusive trial session in March, as part of the four-week tournament in April-May 2024.
Bocce Vic A-East interclub – March 17 at Knox Italian Club
Thirty-eight players attended the second-last game of the Bocce Vic A-East interclub. It had a great turnout, and the day ran smoothly with no incidents or issues.
Winners:
- First: Andrew Pozzer Veneto Club
- Second: Tony Francesca Knox Bocce Club
- Third: Mark Pozzer Veneto Club
- Fourth: Don Di Frederico.
SOA Melbourne Eastern Ranges
New all-inclusive Bocce Fun Nights: Knox Italian Community Club, 99 Karoo Rd, Rowville
Come and join us for fun-filled bocce evenings. Pair up in doubles on the night with a friend, family member, and with one of our special bocce athletes and carers.
There will be four nights of competition on April 5, April 19, May 3, and May 17, with prizes on the final night. It will cost $5 per person to cover court fees and bocce balls. There will be $5 snacks and homemade pizza slices available on the final night. The bar will be open to purchase drinks.
There will be a fundraising special raffle. The prize will be drawn on the final night. It costs $5 for 10 tickets, available on training nights during March and then in April on the fun nights. There will be six glow-in-the-dark bocce sets included in the raffle prizes.
Bookings are required for catering purposes.
6.30pm registration – start at 7pm sharp and run through to 8.30pm.
Bring a friend to try bocce, you don’t have to be a special athlete.
Contact Michael MER Bocce Coach by calling 0419 330 977 or emailing [email protected]
Come and Try Bocce – a non-strenuous and fun sport for all. Help raise funds for our special athletes to attend Bocce Australia Special Olympics All Inclusive National Games in Perth in June.
Written by Michael Migliaccio.