The Coffs Coast Italian Heritage Group has capped off a successful year for its Ciao Coffs Festa Italiana, presenting a cheque for $13,024 to the Children’s Ward at Coffs Harbour Health Campus and confirming the festival will return to Coffs Harbour Racecourse on 21 August 2027.
The Executive of the Coffs Coast Italian Heritage Group Inc. presented the cheque on Friday, 18 September, to Stephanie White, Head of Paediatrics, and Lisa Hammond, Nurse Unit Manager of the Children’s Ward.
The donation, raised at last month’s Festa Italiana, will go towards a modern CPAP machine, which provides respiratory support for children of all ages.
“This donation amount was a fantastic surprise,” Lisa Hammond said. “We have these funds allocated for a modern CPAP machine, which will provide respiratory support for children of all ages.”
Stephanie White said the machine would allow more children to be treated locally, rather than being transferred to larger hospitals.
“The respiratory support provides care at a high level, avoiding transfers to Paediatric Intensive Care Units in the major cities,” Stephanie White said. “This machine will limit the stress and disruption to patients and families avoiding the transfers.”
Looking back on the day itself, Coffs Coast Italian Heritage Group President Franco Maione said the History Wall had been one of the standout features of the festival.
“The History Wall was an overwhelming success, so much so that the wall was overflowing with History Boards and photos,” Mr Maione said. “The interest in the family histories had people three deep at the wall for most of the day.”
The boards told the stories of parents and grandparents who mostly immigrated to Australia after the Second World War, between 1950 and 1960, alongside some families who arrived earlier and whose men were interned in prisoner of war camps during the war.
“There were plenty of emotions as people read the boards, with tears welling in their eyes at the sacrifices their ancestors endured in a quest for a better life in Australia,” Mr Maione said.
Mr Maione said the other standout moment of the day came when overcast conditions gave way to sunshine.
“The main standout moment was when the morning drizzle cleared to a bright blue sky. The entertainment by our musicians was outstanding, all songs were sung in Italian,” Mr Maione said.
The group has already locked in a date for next year’s festival, returning to Coffs Harbour Racecourse on 21 August 2027 with a similar format built around family and connection.
“The format will be similar, with the History Wall extending to the first generation. The theme is somewhat of family reunions, where people can gather for great Italian music, food and conversation,” Mr Maione said.
Beyond the festival, Mr Maione said the group’s focus over the coming months would turn to growing its membership.
“The coming months will focus on expanding the group’s membership base and having more proactive members in the group,” Mr Maione said.
Mr Maione also praised the local businesses that supported the festival’s Monster Raffle, which was run specifically to raise funds for the Children’s Ward.
The CPAP machine funded by this year’s festival will soon be in use in the Children’s Ward, a fitting legacy for an event the Coffs Coast Italian Heritage Group hopes will keep growing.
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.