27/01/2025
In 2018 we created Festa Di Santa Giovanna, a festival under our Community Program banner where we plan local events and fundraising initiatives.
You may have attended one of the events over the years… Discoteca Grande, Sagra della Salsiccia or our Northside Charity Ball. One event which remains close to our hearts is Stories from a Suitcase, (a short story writing competition) which was part of the festa program in 2019.
With migration being the central theme, the brief was; ‘Tell us in 500 words or less – about your most valued possession packed in your suitcase.’
Not sure whether we’d receive any entries at all, we were thrilled with a total of 12 - each personal story filled with emotion and deep connection. We knew our expert panel of judges and faced a difficult task ahead.
They spent a night at Joanie’s deliberating over each entry and after a number of hours and they had settled on a list of finalists who were invited to read their story on the night of the event.
As each person read their piece aloud to a full venue, their voice bought their story to life. There was not a dry eye in the room, it was such a privilege to be part of this intimate evening and one that we will never forget.
Thank you to our judges who volunteered their time:
Leanne Clancy
Liliana Barbieri
Lina Messina
Thanks to for prize donations and of course a huge thank you to those who entered and so generously shared their precious stories:
Lindy Schneider, Sarina Lirosi, Rosa Mondio, Tina Villani, Laura Borghi, Katheryn James, Sam Calla, Trish Recchia, Sun Haas, Allison Valentine, Connie Butler and Ela Fornalska ❤️
