Page 6 - Comites Aboriginal Italian People in SA

President’s reflection
A Tribute to Interwoven Heritage: Honouring Aboriginal and Italian Identities in South Australia
It is with deep pride and genuine respect that we publish this important initiative, which draws on data from the most recent Australian Census to shine a light on individuals who identify as having both Aboriginal and Italian heritage. To our knowledge, this is the first time such an initiative has been undertaken by any Com.It.Es. across all jurisdictions in Australia. While modest in scale, its meaning is profound: this work acknowledges the complex, diverse and intersectional identities that have always been part of our community but have too often gone unrecognised.
As Com.It.Es. SA, our statutory duty under Italian legislation is to represent all people of Italian descent in South Australia: no exception - no hierarchy.
When we assumed our mandate following the 2021 elections, we did so with a commitment to ensuring that our representation would reflect the true breadth of Italian identity in this land. We proudly honour this duty through inclusive action and meaningful recognition.
This project, envisioned by former Com.It.Es. SA President Dr Antonio Dottore and completed under the stewardship of Cavaliere Rosa Matto, was realised by a team who is committed to celebrating intercultural heritage and visibility. We thank Antonio for his vision, Rosa for her leadership, as well as Com.It.Es. member Dr Tiziana Torresi and Daniela Dania, our dedicated research fellow, whose writing transformed statistics into a compelling narrative.
As we engage with South Australia's Italian and broader communities, we continue to encounter powerful, moving stories of connection between Italian migrants and Aboriginal people; stories of shared lives that form a vital, yet often overlooked, part of our collective history.
This booklet is more than a publication. It is a gesture of recognition. It is a celebration. It is, above all, an embrace extended to all who carry both Aboriginal and Italian ancestry: you are seen and you are valued.
Let this be just the beginning of a broader, ongoing commitment to inclusive representation. We salute every individual who finds their identity at the intersection of these two proud cultures.
Prof Marinella Marmo
President
Com.It.Es. South Australia