Marrickville’s Italians
Local heroesOn Sunday I visited Marrickville Council’s cultural event, the Italian Festival, held at the Town Hall. It brought back memories of my childhood.
I grew up in Haberfield. My family were the only Indians in the suburb. Come to think about it we were the only Asians that lived in Haberfield at the time. As I grew into adolescence, I began to frequent the nightclubs of Musica Giovanni in Drummoyne and the APIA Club (now called La Montage) in Leichhardt. I was all of 16 and for some reason my photocopied baptism certificate would get me into these nightclubs. I would have my hair and fringe teased up so high that it would almost reach the ceiling of the APIA Club. I wore red nail polish and high patent heels. I thought I was hot.
It was the time when soccer was a ‘wog’ sport and the APIA club was called Australian Poofters In Action.
It was also the time when Europeans were the dominant cultural group in the inner west. Judging by the historical pictures displayed at the Town Hall, it seemed the Italian Community were also dominate in Marrickville, thriving on growing businesses.
I was amazed that former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies had officially opened the APIA Club in 1965. There were even pictures of the Italian fascist movement being welcomed in the 1930s at Martin Place.
Marrickville's Mayor Morris Hanna takes a punt on some pizza making
It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed pizza, pasta, gelato, coffee and wine all free. You certainly can’t get that anywhere.
And my Italian soldiers (pictured) reminded me of my nightclubbing days at the APIA Club. Boys will be boys and Italian men will always be heroes.
I grew up in Haberfield. My family were the only Indians in the suburb. Come to think about it we were the only Asians that lived in Haberfield at the time. As I grew into adolescence, I began to frequent the nightclubs of Musica Giovanni in Drummoyne and the APIA Club (now called La Montage) in Leichhardt. I was all of 16 and for some reason my photocopied baptism certificate would get me into these nightclubs. I would have my hair and fringe teased up so high that it would almost reach the ceiling of the APIA Club. I wore red nail polish and high patent heels. I thought I was hot.
It was the time when soccer was a ‘wog’ sport and the APIA club was called Australian Poofters In Action.
It was also the time when Europeans were the dominant cultural group in the inner west. Judging by the historical pictures displayed at the Town Hall, it seemed the Italian Community were also dominate in Marrickville, thriving on growing businesses.
I was amazed that former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies had officially opened the APIA Club in 1965. There were even pictures of the Italian fascist movement being welcomed in the 1930s at Martin Place.
Marrickville's Mayor Morris Hanna takes a punt on some pizza makingIt was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed pizza, pasta, gelato, coffee and wine all free. You certainly can’t get that anywhere.
And my Italian soldiers (pictured) reminded me of my nightclubbing days at the APIA Club. Boys will be boys and Italian men will always be heroes.
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