TRAVEL + OUTDOORS

Italian Festival’s return set to celebrate vibrant adopted culture

Daniel Shirkie

HAILED as an ‘important regional cultural event’, the Australian Italian Festival is set to return after going missing in action during last year’s COVID-19 imposed lockdown.

The annual event celebrates all things Italy, whether it’s food, cultural practices or the migrant Italian heartland of North Queensland.

The Festival was due to enjoy it’s 26th year in 2020 after a successful 25th Anniversary in 2019, but has gone back to the drawing board for their 2021 return, according to newly crowned Director Dr Ann Vardanega.

“Like everyone else, we had to cancel the festival last year,” Dr Vardanega said.

“It’s been very hard, I came on as the new Director in February of last year and off the high of our 25th Anniversary the year before, hoping to continue all the good work everyone has done.”

Despite the unfortunate cancellation last year, the committee is full steam ahead for this year’s iteration of the festival, while paying homage to the work of those who came before.

“Originally, the event was conceived as a way to bring visitors into the area, but the choice to hold an Italian Festival, as opposed to other festivals or events, was based on the huge cultural demographic here,” Dr Vardanega said.

“It is estimated that 70 per cent of the population in our district have some type of Italian heritage. The Festival’s run by a very dedicated group of volunteers who are mostly Italian.”

Dr Vardanega, who’s been involved with prior festivals in a smaller capacity, says everything that goes on behind the scenes can be challenging, but is all worth it when the big day comes.

“It’s hard work, but like any festival, when it all comes together, the enjoyment and the atmosphere really carries it,” Dr Vardanega said.

Among the many attractions aiming to draw people to the Italian Festival in Ingham are the vibrant foods and historical practices of the European nation.

“Our festival is really centred around food, entertainment and of course, traditional competitions,” Dr Vardanega said.

“We have competitions from the Italian Medieval Ages, we have gondola races and of course pasta and pizza eating competitions.”

“It all links back to that vibrant culture.”

The Festival’s annual food stalls will of course return, with the committee’s own stall supplying fresh, homemade Italian delicacies throughout the event.

“It’s all home-cooked, made by our local cooks, they actually pre-prepare arancini and the sauces for the pastas, all the Italian sausages, polenta and cannolis, all the staples of Italian food,” Dr Vardanega said.

Among the other attractions will be traditional dancers, and a homunculus theatre, with an accompanying workshop for those interested in learning about behind the scenes.

The Australian Italian Festival will be held across the June 6 and 7 weekend, in Ingham at TYTO Parklands.

Car lovers to head to the Whitsundays for latest motor show

Daniel Shirkie

DEVOTED car lovers will get another chance soon to show their appreciation for all things that travel fast at the upcoming Whitsundays Car Club’s Car and Bike Display.

Members from the group were on deck at the recent Ayr Car and Motorbike Show and were eager to see visitors from the regions travel after seeing the number of incredible vehicles on show, despite the delays caused by rain.

Chris Coyte, a member of the Whitsundays Car Cruisers Club, says the event is poised to be bigger than ever before, thanks to a new venue, and an influx of travellers from across the region.

“This is our sixth year running a car show and we’re already seeing 25 - 30 percent more cars than we had last time out,” Mr Coyte said.

“The numbers have been pretty consistent before, so it’s exciting, we’re excited to be back.”

“We had to ditch the whole thing last year, so it’s really good to get it going again.”

According to Mr Coyte, travellers have already signed up from Rockhampton, the Burdekin, Cairns, Townsville and elsewhere to make the trip to Airlie Beach for the show itself.

“People are coming in from all over, which is really good to see,” Mr Coyte said.

“Normally, we have about 150 people signed up to show their cars and those are on display all over the weekend, but this year we’ll be opening up to the public for displays.”

In addition to the event’s return and the new visitors, there will also be new surroundings for the show this year, with the Coral Sea Marina set to be the backdrop for this year’s outing.

“It’s a really beautiful spot right on the edge of the marina, all the yachts will be in the background,” Mr Coyte said.

The show will begin on Friday, May 28 with a meet and greet in the evening, then get underway in earnest on Saturday from 8am.

MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QUEENSLAND REOPENS WITH A BANG

Marina Trajkovich

THE Museum of Tropical Queensland has reopened its doors recently, launching new, updated exhibitions following a year’s renovations hiatus amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Following extensive roof restorations, museum curators are pleased to open the museum’s doors once more, announcing new and updated exhibition’s free of charge for the Burdekin community.

Queensland Museum Network CEO Dr Jim Thompson says staff are once more pleased to open the museum’s doors.

“Our teams are looking forward to reconnecting with visitors in person and inviting them to rediscover all their favourite things inside the museum,” said Mr Thompson.

“The roof works have been completed, and we’d like to thank the community for their patience,” he said.

Among exciting new changes is the revamping of the maritime archaeology exhibit, which features recovered items from the HMS Pandora, the ill-fated British Royal Navy warship that set out for the Pacific in search of pirated bounty and its mutineers.

The shipwreck has been dubbed one of the most significant maritime archaeology finds in the Southern Hemisphere, and new items in the Museum of Tropical Queensland include the famed locks believed to have shackled the mutineers, on display for the first time.

This week saw the opening of the museum’s Ancient Rome: The Empire that Shaped the World exhibition, showcasing replica art, machines and technology from the famous era.

Created by the internationally acclaimed Artisans of Florence, Italy, the exhibition is made up of over 50 displays, including frescoes, catapults, armour, busts and weapons, all reconstructed from ancient Roman records.

“Visitors will be entertained whilst learning just how much we have inherited from this great Empire with many of the objects and concepts still a part of our contemporary life,” Dr Thompson said.

Artisans of Florence Director Thomas Rizzo said the exhibition really resonates in regional communities where practical innovation, teamwork and community is key to success.

“It’s a testament to the Roman Empire’s lasting impact on our modern world and way of life, and the practical can-do attitude of the Romans,” Mr Rizzo said. CONNECT NOW: With proof of residence, Burdekin residents can enter the Museum free of charge. To find out more, visit https://mtq.qm.qld.gov.au.