The history of the GIA Network is a continuation of a project started by Isabella Restifa in the early 2000s, with contributions from other young people in the Italian-Australian community. In 2018, under the leadership of the new board chaired by Christian Bracci, the project was further developed. Currently, our team continues the work started by Isabella and Bracci's team, striving to maintain the values, principles, and vision that support Italians and Italian-Australians and promote Italian culture and language. It all started on Easter Monday 2020, during the first lockdown due to the coronavirus emergency. Thanks to the initiative of the Father Atanasio Charitable Foundation and the Italian Media Corporation, our current executive committee collaborated with the generous support of the Italian community in raising over $140,000. This amount was turned into vouchers and distributed to all temporary visa holders who were in financial need. The great success and gratitude received inspired us to contribute again during the next lockdown in 2021, providing $30,000 in financial packages aimed at young people in financial distress. In January 2022, we organized a major event: the free distribution of RAT tests at our Gazebo in St Fiacre. Through this initiative, we were able to assist many members of the local community in preventing the spread of COVID, at a time when obtaining these tests was particularly difficult. We would like to sincerely thank our partners and supporters, without whom we would not be here today: 'Father Atanasio Gonelli Charitable Fund', 'CIM Australia', 'Italian Media Corporation', 'IGA Lamonica' and 'Multicultural NSW'. Thanks to their contributions, we have been able to provide help to over 1200 people. Since then, based on the principles of Unity and Brotherhood and listening to the diverse needs and issues of young people, GIA Network has continued to help and support the Italian community through other funds and initiatives, aiming to rebuild the relationship of trust between newly arrived Italian youth and those who have been integrated into the Australian territory for decades. Our goal is to share Italian culture to create lasting opportunities for the community. Over the past three years, we have organized many successful events in our community, offering moments of sharing, entertainment, and culture, with the active participation of members of the Italian community. Through walks, exhibitions, informational meetings, and symposiums, we have tried to promote the interest and participation of everyone. In addition, we fostered networking and professional collaboration among young people, giving them the opportunity to expand their connections. We did not limit ourselves to culture but also celebrated food and w**e, organizing gourmet events that explored the authenticity of Italian culinary traditions. On each occasion, we sought to enhance our identity and preserve our cultural roots, creating a strong and meaningful connection within the Italian community. For anyone who would like to help, support, and join the GIA Network, our doors are always open. We are looking for new members to help grow the network and support the Italian-Australian community.
