The tiny Richmond Valley community of New Italy welcomed North Coast Nationals MLC and Minister for Arts Ben Franklin, along with Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis, who’ve announced a $250,000 grant to renovate the Italian Pavilion.
“There is nowhere on the planet quite like New Italy. It is a North Coast treasure and it is great to be able add to the local fundraising effort,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“Congratulations to New Italy Museum President Gail Williams, her deputy Leonie Lane, and all the team on a job well done.”
Mr Franklin said that once completed, the Pavilion would house new displays about the Northern River Italian community.
“This investment in cultural infrastructure in the Richmond Valley is recognition of the valuable role arts and culture plays in the community,” Mr Franklin said.
“The NSW Government’s $72 million Creative Capital program aims to boost equity and access to arts and culture facilities for the people of NSW. With 165 projects across the state, more people will have access to top-class arts and cultural experiences.”
“It’s projects like this in New Italy that will see the many museums, galleries, performance spaces and Aboriginal Cultural Centres and Keeping Places across NSW be venues their communities can continue to be proud of,” Mr Franklin said.
New Italy’s President Leonie Lane said this project is a high priority for New Italy Museum Inc. Thematic displays, developed with community members will combine recorded memories, bilingual text and voices, static and mixed media displays, donated family ephemera and, of course, many recipes.
“The Pavilion will continue be a special place for the local Italian settler families, the general community as well as the many national and international New Italy visitors, reminding all that Australia’s story is a multicultural one. We anticipate delivery of an excellent regional museum, a place that the NR Italian community and everyone will be proud,” Ms Lane said.
Further details on the Creative Capital program are available on the Create NSW website at www.create.nsw.gov.au.
