By JESSE GRAHAM
THE ITALIAN heritage of the Yarra Valley was on show on Friday 30 October, when the Italian Consul-General visited the region with his family.
Consul-General Marco Maria Cerbo visited the valley with his wife, Dr Claudia Astarita, and their son, Riccardo, on Friday, taking a tour of the area with mayor Maria McCarthy.
After a morning tea at the council offices in Lilydale, the group visited Punt Road Wines in Coldstream, De Bortoli Wines in Dixons Creek, Goldenvale Strawberries in Coldstream and the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum back in Lilydale.
They then finished the day at the Italian Senior Citizens Club and Italian Planned Activity Group in Lilydale.
At Goldenvale Strawberries, Mr Cerbo told the Mail that the day was an opportunity to learn about the Italian community’s heritage in the Yarra Ranges.
“We already know that Italians here have helped in growing the land, have helped in building the city and have given a tremendous addition to the community,” he said.
“But it’s always surprising to see the beautiful results of these people, be it in business or be it in politics – having a mayor here with an Italian background is a big accomplishment.”
Mr Cerbo and his family spoke to Sam Violi, the owner of the strawberry farm, and were taken on a tour of the site before stopping to sample some of the produce – with whipped cream and chocolate.
He said the Italian people cared strongly about tradition, and that he could see that tradition transferred to the valley from Italian families.
“I think people may think about tradition in different manners – tradition in business, tradition in family values … and, in this case, tradition in how to cultivate the land and how to relate with a group of persons working with you,” Mr Cerbo said.
“The people that I have met, they have transferred here the traditions they had back in Italy in a wonderful manner.”
Cr McCarthy said that she was “very honoured” that the Consul-General had accepted the council’s invitation to the valley.
“I was proud to show the Consul-General just what the Italian community has achieved and is continuing to do locally,” she said.
