Page 1133 - Week 04 - Thursday, 22 April 2021
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The University of Canberra has been ranked number one out of 669 institutions from 82 countries and regions. Joining UC in the top 10 are other universities from Australia, including RMIT, at number two, and Western Sydney University and University of Wollongong. Institutions in Saudi Arabia, the UK, Denmark, and the US round out the top 10. This is a remarkable achievement and one that is well earned and well deserved. The combined rankings—that is, where the university is placed in a ranking with all of the sustainable development goals combined—has taken UC to 57th in the world, moving it from within the 101 to 200 band, where it was when it was last ranked.
I congratulate the University of Canberra for its commitment to reducing inequality, for being a recognised leader in this space, and for how this achievement reflects on and promotes our broader city and region, which is committed to reducing inequality too.
Multicultural affairs—events
MRS JONES (Murrumbidgee) (5.51): On 20 March, I had the honour of attending an annual event by the Federation of Calabresi, Canberra and Region, which celebrated its 30th anniversary with a dinner dance. I spoke about the music that I had enjoyed from my childhood, particularly the tarantella dance, which I have learned since I was under 10 years of age. I gave a speech in Italian describing my upbringing, in which I spoke about my Italian grandparents’ childhood and the dance. It was such a moment of remembrance of my upbringing.
We then had an excellent three-course meal throughout the night at the Ainsley Football Club. Happy 30th birthday to the Federation of Calabresi, Canberra and Region. Italians are my love and my heart—and a lot of fun, too. Thank you to the president, Vincenzo Ciano, and to you, Frankie Daglis, for the invitation.
Over 30 years ago, Antonio Costa with his wife Rosaria Costa, were asked by the then ambassador of the Italian embassy, “Why don’t you start a committee for the Calabresi? There are other associations for other parts of Italy,” he said, “but not for Calabria.” Antonio with his brother Virgilio started the association in a small room in a Queanbeyan household with a few people, who, like him, immigrated decades ago. He never put himself forward as the president and always wanted to remain just as a committee member. However, it was a good thing and well done to Antonio because the Calabresi association is still going strong. The very first event saw 700 people congregated at the then Italo Australian Club in Forrest, and it was a great night.
On 21 February it was an honour to attend the Karpathian Progressive Association of Australia’s annual barbecue at Weston Park. I would like to thank the president, Fina Vassiliotis, for her very warm welcome to this event. The Karpathian Progressive Association this year celebrates its 62nd anniversary and, in the six decades since the association was established in 1959, it has evolved from a concept to a widely respected association in Canberra, contributing financially and socially to the wellbeing of all people in the region. Few Canberra associations have more reason to celebrate their existence this year. The people from the island of Karpathos were the first Greek settlers to establish a parochial brotherhood in Canberra and the
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