Monument to Italian migrants will be revealed this weekend
A marble memorial erected by Murray Bridge’s Italian community is about to be finished.
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Members of the Murraylands’ Italian community, and all other locals, are invited to attend a one-of-a-kind celebration this weekend.
After more than a year of planning, the Murray Bridge and Districts Italian Association is about to unveil a monument to the pioneering immigrants who have contributed so much to the region over the past 75 years.
The statue of an Italian migrant was carved of white marble in Carrara, Italy and shipped to Australia in time for its installation atop a black marble plinth this week.
A ceremony will be held around the monument, on Adelaide Road near Warner Road, at 12pm this Sunday.
A shared lunch will follow at Murray Bridge RSL.
Project organiser Noel Blythe said the statue would face northeast, towards Italy, to welcome visitors and newcomers to Murray Bridge.
Members of the Italian Association first approached the local council about the idea, which was based on a similar statue in the Riverland, at this time last year.
The concept was an instant hit with most locals, including those who responded to a council consultation earlier this year.
Out of 40 responses, 38 were in favour.
The monument was paid for entirely by the Italian Association and will be gifted to the Rural City of Murray Bridge.
It will be illuminated with lights in Italy’s national colours – red, white and green – at night.
- Read more: Monument to Italian community proposed
