About Us

History

8 decades and counting…

The Italian Club was created in 1934 after a group of Italian migrants established what was then known as ‘Casa D’Italia’. They were driven by the desire to support new Italian arrivals in Australia and, in particular, provide them with the foundation they needed to be social, forge friendships and network within their community. Members came together to attend social events such as balls and dances and to participate in a variety of activities, including billiards, cards, and darts. 

On 28 October 1937, Casa D’Italia’s official building opened on Fitzgerald Street in West Perth. This remains the Club’s home today. After the start of the Second World War, Casa D’Italia was forced to close its doors and the future of the Club became uncertain. After some time and with the cessation of international hostilities, Casa D’Italia resumed trading and all social activities. In 1947, Casa D’Italia officially changed its name to the ‘WA Italian Club Incorporated’.

In 1950, the Club was registered as a licensed premises and expanded dramatically to cater for a growing membership base. By 1969, the Club had 7,000 members and strongly supported migration policy and migrant legislation. By opening its doors to the wider community, the Club became a multicultural hub where people from all backgrounds were encouraged to come together and share meals, participate in activities and attend special events.

Management Committee

Salvatore Vallelonga

President

Sal is a Chartered Account of 18 years and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He is the founding director of Plexus Global Consultants, a Chartered Accounting and Business Advisory Firm that specialises in providing corporate advisory, taxation and accounting, and wealth creation solutions to its small to medium enterprise clients and emerging growth clients. Sal is a non-executive director of many businesses and serves on many community based committees. Sal is also a registered builder and has been involved in numerous property projects both personally and through his clients.

Salvatore Vallelonga

President

Rocco Lumbaca

Vice President

Rocco is a registered builder who has been working in the building industry for over 40 years. He is the Managing Director of Buildcor Projects Pty Ltd, a building company that operates in both the commercial and residential sectors. Rocco is an active figure in the business community and has been attending the Club since the 1970’s.

Rocco Lumbaca

Vice President

Christine Madaschi

Board Member

Christine Madaschi has been a member of the Club for many years and actively serves on both the Ladies’ Committee and on the WAIC Board of Management. Christine is a former teacher and also worked as a staff trainer in various government departments. She is extremely passionate about the Club and appreciates the role it plays within the Italian community in Perth.

Christine Madaschi

Board Member

Morena Strano

Board Member

Morena Strano is the Operations Manager of the Club. She was the Club Secretary from 2011 – 2013 and worked as the club administrator for a year before joining the Board of Management in 2014. Morena has over 25 years’ experience in office management and administration, and her extensive knowledge of these areas is fundamental to the day-to-day operation of the Club. Morena’s long-standing relationship with the Club and dedication to its members has been integral to the Club’s success over the last decade.

Morena Strano

Board Member

Riccardo Zivillica

Board Member

Riccardo joined the Board of Management after working as the Club’s Food and Beverage Manager. He was responsible for overseeing 1934 Trattoria, 1934 Ristorante and the Function Centre. Since stepping down from this role, he has gained valuable experience as an Environmental Advisor and Business Manager, most recently for Compound Services.

Riccardo Zivillica

Board Member

Joe Rapanaro

Board Member

Joe is the Managing Directing of The Vicus Property Group, a real estate company specialising in the management, sale and leasing of commercial property. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Property) degree, Joe went on to work with an established commercial property firm gaining experience in property management, valuation, sales and leasing before founding his own firm in 2004. Joe also has a diploma in Financial Planning and is a Licensed Valuer and Real Estate Agent.

Joe Rapanaro

Board Member

Daniel Romano

Board Member

Daniel Romano is the Managing Director of Zafra Legal, a law firm that specialises in taxation, corporate and commercial law. Daniel graduated from Murdoch University with a double degree in Law and Commerce (Majoring in Accounting). Daniel was nominated as one of the leading taxation lawyers in WA in the 2019 Doyle’s Guide, is a Fellow of the Art Gallery of WA and a member of the Law Society of WA. He is a Chartered Tax Advisor and an active member of the Tax Institute of Australia.

Daniel Romano

Board Member

Philip Re

Board Member

Philip is the Managing Director and founder of Regency Corporate, a chartered accountant and corporate advisory business. Philip has been a director for a number of publicly listed and unlisted companies involved in transactions in property development and investment, technology, education, mining exploration and production, and the renewable energy industry. He has been directly involved in raising capital, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and reverse takeovers for various ASX listed companies and unlisted property syndicates over many years. Philip is also the Chairman and one of the founders of the charity organisation, The Better Life Foundation WA.

Philip Re

Board Member

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