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Black and white image from 1953 showing Mr Fernando Donnini well-known Carlton identity working behind the bar at the University Restaurant and Cafe at 257 Lygon Street, Carlton. Mr Donnini is wearing black pants, a white V-necked jumper on top of a white shirt and black tie. He has short dark hair, he is smiling and looking directly at the camera with both arms raised, he is holding a small round object in his right hand. There is a glass 3/4 filled with black coffee and a glass sugar container half filled with sugar on a bench in front of Mr Donnini next to a 1950s style cash register. Behind Mr Donnini there are shelves with tinned goods, bottles of soft drinks, glasses and cigarette packets. On Mr Donnini's left there is a glass container filled to the top with coffee beans. Behind Mr Donnini there is a metal sink, taps and a faucet.
Front-on elevated view of the mural by Italian multimedia artist by Alice Pasquini, covering most of the right had side wall of the building and the in large blue letting the words Museo Italiano Melbourne running up the side of the wall. The mural includes an image of a torso of a woman with long dark hair looking into the distance, there is an image of 3 seagulls above the woman's left shoulder and a ship and three black images representing people are at the bottom of the mural.
The exterior of a large two storey grey building which has a large painted colour mural by Italian multimedia artist by Alice Pasquini, covering most of the right hand-side wall of the building and the in large blue lettering are the words
The exterior of the triple storey elaborate grey rendered nineteenth century Italianate style building originally known as
A side view of the Royal Exhibition Building from Rathdowne Street, which is located in the Carlton Gardens on a clear day and under a bright blue sky. The Exhibition is the main feature of the image and is the large Italianate style nineteenth dome which is featured in the middle background and is modelled on the Dome of the Florence in Italy. There are large trees filled with green leaves in the foreground in front of which are large grey granite like modern sculptures.

CO.AS.IT. Italian Carlton online presentation

Description

This informative and engaging online presentation by Dr Celestina Sagazio, well-known historian and author, explores and brings to life the special character that is Italian Carlton.

Featuring images from the CO.AS.IT. Italian Historical Society’s Collection, the online presentation provides a unique visual record of the Italian influence on this iconic Melbourne suburb. Striking built heritage such as Benvenuta (now Medley Hall) and the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and iconic restaurants and cafes such as University Cafe are highlighted, along with many fascinating stories that have shaped the development of this much loved and respected Melbourne multicultural precinct. The celebrated Lygon Street is still referred to as “Melbourne’s Little Italy”.

The online presentation is designed to also be used with the CO.AS.IT. Italian Carlton self-guided tour compiled by Dr Sagazio, which encourages users to explore other facets of Carlton’s striking built heritage for themselves including CO.AS.IT.’s iconic 'Per l’Australia' mural by Alice Pasquini in Faraday Street, Carlton.

What's On

The CO.AS.IT. Italian Carlton online presentation by well-known historian and author Dr Celestina Sagazio celebrates Carlton’s rich Italian built and cultural heritage and is available to view at any time on the CO.AS.IT. Melbourne website.
The online presentation can also be used with the CO.AS.IT. Italian Carlton self-guided tour, available to download from the CO.AS.IT. Melbourne website or as a hardcopy at the CO.AS.IT. Museo Italiano.

Images: (1) Fernando Donnini working behind the bar at the University Restaurant and Cafe at 257 Lygon Street, Carlton, c1953, Photo: CO.AS.IT. (2) CO.AS.IT. A. Pasquini "Per L'Australia" mural, 2016. Photo: CO.AS.IT. (3) CO.AS.IT. Museo Italiano, 2022. Photo: CO.AS.IT. (4) Benvenuta (aka Medley Hall), Drummond Street, Carlton. Photo CO.AS.IT. (5) Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens, looking from Rathdowne St, Melbourne, Photo: C. Sagazio.

Important Details

Time & Date

Available online anytime from the CO.AS.IT. Melbourne website

ACCESSIBILITY

Sensory friendly

AGE REQUIREMENTS

All Ages

Location

CO.AS.IT. Museo Italiano, 199 Faraday Street, Carlton 3053

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Acknowledgement of Country

Our programming exists on what always was and always will be the land of the people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded in Australia and we are mindful of this in everything we do, given our focus on the modern built environment.

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Built By Efront

Our programming exists on what always was and always will be the land of the people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded in Australia and we are mindful of this in everything we do, given our focus on the modern built environment.

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