Celebrating Italian Heritage, Culture and Community at Belvedere Aged Care

At Belvedere Aged Care, we believe cultural identity is more than a tradition—it is an important part of who our residents are and how we create a genuine sense of belonging within our community.

Recently, we welcomed residents, families, staff and community members to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Italian Republic Day, a significant occasion for many older Italians who migrated to Australia and helped shape the vibrant multicultural communities we know today.

The celebration was filled with music, dance, laughter and shared memories. Our residents enjoyed traditional Italian performances from J&C Duo and a local Tarantella dance group, while families and visitors joined us in recognising the rich history, culture and contributions of the Italian community.

As a family-owned aged care home located in the heart of multicultural Greater Dandenong, we are proud to celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our residents throughout the year. These cultural events provide meaningful opportunities for residents to reconnect with their heritage, share stories and traditions, and strengthen connections with family, friends and fellow residents.

Our Lifestyle Manager, Karin Blavo, said these celebrations play an important role in creating meaningful experiences for residents.

“At Belvedere, we have always recognised and celebrated the culture of our residents,” Karin said.

“By embracing different cultures, we create a more holistic and meaningful experience for every resident and family member.”

We were also honoured to welcome families, community members and City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Sophie Tan to the event, highlighting the strong connections we share with the wider community.

For resident family member Gino Calandra, the celebration reflected the welcoming environment that makes Belvedere special.

“It’s wonderful to celebrate together as a community,” Gino said.

“You meet new people, share traditions and develop a better understanding of each other. There is harmony between all cultures at Belvedere.”

For us, cultural celebrations are more than special events. They are an expression of our commitment to person-centred care, respect and inclusion. Whether we are recognising Italian Republic Day, Lunar New Year, Greek cultural traditions or other important occasions, we believe every resident should feel seen, valued and connected to their heritage.

These moments help us create a vibrant community where cultures are celebrated, friendships are formed and everyone feels at home.

We thank our residents, families, staff, performers and community guests who helped make this year’s Italian Republic Day celebration such a memorable occasion.