Not all of the buildings in every city are done with bricks and stones, they are also coupled with heart and history. The Furlan Club in the Thornbury area of Australia is such an example of heritage- it is not only a storehouse of memories of the community of people who immigrated into the country, but it also represents a symbol of the hard work and tradition, and identity of the generations.
Today, when waves of development and urban planning are changing the face of cities, the fight to preserve this club has become not a simple administrative issue, but a fight to keep the culture and soul alive.
In this article, we will know what has been the historical role of the Furlan Club, why it is important to save it, and how the community raised its voice to save it.
The beginning of the Furlan Club: When the search for roots created a platform
With the arrival of thousands of immigrants, who are Italian, in Australia during the 1950s and the 1960s, they had to confront the issues in languages, culture and identity. This is how people of the region Friuli decided to put up a place where they could have their festivals and be reunited with their people and introduce their language and traditions to each other as well.
This is how then Furlan Club was established, not only as a building but also as a place that would be away as a home.
The walls echoed with fogolar songs, bocce was played here, and the aroma of Italian food at every event filled the neighborhood.
Heritage is not just a building, it’s a feeling
It is a big mistake to consider any club or community center as just a structure. The significance of the Furlan Club is much more than its architectural style or decor.
- Every brick here tells a story—
- A story of the elders who left their country to start a new life,
- A story of the younger generation that wants to stay connected to their roots,
- And a story of the cultural bridge that was built between Australia and Italy.
Alarm bell: When the identity of the club came under threat
When the local council announced some new development projects in the area in early 2025, it was feared that the Furlan Club building could also be included in them.
On hearing this news, the entire community was stirred up. There was worry in the eyes of the elders, anger in the hearts of the youth. The question was –
Will we lose our heritage in the race of development?
People’s power: When the voice became a movement
A campaign started to save the Furlan Club –
- Signature campaign (Petition)
- Proposal in the local council
- Awareness through cultural programs
- And most importantly – people’s support
Not only the Italian-Australian community joined this campaign called “Save Furlan Club”, but the people around, the young generation and local history lovers also came together.
This was not just the beginning of saving a building, but of a cultural movement.
Heritage Overlay: A Ray of Hope
The community demanded that the Furlan Club be given Heritage Overlay status. This meant that the building would be protected and no changes would be allowed without permission.
The administrative process was not easy though—the case remained pending after several rounds of hearings, reports, and public hearings. But what was most remarkable was the people’s unwavering unity and emotional bond.
Keeping memories alive through cultural events
Furlan Club regularly organized events—
- Fogolâr Choir performances
- Bocce tournaments
- Traditional Friulian cooking nights
- and heritage storytelling sessions for children.
These events proved that the club is not just a nook for the elderly to remember, but also for the young.
From one generation to the next
The great thing about the Furlan Club is that it connects generations.
- The grandfather who came from Italy,
- The father who built the club,
- And the grandchildren who now want to share its stories.
When a young child sings Friulian songs with his grandfather on stage, the moment becomes not just emotional, but historic.
Why is this club not just for Italians?
Many people think that the Furlan Club is just for the Italian community. But the truth is that the club has added depth to Australia’s multicultural identity.
People from all backgrounds come to events here. It has become an inclusive heritage site that connects different cultures.
The way forward: not just preservation, but revival
Preserving the Furlan Club is not just about saving the past, but about laying the foundation for the future.
- It can be made a cultural learning center
- Multilingual storytelling sessions can be held here
- And heritage education programs can also be run with local schools
Conclusion
“A Heritage Worth Saving” is not just a sentence, but an emotion.
This fight to save the Furlan Club teaches us that when a community stands up to save its history and soul, no change can erase their identity.