For 67+ years, the Furlan Club in Thornbury has been more than just a venue. It’s been a living legacy — built by post-war Italian migrants, brick by brick, with bare hands and boundless hope.
It has been the home of culture, of bocce tournaments, of laughter-filled weddings, of shared Sunday meals, of first birthdays, christenings, communions, wakes, 21sts, and 60ths — and everything in between.
But now, developers want to tear it all down.
They want to erase this iconic space to build private high-rise projects.
We say: NO. NOT HERE. NOT THIS TIME.
Why the Furlan Club Matters
This is not just about a building.
It’s about honouring the stories, sacrifices, and spirit of the Italian-Australians who helped shape Melbourne’s multicultural identity.
It’s about a community built on connection, where every corner tells a story.
It’s where our elders taught us bocce, where our parents danced on their wedding nights, and where young people now gather to celebrate, learn, and create.
The Furlan Club is still growing — most recently through The Thorn 3071, a youth and innovation hub that’s proof of the club’s vibrant, evolving role in modern Melbourne.
What We’re Asking
We are calling on Darebin Council to:
Vote YES to Heritage Overlay protection
Recognize the cultural, historical, and community significance of the Furlan Club
Stop the demolition and preserve this vital landmark
What’s At Stake
Without this protection, we risk losing:
- A piece of post-war migrant history
- A space where generations of families have celebrated and grieved together
- A cultural home that continues to serve young people, artists, and local groups
- A true symbol of resilience and multiculturalism
Even if you’ve never visited the Furlan Club, if you believe in the power of community, the importance of protecting local heritage, and standing up against cultural erasure, we ask you to sign this petition.
A Personal Note
This petition is deeply personal to many of us.
To me, it represents the hope and sacrifice of my parents, and of thousands of Italian migrants who arrived after WWII, with nothing but determination and dreams of a better life.
The Furlan Club was their safe space, their gathering point — their home away from home.
After surviving so much, a fire and now developers threaten to take that all away.
But we still have a chance. We can protect this legacy.
Not just for today — but for every future generation that deserves to know their roots, hear their elders’ stories, and feel a sense of belonging.
Sign. Share. Save the Furlan Club.
Let’s protect a place that:
- Honours the past
- Serves the present
- Inspires the future
Located in the heart of Thornbury since 1957, the Furlan Club is a beacon of community, culture, and celebration.
Don’t let it become just another headline in the list of what we’ve lost.
👉 SIGN the petition now.
👉 SHARE it with your friends, family, and community.
👉 STAND for something bigger than a building.
Let’s send a clear message to the Council, the media, and the world:
Our heritage matters — yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Would you like me to:
- Turn this into a PDF or shareable flyer/poster?
- Create social media post versions (Instagram/Facebook/Twitter threads)?
- Translate this into Italian or simplified Hindi?
Let me know how you’d like to take this campaign further — I’m here to help you spread the word effectively.