THE story of Western Australia’s Italian community, recently placed on the record in the Italian Parliament, returns to where much of it began when a new documentary screens in Fremantle next month.

Italian Way: Stories and Future of Italians in Western Australia will be shown at the Fremantle Italian Club on Wednesday, September 9, in an event hosted by the Fremantle History Society and Italian Club.

The 40-minute film, in Italian with English subtitles, celebrates the heritage and contribution of WA’s Italian community while looking towards its future.

• WA’s Italian community is celebrated in Italian Way

The documentary was presented at the Italian Parliament in Rome last year, in a move described as a symbolic recognition of the contribution Italians had made to WA’s growth and prosperity.

Italian MP Nicola Caré visited Fremantle last year, saying taking the film to Parliament was a way of ensuring the contribution of Italian migrants was remembered.

“This was the first port of call after a month and a half of sailing the waters,” Mr Caré said of Fremantle.

“It’s a thank you and a homage that Italy wants to do, and wanted to do for the Italians abroad, because they come here with nothing. They work very hard to give chances to their children to grow up.”

The film also explores how later generations have retained connections with Italy while becoming deeply embedded in Australian society.

Mr Caré said recognition of those continuing ties was important.

“Saying ‘yes, we went away. Our lives have changed. Our experiences have changed, but do not forget us’,” he said.

The screening comes as the Fremantle Italian Club continues to serve as a focal point for the local community, with its Marine Terrace headquarters providing a direct link between the city’s Italian past and present.

Italian Way will be screened at 6.30pm on Wednesday, September 9, at the Fremantle Italian Club, 65 Marine Terrace, Fremantle.