The Italian Australian Institute The Italian Australian Institute

The Italian Australian Institute at La Trobe University

The Italian Australian Institute (IAI) is a research centre responsible for collecting and making available cultural material which bears witness to the Italian presence in Australia, so that it will be preserved for subsequent generations and made accessible for scholars, researchers, historians and the wider public.

The IAI is a non profit organisation. Its aims are to encourage and support the study and research into all areas, historical, cultural, social and political, of the Italian presence in Australia.

The premises of the IAI are on the campus of La Trobe University, which has been involved with Italian studies for a long time and boasts a long tradition of teaching Italian language and culture and of research into many aspects of the two hundred years of the Italian presence in Australia. The Italian Australian Institute is also interested in today's relations between Italy and Australia, especially those regarding the new generations.

Italian Institute of Culture Melbourne

This listing was originally titled 'Italian Institute of Culture Melbourne' linked to www.iicmelau.org - the Italian Cultural and Artistic focal point in Melbourne! In 2007, we noticed the web site had been removed, so with a little research the information was updated to the above.

Below is the original description which we found interesting...

Italian Institute of Culture Melbourne

The property at 615607 Domain Road, South Yarra that is now the seat of the Italian Institute of Culture, was built in 1858 for William Macredie who was a pioneer in the Australian Life Assurance business.

He lived in the house until his death in 1891.The house remained in the Macredie family until 1920 when it passed into the Estate of Harry Emmerton who was a prominent solicitor. His daughter, who became Dame Mable Brooks, lived at Elm Tree House in the 1960's and it was here that she entertained former US President Lyndon Johnson when he visited Melbourne in 1966.The elaborate gate pillars with the decorative pineapple topping signify good fortune to the household within.The large elm tree in the rear garden is probably as old as the original house.

Although the house has been significantly altered, it remains one of the earliest homes in the area.

The Italian Government purchased Elm Tree House in 1974 and the Italian Institute of Culture moved from its previous location at 947 Punt Road.

The Italian Institute of Culture in Melbourne, is one of 93 Italian Government Cultural Offices throughout the world which operate under the directorship of the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs (M.A.F.) in Rome, with the purpose of promoting cultural relations and developing international links between Italy and other countries. Independently, each Institute's main task is to share with its respective host nation the contemporary and historic aspects of Italian civilisation, as well as the wealth of its cultural and artistic heritage. It is within this rather broad framework, that the Italian Institute of Culture in Melbourne functions by encouraging the cultural exchange between Italy and Australia.

Here, in an atmosphere inclined to stimulate the intellect, the Institute provides courses designed to develop and/or perfect one's Italian language skills; study groups that aim to expand one's familiarity with this wonderful culture; information on the availability of the Italian scholarships offered annually.Throughout the year the Institute organizes seminars, conferences and debates and many other events such as art exhibitions, film screenings, music recitals and concert

In order to assist the public with studies or research, the library will prove to be an invaluable tool. It consists of over 9,000 volumes covering a wide range of subjects and a comprehensive collection of regional and scientific periodicals, slides, photographs, records, CD's and documentary video cassettes, focusing on contemporary Italy as well as the changes it has seen throughout its rich history.

The Institute represents an Italian cultural and artistic focal point in Melbourne, as well as Regional Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. It therefore provides the perfect environment to embark on a journey of exploration of past treasures, present realities and future discoveries.

❊ Address ❊

 ⊜  25 Ernest Jones Drive Macleod 3085 View Map
 ✆ Telephone: 9479 6430

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❊ Web Links ❊

➼ The Italian Australian Institute 

➼ www.iai.com.au

➼ Italian Studies Community Engagement, Arts, Monash University

➼ The Melbourne Rome Scholarship: Arts at Melbourne






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