Australian Italian Festival: Premiere Ingham event cancelled for 2025

The Australian Italian Festival is the latest victim of the Hinchinbrook flood disaster with the cancellation of the 2025 edition.

Savanah Heidenreich and Meg Goodwin at the hugely popular Mummas Cucina food stall. Photos from the Australian Italian Festival in Ingham over the weekend. Picture: Cameron Bates

The Australian Italian Festival is the latest victim of the Hinchinbrook flood disaster with the cancellation of the 2025 edition sparking fears the annual celebration might not return.

Festival President Pino Giandomenico said on Thursday that the committee had considered the extent of devastation and impact to the lngham community following the February flooding and “realised that there was no other option but to cancel the Festival for 2025”.

“It was very sad to have to make this decision as the committee was looking forward to presenting our 30th Festival but the impact of the flooding on our sponsors, committee members and volunteers and the community in general left us no choice but to cancel.”

It is understood that serious consideration was being given to the 30th anniversary event being the final ever festival.

Kaylene Girgenti and Kara Giles outside the hugely popular Mamma's Cucina food stall. Festive photographs from the 2021 Australian Italian Festival in Ingham over the weekend. Photograph: Cameron Bates

Although it has long been Ingham’s most important event, the festival is regarded as more an event for tourists and visitors to the region.

Locals, who tend to shun the event, have long bemoaned the festival being transferred from the main street of the town to the picturesque Tyto Wetlands.

Rahni, 6, and Malyka, 2, Cursio. Festive photographs from the 2021 Australian Italian Festival in Ingham over the weekend. Photograph: Cameron Bates

The aging management committee is also believed to be a factor, with Mr Giandomenico having held his role as president for more than 20 years and the average age of committee members being about 70 years.

Originally published as Australian Italian Festival: Premiere Ingham event cancelled for 2025