This section aims to help familiarise you with the Committee Members of the Club and let them share their story with you.
This month, the spotlight is on Joseph Sirianni!
My name is Joseph Sirianni. I am 34 years old and originally from Melbourne. My background is Italian and I am very fortunate to feel a strong connection to my ancestral heritage as well as the amazing country Australia, which I call home. I have varied interests. I am part of Motafrenz, an Italian folk dance group (tarantella), a unionist at heart, social justice advocate, yoga student (I hate the term yogi), family guy and a bit of a foodie (I think it is rather easy living in Melbourne). I also earn a crust as a teacher – teaching Italian at High School.
My ex, Wesley Turnbull, introduced me to Motafrenz! He took me to Chillout for a weekend away. I had such a good time I joined…Some of those welcoming faces are still members and on the committee! It was 10 years ago. I was really taken aback by the warmth and kindness of members. I found the varied interests and vast knowledge quite fascinating. So I joined…
Motafrenz is indeed a very social group and it really has given me immense joy over the years. Like many, I have my favourite events that I attend almost religiously- Chillout festival being one of them.
My current role is secretary, so it is mostly day-to-day tasks and administration. My first year was very busy, facilitating the Constitutional Review. As a result, I can honestly say we have a robust set of rules that will serve us into the future. My other tasks are about governance. Namely, the AGM and ensuring all obligations with Consumer Affairs Victoria are met. I can honestly and proudly say that Motafrenz meets all its legal obligations and in some instances goes beyond minimum standards towards good practise standards.
Some background on the various cars I have owned…
1976 XB Ford Falcon 500 Station wagon
This was not my car, but the car I grew up with. It was here that I came to love Falcons (read below). There was something about the way they were built. My parents had it for over 30 years and the engine was still going strong (not so for the panels, like many XBs it was full of rust)
1988 Holden Astra Hatchback
My first car, actually it belonged to my sister and she gave it to me. It was the model that looked like the Nissan Pulsar. It was a manual, which is probably why it lasted so long. It was red, which is a good thing as it really needed some extra speed. The best thing about it was the sound system, detachable face CD player some good speakers. It was mostly reliable, but in the end age got the better of it.
2003 Ford Focus Ztec Hatchback
My favourite car! It was a joy to drive, even if little loud (the previous owner put a bigger exhaust-as you do). It was rather zippy and quite comfortable. It had a list of nice comforts (which was handy as I was commuting an hour each way to work then) -air conditioning, electric windows, cruise control, power steering, etc. Unfortunately, it was not the cheapest to run! After needing some serious engine work and replacing mechanical parts it seemed like a bottomless pit, so I decided to part. And it really was such sweet sorrow…
2007 Mazda 3 Hatchback
My current daily drive. It is not as fun as the Ford Focus, but it is reliable and cheap to run! It has almost everything one needs, except central hands-free. So I have a hands-free device that does the job almost as good. It is a dark grey, and it gets dirty very easily and quickly, so it may look like I never wash it, not the case.
I do not have a car on CPS, but like many, I have a project… my grandfather’s 1967 XR Falcon 500 station wagon. I wonder if I could ever master driving a column shift manual whilst rolling a cigarette of DRUM tobacco… I have many memories in that car, even sleeping in it with the back seat folded down. I hope to get it restored and back on the road, but alas, it is not cheap.
