Except for the council, the most important movers and shakers of Liverpool are Italian-Australians, and thank God for that. The Greek-Australians of Liverpool think they run the town, but they don’t, they just own a lot of the commercial buildings in the bustling central business district. My old mate Harry Stathis almost got elected to council in 2008, and if he had maybe Liverpool would have become a Zorba town full of souvlaki joints and other Greek street food outlets. Instead, Liverpool boasts some of the best coffee in Sydney, as well as some classy Italian restaurants, lucky us. Salute!
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Speaking of Italian-Australians and feeding Liverpool, one of them, Cucina105 owner Angelo Cucchiaro, celebrated his 40th birthday last weekend at a big gathering. Angelo is a top bloke, who is community minded and uses Cucina105 for charitable events. And as everyone who knows him, Angelo has been on a mission to lose weight for years, although we don’t know why as we have never seen him eat – or drink for that matter. Here is the birthday boy from the big night with one of his mates, architect Frank Mosca. Happy birthday, Ang, many happy returns and may your footy team, your beloved St George Dragons avoid the wooden spoon again this year.
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The worst kept secret in Campbelltown this new year has been general manager Paul Tosi being in hospital, where he was taken by ambulance just before Christmas after complaining of feeling unwell. This was on the day of the last meeting of council. The family has requested that their privacy be respected, which is fair enough. But the councillors, obviously, and the local media, know what happened, and until recently resisted the urge to publish something while the general manager is still being treated at Liverpool Hospital. At the age of 67 and after 15 years in the job, this is going to be his last year at the helm, and it has been confirmed that the GM has formally lodged a letter outlining his plans to retire sometime this year. All I can add here is that I really hope he fully recovers so he can enjoy his retirement.
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Just one more thing: After interviewing our very own Chris Lawrence, the Wests Tigers centre we call Lawrence of Leumeah, I am tipping him to hit his straps early and stake a State of Origin claim for the 2015 series. C’mon, Chrissy!
