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Fremantle Celebrates the 63rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet

Article and photographs by Fr Robert Cross. Bridget Spinks contributed portion of article on former President John Minervini.

Thousands of people lined the streets and fisherman’s wharf in Fremantle on Sunday the 30 October 2011 for the 63rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet by Archbishop Barry James Hickey. The Archbishop was joined by three Franciscan Friars who travelled to Fremantle from Molfetta in Italy for the occasion, Fr Giuseppe, Fr Andrea and Br Geraldo, as well as the Oblates clergy from the Parish of Fremantle and other clergy, relgious and people, including the Hon. Norman Moore MLA, Minsiter for Fisheries.

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Before the procession, Archbishop Hickey was introduced to the debutantes and the Queen of the Blessing of the Fleet for 2011, Miss Aleisha Letizia.

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In speaking to the organising committee prior to the procession, the Archbishop highlighted the importance of handing on the traditions of the Blessing of the Fleet to up and coming generations.
As if to fulfill these words, a noticeable feature of this year’s Blessing of the Fleet was the presence and enthusiasm of young people both in the procession and lining the streets.
The involvement of youth in the procession included children dressed as Italian Carabinieri, parish first communicants, children carrying a huge set of Rosary beads made from fishing floats, teenagers both male and female as statue bearers of Our Lady of Capo d’Orlando, and of course, the young adult debutantes with their Blessing of the Fleet Queen assisted by her “princesses”.


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There was a solemn note in the Festival booklet from the incoming President of the Fishing Fleet Festival Association, John Minutillo, who paid his respects to the former president John Minervini who passed away suddenly while in Molfetta last year.
The former president was a club stalwart, having served on the committee for 45 years including 35 as president.

Mr Minutillo credited Mr Minervini with keeping the religious tradition going and ensuring the Festival stayed reverent and meaningful to all.
The Italian born John Minervini from Molfetta arrived in Perth in 1937 when he was five. He went to Christian Brothers College Fremantle and at age 14 began work at a corner grocery store.
By working his way up Mr Minervini became an integral part of the Rock Lobster Industry in WA and sat on several committees associatedwith seafood.
He was first a member and then President of the Fishing Fleet Festival Association from 1965-2010.
He has contributed much to the local Italian community in Fremantle and in 1976 was awarded a Knighthood of the Order of Italian Star of Solidarity by the Italian Government for his services to the Italian Community of WA.
He was also the first Italian-born member to be elected to the Fremantle City Council, which he served for more than 20 years.
Mr Minervini was married to Frances Carmada for 56 years, was a father of four to Angela, Suzanne, Ralph and John; a grandfather of 11 and great-grandfather of one.

Mr Minutillo credited Mr Minervini with keeping the religious tradition going and ensuring the Festival stayed reverent and meaningful to all.
The Italian born John Minervini from Molfetta arrived in Perth in 1937 when he was five. He went to Christian Brothers College Fremantle and at age 14 began work at a corner grocery store.
By working his way up Mr Minervini became an integral part of the Rock Lobster Industry in WA and sat on several committees associatedwith seafood.
He was first a member and then President of the Fishing Fleet Festival Association from 1965-2010.
He has contributed much to the local Italian community in Fremantle and in 1976 was awarded a Knighthood of the Order of Italian Star of Solidarity by the Italian Government for his services to the Italian Community of WA.
He was also the first Italian-born member to be elected to the Fremantle City Council, which he served for more than 20 years.
Mr Minervini was married to Frances Carmada for 56 years, was a father of four to Angela, Suzanne, Ralph and John; a grandfather of 11 and great-grandfather of one.

Photo Gallery - Fremantle Celebrates the 63rd Annual Blessing of the Fleet