Multicultural Karratha celebrates Australia Day

On Sunday people across the nation will celebrate what it means to live in Australia.

It is something Karratha resident Vince Iannucci thinks about a lot.

"To me Australia Day is not only on the 26th of January. Everyday I wake up I'm glad I'm in Australia," he said.

Last Wednesday marked 64 years since Mr Iannucci migrated to Australia with his family from Italy.

Mr Iannucci's father was a tailor in a small Italian town struggling to find work when he decided to try his luck in Adelaide.

"My father found work straight away and never looked back. He loves Australia," he said.

This Australia Day, Mr Iannucci and his Malaysian wife Alice will open their home to migrants living in Karratha.

Mr Iannucci offered his home as a venue to Frontier Services' community migrant service for a multicultural food night.

Migrant worker Shirley Simpson said the program focused on helping migrants learn English and find education and employment.

She said a lot of migrants from all over the world came to Karratha to work.

"It's a chance to get together, socialise and speak English," Ms Simpson said.

For Mr Iannucci, gathering people together is a way of life.

"All my life I've been hosting people, entertaining people," he said.

"You can always share what you've got, it's not about money, it's about building friendships and getting to know people."

Mr Iannucci came to Karratha four-and-a-half years ago for a four-week shut down and ended up staying.

"(Karratha) is the best place in Australia for opportunities in work," he said.

"Australia is a land of opportunity, a land of freedom, a land of protection.

"You get protected if you're down and out."

All community members are invited to the Multicultural Australia Day gathering at 6pm on January 26. Contact Shirley Simpson on 9185 1856 or 0429 477 850 for further information.