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Renowned wedding venue Doltone House celebrates 50 Golden Years

Announcement posted by Doltone House 25 Oct 2019

The family behind Doltone House today celebrated a momentous milestone – 50 Golden Years of the brand – at their first venue in Sylvania Waters. An official plaque commemorating this extraordinary achievement was revealed by The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia in the presence of The Hon. Mark Raymond Speakman, SC MP, Councillor Carmelo Pesce, Mayor of Sutherland Shire, along with NSW parliamentarians, local councillors, business leaders and family members.

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison MP, remarked on the entrepreneurial nature, bravery, ambition and strong family ties of the Signorelli family who remain at the helm of Doltone House, namely Paul Signorelli, Executive Chairman, Anna Cesarano, Chief Executive Officer and Nina Milazzo, Chief Operating Officer, who have worked tirelessly since taking over the business 25 years ago from the Stubbs family.

“Family gives a sense of love and welcome. When I think of the Signorelli family, who have been in business for so long, I think of a family who has an intense love and passion for each other, and that love overflows into the community they serve.

“None are better than Doltone House. They are the standard. The quality of the food, the attention to detail - nothing is too hard.

“They aren’t a business just seeking to make money, it’s a business seeking to make a difference in the lives of its customers,” said Prime Minister Morrison.

Paul Signorelli, said the family has always had ambitious plans for the business, however these plans are always based around one thing – delivering exceptional, personalised service for each wedding and social event.  

“We believe we’ve had success because we’ve kept what is important front and centre – great service and exceptional product. Life celebrations are so important, and we ensure our guests have a personalised and spectacular event.

“Even today our clients know they can reach out to us personally – they know we absolutely care about every single event,” said Mr Signorelli.

One of their well-known and popular ventures Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf Pyrmont, is a testament to the family’s vision and drive.

In 2004, Paul, Anna and Nina, led the transformation of the wedding landscape in Sydney when they saw the potential in an old empty warehouse on Jones Bay Wharf. After years of planning, they opened the doors to the fully renovated and restored finger wharf.

“Jones Bay Wharf was a monumental project for us and for Sydney. At the time we had to convince a lot of people to hold their glamorous and corporate events there, however they were quickly won over by the quality of the food and offerings,” said Mrs Milazzo.

In 2009 the development of Doltone House, Darling Island Pyrmont, on the site of Sydney’s old temporary casino, was transformed into a world-leading venue for sustainability.

“We have committed to sustainability throughout our business, from sourcing locally-grown food, to investing and creating the first Six Green Star building in NSW.

“As a business dedicated to the long-term, we know the importance of sustainability and the value it will play in the future,” said Mrs Cesarano.

In 2013 the business renovated and transformed the old Tattersalls Club building on Elizabeth Street, Sydney and Doltone House Hyde Park was born.

However, it is their philanthropic work the Signorelli family is most proud. They currently support over 150 charities and inspired by their father’s passing, they started The Biaggio Signorelli Foundation through which they have raised millions of dollars for research into Mesothelioma, Asbestos Cancer.

In 2010 the Signorelli family also gifted to the people of NSW, a life-size bronze statue titled, ‘Life From A Suitcase’ which sits on Darling Island as a celebration of immigration in Australia; a tribute to migrant success stories.

Over 50 years, Doltone House has hosted almost 67,000 events, including over 15,000 weddings, and have catered for over 6,400,000 people.

Doltone House employs over 550 people across Sydney and dedicates their success to their staff.

Mr Signorelli said: “Our staff are an extension of our family. We couldn’t have reached where we are today without their commitment and efforts, we have been honoured to work with such great people.”

Doltone House has been recognised for its extraordinary business results having won over 50 prestigious awards. However, as Anna Cesarano notes, this hasn’t meant they’ve forgotten their strong family roots.

“We were inspired by our father Biaggio and mother Fina to do our best, work for each other and give to others. Our father’s legacy sits front and centre with us every day, and we know how proud of us he would be,” said Mrs Cesarano.

The Signorelli family now operates six venues and over 30 event spaces. They will open Marconi Events at Marconi Club in 2020, an event destination precinct in Milperra, NSW in 2025 and have more projects in the pipeline.
 
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Notes to editor:
The commemorative ceremony was attended by:
  1. The Hon. Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia
  2. The Hon. Mark Speakman SC MP, Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
  3. The Hon. Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Customer Service
  4. The Hon. John Sidoti MP, Member for Drummoyne
  5. The Hon. John Ajaka MLC, President of the Legislative Council of NSW
  6. The Hon. Don Harwin MLC, Special Minister of State and Minister for Public Services and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and the Arts
  7. The Hon. Morris Iemma, Former Premier of NSW
  8. The Hon. Bruce Baird
  9. Ms Eleni Petinos MP, Member for Miranda
  10. Mr Chris Minns MP, Member for Kogarah
  11. Mr. Craig Kelly MP, Member for Hughes
  12. Mr Stephen Kamper MP, Member for Rockdale
  13. Mayor of Sutherland Shire Council, Carmelo Pesce
  14. Deputy Mayor of Sutherland Shire Council, Steve Simpson
  15. Mayor of Fairfield City Council, Frank Carbone
  16. Mayor of Georges River, Kevin Green
  17. Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown, Khal Asfour 
  18. Cr. Marie Simone, Sutherland Shire Council
  19. Cr. Kent Johns, Sutherland Shire Council
  20. Cr. Carol Provan, Sutherland Shire Council
  21. Cr. Ray Plibersek, Sutherland Shire Council
Interviews are available with:
  • Paul Signorelli, Executive Chairman
  • Anna Cesarano, Chief Executive Officer
  • Nina Milazzo, Chief Operating Officer
Please request via the media contacts below.

Media Contacts: Zadro Agency
Jessica McLean, Senior Account Manager, Zadro | 02 9212 7867 | 0400 433 182 | jessica@zadroagency.com.au
Felicity Zadro, Managing Director, Zadro | 0404 009 384 | felicity@zadroagency.com.au

About Doltone House
www.doltonehouse.com.au

In 1969, Dolly and Tony Stubbs started Doltone House, opening their first venue in Sylvania Waters in Sydney.

In 1995, the Signorelli family took over the business and have been pioneers in Sydney for the events industry, leading the way in catering, sustainability and professionalism.

Doltone House remains family-owned and operated, and is run by three siblings: Paul Signorelli, Executive Chairman; Anna Cesarano, CEO and Nina Milazzo, COO. Their father and mother always had family businesses and Biaggio Signorelli’s legacy of philanthropy, being customer-centric and a family businessman continues through his three children.

The family is well-known for their entrepreneurial spirit, client focus and taking a chance on each other. Their courage and determination are well-regarded.

Doltone House is an iconic brand in the hospitality space of Sydney and NSW and are the leading hospitality group in corporate events, weddings and social events.

Their high-end unique venue collection employs over 550 staff across the six venues and 30 event spaces; they will open Marconi Events at Marconi Club in 2020, an event destination precinct in Milperra, NSW in 2025, and more projects are in the pipeline.

Doltone House Darling Island Pyrmont was NSW’s first 6 Green Star building.

The Biaggio Signorelli Foundation – the families’ philanthropic contribution to NSW for Mesothelioma – Asbestos Cancer), is very active and has raised millions of dollars to create awareness, early detection, treatment and work towards a cure.

‘Life From A Suitcase’ – the name of the bronze statue which sits outside the Doltone House Darling Island venue. The Signorelli family gifted this statue to the people of NSW as a celebration of immigration in Australia.

What you didn’t know about Doltone House:
  • 67,415 events over 50 years
  • 15,640 weddings over 50 years
  • 1,918,450 pasta dishes served at wedding and social events
  • 5,821,450 entrees, mains and desserts served at wedding and social events
  • 7,274,100 canapes served at wedding and social events
  • The largest event held at a Doltone House venue: 2,500 people
  • 552 staff members
  • 86% staff retention rate in the last 18-months
  • 18 staff have worked at Doltone House for 10 years or more
  • 30 staff have worked at Doltone House for 5-9 years
  • 2-3 interns per year in each department:
    • Sales – Corporate
    • Sales – Weddings
    • Events
    • Human Resources
    • Marketing
    • Finance
    • Projects
    • Apprentice Chefs
    • House of Doltone (event styling)
  • Doltone House are members of Business Events Sydney, Exhibition & Events Australia Association, Restaurant & Catering Australia, Family Business Australia, Chamber of Commerce and AHA Hotel Association
  • Doltone House have been awarded 51 awards
  • Doltone House sponsor countless industry events
  • ‘Catering by Doltone’ officially launched in 2019 and is an external catering business.
Images: 
Additional images and the full program can be found here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gpkr6cfe5d9wi40/AADK-HIYQxSbn3QzUtvSRJ0Ja?dl=0

 
1. PM with the Signorelli family unveiling the plaque

 
2. Paul Signorelli, Anna Cesarano, Nina Milazzo


3. Paul Signorelli


4. Prime Minister, Scott Morrison and the Signorelli family cutting the cake