(June 20, 2017) "Silvano Merlatti is an exemplary figure, both professionally and humanly. In all the contexts in which he has worked, he has always distinguished himself for his organizational qualities and for the ability to work in close synergy with Italian and of Italian origin institutions and operators": this is what is stated in the motives for the Knights of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy, delivered to one of the most successful Italian entrepreneurs in Australia by the Italian Consul General in Melbourne, Marco Maria Cerbo. Formal delivery took place at the Melbourne Club, one of the most exclusive reception venues in the city, with the presence of a select representation of businessmen. Merlatti is from Savignano, in the province of Cuneo, and worked for the Italian Commercial Bank for a long time before moving to Australia where he has the license for the Italian sportswear brand Fila. "In Melbourne, in particular - is again stated in the motives of the prestigious recognition - it has not only created a commercial network of significant proportions, contributing significantly to the diffusion and knowledge of 'made in Italy' in Australia and in the rest of Oceania, but has also been able to effectively connect to the world of traditional immigration, acting as a bridge between the attachment to the traditions that are typical of Italian-Australians and the innovation that characterizes our country". Merlatti is also a passionate collector of contemporary Italian art and some of his pieces were exhibited at the end of 2016 at the Italian Cultural Institute in Melbourne. (Red)

ABOUT / THE CONSUL

Born in Bergamo, October 16, 1974, Marco Maria Cerbo attended Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan where he graduated in law on July 9, 1998. He was then appointed Volunteer in the Diplomatic Career, on December 30, 1999. Subsequently he attended the Diplomatic Institute at a vocational training course from January 10 to October 9, 2000. On October 10, 2000, he is confirmed in the Secretariat General of the Asia-Pacific, Antarctic, Pacific and Antarctic Countries, and appointed Secretary of legation. He moved to Addis Ababa on October 15, 2001 where he served as Second Secretary, then confirmed in the same headquarters as First Secretary on December 30, 2003. In 2005, in August, he was assigned to the Consulate General in Hong Kong as Consul. Upon his return to Rome on September 1, 2009, he was recruited at the General Secretariat, Diplomatic Contracts and Treaties Unit. He is promoted to Legation Advisor on July 2, 2010 and is therefore charged with performing the functions of Chief of the III Office of the Legal Affairs Service, Diplomatic Litigation and Treaties, on December 16, 2010. The Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic is conferred in 2012. On September 3, 2013, he is assigned to the Consulate General in Melbourne as Consul General. He was promoted Embassy Advisor on July 2, 2015.