A few weeks ago, at the Italian Institute of Culture of Melbourne, a group of key stakeholders met a delegation of members of the Italian Senate to discuss the current state of Italian language education in Victoria. The delegation was accompanied by the Italian Consul-General Dr. Marco Maria Cerbo and comprised Sen. Claudio Micheloni, Sen. Francesco Giacobbe, Sen. Pippo Pagano and Sen. Vito Rosario Petrocelli.

The man sat in front of me, coffee in hand, is not the man I have seen in action. Today he is poised, articulate and composed. With grace and unabridged honesty he recounts the ups and downs of his life journey. So far, in all my encounters with him, I have been his audience: I sit gripped, hanging on to every word.

To know Stefano Costabile’s work is to know a mastermind in action. Likened to the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll’s imaginative world of Alice in Wonderland, Stefano is indeed mad about hats. With a career spanning decades, and with work gracing various industries and fields, Stefano has proven that he has what it takes to lead the millinery industry and set a new standard in functional Italian fashion. As it goes, there is certainly more to hats than meets the eye: medium, design, artisan technique and styling.

Five years ago I was diagnosed with an allergy to wheat: this was heartbreaking news. In a very short amount of time I had to re-train my brain to overlook the yeasty, crusty temptation, and seek guilty starchy pleasures in other forms; needless to say it took its toll. How ridiculous! – you might say. Take bread away from an Italian, however, and the situation gets serious.

Following in his nonno’s and father’s footsteps, the nineteen year old Jack Silvagni promises to add luster to the name of a legendary family of Italian-Australian footballers

On a recent trip to the US I was humbled to explore Ellis Island’s National Museum of Immigration. The harsh conditions of the New York winter melted away as I stepped inside the warm and welcoming lobby. After catching my breath, I stopped to admire the world I had stepped into. Millions of hopeful immigrants had to withstand gruelling transit conditions with no guarantee of security in the US.

March of 2014 signalled the beginning of a new and exciting life for the talented Erika Lancini, her husband Manuel, and their three daughters, Martina, Alexandra and Maya. After long discussions and reflections about what a future remaining in Italy would look like, they packed up their life in Brescia and moved to Melbourne; a move neither regrets.

Do you ever hear voices in your head? I do. All the time. I hear two. One voice, usually the voice of reason and control, speaks English. The other, the voice that pipes up in moments of extreme emotion and passion, speaks Italian.

Andrea Cozzolino’s passion for the art of pizza making – and yes, it is quite an art – began in Naples during his school-age years. Andrea was just twelve years old. It all started quite modestly, working at a local family-run pizzeria, making simple pizzas, preparing ingredients and feeding the staff.

The story of a Victorian country girl of Italian descent who is developing a career as a professional player in women’s Australian football and is a staunch promoter of gender equality in all sports.

In his 1964 masterpiece The Italians, Luigi Barzini, in his infinite wisdom and acute social awareness, states: “In the heart of every man, wherever he is born, whatever his education and tastes, there is one small corner that is Italian”. What else could explain your need to pick up this edition of Segmento? Everyone can connect with, even in the smallest way, the Italian way of life, culture and language.

When we think of linguistic influences in Australian culture we often think of the languages brought to us by migrants from foreign lands.

I remember the scene vividly. He lay motionless on his back. Blood streaming from a number of gunshot wounds. He stares blankly back at us. Lifeless. Dead. The year was 2008 and ‘Underbelly’ was on our TV screens.

I recently found myself at a checkout with my crying 10-week-old son. I spoke to the cashier in English then tended to my son in Italian, soothing him and using diminutive Italian forms of his name.

I was just 15 years old when I first stumbled into La Scala opera house in Milan. Truth be told, I had lost my way from the outstretched corridors of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and was in search of directions – no romantic story here at all.

Today’s story is one I have longed to share with you for a while now. It is the tale of two Italian women – one Italian by birth, and the other Italian in spirit. They are Vincenza and Melinda Aloisio. Mother and daughter.

Principal Dancer of the Teatro alla Scala, Nicoletta Manni, showed incredible talent as a ballerina at a very young age. Born in Lecce, she spent much of her childhood training until she was accepted at the La Scala Theatre Ballet School when she was just 12 years old.

Native English speakers are in constant demand in Italy, and this incredible initiative is one way to connect the Italian-speaking and English-speaking worlds. If you have ever considered an extended period of time abroad, then this could be for you.

She told me that she was tall. Very tall. I spotted her arrive from across the bar and from over the top of the coffee machine. She was indeed tall, but also very elegant and refined.

When you think of macramé, perhaps images of bell bottom jeans and coloured sunglasses some to mind.

Brunswick South Primary School, Victoria’s first Italian bilingual school, is a fascinating example of the positive power of Italian language education. I spoke with teachers Ivana D’Aprano, Lucy Curatolo and Nancy Cozzo to better understand the reality, challenges and joys of facilitating an Italian bilingual program. (photo Wide Shut Photography)

Yes, it’s completely possible to engage in a love affair with a city - even more so when it’s a city like Rome. Well, actually, let me correct myself: there’s no city quite like Rome. (Photo HeartRome)

Rachael Birthisel, Soprano - a name you may not yet know, but certainly one to keep an ear open for. I first met Rachael close to 15 years ago at The University of Melbourne where we studied Italian together. Her journey has always been one that’s intrigued me.

The story of a Victorian country girl of Italian descent who is developing a career as a professional player in women’s Australian football and is a staunch promoter of gender equality in all sports. (Photo Ksenia Belova)

If family is the beating heart of the Italian home, then the grandparents, i nonni, are the enduring soul. I chatted with restaurateur and former World Pizza Champion Johnny Di Francesco about one special relationship in his life; that which he shares with his beloved nonna. 93 year old, Angela Mandarano, who still lives independently at home, holds a very special place in Johnny’s heart. (Photo Melissa Cowen)

Anthony Montesano, Melbourne-based couturier, has fascinated me for years. His work is iconic and is as easily recognisable as his laugh and hilarious social commentary. He is one of a kind, and today he’s ours to devour. (Photos Rachael Ogle)

I recently chatted with Gianni Vitellone, Director of Pronto Travel/Vita Italian Tours in Collingwood, about his life and love of all things Italian. (Photo Wide Shut Photography)

‘Italians love to celebrate, it’s in our blood, life is a celebration. We have forgotten this in many ways; it is part of our rich inheritance to celebrate. When we sit with our families across the table, time stands still. It teaches us that this is where the heart of the table is’. International Sicilian chef, Carmela D’Amore speaks with Jenna Lo Bianco.

For the past three months I feel I have walked a very special journey with Gradi Group. Johnny Di Francesco and his team were on a mission to find three talented nonni, with whom they could build the exclusive ‘Piatti dei Nonni’ menu. (Photo Johnny Di Francesco with nonna Elena and family)

The benefits of bilingual experiences in young children have been researched and documented for years. A plethora of resources exists to support parents and caregivers who are trying to establish a bilingual home for their little ones

Tucked away in the heart of Melbourne’s Carlton is a very special and unique place. It’s where many gather to reflect, others flock for support and guidance, and droves go to challenge themselves and enrich their lives with new cultural and linguistic endeavours. I am of course speaking of the Education Department of CO.AS.IT., comprising the Resource Centre and the Museo Italiano.

Arriverà la Befana a Fremantle? is a bilingual Italian/English children’s picture book, written by Perth local, Daniele Foti-Cuzzola, and illustrated by Sicilian native, Daniela Pruiti Ciarello