Signorina Talks

In episode 1, season 2 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Paola Bombardieri, Christian Reitano and Olivia Zagari who serve as past and current presidents of the Melbourne University Italian Social Club (Club).

The Club was born in 1959, the year in which the Italian language was first taught at the University of Melbourne. Governed by a voluntary executive and general committee, it hosts a range of cultural and language-based events including food days, film screenings, bocce and scopa games. It also works with other Victorian university Italian clubs to organise the annual Italian Ball and Boat Cruise.

Listen along to learn more about Italo-Australian youth culture as well as the past, present and future work of the Club.

Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne)

Guest: Paola Bombardieri, Christian Reitano and Olivia Zagari (Melbourne University Italian Social Club)

In episode 12 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Maria Pasquale, an award-winning food and travel writer based in Rome.

Maria is a proud Italo-Australian and the creator of the blog HeartRome with readers in over 100 countries. She contributes regularly to USA Today, CNN, Fodor’s, and The Telegraph. In 2017 she published 'I Heart Rome' and she is currently writing her second book 'How to be Italian'.

Listen along to learn more about daily life in Rome and Maria's transition from being a tourist to a resident there.

Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne)

Guest: Maria Pasquale (HeartRome)

In episode 11 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Nornie Bero, head chef and business owner of Mabu Mabu, a Torres Strait Islander food business based in Melbourne.

Nornie is originally from Mer Island in the Torres Strait and has been a professional chef for over 20 years. She talks about her experience working in some of Melbourne's iconic Italian restaurants, and provides ways of incorporating Indigenous ingredients into Italian cooking.

Listen along to learn more about Indigenous ingredients, how to grow them and where to find them.

Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne)

Guest: Nornie Bero (Mabu Mabu)

In episode 10 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa sits down with Paola Lachimia, known as Nonna Paola, with her son Greg and grandson Mitchell.

Nonna Paola is much loved and adored worldwide for her radiant smile, bold personality, kind heart and hatred for tattoos.

Listen along to learn more about the woman behind those iconic videos and discover Nonna Paola's life journey.

Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne)

Guest: Paola Lachimia (Nonna Paola), accompanied by her son Greg and grandson Mitchell

In episode 9 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Carlo and Valeria Corallo, President and Committee Member of the Sicilian Association of Australia (TSAA). Valeria and Carlo talk about the work of TSAA, how it evolved and its future ambitions. They also speak on Sicily and Sicilian culture, as well as their upbringing and Italian-Australian culture.

Listen along to learn more about Sicilian food, culture and history.

Host: Annalisa Cercone

Guests: Carlo and Valeria Corallo (Sicilian Association of Australia)

In episode 8 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Elvira Andreoli, founder, singer and guitarist of the Rustica Project, a Melbourne-based Italian folk band. Learn more about Italian folk music, its traditions, and the role of music in Southern Italy.

Elvira also speaks on her upbringing, life in Australia and the role of her heritage in fostering her love for performing.

Host: Annalisa Cercone

Guest: Elvira Andreoli

In episode 6 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Paola Bacchia, well-known food writer, educator and author of the famous blog ‘Italy on my mind’ as well as the cookbooks, 'Italian street food' and 'ADRIATICO' (with a third on Istria currently underway).

Paola speaks about the role of her Italian heritage in turning her love of cooking into a successful food-centred career. She also discusses Italian coastlines, migration and traditional dishes from Italy's North East.

Host: Annalisa Cercone

Guest: Paola Bacchia

In episode 7 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Rosa Voto, founder and director of the Melbourne School of Tarantella, about Southern Italian traditional and ritualistic dances. Learn more about the history of tarantella, what is actually is and the many different styles to it.

Rosa also speaks on her upbringing, life in Australia and the inter-regional complexities she lived through in Italy.

Host: Annalisa Cercone

Guest: Rosa Voto

In episode 5 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to James Liotta, award-winning Italian-Australian actor, comedian and producer with more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. James speaks about his upbringing in Melbourne, Italian heritage, journey as an actor and how he has become so well-known within the Melbourne-Italian community.

James also speaks on his characters in his Italian comedic skits and the inspiration behind them.

Host: Annalisa Cercone

Guest: James Liotta

In episode 4 of Signorina Talks, Annalisa chats to Romina Beltrame, Director of Il Papiro in Melbourne. Il Papiro is an artisan stationery shop in Melbourne's Central Business District that supplies a range of products direct from Florence.

Romina chats about her inspiration for starting the business as well as the La Befana display she has put on for the 2020 festive season.

Host: Annalisa Cercone (Signorina Melbourne) Guest: Romina Beltrame Graphic: Katia Pellicciotta Music: Fulvio Cabrera