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Comprising over 140 members, Adrian Morisi, BIA\u2019s administration officer said the group\u2019s offerings are about giving people \u201ca taste of what Italy looks like\u201d under a combined cultural gathering.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s our greatest strength is that you don\u2019t have to be Italian to join or get involved. We\u2019re pretty diverse,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember a time when we had a Chinese chef, a Dutch member, we\u2019ve had so many people from over the world become a part of this.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the different communities come together as one to celebrate family and understanding everyone\u2019s culture and what they bring to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The BIA was first established in 1975, and Mr Cotronea said the association has evolved into something more than a community group for the members.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at a lot of our member base, a lot of them are in their 50s and 60s with family all over the world, so for a lot of them, this is their family,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor them this is about getting back to our regular schedule and there\u2019s a lot happening for us right now, so it\u2019s about not just what we do but also supporting the community out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Memberships will see a reduced rate for all BIA offerings at an annual cost of $25 for individuals, $40 for couples and $50 for families.<\/p>\n
For more information about the upcoming events, or to become a member, visit ballaratitalianassociation.org.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH international travel returning in force, the Ballarat Italian Association looks to have a busy period ahead of them. Frank Cotronea, president of the BIA, said the group is wanting to get the word out about what the organisation can offer to those looking for the Mediterranean experience. \u201cEspecially now that travel\u2019s opened up a […]<\/p>\n