Barone’s parents hail from the town, which is nestled on the slopes of Mount Etna.

The 29-year-old explained the scope of the Italian community in Brisbane.

“The Sicilian community in Brisbane is really large,” she said.

“Not everyone knows that there are a lot of migrants from Castiglione, including many prominent individuals.”

Until the 1950s, Castiglione was home to about 14,000 citizens.

However, the dire situation in southern Italy in recent decades has triggered a wave of migration that has emptied many towns across the country – a problem that Castiglione’s young mayor has tried to rectify, with initiatives such as €1 houses making headlines.

“My mother wanted to return to Castiglione, so I went with her to visit for a summer,” Barone said.

“As if by magic, I fell in love with Marco there.”

Imbesi explained that his family had decided to stay in Castiglione despite the hardship.

“Not everyone could afford to buy a ticket and leave,” he said.

“In Castiglione, I had a stable and profitable career.

“I never thought I’d migrate to Australia like my fellow villagers.”

Barone said it wasn’t an easy decision for her partner to leave his job and his loved ones.

“Ultimately, he followed his heart and embraced the opportunity for a new challenge,” she added.

“All of our Australian friends kept asking me for Sicilian products; not the usual limoncello or pasta, but luxuries such as perfumes, skincare and other items of fine Sicilian craftmanship.”

This gave the couple an idea: to import Sicilian luxuries to Australia.

“Thus Ambra Nera was born, our start-up that brings Sicilian excellence to Australian homes,” Imbesi said.

The idea has enjoyed widespread success and has attracted attention even outside of the Italian community.

Rosie Vecchio, the president of the Sicilian Association of Queensland and a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Queensland commended Barone and Imbesi on their new business.

“This couple and their entrepreneurial spirit represent the future and the unbreakable bond between Castiglione and Brisbane – a bond that still continues to create innovation and excellence,” she said.