The event was jointly organised by the Department of Education’s International Engagement team, in collaboration with the Italian Consulate in Brisbane and with the support of the vibrant local Italian community.
Proceedings opened with remarks by the Executive Director of the Department of Education Susan Boyes, followed by the Australian and Italian national anthems and official addresses from the Minister for Education and the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek, the Italian Consul Luna Angelini Marinucci and a representative of the Queensland Government.
The StuditaliA Award was established in 1994 by the Italian Consulate in Brisbane and the Queensland Ministry of Education to recognise excellence among final-year high school students of Italian.
Thirty-one years on, the award has grown into a model of international educational cooperation, as well as a unique opportunity to foster cultural and linguistic ties between Italy and Australia.
That relationship was further strengthened on April 3 with the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and Queensland, reinforcing and expanding a partnership that originated with the StuditaliA Award itself.
The prize offers winners a high-level educational experience at the Convitto Nazionale Paolo Diacono in Cividale del Friuli, in the heart of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.
“A special thank you to the Minister for Education and the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek, and to the entire DoE International team for making this possible once again,” said Consul Marinucci, expressing her appreciation for the renewed institutional collaboration.
Her remarks highlighted a shared commitment to supporting younger generations and strengthening the presence of Italian within Queensland’s education system.
The success of the StuditaliA Award, however, is also made possible thanks to the ongoing support of numerous cultural and community organisations that contribute to the initiative each year.
Among them, special mention goes to the Fogolar Furlan of Brisbane, long-standing promoters of Friulian culture and supporters of educational initiatives linked to Italy.
Their presence among the donors underscores the vital role played by Italian regional associations in preserving cultural heritage and fostering intercultural dialogue with new generations of Australian students.
Alongside the Fogolar Furlan are Com.It.Es QLD-NT, the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Queensland and the Northern Territory, the Dante Alighieri Society Brisbane, the Italian Language Centre (ILC), Co.As.It., Three Saints Feast Brisbane and other organisations actively supporting the teaching of Italian language and culture across the state.
The 2025 edition of the StuditaliA Award once again confirmed the strength and relevance of a project born more than 30 years ago, capable of renewing itself while remaining true to its mission.
The study tour awarded to the winners is an experience designed to leave a lasting impact, helping to shape more aware, open-minded global citizens with a deep connection to their linguistic and cultural roots.
Congratulations to all the students who received this prestigious recognition: Amos Williams, Evelyn Brown, Annabel Thomas, Conrad Cavallaro, Annalise Abdelrazek and Neave David Screen.
