ADELAIDE – On Friday March 14 at the Italian Centre on Carrington Street, SAATI - South Australian Association of Teachers of Italian - had a small get together to toast to 50 years as an organisation.

“Fifty years of service to teachers, students and the great Italian community,” said SAATI President Silvia De Cesare.

In addition to all the Italian teachers affiliated with the organisation, were several distinguished guests, including the Minister for Education Blair Boyer; the Italian Consul in Adelaide Ernesto Pianelli with the Vice Consul Giovanni Segre; Chair of the Multicultural Education and Languages Committee (MELC) Noel Mifsud; Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics Angela Scarino; President of the Italian Historical Society Giuseppe Geracitano; President of Com.It.Es Professor Marinella Marmo; President of SAIA Phillip Donato; and President of the Marche Club Roberto Ciufoli.

SAATI was founded on October 4, 1975, by a group of Italian teachers who wanted to unite to advance the teaching of Italian in South Australia. At that time, Italian language programs were expanding in schools.

That same year and for the first time in the state, Flinders University established a professorship for Professor Antonio Comin, who also served as SAATI’s founding vice president.

Unfortunately, Comin was unable to attend the anniversary celebrations but sent a letter of congratulations and encouragement, urging teachers to continue with their usual commitment.

When the association first formed, Italian teachers lacked resources, so SAATI filled a “critical gap”. One of their first initiatives was the newsletter La Bancarella, which listed the few schools teaching Italian at the time (11 high schools and eight public primary schools, along with 13 Catholic high schools and one Catholic primary school).

Today, 96 schools in South Australia teach Italian; thirteen public high schools, 21 public primary schools, the School of Languages and 60 Catholic schools across primary and secondary levels.

SAATI continues to support teachers and students and even offers financial assistance to Year 12 students wanting to attend programs at the School of Languages.

“In 2024, we had over 150 members from over 30 secondary schools and 14 primary schools, including relief teachers, university students, university lecturers and retired teachers who are still friends of SAATI,” said De Cesare.

“Our mission is, and always has been, to be the united voice for all Italian teachers in all sectors of South Australia. We are committed to promoting the teaching and learning of Italian, as well as representing and supporting Italian teachers to run successful programs.

“Tonight, we also wish to acknowledge the unpaid work and effort of the dedicated committee members over the years. We thank all of you for your hard work and dedication and thank our members for their continued support.

“With a legacy of 50 years of success … SAATI looks forward to working with its members to continue its mission for many years to come.”

The night also saw all past presidents in attendance called to the stage to receive a certificate of appreciation presented by Minister Boyer.

A moment was also dedicated to honouring Ennio Ferraretto, SAATI’s first president, who passed away in 2018.

“We remember his crucial role in supporting the formation of SAATI, inspired by what he had seen in Melbourne,” said De Cesare.