Silvana Toia: Exhibition Project Manager
I am a mother of two daughters, Sandra and Emilia and
grandmother of Alexander. I was born in southern Italy and
migrated to Melbourne with my family when I was fourteen
years old. I moved to the Northern Beaches area when I
married Michael and have lived here for the last 35 years. I have
always been interested in keeping Italian traditions alive as I
have an active role in the local Italian community and have been
teaching the language in local schools for the past 19 years. In
2004 I contacted Linda Nellor, the co-ordinator of Co.As. It
Italian Heritage with my ideas. Her support heralded the
beginning of Sempre Con Te.

Emilia Toia: Head Curator and Designer
I am passionate about people’s stories and the place individuals
have in society. I also feel very strongly about preserving history
in order to help us understand where we have come from. As a
first generation Italian growing up in the area I was particularly
passionate about documenting this history and celebrating the
culture that is the community that I have come from. My hope
is that by understanding different cultures Australia can become
as tolerant of differences as it can be. I look forward to
continuing the work of Sempre con te, wherever it may take us.

Gina Polito: Project Team
Hi my name is Gina. I live in the Northern Beaches. I am
married to a wonderful, supportive man and have 5 amazing
children. I work full time as a teacher.
I am the daughter and wife of Italian migrants to the area.
Although I was born here I have a great interest in the migrant
experience. Just knowing that so mahy people I love have lived
throught it, has made me curious about the whole process.
When Silvana Toia told me of her interest in creating some sort
of an exhibition I couldn’t wait to assist her. Little did we, along
with our friend Silvana Raffaele, know what we were letting
ourselves in for! It has been a busy time for; us but we are proud
of what we have achieved.

Silvana Nero : Project Team
Ciao, I live on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. I have 3
beautiful children between the ages of 9 and 16. I work for
Co.As.It in the position of L.O.T.E teacher at Terry Hills
public school. I have thoroughly enjoyed bringing some of my
enthusiasm and experience to the Sempre Con Te exhibition and
hope that it has been and will continue to be a journey down
memory lane as well as a time of reflection for those who see it.
My hope is that the work will bring tears of happiness and
feelings of joy that can be passed on to loved ones.
It has been an honour and privilege to have worked with my
colleagues on this project.

Erron Field: Photographer & Project Team
After having worked at a British university for 10 years, I have
taken a year out from London to visit friends with the intention
of furthering my skills and experience as a photographer.
A long time enthusiast for 35mm film, my decision to invest in
new digital technology for this project was driven by the idea
that it would allow me greater creative control of the process –
from capture to print.
My involvement in the project provided the perfect opportunity
to experiment with this new format and enabled me to present
my work to the Australian public. It has been a small
contribution to the exhibit as a whole, but one I have greatly
enjoyed and for this opportunity I would like to thank the rest of
the project team.
The response to the body of work has been very encouraging,
and has enthused me to look for new projects and ways to
exhibit my work as a creative photographer.

Nick R Curulli: Project Team
I grew up in the Northern Beaches to migrant Italian parents. I
now live in Pyrmont, Sydney.
I was largely responsible for the moving image visuals in the
exhibition. My interest in amatuer photography goes back to
high school. My main influences and mentor was my cousin
Nicholas Curulli, a former art teacher at university and also
resident of the Northern Beaches.
I have only recently rediscovered the camera and the flexibility
of the digital medium, constantly teaching myself unlimited
processes in the digital dark room.