Discovering Italian Heritage in McLaren Vale

“With uncertainty we made our dreams a reality”

As part of our commitment to providing rich and immersive language learning experiences, all Year 9 Italian students took part in a day of cultural activities designed to deepen their understanding of the Italian language, history, and traditions.

The day began with a visit to Piazza Delle Valle, where students learned about the significant contributions of Italian migrants who settled in the region. The piazza is filled with plaques and art installations commemorating the early migrants who came from all over Italy to build new lives in South Australia. Glass-panelled murals, tessellated tiles, a fountain featuring the migrant ship The Arrivals, and inspiring quotes engraved into marble steps collectively tell a story of resilience, cultural integration, and the enduring legacy of the Italian community in the area.

From there, the students visited the Bocce Club of McLaren Vale, where they met John Petrucci, a migrant from Molise, who together with his brother Joe played a key role in establishing the club as a welcoming space for the entire community. John and Signorina Williams’ uncle, demonstrated how to play bocce on a traditional pista. The girls then enjoyed a friendly, and at times competitive, bocce tournament amongst themselves.

Students were then treated to a delicious plate of pasta, generously prepared by the club’s volunteers and enjoyed in the traditional Italian way, as a family.

After lunch, the girls visited the vineyards of the Petrucci brothers, where John spoke passionately about his family’s history and hard work. He explained how, as migrants, they had planted every vine across their 150-hectare vineyard by hand. Today, they continue to pass on their knowledge and legacy to the next generation. Through this visit, the girls gained a deeper understanding of the migrant experience, learning why so many Italians left their homeland and how they worked tirelessly to rebuild their lives in a new country while preserving their heritage, traditions, and identity.

Following their visit to the vineyard, the girls travelled to Diana Olive Oil (Il Frantoio), where they met a third-generation olive oil processor who continues a proud family tradition. Students learned how olives from local growers, as well as producers from across Australia, are brought to the factory and transformed into high-quality olive oil that is sold throughout the country. They were guided through the production process, from the harvesting of the olives to crushing, pressing, extraction, and bottling. The visit provided an authentic insight into the expertise, dedication, and innovation required to produce premium extra virgin olive oil. To complete the experience, the girls enjoyed a tasting of the freshly produced extra virgin olive oil, allowing them to appreciate its distinctive flavour and quality firsthand.

This excursion provided students with a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-life experiences. By engaging directly with members of the Italian-Australian community, students developed a greater appreciation of the language, culture, and traditions that continue to shape the McLaren Vale region today.

Educational Purpose

This excursion was designed to complement classroom learning by promoting active engagement with the Italian language, enhancing students’ intercultural understanding, and providing insight into the experiences and enduring legacy of Italian migrants in South Australia.

Ms Demi Williams & Ms Rosa Frezza
Languages Teachers

Discovering Italian Heritage in McLaren Vale