The first-place winner of the WA Italian Club’s homemade sausage competition attributes his high scoring entry to his Nonna’s recipe and time spent in the garage practicing.

The event held on October 1 brought in a crowd of over 250 eager sausage tasters and artisans.

The sausages were judged following four criteria: appearance, texture, taste and the handiwork put into the creation. Local butchers and others in the industry were invited to judge the 56 entrants.

Stefan Barbaro of Barbaro Butchers said the competition was fierce and full of good quality products.

Alana Vizzari of Princi the Butcher said the club is like a second home to her and she was excited to be judging the competition.

The winner of the competition, Daniel Lipari, scored full marks in all four categories.  Following years of experimentation with a family recipe, this year the original sausage recipe was awarded first place with Mr Lipari calling it “a return to success”.

The competition was a part of one of the clubs Let’s Catch Up events which it hosts every month, usually involving an activity for all to participate in.  WA Italian Club president Salvatore Vallelonga said, “the concept of Let’s Catch Up is really about finding one night a month where whoever can be there turns up, whoever can’t see you next month.” 

Events like these provide the opportunity for Italian nationals to get together and converse over food and drink reminiscent of home. 

Mr Vallelonga said: “Food brings a lot of memories and nostalgia in the community.  So when we do a special that reminds them of their upbringing, they often come out for it because it brings back some beautiful, special memories of growing up being Italian.”

 Non-members are also allowed and encouraged to partake in the festivities.

Other than friendly competitions the WA Italian Club serves a greater purpose as a place where Italian traditions can be kept alive without fear of exclusion.

The WA Italian Club was formed in 1934 during a period in which Italian migrants faced institutionalised discrimination and alienation in Western Australia.  Mr Vallelonga said: “We weren’t considered a part of mainstream Australia, we couldn’t walk into a pub or a bar or a restaurant or café for that matter, couldn’t buy takeaway alcohol from liquor stores.”  The club provided a safe place for these individuals to share stories and experiences. 

During World War Two, Italian migrants faced suspicion over being treacherous German sympathisers and were considered a threat to the security of Australia.  Because of this, they were relocated to internment camps across the country.  According to the National Archives of Australia around 20 per cent of Italians living in Australia were held in internment camps during WWII.

The WA Italian Club was also forced to close its doors following the villainisation of foreign migrants at the time.  The club was allowed to reopen once the war ended and has since become a proponent for migration policy and multiculturalism by providing a means for the assimilation of Italian culture in Australia.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as of 2021 around 18,000 Italian migrants call Western Australia home.  Despite the tumultuous history of the club, it asserts itself as a place of community regardless of nationality. 

Since becoming president of the club, Mr Vallelonga has focussed on bringing in multicultural and multigenerational audiences.  Having grown up around the club himself, ensuring that young people are able to come and discover and engage with their heritage alongside their families is a main goal.

Mr Lipari who had a similar experience with the club as a child said Mr Vallelonga had “done a fantastic job” shaping the club to appeal to a younger audience.

When not hosting an event the venue functions as a restaurant called 1934, named after the year the club was founded.