A voice for women
since 1985
Welcome to the National Italian Australian Women’s Association.
I am proud of the work of NIAWA, an association that has been the voice of Italo-Australian women since 1985. Our events focus on issues and themes that resonate with all generations especially those who migrated to Australia from all parts of Italy. Over the years since our formation, we have held hundreds of conferences and events, we’ve published books and undertaken important advocacy and policy work. You’ll see more of our achievements on this site. On behalf of our committee, I invite you to attend our events and support the association’s work. We will welcome you with open arms into our community.
Concetta Cirigliano-Perna
President
Who we are
The National Italian-
Australian Women’s Association is the first such organisation in the country.
Events
NIAWA delivers a year-round program of events to shine the light on important social and cultural themes.
Join our community
Help us make important contributions to Australian multicultural life by joining our community.
Renew Membership
If you’re an existing NIAWA member, you can renew your membership here.
Guest speakers from The Social Outfit at our IWD 25 event
“I always love attending NIAWA events – I feel I really belong in this group.”
”NIAWA events are unlike events anywhere else – the speakers are always fantastic. I come away feeling good inside.”
“It keeps me connected to my heritage and I enjoy the talks very much. I always come away feeling uplifted – the events make me feel happy and proud.”
“It’s women lifting women and with a shared understanding of what it’s like to grow up both Italian and Australian.”
“Founder, Franca Arena had great foresight in starting NIAWA – she fought to give our women a voice.”
”I feel a strong connection at this event, I can listen to the Italian and learn more because I don’t often get the chance to do so”
Latest news & events
We have a year-round program of events. In 2025 NIAWA celebrates its 40th anniversary and will put the spotlight on celebrating this major milestone while also striding towards our future together.
Ci chiamavano così
Cosa possono raccontarci un soprannome o un manifesto funebre? Una conferenza affascinante sulla...
Laboratorio di scrittura autobiografica e biografica- Le storie delle donne italo-australiane
Hai una storia da raccontare? Ti piace scrivere, ricordare, ascoltare e condividere esperienze...
Ferragosto
Ferragosto, celebrated on 15 August each year in Italy, is one of the country's oldest and most...
Ci chiamavano così
Cosa possono raccontarci un soprannome o un manifesto funebre? Una conferenza affascinante sulla...
Laboratorio di scrittura autobiografica e biografica- Le storie delle donne italo-australiane
Hai una storia da raccontare? Ti piace scrivere, ricordare, ascoltare e condividere esperienze...
Ci chiamavano così
Cosa possono raccontarci un soprannome o un manifesto funebre? Una conferenza affascinante sulla...
“I can still remember our very first meeting, a late afternoon in January 1985, when I invited a group of women from an Italian background to come to a meeting in Parliament House, in Sydney, to discuss the forming of an Association of Italian–Australian women.”-
Founder, The Honourable Franca Arena, AM, MLC
Join our community
If you’d like to be part of what NIAWA does, why not join our community and become a member. Or help us to continues our important work by making a special contribution in addition to the membership fees.
We thank our sponsors and supporters
