Each year, every CWA branch in the state puts a country under the spotlight and studies it with the help of a specially appointed international officer.

Batemans Bay branch’s international officer Christine Ross-Magus has spent the past nine months or so studying this year’s country, Italy, and educating fellow members with monthly presentations.

The study culminated with a lunch on Friday at the CWA Hall in Sunshine Bay, which was attended by more than 80 people, among them representatives from various service clubs.

Guests sat down to a scrumptious Italian-themed lunch of antipasto and breads, pastas, chicken cacciatore, delicious desserts, including tiramisu, coffee, biscuits and chocolate.

Batemans Bay resident Pio Liberale gave moving, and unaccompanied, renditions of Italy’s national anthem and several Italian ballads.

Batehaven pharmacist Sandro Lopresti also kept the audience enthralled with an interesting presentation.

He detailed his family’s Italian background as spoke about the country’s regions, culture, daily life and current affairs.