Three generations of Curtin graduates: The Tavani Family
From migrating to Australia from post-war Northern Italy as a seven-year-old who couldn’t speak English, Ennio Tavani has since paved the way for his family to follow their pursuits of higher education.
Arriving in Fremantle in 1954, Ennio’s parents bought a house in East Fremantle and worked hard as labourers to provide a better life for their four children.
Attending East Fremantle Primary School as a seven-year-old who couldn’t speak any English proved to be a great challenge for Ennio.
During my school years, I was bullied, because that’s what can sometimes happen to kids who don’t fit in,” he said.
On his twentieth birthday, Ennio was conscripted into the Australian Army to fight in the Vietnam War.
“It was a two-year consignment, and you were discharged when you were 22 years old,” he said.
Following his two years of service with the Australian military, Ennio married his wife, Rhonda, and then decided to pursue a new career in accounting.
Ennio graduated from WAIT with an Associateship in Accounting in 1973, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Business and Administration in 1975. He achieved a Master of Business – Accounting from Curtin in 1986, after which he chaired the Curtin Alumni Management Committee. This provided a network for Curtin’s 22,000 graduates at that time.
“We used to run movie nights in the lecture theatres, we would have to splice the film reels together to create the film and would charge 20 cents for alumni and the wider community to attend.
“We also sent out regular newsletters, which were used to promote our movie nights, alumni news, and different opportunities,” he said.
Throughout his extensive career, Ennio has witnessed how education can open doors to opportunities for future generations.
“My parents didn’t get the chance to attend school like our generation, so I don’t think they fully understood the power of education,” Ennio said.
When Ennio and his wife, Rhonda had their children, they made it their mission to ensure they got the best education at that time.
“We are so proud to see all our children and grandchildren who attended university develop sound careers”, Ennio said.
Following in his footsteps, Ennio’s son Nathan graduated in Accounting and Finance (2000) from Curtin. His granddaughters graduated from Curtin in 2022; Beth with a Bachelor of Education and Ashleigh with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours).
After graduating, Nathan gained experience working at his dad’s firm, Moore Stephens Chartered Accountants, which inspired him to start his own business, Tavani Tax and Accounting.
“Growing up, I saw my dad as a huge role model – he greatly influenced where I am today. I’m so grateful for my father, who has always supported me and always believed in me,” Nathan said.
