A Life Built on Love, Family and Community: The Australian Story of Lucia Scata
Lucia Scata’s story is one of courage, contribution and deep love – for her family, her heritage, and her community. On 25 June 1962, at just 18 years old and newly married, she left her Sicilian hometown to build a future in Western Australia, with her husband, Sal.
While Sal grew up in Western Australia – speaking English fluently, with friends and community, and made the decision to move back after returning to Sicily to support his family – for Lucia, it was a much bigger, life-changing transition.
“Initially, it was very hard for me,” Lucia recalls. “Being in a different country, with a different language. But all on our street was Italians and across the road there was an Italian shop. Over time, my brothers, my mother and my father came, to have more opportunities and a better life.”
Originally living in Fremantle, Lucia and Sal reflect on how much things have changed over the decades, from the shops on Cappuccino Street shutting at 1pm, to the location of their Spearwood home – in which they raised their four children – once being bushland.
With Sal working tirelessly to support the family, Lucia explains with gratefulness how she was able to stay home and nurture the family, which today includes 10 grandchildren.
“I’ve never had to work outside the home. I could stay and look after the kids. Nowadays, that would be hard to do.”
The adoration Lucia has for her family is evident not just in her words, but in the home she has created – family photographs, from baby portraits to weddings, on every surface and wall.
Her pride in her sons, sons’ partners and grandchildren shines through. They’ve each found their paths – one son a butcher, another a boilermaker, and two running their own barber shops. Meanwhile, one granddaughter is in England, another studying in Milan, and one grandson doubles as a civil engineer and drummer in an INXS tribute band.
While growing a big, close-knit-no-matter-where-they-are family has kept her busy, Lucia’s contributions extend far beyond her home. In 1992, her friend Antoinette invited her to volunteer cooking for the Italian community at a residential home in Hamilton Hill, now run by Silver Chain, and she’s been hooked ever since.
“I loved to cook and learn from others,” she says. “There were a lot of people, and it was a beautiful atmosphere. I said to my friend, I think I’m going to continue doing it. It got me out of the house! I loved it. Sometimes I’d take my grandkids, and they’d enjoy it too.”
The majority of meals that Lucia cooks are Italian, but can range from minestrone soup and parmigiana to roast chicken and silverside beef.
“Whatever I’m doing, I do it with love,” Lucia enthuses. “When you cook, cook with love…that’s why it comes up so nice!”
Over the decades, Lucia has visited various aged care homes, committing to Silver Chain but also widening her reach and impact to provide delicious meals and contribute to community spirit for as many residents as possible. In the last two years, she has varied up her community service by visiting Wembley Aged Care on Tuesdays to play bingo with the Italian residents.
“For them to talk in Italian together is so special for them, because a lot of them in that age group, they don’t know English. They all come together as a group and they really enjoy it.”
While Lucia continues to volunteer after decades, there have been challenges, from COVID to decline in the interest in volunteering.
“People don’t want to volunteer as much anymore. We’ve done it for so long without being paid – now you might get money for travel, but people don’t want to do it voluntarily. But it’s good for community to help community, to help somebody else.”
Lucia’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Over the years she has been recognised by Silver Chain, nominated in the Volunteering WA Awards, and most recently awarded the 2025 Senior Community Citizen of the Year in the City of Cockburn.
“I felt appreciated. I didn’t expect it. I was invited to the ceremony and my son said to me, “Now, don’t expect them to call your name!” Lucia laughs. “I was really shocked – I was shaking!”
For as long as she can, Lucia will continue to share her love through cooking, caring and connecting. And sometimes, she brings Sal along now too – to help support his wife and the community she serves so dearly.
Nominations for the 2026 Community Citizen of the Year Awards are open at citizenshipawards.com.au. If you know someone like Lucia, nominate them by Friday 31 October 2025.