University was never an option for Carmel and Nello Porto, which is why they were so proud to see their eldest child Laura start her degree this year.
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The Coniston couple said they were thrilled to see Laura, 18, embark on a double degree in law and commerce at the University of Wollongong.
"We were over the moon that she did so well in her HSC and got into the course she wanted," Mrs Porto said.
"Neither myself nor her father went to university and we are just so glad that our children will get the opportunities that we never had."
Mrs Porto's parents migrated to Australia from Italy in the 1960s. She was born in Coniston, while Mr Porto, a labourer, came out from Italy on his own in the 1980s.
"When I was at school there was a commonplace attitude that women either went to teachers' college, became a hairdresser or a secretary - and the latter is what I ended up doing," Mrs Porto said.
"Options were especially limited for women from European backgrounds, as the emphasis was on getting married, starting a family and caring for them."
As the youngest of seven children in a small village in the south of Italy, university was only a pipe dream for Mr Porto. However, he's glad his children will be able to follow their dreams.
"Our dad moved to Australia not only for a better life, but to be able to give his children better opportunities than he had," Laura Porto said.
"I am grateful for those opportunities and while I'm just at the start of my university studies I'm really enjoying it.
"A couple of my friends are also attending Wollongong University. They are also the first in their families to be doing a degree, and we will make the most of the opportunities we have."
The former St Mary's Star of the Sea College student said having the support of her family while undertaking the five-year degree was fantastic.
"I've got a couple of part-time jobs but being able to live at home is great. And it's also good to have someone to calm me down when I'm stressing out about assignments," she said.
