Latest news with #Camillo
Hamilton Spectator
11-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Take it away! St. Catharines company selling in Germany for World Dragon Boat Championships
Joe Camillo and Chris Cookson are heading to Germany this weekend with more than a little Niagara in their suitcases. The co-owners of RegattaSport in St. Catharines have shipped thousands of products from branded hats to water bottles across the ocean for their company's arrival as the official merchandiser of the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships. 'I think it's great to be there selling to the world with product made right in our backyard,' Camillo said this week before flying out Friday. The company, with headquarters on Queenston Street and a retail store in Port Dalhousie, won a competitive bid for the international event taking place from July 14 to 20 in Brandenburg an der Havel. Nearly 5,000 athletes and supporters from 33 countries will be at the races with thousands of spectators expected to cheer them on. Camillo said RegattaSport has already done close to $40,000 in pre-order sales of assorted merchandise and expects to be busy selling more over seven days of races. They've partnered with a German company and will have the ability to print more products on site as needed. Fans will be able to pick up long and short-sleeved shirts, hoodies, pins, mugs, socks and an array of other products with the official world dragon boat logo from the St. Catharines company. 'We plan to do significantly more than what we did in pre-orders there during that week. It'll be a big week for us,' Camillo said. Some of the shirts RegattaSport is selling as official merchandiser of the 2025 World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Germany. RegattaSport has been the official merchandise supplier for several international and national sporting events recently and has been strengthening European partnerships. They supplied the International Dragon Boat Federation's Club Crew World Championships in Ravenna, Italy in September 2024 and partnered with an Italian company there. They were the official suppliers for the 2024 World Rowing Senior, Under 23 and Under 19 Championships that took place in St. Catharines last August and for the 2024 Canoe Kayak Canada National Sprint Championships that same month in Welland. RegattaSport also supplied the Canada Summer Games in Niagara in 2022 and next month, they will be heading to Newfoundland for another big contract with the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John's. Camillo said RegattaSport, which was started in 1988, has worked with the dragon boat community for decades and within the last 10 years with the International Dragon Boat Federation where they've built up a good association. The company also makes products for the U.S and Australian dragon boat teams that will be competing. RegattaSport's manufacturer is Camillo's company Niko Apparel Systems in Hamilton, which cuts and sews the products. Between the two companies there are 50 employees. 'We're just really proud of what we built,' said Camillo. 'All the product is made right here in southern Ontario so it's keeping people employed, that's really important.' He said a lot of people may be surprised by RegattaSport's story, which he admits is pretty cool. 'You'd never think that this Canadian company, a southern Ontario, St. Catharines-based business, would be selling product in Germany and be popular too.'
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
From Māngere To Medicine: Pacific Migrant Dreams Big
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter Māngere teen Selina Camillo, 18, migrated from Fiji to Māngere just a few years ago, but she's already making academic waves as she works towards becoming a heart surgeon. Since setting foot in Aotearoa for the first time in December 2022, Camillo has topped her class, served as head girl at Southern Cross Campus, and is now studying at the University of Auckland – the first of her family to do so. Studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, she is one of only 16 students awarded a Milford Foundation Scholarship this year, which provides up to $10,000 annually. She also received a University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship. The funding has helped ease the cost pressure of studying, as she didn't want to be a financial burden for her parents, who secured permanent residency in January this year. 'I was always worried about how am I going to pay for my tuition fees,' she says. 'It really made me feel that it will bring me closer to achieving my dream of becoming a doctor.' Her interest in the human heart stems back to a young age in Fiji and is what motivated her to specialise in cardiology. 'That was the first organ that I was taught in year 7 back home,' she says. Camillo grew up seeing heart disease impact her family and other Pacific households, a pattern that school later confirmed was part of a global trend as one of the leading causes of death. 'So I was very interested in just being able to get into that field as a Pacifica to be able to help our people not only to treat the disease but also to help promote healthy lifestyle and bring a reduction to lives being affected by heart disease.' Through her academic success, Camillo is proud to highlight her culture. The scarcity of Pacific professionals in medicine empowers her, and she says visibility matters: 'So far I don't know any Rotuman doctor here nor my family, but there's only one Tuvaluan doctor I know who's based in Wellington,' she says. '[Representation] is very important, especially coming from very small islands, Tuvalu and Rotuma. Most people don't even know where Rotuma is at all.' Still, Camillo remains undeterred, her motivation is clear. 'I just want to be able to represent my island, my culture.' Only 981 people in New Zealand identified as Rotuman and 4653 as Tuvaluan, according to the 2018 Census, With small numbers, these groups are often lumped into the broader 'Other Pacific Peoples' category in education and government data, limiting their visibility and access to targeted resources. Most assume she is Samoan, but she has to correct them by saying she's Rotuman or Tuvaluan – a culture many are unfamiliar with, she says. 'It helps people to know more about my people, my culture. So sometimes I feel proud of being able to put my culture somewhere that's good for others to see and also learn something new.' She says her cultural upbringing shaped her values and her drive. 'Tuvaluan is my first language, mother tongue,' she says. 'Growing up with my grandparents and mum in Tuvalu, I learned a lot about my culture … we were just dependent on fishing and plantation.' Also raised in Fiji, she learned to read using a Bible. 'My first book was the Bible because we couldn't really afford books. And by the end of Year 2, I also topped Year 2 in Fiji.' She credits her grandparents' values – respect, humility, and discipline – with guiding her academic journey. 'I just wanted to be a role model to my siblings as I wanted to make a change in my family to make my parents proud in performing well in school.' Milford Foundation CEO Bryce Marsden says the scholarship is about more than financial support. 'We've seen fantastic results from our first two cohorts. We look forward to the 2025 group joining them as future leaders and visionaries.' This year, the Foundation has committed nearly $460,000 across three cohorts. Camillo says her family is her 'why' and hopes to inspire others. 'Do not let your circumstances make you feel doubt about yourself or limit you from reaching your goals,' she says. 'Just grab every opportunity.'
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
From Māngere To Medicine: Pacific Migrant Dreams Big
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter The scarcity of Pacific professionals in medicine empowers her, and she says visibility matters. Māngere teen Selina Camillo, 18, migrated from Fiji to Māngere just a few years ago, but she's already making academic waves as she works towards becoming a heart surgeon. Since setting foot in Aotearoa for the first time in December 2022, Camillo has topped her class, served as head girl at Southern Cross Campus, and is now studying at the University of Auckland – the first of her family to do so. Studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, she is one of only 16 students awarded a Milford Foundation Scholarship this year, which provides up to $10,000 annually. She also received a University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship. The funding has helped ease the cost pressure of studying, as she didn't want to be a financial burden for her parents, who secured permanent residency in January this year. 'I was always worried about how am I going to pay for my tuition fees,' she says. 'It really made me feel that it will bring me closer to achieving my dream of becoming a doctor.' Her interest in the human heart stems back to a young age in Fiji and is what motivated her to specialise in cardiology. 'That was the first organ that I was taught in year 7 back home,' she says. Camillo grew up seeing heart disease impact her family and other Pacific households, a pattern that school later confirmed was part of a global trend as one of the leading causes of death. 'So I was very interested in just being able to get into that field as a Pacifica to be able to help our people not only to treat the disease but also to help promote healthy lifestyle and bring a reduction to lives being affected by heart disease.' Through her academic success, Camillo is proud to highlight her culture. The scarcity of Pacific professionals in medicine empowers her, and she says visibility matters: 'So far I don't know any Rotuman doctor here nor my family, but there's only one Tuvaluan doctor I know who's based in Wellington,' she says. '[Representation] is very important, especially coming from very small islands, Tuvalu and Rotuma. Most people don't even know where Rotuma is at all.' Still, Camillo remains undeterred, her motivation is clear. 'I just want to be able to represent my island, my culture.' Only 981 people in New Zealand identified as Rotuman and 4653 as Tuvaluan, according to the 2018 Census, With small numbers, these groups are often lumped into the broader 'Other Pacific Peoples' category in education and government data, limiting their visibility and access to targeted resources. Most assume she is Samoan, but she has to correct them by saying she's Rotuman or Tuvaluan – a culture many are unfamiliar with, she says. 'It helps people to know more about my people, my culture. So sometimes I feel proud of being able to put my culture somewhere that's good for others to see and also learn something new.' She says her cultural upbringing shaped her values and her drive. 'Tuvaluan is my first language, mother tongue,' she says. 'Growing up with my grandparents and mum in Tuvalu, I learned a lot about my culture … we were just dependent on fishing and plantation.' Also raised in Fiji, she learned to read using a Bible. 'My first book was the Bible because we couldn't really afford books. And by the end of Year 2, I also topped Year 2 in Fiji.' She credits her grandparents' values – respect, humility, and discipline – with guiding her academic journey. 'I just wanted to be a role model to my siblings as I wanted to make a change in my family to make my parents proud in performing well in school.' Milford Foundation CEO Bryce Marsden says the scholarship is about more than financial support. 'We've seen fantastic results from our first two cohorts. We look forward to the 2025 group joining them as future leaders and visionaries.' This year, the Foundation has committed nearly $460,000 across three cohorts. Camillo says her family is her 'why' and hopes to inspire others. 'Do not let your circumstances make you feel doubt about yourself or limit you from reaching your goals,' she says. 'Just grab every opportunity.'
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
From Māngere To Medicine: Pacific Migrant Dreams Big
Māngere teen Selina Camillo, 18, migrated from Fiji to Māngere just a few years ago, but she's already making academic waves as she works towards becoming a heart surgeon. Since setting foot in Aotearoa for the first time in December 2022, Camillo has topped her class, served as head girl at Southern Cross Campus, and is now studying at the University of Auckland - the first of her family to do so. Studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, she is one of only 16 students awarded a Milford Foundation Scholarship this year, which provides up to $10,000 annually. She also received a University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship. The funding has helped ease the cost pressure of studying, as she didn't want to be a financial burden for her parents, who secured permanent residency in January this year. 'I was always worried about how am I going to pay for my tuition fees,' she says. 'It really made me feel that it will bring me closer to achieving my dream of becoming a doctor.' Her interest in the human heart stems back to a young age in Fiji and is what motivated her to specialise in cardiology. 'That was the first organ that I was taught in year 7 back home,' she says. Camillo grew up seeing heart disease impact her family and other Pacific households, a pattern that school later confirmed was part of a global trend as one of the leading causes of death. 'So I was very interested in just being able to get into that field as a Pacifica to be able to help our people not only to treat the disease but also to help promote healthy lifestyle and bring a reduction to lives being affected by heart disease.' Through her academic success, Camillo is proud to highlight her culture. The scarcity of Pacific professionals in medicine empowers her, and she says visibility matters: 'So far I don't know any Rotuman doctor here nor my family, but there's only one Tuvaluan doctor I know who's based in Wellington,' she says. '[Representation] is very important, especially coming from very small islands, Tuvalu and Rotuma. Most people don't even know where Rotuma is at all.' Still, Camillo remains undeterred, her motivation is clear. 'I just want to be able to represent my island, my culture.' Only 981 people in New Zealand identified as Rotuman and 4653 as Tuvaluan, according to the 2018 Census, With small numbers, these groups are often lumped into the broader 'Other Pacific Peoples' category in education and government data, limiting their visibility and access to targeted resources. Most assume she is Samoan, but she has to correct them by saying she's Rotuman or Tuvaluan - a culture many are unfamiliar with, she says. 'It helps people to know more about my people, my culture. So sometimes I feel proud of being able to put my culture somewhere that's good for others to see and also learn something new." She says her cultural upbringing shaped her values and her drive. 'Tuvaluan is my first language, mother tongue,' she says. 'Growing up with my grandparents and mum in Tuvalu, I learned a lot about my culture … we were just dependent on fishing and plantation.' Also raised in Fiji, she learned to read using a Bible. 'My first book was the Bible because we couldn't really afford books. And by the end of Year 2, I also topped Year 2 in Fiji.' She credits her grandparents' values - respect, humility, and discipline - with guiding her academic journey. 'I just wanted to be a role model to my siblings as I wanted to make a change in my family to make my parents proud in performing well in school.' Milford Foundation CEO Bryce Marsden says the scholarship is about more than financial support. 'We've seen fantastic results from our first two cohorts. We look forward to the 2025 group joining them as future leaders and visionaries.' This year, the Foundation has committed nearly $460,000 across three cohorts. Camillo says her family is her 'why' and hopes to inspire others. 'Do not let your circumstances make you feel doubt about yourself or limit you from reaching your goals,' she says. 'Just grab every opportunity.'
Sydney Morning Herald
27-04-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
How a nightclub baron turned a gutted heritage building into a sculptural home
Camillo and Monika Ipolliti have done more than most big-name developers to put their stamp on Melbourne's landscape. As the founders of legendary venues such as Revolver, Cookie and the Toff in Town, the nightclub impresario and visual artist have played a part in crafting the city's cultural fabric, including helping pioneer the notion of the 'vertical laneway' at Swanston Street's Curtin House. It's little wonder that the risk-taking, style-forward Ipollitis – let's call them the Medicis of Melbourne – extended their vision to their own unique city home: a heritage-listed townhouse smack-bang in the middle of the CBD. Now on the market, 128-130 Little Lonsdale Street is a singular proposition from a colourful couple. The grand three-level Victorian-era Leitrim Hotel was constructed in 1888 for the Victoria Brewing Company in the heart of the city's notorious red-light district. It's subsequently had quite the life. A Chinese cabinetmaker later occupied the site until the 1920s, and it was converted into offices in the 1980s. Monika encountered the building – 'One of the most beautiful in the CBD, and we have a lot,' she explained– purely by chance in 2008. She and Camillo had just finished renovations on their North Balwyn home when a chance left-hand turn driving through the city revealed the 'for sale' sign. 'My husband absolutely hated me for a minute,' she said, 'because we'd just finished this perfect house, and then I went and upended everything again.'
