When Nas Campanella was sent to Bega to take over Tom Oriti's job, neither of them expected the handover to become the beginning of a life together. 

In this episode of The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories, Nas and Tom sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about the early days of their relationship, from nightly drives home and Italian family dinners to the very practical first gift that somehow said everything: a corkscrew. 

They also open up about building a family together, the assumptions people still make about Nas as a blind mother, and why being visible as a family matters. Nas speaks with clarity about internalised ableism, disability and parenting, while Tom reflects on the casual comments and stares, they still encounter in public. 

But this is also a joyful family story. Nas and Tom share the rituals, boundaries and humour that keep their home grounded: less screen time, more music, audiobooks, story time, silliness, emotional language and the kind of love that is said out loud, every day. 

More in this Exclusive story from The Australian Women's Weekly: ABC journalist Nas Campanella introduces baby Lachlan and opens up about coping with other people’s prejudices

Moments you'll hear 

• How a job handover in Bega became the start of a 14-year relationship. 

• The hilarious first gift Tom bought Nas when he realised she might be the one. 

• Why Nas once wondered whether anyone would want to have children with her, and how Tom responded. 

• The everyday ableism Nas and Tom still encounter when people assume Tom speaks for her. 

• Why Nas insists their family is seen out in the world, even during ordinary four-year-old chaos. 

• How Lachie is learning disability awareness, empathy and emotional honesty at home and at daycare. 

• The boundaries Nas and Tom use to protect their relationship, family time and mental load while working in news. 

Thank you for listening ❤️ 

Before you leave... 

🗣️ Get in touch 

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Our special thanks for making 'Love Stories' our home 

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Credits 

Host Tiffany Dunk 

Edited by Phoebe Zukowski-Wallace 

Production by Charlie Potter  

Our wonderful The Australian Women’s Weekly team 

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain 

Learn More: The Australian Women's Weekly Website