CO.AS.IT A non-profit organisation for Italians and Australians of Italian descent

Profile

AnnualAnnual Report

Brief History

CO.AS.IT. was established in 1967 to provide a range of social welfare services in response to the needs of the Italian migrant settlers in Australia. The headquarters was in Carlton, the suburb many Italians chose to settle in when they first arrived.

The first trained Social Worker was employed in 1968 along with many volunteers. By 1976, through the Grant-in-Aid Scheme, a Welfare Officer, two full-time and two-part time Social Workers were employed. In the years that followed, the expansion of welfare programs included the employment of an Italian Legal Officer, the establishment of several group work programs for women and the appointment of a Youth Worker.

Our activities and experience as a leading Welfare Agency servicing Italian migrants have always been of great interest to Italian Government Officials visiting Australia and a visit to our offices has always been on their Agenda. Australian Federal Ministers, State and Opposition spokespersons and Members of Parliament have also often visited CO.AS.IT. to discuss Government funded programs and to become more acquainted with our activities.

Since 1976, the Governor of Victoria, together with his wife, have been Patrons-In-Chief of CO.AS.IT.

Organisational Profile

Patrons in Chief

Professor David de Kretzer AC, Governor of Victoria and Mrs. Jan de Kretzer

Honorary Patrons:

Dr. Francesco De Conno, Consul General of Italy for Victoria and Tasmania and Mrs. Yukiko De Conno

Emeritus President:

Sir James A. Gobbo, AC CVO

Committee 2008

    President

    Hon. Justice Gaetano (Tony) Pagone

    Vice Presidents

    Ms. Rhonda Barro

    Mr. Vito Cassisi

    Prfo. Mauro Sandrin

    Secretary

    Prof. Vin Massaro

    Members

    Mr. Sauro Antonelli, AM

    Dr. Domenic Barbaro, AM

    The Hon. Justice Bernard Bongiorno

    Dr. Dina Lo Goiudice

    Mr. Michael Montalto

    Ms. Bruna Pasqua

    Mr. Giovanni Scomparin, AM

    Prof. Pasquale Sgro

    Mr. Vincent Volpe, AM

    Mr. Remo Demicheli

Early Aims & Principles

Aim:

The aim of CO.AS.IT. is to provide culturally appropriate services for Italian migrants and their descendants, to enable them to achieve their full potential in the wider Australian society.

General Principles and Guidelines:

  • Where the user of the service does not understand English, the services will be provided by those who speak the user's language.

  • The services should be sensitive to the values and cultural background of those being assisted

  • Each person has a right to a range of basic, universally available support services.

  • The services should be accessible as is practicable

  • Services should complement rather than replace traditional networks of relatives, friends and ethno-specific structures. Services should be developed in such a way that encourages the establishment and strengthening of those networks.

  • Users and potential users should be involved in the planning, development and management of those services.

  • Services should consider the needs of the client in the context of his family and community.

  • Priority in the provision of services should be given to those who are most disadvantaged through economic and social problems and the migration experience.

  • Services should be provided without discrimination in regard to religion, race, sex or political persuasion and physical or other disability.

  • Services should promote understanding of cultural diversity within the community.

  • Services should be based on a commitment to social justice within the community.

Highlights