PROFILE

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

PATRON IN CHIEF

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

HONORARY PATRON

Dr. Marco Matacotta Cordella, Consul General of Italy for Victoria and Tasmania

COMMITTEE

Emeritus President and Chairman

Sir James A. Gobbo, AC CVO

President

Ms. Rhonda Barro

Vice Presidents

Mr. Vito Cassisi

Ms. Bruna Pasqua

Prof. Mauro Sandrin

Mr. Vincent Volpe AM

Secretary

Prof. Pasquale Sgrò

Treasurer

Mr Giuseppe Sala

Members

Mr. Sauro Antonelli, AM

Dr. Domenic Barbaro, AM

Hon. Justice Bernard D. Bongiorno AO

Mr. Remo Demicheli

Mr. Ubaldo Larobina AO

Hon. Justice Gaetano (Tony) Pagone

Mr. Giovanni Scomparin, AM

EARLY AIMS AND PRINCIPLES

Aim:

To provide culturally and linguistically 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.