CO.AS.IT.’s Visitation Program provides friendly one-to-one visits by volunteers in private home on a weekly basis, or fortnightly in residential aged care facilities. Visits conducted in residential aged care facilities may be provided as either one-to-one visits or as a group activity.

The program was initiated through the leadership of Sir James Gobbo in 1984 and from a simple concept of visiting lonely older Italian speaking individuals has grown to provide friendship and socialisation to many who find themselves socially isolated due to ageing in a non-native country. The program receives funding from the Australian Federal Government. The funding has enabled the program to expand throughout the metropolitan area of Melbourne and regional Victoria in Shepparton.

Referrals to the program are usually made by professionals working in the aged care sector, doctors, social workers, clergy, family members, My Aged Care or by the individual themselves.

The CO.AS.IT. advantage

CO.AS.IT. provides a culturally specific service geared towards addressing the needs of members of the Italian-Australian community. We understand Italian-specific tradition, culture and way of doing things. The individual care plan is guided by the needs and wishes of the person needing socialisation and companionship. All care coordinators have knowledge of the Italian language (and dialects) in order to best facilitate communication and understanding with our clients.

Enquiries and referrals

For further information on the Visitation program and to make a referral, contact CO.AS.IT. on 03 9349 9028 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.