Italian Community Volunteer Awards 2020

The 16th annual Co.As.It (SA) Italian Community Volunteer Awards were held on Friday 13th of November 2020 at the Noel Lothian Hall, Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Although this year’s event was a little different from our usual awards ceremony due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, we were still extremely proud to be able to celebrate and thank all our wonderful volunteers for their support to the Italian Community.

This year’s guest speakers and special attendees included Adriano Stendardo, Consul of Italy, The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, representing Premier of SA, Steven Marshall MP, Assistant Minister to the Premier and Dr Susan Close MP, representing Leader of the Opposition, Peter Malinauskas MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Along with these special guests, the event involved other important members of the multicultural and volunteering community, which demonstrated the value placed on the hard work done by all volunteers over the last year.

In total, 21 volunteers were nominated for awards across 3 categories, a tremendous effort on behalf of the Italian community. The winners of each award category are listed below:

Aged Care Service Award
Rocco and Ann Agostino

Rocco and Ann began volunteering with ANFE in 2011 and currently assist in the Day Care Program and Community Visitors Scheme. As part of the Day Care Program, Rocco drives the transport buses with Ann as his assistant. They both assist in the preparation and serving of food and coffees whilst also connecting socially with clients through group activities, card games and gentle exercises. Italian people in the community benefit greatly from the time and generosity donated by this husband and wife team and Ann and Rocco have always volunteered out of the goodness of their hearts, never expecting a reward for their great work.

Community Service Award
Pasquale Tedesco

Pasquale has volunteered at the Italian Pensioners of Thebarton Social Support group for the past 6 years. He also volunteers for Nonna’s Cucina delivering meals and visits residents at Ananda Aged Care Nursing Home. Pasquale is a dedicated volunteer who assists consumers at Thebarton Seniors Group playing Bocce, Cards, Billiards and Tombola. He deserves to be recognised as he gives his time, skills and energy into volunteering and is always there to help in any way he can.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Silvio Iadarola

Silvio has volunteered for over 20 years for organisations such as CIC, Bene Aged Care, MCCSA, Co.As.It.(SA), Nonna’s Cucina and the Carnevale. He is hands on whether in the kitchen, setting up venues, cleaning up, even driving the bus when needed. He deserves to be recognised for his undying devotion to the Italian elderly and his selfless efforts make a real difference to our community. His friendly and compassionate nature is known and respected by the community. Silvio is humble, he never expects to be recognised, and helping others is who he is.

Co.As.It. (SA) is proud of this year’s nominees and award winners. Their dedication remains a shining example not just for volunteers but for all those who assist the Italian community.

We wish to thank our Co.As.It. (SA) Staff, Board Members and everyone else who helped make the day possible. Co.As. It. (SA) again thanks all volunteers for their tireless work in the community and we look forward to celebrating again next year!