Italian Community Volunteer Awards 2022

 The 18^th annual Co.As.It. (SA) Italian Community Volunteer Awards were held on Thursday 12^th of May 2022 at The Grand Ballroom, Fulham Gardens. Around 200 attendees enjoyed a long lunch, vibrant music by the band “Friends”, exciting raffle prizes, and the company of our community volunteers.

This year’s guest speakers and special attendees included Adriano Stendardo, Consul of Italy, The Hon. Justin Hanson MLC, The Hon. Jing Lee MP, Shadow Minister for Multicultural SA and Adriana Christopoulos, Chair of the South Australian Multicultural Commission.

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 by all volunteers over the last year.

In total, 20 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:

Winner of the Aged Care Service Award is Maria Corbo

Maria has been a dedicated volunteer for 12 years with CIC, helping with the day-care program 2 times per week, and has also helped with the CIC Fundraising Committee and Carnevale for the past 20 years.  She is great at multitasking, often helping as a bus assistant and also helping with serving meals and assisting participants with their activities in a safe manner.  With a background of working in aged care for 35 years, Maria understands people’s needs and goes out of her way to ensure that they are socially engaging in activities.  She is very concerned with the patrons well-being, doing everything she can to help participants on a practical and emotional level.  With her gentle nature and patience, she knows how to reach out to people with encouragement and comfort.  She is well respected by her colleagues and participants and is a team player.

Winner of the Community Service Award is Paola Matta

Paola has always had a very positive and grateful mindset which is reflective in how she approaches her volunteering work. Paola spent most of her life working for St. Hilarion Aged Care, something she enjoyed so much that she decided to do volunteer work for the organisation outside of her rostered hours.  Paola now volunteers her time at Radio Italiana 531, hosting 3 weekly shows centered around Italian culture, music and sport, which she has done over the past 12 years.  She is also happy to volunteer herself to outside broadcasts for station sponsors as well as Italian festas.  She is dedicated to providing information on issues which pertain to the Italian community and often invites special guests to her show including members of parliament and local councils from Italy to take part in her programs, helping to connect our Italian community to things that are happening in Italy, in real time.  This is vital in maintaining strong connections for our listens with modern Italy.  She has a positive impact on our listeners and always makes herself available in times of need.  Her communication style has been acknowledged as one of the most positive and informative amongst Radio Italiana’s listeners, volunteers and committee members.

Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Pompeo Ranaldo

 Pompeo is the founder of the Campania club and has been a volunteer since its inception at 1975.  He has provided 47 years of service to the club and is currently the Vice President and still volunteers in the bistro, front of house and is the clubs Covid Marshall.  He assists wherever he is needed, including events run by the club as well as bocce and tombola gatherings.  He has a love and passion for community and he shows this through his involvement at the club, ensuring everyone is welcomed and happy.  He volunteers his architectural skills in times of renovations to the club and his support and commitment are unwavering.

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.

On behalf of Co.As.It. (SA) we would like to give a huge thank you to all of our raffle prize sponsors on the day, Radio Italiana 531 FM and Radio Italia Uno Adelaide 87.6 FM for broadcasting live, our special guests and the Grand Ballroom.

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) will continue to express its gratitude for the service given by all volunteers, as they are the heartbeat of our community. We look forward to celebrating again next year!