Thanks to the hospitality of the Lions Club, the group had the opportunity to visit The Parliament of Victoria.
Accompanied by staff members from the well-known Melbourne community organisation and guided by a parliamentary official, the visitors explored the building’s history and gained detailed insights into parliamentary procedures in both chambers of the state’s legislative assembly.
The visit was made possible through the initiative of Vincenzo Pappalardo, a case manager at Co.As.It. with extensive experience in aged care and the kind support of parliamentarian Melina Bath.
Bath represents the Eastern Victoria region and is a member of the Lions Club.
The visit was also possible thanks to the backing from the parliamentary group Friends of Italy, represented by co-chair Jade Benham.
The day began with a moment of camaraderie between the two parliamentarians and the Co.As.It. delegation, during which personal stories and experiences were shared.
Their discussions also centred on the Italian community’s contributions to the state’s growth and well-being.
Expressing Co.As.It.’s deep gratitude to the Lions Club, parliamentarian Melina Bath and Co.As.It. CEO Marco Fedi, who also supported the initiative, Pappalardo emphasised how occasions like these serve as a “bridge to strengthen cooperation and foster a deeper connection between Victoria’s Italian community and state institutions”.
“Today’s visit is more than a tour; it’s an appreciation, an expression of respect for our Italian community that emigrated here in the 1950s and 1960s, bringing with them a history, culture, traditions and, above all, a strong work ethic.
“It’s also recognition of the work Co.As.It. does to assist the community, which is highly valued by both the Lions Club and Victorian institutions.”
This recognition was echoed by parliamentarian Melina Bath, who highlighted the incredible contribution the Italian community has made to the culture and well-being of Victoria’s regional areas through their work.
“I grew up among the Italian community; many of my schoolmates were Italian,” Bath shared.
“I believe it’s very important to respect the history, culture and investment that so many people who came to Australia made to build the rich social fabric of this nation.”
