This year, Co.As.It.’s Christmas celebration was not just a party, but an opportunity to celebrate volunteers and employees, those who, with passion and hard work, continue to commit themselves to the Italian community, especially the elderly.

It was also the time for the presentation of the annual medals, those that honoured people in various capacities, including Pino Musso, the late president of Comites who passed away last year.

Before the award ceremony, entrusted to the Sydney Consul General, Andrea De Felip, Thomas Camporeale, Director General of Co.As.It. who also runs the bilingual school, wanted to review what the Italian organisation has done, not only over the past year, but over its decades of activity in which it has made “an enormous difference in people's lives.”

"We provide services that enable the elderly to remain independent and live safely in the community. We run social support groups that ensure that they have the opportunity to interact with other Italians. We run a number of counselling, advocacy, employment and support programs. We run various educational programs and teach Italian to over 6,000 children and adults. Scuola Italiana Bilingue continues to shine as an example of excellence. There is no greater reward than listening to our students, many of whom are not of Italian origin, express themselves in two languages," Camporeale continued, thanking all the staff and volunteers.

"It is a privilege to work with such a dedicated and passionate group of people. It is you, our staff and volunteers, who inspire me to do my job, and I hope my leadership meets the same standard you set. And when it does not, please tell me."

Words of praise for the work of Co.As.It. and all those who voluntarily assist the Italian elderly also came from the organisation's president Lorenzo Fazzini and from Consul De Felip who, after his introductory speech and thanks to the organisation, was the protagonist of the most important moment of the evening: the presentation of the annual medals, a tradition that this year celebrated 30 years of history, having been established back in 1992.

The first to receive the coveted award from the hands of Consul De Felip was Alfred (Onofrio) Scognamiglio, an 89-year-old musician who brings joy to the Co.As.It. guests and other volunteers with his music. Playing mandolin and singing, Alfred performs the classical repertoire of his homeland, Naples.

It was then Alfredo Bovier’s turn, a restaurateur who has been involved in social work for years, in particular by organising events to raise funds for worthy causes.

The third medal delivered by Consul De Felip was the one that most moved the entire room and Director Camporeale himself, who couldn’t hide his emotion when he presented the winner: Pino Musso, former president of the New South Wales Comites who has held many prestigious roles, including that of INAPA patronage coordinator. Collecting the award was his wife, Enza Musso.

The last medal went to Linda Restuccia. A member of the Co.As.It. board of directors, who has worked in various capacities in the organisation since 1979. To her we owe, among other things, an enormous contribution to the opening of the bilingual school and the after-school Italian course. The last official moment of the evening was the presentation of certificates of merit to Co.As.It employees who, according to their years of commitment to the organisation, received recognition for their work. They were presented with their awards by Consul De Felip and Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.

Also present at the evening, among the various authorities, were the new director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Sydney, Paolo Barlera, NSW State MP John Sidoti, Comites president Luigi Di Martino, former president Pino Migliorino, and Italian Chamber of Commerce in Sydney president Fabio Grassia.