Around 300 members of pensioner groups from Nunawading-Box Hill, Waverley, Carlton, Shepparton, Rosanna-Macleod and Werribee participated in the trip.

Special guests included: the Consul General of Italy to Melbourne, D. Lorenzo Longo, and his wife; managing director of the North East Victoria Tourism Board, Malcolm McKenzie; coordinator of the same board, Kay Rigg; head of marketing for the passenger transport, Graeme Currie; and the mayor of Alexandra, Worrall Jones, who welcomed the visitors to the area.

 Others present included members of the Vincenzo Bellini band and a number of journalists and photographers.

The trip was organised by CO.AS.IT.’s aged care services department, led by Frank Di Blasi, who was accompanied by his family on the day.

He collaborated with Anna Cociancich and Lucy Midolo from the same department to make the day possible.

The tourists were pleasantly surprised by a group of students from the local primary school, who sang cheerful songs for them at the Eildon Community Centre, taking turns with the Vincenzo Bellini band.

The convoy of nine coaches left in the late afternoon, after the pensioners had enjoyed a delicious meal and a dance.

They also soaked up the splendour of the lake and took a detour to see some deer in the private nature reserve.

More than 2500 members from around 50 pensioner groups belonging to the Associazione dei Circoli Pensionati Italiani del Victoria have taken part in the day trips program.

The destinations visited have all boasted a rich history and natural beauty.

They include Bendigo-Sandhurst, Beechworth, Ballarat-Stoney Rises, Lake Eildon, Wangaratta, Yarrawonga and Echuca.

During each trip, the participating pensioners were given information in Italian about the history of the location.

Di Blasi said he was happy with the program’s success.

“Thanks to the response of participants, and the collaboration of local and state government authorities and the 52 pensioner groups involved, the program has exceeded our expectations,” he said.

“The participants enjoy these trips as they have a passion for travelling and exploring new places.

“So much so, that many of the groups have begun organising similar trips on their own.

“That’s our end goal: to give pensioners a hand and help them become independent and capable of organising themselves.”