The Italian Benevolent Foundation of South Australia Incorporated was established in 1974, originally named Adelaide Senior Citizens Village. The aim of the Organisation was to provide residential care supports to the elderly within the Italian Community.
The idea of establishing a retirement village to assist elderly Italo-Australian people was first promoted by Mr. Tony Novello, who was also the President of the Fogolar Furlan Club at Felixstow in South Australia.
The challenge to raise funds to establish an aged care facility was quickly embraced by the South Australian Italian Community and the St. Agnes site was developed under the administration of a board of members comprised of community volunteers and headed by its inaugural Chairman, the late Judge Pasquale Pirone, who provided strong leadership.
The current Chairman is Dr. Carmine De Pasquale, who has served as Chairman of the board since 1976. The Italian Village continues to have the support of the Italian Community, as well as funding support from both the commonwealth and state governments.
The Organisation has expanded and diversified in line with contemporary needs of the ageing Italian community. The core component of the Foundation is care and support services for the Italian Community, however cross culture care are a high priority in today's service delivery and a wider range of services are now available from Community Aged Care Packages, Healthy Lifestyle Rehab.and Dementia Day Care Program, Low Level Hostel, Low Level Dementia Specific Hostel to High Level Nursing Home care.
Today the Organisation is operating from four locations: St. Agnes, Campbelltown, Magill and Burton with the opening of our 80 bed facility at Burton in January 2004. By 2004 there will be a total capacity of 260 beds in both low and high care areas.
The Foundation has taken opportunities over the years to expand and develop, and will continue to provide culturally appropriate quality services to the Community with particular emphasis on the frail aged, their Carers and those suffering from Dementia.
