Embracing and supporting our multi-cultural community

ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 2012

The flowers I draw are a symbol of love.

The bird is a symbol for freedom. The heart with the flag in it

is a symbol of my love for Australia

© Ramazan Ali Jaffari

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A SNAPSHOT OF 2011-2012

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2012 ANNUAL REPORT

CONTENTS PAGE

Agenda 4

Guest Speaker – Amanda Paxton Bio 5

Board of Management 6

Staff 7

President’s Report 8

Executive Officer’s Report 10

Treasurer’s Report 14

Financial Performance 15

HSS Project Report 31

SGP Project Report 33

HACC and PAG Project Report 35

RAP Project Report 40

Playgroup Project Report 42

ACFE Project Report 45

Artist Profile – Jaffari Ali Ramazan 46

Minutes of 2011 AGM 47

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

THURSDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2012

5.00 PM TO 7.00 PM

LOCATION: 38-40 MADDEN AVENUE, MILDURA

AGENDA

WELCOME

GUEST SPEAKER: AMANDA PAXTON – STATE DIRECTOR,

DEPT OF IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP VICTORIA

APOLOGIES

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – HELD NOVEMBER 30, 2011

REPORTS:

PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

TREASURER

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

ELECTION OF BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

GENERAL BUSINESS

RECOMMENDATION: THAT THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION BE INCREASED

FROM

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP $10.00 TO $20.00

GROUP MEMBERSHIP $30.00 TO $ 60.00

MOVED ………………………………SECONDED ……………………………CARRIED

MEETING CLOSE

JOIN US FOR LIGHT REFRESHMENTS whilst enjoying some entertainment

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BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

PRESIDENT

Peter Byrne

VICE PRESIDENT

Gary Pearse

TREASURER/PUBLIC OFFICER

Peter Hartmann

SECRETARY

Joven Estacio

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Sisilia Puku

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Theresa Ketting

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Dean Wickham

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SUNRAYSIA MALLEE ETHNIC

COMMUNITIES COUNCIL INC

STAFF 2011- 2012

L-R

Back row: Dean Wickham (Executive Officer), Lawrence Mona (Business Manager), Elfrida Chagellis(PAG), Alison Fraser (SGP) Front Row:Joselyne Ntahomvukiye (RAP), Jean Reed (Play Group), Juvelina Guterres (Play Group),

Colleen Tarrant (HSS), Pamela Liddicoat (HACC), Nergus Zahidi (Administration) and Abdul Rezaei(HSS Community Guide)

Absent: Kate Cotching (RAP), Jamuna Jackson (HSS Community Guide), Freshta Mahsoomi

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Redgina Balchin

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Over the frontage of this building there is a

large map of Australia. If you look closely at it,

you will see it is composed, in the form of 62

other maps. They are the countries which

have communities living in Mildura. This place

is now one of the most culturally diverse

Provincial Cities in Australia. Near the stylised

map you will see the words” We are one, we

are many. In diversity is strength. We are

proud of our multicultural community.”

Those maps and those words tell anyone who

sees them what Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic

Communities Council Inc. (SMECC) is all

about. Our mission statement, and every

organisation seems to have one these days, is “Embracing and supporting our

multicultural community”. In our case the mission statement has real meaning and

our Board and staff do embrace the concept of cultural diversity, and the staff in

particular do spend their working days supporting the newcomers who live here.

The board and the staff of SMECC are a microcosm of the general Mildura

community. The board includes a member born in Tonga, one of Maori and another

of Fijian extraction, a dual Irish Australian national and members of Welsh and

German background. The staff of fifteen includes people born in East Timor,

Afghanistan, Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Burundi and Greece as well as

Australia.

The annual report tells you what our staff spend their working week doing. It takes a

certain type of person to work in this environment, and I congratulate our staff for

their dedication, expertise and sheer hard work.

Apart from newcomers who arrive in Mildura under their own steam to live and work,

we continue to settle refugees under the auspices of the Department of Immigration

and Citizenship. Currently we rent eleven accommodation units for them, and have

recently purchased a large house to cope with the numbers. We are very pleased to

take part in this nation building work, which fits perfectly with those words over the

entrance to this building “In Diversity is Strength.”

Let me tell you a story about a bloke who brought his wife and five children to

Mildura to live. He and his family are from South Sudan; he is about seven feet tall,

and very visible. His brother was killed in Melbourne in a racially motivated attack.

After a meeting a couple of years ago I asked him why he had chosen Mildura. He

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told me that he wanted to find a place where his family could live in peace. He had

heard about Mildura, so came on his own to have a look at the place. He said “I was

walking down the mall when I saw a local man walking towards me. When he got

level with me he turned to me, smiled, and said “G’day Mate!” Like you are doing

now, I waited for the rest of the story, but there was no more story to it. A simple

smile and a “G’day Mate” was enough to convince this multi lingual university

educated African man to bring his family to settle here. So the answer to the

question ‘why do people from all over the world come to live in Mildura?’ is partially

that they feel welcomed.

Australia is a multicultural nation. Since the end of the Second World War in 1945,

seven million people have migrated to Australia. As a result, today, one in four

Australians, of our population of twenty two million, were born overseas - five and a

half million overseas born Australians in fact. Forty four per cent of Australians, more

than nine million, were either born overseas or have one or both parents born

overseas. Apart from the antics of a few troglodytes, the system is working very well.

I reckon we‘re privileged to be living in this vibrant multicultural provincial city in the

twenty first century. WE ARE ONE, WE ARE MANY. We are proud of our

multicultural community. In DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH.

All Artwork in this publication has been used with permission of the Artist © Ramazan Ali Jaffari

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT

As the Executive Officer of SMECC, I have

the privilege of working with culturally and

linguistically diverse people every day.

The role of SMECC as a service provider,

facilitator and advocate makes for vibrant

and challenging work. We at SMECC are

acutely aware of the need to enhance service

provision to Culturally and Linguistically

Diverse (CALD) communities within the

Sunraysia/Northern Mallee Region and lead

the charge with pride.

I thank our program partners;

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development; Department of Immigration & Citizenship; Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship; Department of Health; Department of Health and Ageing; Mildura Rural City Council; Adult Migrant Education Services (AMES); Learn Local - Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE); Robinvale Network House; and Davison Ford. SMECC core programs: Settlement Grants Programme (SGP):

The aim of the SGP is to deliver services which assist eligible clients to become self-reliant and participate equitably in Australian society as soon as possible after arrival. The SGP target group comprises permanent residents who have arrived in Australia during the last five years as:

humanitarian entrants family stream migrants with low levels of English proficiency dependants of skilled migrants in rural and regional areas with low English

proficiency.

Select temporary residents (Prospective Marriage, Provisional Partner, Provisional Spouse and Provisional Interdependency visa holders and their dependants) in rural and regional areas who have arrived in Australia during the last five years and who have low English proficiency also fall within the target group. http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/settlement-grants/

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Under the SGP program SMECC Staff work in partnership with local service providers on local planning tables advocating on behalf of the SGP cohort and as a direct linkage point to individuals and groups.

Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS):

The Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) program assists humanitarian clients in their early settlement period in Australia. HSS replaces the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (or IHSS) and like its predecessor, HSS provides a suite of services delivered through a coordinated case management model.

In supporting humanitarian clients to begin their new lives, the HSS program focuses on capacity building; building clients' confidence and ability to participate economically and socially in the wider Australian community; and equips them with the knowledge and skills they will need to access services in the future. Support through the HSS is tailored to individual client needs, including the specific needs of young people http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/government-programs/settlement-programs/hss.htm

The SMECC HSS team consists of a Case Manager and two Community Guides; the Community Guides assist new arrivals through orientation which begins immediately on arrival to Mildura.

This team works closely with SuniTAFE, Sunraysia Community Health Services, local schools, Mildura English Language Centre, Department of Human Services, TriStar Medical, Mallee Family Care and Mildura Rural City Council.

Refugee Action Program (RAP):

The Refugee Action Program (RAP) supports local community-based partnerships

between service agencies and communities from a refugee background to identify

local issues and concerns and plan tailored, community-owned responses. The

Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship currently provides funding to ten

organisations to deliver the Refugee Action Program across metropolitan Melbourne

and in regional Victoria. http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/projects-and-

initiatives/supporting-refugees/refugee-action-program

SMECC works with the Burundian, Hazara and Sudanese communities to address

local issues. The RAP program partners include Mildura English language Centre,

ABC Open, Sustainable Sunraysia Festival, Mallee Human Rights Collective and

LEAP.

Home and Community Care (HACC):

The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program provides funding for services which support frail older people, younger people with disabilities and their carers. These services provide basic support and maintenance to people living at home and whose capacity for independent living is at risk, or who are at risk of premature or inappropriate admission to long-term residential care. http://www.health.vic.gov.au/hacc/

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SMECC HACC staff work across the local service system in an advisory, advocacy

and linkage/ facilitator role. Internally this program supports the HSS, SGP and

Playgroups.

Adult Community Further Education/Learn Local (ACFE):

Learn Local organisations provide a unique, community-based context for learning. They have a genuine focus on the individual needs of learners and the flexibility to meet their learning requirements. For this reason Learn Local is particularly suited to meeting the needs of adult learners of all ages who wish to undertake programs that assist them to gain qualifications and employment. Programs are designed to be flexible to meet learners’ needs and support them to return to study, improve their literacy and numeracy skills, gain a qualification, broaden their employment options and learn new skills. http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/Pages/learnlocal-ACFE/about-acfe.aspx

SMECC ACFE/Learn Local program delivers foundation English as a Second

language (ESL) classes focusing on OH&S, Civics and foundation English. We

currently employ two trainers of Hazara and Burundian backgrounds to cater directly

to these communities and one volunteer delivering our civics class. The focus of the

classes was developed with direct input from the community attending these classes.

Our classes currently run in the SMECC hub and in the Mildura Library, of which we

have mixed, male only and female only classes.

Harmony and Rhythm and Rhyme Playgroup:

SMECC playgroups are designed to pathway children and parents into mainstream

service provision while focusing on information provision, referral and early

intervention.

Harmony Playgroup is held each Monday during the school term, this playgroup is

hosted by Kathleen Kelly Kindergarten at 45 Lemon Ave Mildura. Rhythm and

Rhyme Playgroup is funded through the SPPI program under Best Start.

Best Start is a Victorian government early years initiative. It supports families,

caregivers and communities to provide the best possible environment, experiences

and care for young children in the important years from pregnancy to school. Best

Start aims to improve the health, development, learning and wellbeing of all Victorian

children (0-8 years). It supports communities, parents and service providers to

improve universal early years services so they are responsive to local needs. It has a

strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention.

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ecsmanagement/beststart/

On average our playgroups are attended by 12 children and their parents on a

weekly basis.

Volunteer Supervised Driving Program.

This program offers low cost driving practice to CALD community members.

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This program is supported by Davison Ford through the donation of a vehicle and

volunteer supervisors are recruited from the community, through friends and family

networks to provide on road driving practice under the supervision of a fully licensed

driver.

A further add on to the program is the Passport to Drive Program in partnership with

Transport Connections Program and Road Safe Mildura. Under this partnership

mentors will be trained using the Road Safe developed training program to further

build sustainability and capacity within community.

In conclusion I would like to thank the talented, passionate and hardworking staff of

SMECC, the board for their support and guidance, our Ethnic Community groups,

partner service providers and key stakeholders.

I would also like to acknowledge Dr Bev Biggs, TriStar Medical – Dr Mehdi, Ethnic

Communities Council Victoria, Settlement Council of Australia and Refugee Council

of Australia for their support of Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council and

the sector.

My thanks also to the Sunraysia Daily for their support; in particular Graeme O’Neill

who writes articles featuring locals of CALD backgrounds under the banner titled The

Newcomers. I look forward to this continuing.

Acknowledging and building capacity within our community is the focus of all

SMECC programs.

In Diversity is Strength.

Dean Aqo Wickham.

© Ramazan Ali Jaffari

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TREASURER’S REPORT

The Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities

Council continues to go from strength to

strength. The result for the 9 months to June

2012 shows a surplus of funds of $116,915 as

opposed to $129,169 for the preceding 12

months.

As noted in the Accounts, the reported financial

statements at last year’s AGM needed revision.

The explanation of our Auditors as to the error

is noted in the Note 2 of the financial

statements.

The financial position of the SMECC has never

been better with the Council improving its net

assets position to $645,657 – up 22% on last year. The Council has significant cash

reserves and is looking at opportunities to invest in infrastructure to help the CALD

communities in the region thrive.

The highlight if the report is the Residential House in San Mateo Ave that the Council

has acquired. Whilst the property has significant debt, it is a great investment in the

CALD community and has made the transition of new arrivals to the region easier for

all concerned.

Overall, the financial result is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work that

Dean and his staff do week in, week out.

© Ramazan Ali Jaffari

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HUMANITARIAN SETTLEMENT SERVICES

REPORT

CASE MANAGER: Colleen Tarrant

It has been an interesting 12 months with

around 179 clients coming from detention

centres and refugee camps, also with the

addition of the release of bridging visas E’S

arriving from the countries of Sri Lanka, Iraq,

Iran and Afghanistan. Unfortunately we

cannot assist the bridging visa E’s until they

get their Permanent residence. It still

remains busy with transfers from cities and

regional towns around Australia.

SMECC staff have ongoing partnerships with all service providers around Sunraysia.

We take clients to be registered with banks, Centrelink, Medicare, TAFE, attend

health appointments, find housing and get them settled.

Also we have done many orientation sessions, covering welcome to Australia,

money and budgets, working within Australia, working with Centrelink, children,

education and health sessions, and general Australian customs.

We hold ongoing meetings with local service providers bi-monthly, to discuss any

issues or ideas to assist refugees in the area. Most of the time we have a

representative from AMES or DIAC attend these meetings, so they are very

worthwhile. From these meetings came a discussion of the need of a refugee health

nurse. Sunraysia Community health services obtained a nurse for 3 days per week in

this position, and we have a close working partnership.

We have had many bus outings to various places, to show the clients their

surroundings also to give them access to employment, with trips to Colignan Farm-

where 4 clients gained employment, Stefano’s restaurant - 3 clients employed, trips

to field days, Lock 11, Mildura base hospital, Tri-Star medical group, schools,

libraries, Round Again and Bollywood movie nights. There was also a day out at

kings Billabong where an Aboriginal elder

from Parks Australia spoke to the clients.

We still have currently 60 clients within the

HSS program and have more arriving.

We rent an 11 room ex motel that has two

beds in each room that we have as our

STA.

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In April this year SMECC purchased a large 4

bedroom home on San Mateo Avenue.

This is all achieved with the HSS team consisting of

the Case manager and 2x .3 community guides.

The HSS team all

agree this is a

rewarding position

we hold at SMECC, and

we are happy to keep assisting these clients to

become Australian citizens.

COMMUNITY GUIDE Abdul Rezaei

Absent: Jamuna Jackson

© Ramazan Ali Jaffari

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SETTLEMENT GRANTS PROGRAM

REPORT

CASE MANAGER: Alison Fraser

The 2011-2012 work plan for the Settlement

Grants Program (SGP) incorporated the broader

service types of Orientation to Australia and

Participation in Australia; specifically the needs

addressed were- Front Counter (referral )

services; casework; group information sessions

- Living in Australia, information sessions; Living

in Australia workshops - multi - session

information sessions; Participation in Australian

Society - Cultural Kitchen; Community advocacy - Network Meetings.

The first quarter of 2011 showed some limitations in engagement of clients due to

the orientation of a new SGP project worker. However front counter

services/referrals, casework and advocacy were recorded during this time.

The second quarter of 2011 highlighted regular referrals to mainstream service

providers for clients. Casework focused mostly on accommodation, employment,

financial issues, all short term. Advocacy was also a focus. This pattern was

reflected for casework over the whole of the SGP funding period.

There were six activities under Living in Australia - Information Sessions throughout

the year. These were an information session for Afghan women on their human

rights; an information session on family violence attended by the South Sudanese

community; an information session on Internet Safety attended by the South

Sudanese Community; Meet the Children’s Nurse sessions where clients, mostly

Burundian and South Sudanese, could learn about Maternal and Child Health

Services; two Netball Come and Try days attended by the South Sudanese

community; and a Basic First Aid session attended by the Burundian community.

Living in Australia - workshops provided three sessions throughout the year. These

were First Aid attended by the Afghan community, a Positive Parenting Program

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attended by the South Sudanese women, and a Learn to Swim program for Afghan

men.

There was a very successful Cultural Kitchen attended by the

South Sudanese women over a four week period. This time

frame allowed the women to relax, enjoy themselves, and gain

valuable skills such as gaining their Food Handlers

Certificates. The women also had one session where they

invited staff from MRCC to share their cooking with them,

which was terrific fun.

The SGP project worker also represented the refugee client groups throughout the

year through advocacy and network meetings with organisations such as Mildura

Rural City Council, Sunraysia Community Health Services, Maternal and Child

Health Services, and Northern Mallee Primary Care Partnership. There was also

participation in the Mall. Human Rights Collective and collaboration between

Sunraysia Daily and SMECC of a series of news articles highlighting refugee

communities.

© Ramazan Ali Jaffari

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HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE

REPORT

CASE MANAGER: Pamela Liddicoat

Ethno- Generic Home and Community Care

This annual report provides an overview in the Mildura, Robinvale & Swan Hill areas in the area of Home and Community Care (HACC)

Background:

The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program supports frail, older people, younger people with disabilities and their carers to be more independent at home and in the community, thereby preventing their inappropriate admission to long term residential care and enhancing their quality of life through access to HACC care services. This is done through information sessions to community groups and to individuals via home visits so as to learn about any barriers that exist within the communities that prevent the access to mainstream services and in turn pass on to service providers and assist to overcome them. Report: 2012 has been very busy year beginning with all the Ethnic Senior groups reconvening after the Christmas break. Throughout the year assistance is given to all these groups with funding applications to help their groups to provide special cultural events to enhance their member’s quality of life & to showcase their culture to other communities, empowering individuals as well as their community. Information sessions are a large part of introducing ethnic communities to local services within their own municipality to increase their awareness of services available so informed choices can be made when and if individuals require a service to suit their needs.

These sessions included information on the Active Service Model approach to HACC services promoting “doing with” instead of “doing for” the client, Alzheimer’s Vic project officer from Swan Hill informed the Italian & Turkish groups about Dementia with great success.

Many home visits are made to individual clients that identify they may need a service and require assistance to approach the service provider themselves, or a referral made on their behalf to the appropriate provider.

I have attended many cultural events at the invitation of the different groups

(including the newer/emerging groups) to learn & increase my knowledge of their

cultures and any issues they have to pass on to service providers to assist them to

provide culturally appropriate services.

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Cultural events attended included Philippine, Greek, Croatian, Sudanese, Afghan,

Italian, Turkish, Samoan and Indian.

I am looking forward to 2013 where my role will take on an access & support role,

renewing and enhancing existing partnerships with Service Providers to open up

pathways to access and empowerment of the Ethnic Communities when the need for

services arises.

PLANNED ACTIVITY GROUP (HACC) REPORT

PROJECT OFFICER: Elfrida Chagellis

Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council’s Planned Activity Group (PAG) program aims to maintain an older and/or disabled individual's ability to live at home and in the community, by providing a planned program of structured activities. PAG provides an opportunity for our isolated clients to connect with other people and they receive encouragement and support in participating with activities and forming friendships.

It can give the clients a sense of belonging in a safe environment where they can improve quality of life and they are treated with respect and dignity. Activities and outings are designed or modified to suit the needs, abilities and desires of group members

The activities are aimed at enhancing the skills required for daily living and providing physical, intellectual, emotional and social stimulation. They also provide opportunities for social interaction as well as respite and support for carers.

The PAGs are held every fortnight and include the Mildura and Robinvale areas. The total PAG hours for this reporting period are approximately 2620 hours.

We have recently introduced craft classes to our groups as it is enhancing their lives by providing new skills and creating new craft. It is a new thing for them to learn as it has not been a part of their lives as they have been extremely busy raising families and working hard all their lives. They have embraced the lessons and are proud of their creations.

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We are currently creating an International Cook Book where all the clients are encouraged to provide their recipes which I personalise for them by adding photos and country flags. There has been a lot of positive feedback from their clients with the grandchildren assisting with the decorating and suggesting recipes for their grandparents to put in.

IOLANDA AND FRED’S RECIPE

ANISE BISCUITS Ingredients

50 grams diced Almonds 100 grams glazed cherries

4 oz. butter 3 eggs

1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

2 teaspoons ground star anise

Approximately 2 ¼ cups self-raising flour (till it forms a soft dough)

Preparation method

Heat oven to 200 degrees

Beat the eggs, butter, sugar, vanilla essence, star anise, nuts, cherries and flour.

Mix well and knead. Roll into logs and bake in oven for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and cut into 1 cm thin slices.

Put back on baking tray and lower the oven temperature to 100 degrees. Place back

in oven long enough to brown on both sides and look like toast. Cool and store in

airtight container.

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ROSA’S FAVOURITE RECIPES

ITALIAN MACARONI PIE

Ingredients

Cooked macaroni Cold bolognaise mince sauce

Sliced tomatoes Sliced onion

Small pieces of butter Bread crumbs and salt and pepper

Method

Place layers of cooked macaroni, cold bolognaise meat sauce, sliced raw tomato and onion, salt and pepper in a pie dish till full.

Leave the last layer as macaroni. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and small pieces of butter and bake in the oven til nice and brown.

CRUMBED TOMATOES

Ingredients

Large tomatoes (cut in half) Small pieces of butter

Soft bread crumbs Salt and pepper

Method

Pre heat oven to 160 degrees

Place tomato halves in a dish, cover with soft bread crumbs, salt and pepper and top with butter (parmesan cheese and parsley can be added as well)

Bake in oven till tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.

Serve on toast for breakfast or with mashed potatoes.

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2012 FESTIVAL OF OLIVES

We were successful in holding the Festival of

Olives on 5th of May 2012. We were featured in

the Qantas Air In-flight Magazine and numerous

magazines, internet sites and newspapers and

received a lot of positive coverage Nation-wide.

We were

privileged to

have the

Victorian

Minister of

Multi-Cultural Affairs Mr Nickolas Kotsiras open

the Festival and he was very impressed with the

day. We had George Kapiniaris and the Greek

Lyceum Dancers from Adelaide perform.

Over 1000 people attended and we have already received a substantial Grant from

the Mildura Rural City Council for 2013. They are also assisting us promote the

Festival to Olive Oil Industries.

We will be calling the 2013 Festival ‘KEFI’ which

is a Greek word meaning the spirit of joy, passion,

enthusiasm, high

spirits and frenzy.

We have already

made a lot of

plans for more

activities and

special guests to perform and we will be seeking

corporate sponsorships and contributions.

We now have our Mascot for 2013 and she will

provide a lot of fun and advertising opportunities.

She is a Greek model who has migrated to live

permanently in Australia.

KEFI FESTIVAL OF OLIVES MASCOT

2013 Karla Mata the Olive

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REFUGEE ACTION PROGRAM REPORT

PROJECT OFFICER: Kate Cotching

Main Achievements

Knowledge of community groups

The increasing knowledge of the refugee

communities has been one of the main

achievements with the RAP to date. Knowledge of

community groups means that English classes are

able to be filled and programs and information

sessions are appropriate and delivered as well as

possible.

Public outcomes

Over the past year there have been a number of public outcomes that have been

part of the RAP, some of these were conducted in collaboration with the SGP Case

Manager. The Human Rights Festival in November 2011 was a great success and

done in collaboration with SGP, and other organisations in Mildura. A number of

small groups and individuals participated in local markets selling handmade items

and doing Henna tattoos and hair extensions for a small fee. A group of women

from the South Sudanese community participated in the Sustainable Sunraysia

Festival by holding a food stall. The women were able to share their culture as well

as earn extra money.

With support from the RAP the South Sudanese Community held a public event in

the Langtree Mall to celebrate the first anniversary of their independence. They

cooked traditional food that people could try for free. Other community groups also

contributed to this event through singing, dancing

and a very appropriate welcome to country by an

indigenous elder. An art exhibition of artwork by a

Hazara artist has been held in the corridor at

SMECC. The exhibition is a great opportunity to

raise public awareness of the issues people face in

Afghanistan, in Australian detention centres and at

the same time has a strong message of hope for a

brighter future in Australia. The RAP also engaged

ABC open to train four individuals in using a digital

Camera to make short films so they can tell their stories.

Programs

A number of information sessions for refugee communities were held by local and

visiting organisations as part of the Rights and Responsibilities program. These

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include the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship delivering sessions on

democracy and participation, the Victoria police regarding the role of the police in

Australia, the Sherriff’s office on fines and infringement notices, and the Victorian

Equal Opportunity Commission on Human Rights.

A homework group started in February this year with support from MELC. The

program engages a number of volunteer tutors and was initially aimed at early high

school students. The program started at the SMECC office and provided some

snack food for the students upon arrival. Six students were engaged in the group

over the first semester with an average of four students attending each week. At the

beginning of second semester the group moved to the library due to its closer

proximity to the high schools and a more studious environment. The group was also

opened up to students of other ages and now involves up to ten students from late

primary school through to VCE. The program has been challenging in terms of

consistently engaging students (numbers) and the way in which they are engaged

during the homework group (ensuring the students are focused on academic

activity).

The jobs club has only recently started and was a response to the number of people

that came into the office asking us to find them a job and having little awareness of

the processes ordinary people need to go through in order to find employment. The

jobs club is an evolving fortnightly program responding to clients’ needs. So far both

sessions have focused on giving explanations of the kinds of work that is available,

terminology (eg casual, part time, and contract work) and the advantages and

disadvantages of taking part time or casual employment. There has been a strong

focus on the responsibility that individuals have in finding their own work and in

requesting help from their employment service providers.

Women’s swimming classes, a 10 week swimming program for

women only was held at Mazini’s swimming centre involving

about 10 participants.

Bus trips

Five Sunday bus trips were organised

for Afghan women and their families, taking them to places

that would ordinarily have been inaccessible to them, for

example the Perry Sand Hills, Kings billabong and

Woodsies gem shop. The women bought their own food

and enjoyed an afternoon of socialising, getting a better

understanding of the area they live in. The issue with the bus trip is staffing/ duty of

care, also there is always a cap on the number of participants due to the limitations

of the bus. After the last bus trip there was discussion around getting to places by

public bus instead.

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HARMONY PLAYGROUP AND

RHYTHM & RHYME PLAYGROUP

REPORT

CO ORDINATOR: Juvelina Guterres

ASSISTANT: Jean Reed

Harmony Playgroup

Harmony playgroup is designed for

CALD families with young children

isolated by

language and

cultural barriers.

By participating in playgroup the

children and parents can learn

new skills, build confidence and

make friends. An added benefit

is that families can access other

services through the centre and

develop support networks.

Rhythm & Rhyme Playgroup

Rhythm and Rhyme playgroup is supported playgroup for

newly arrived families to practise and engage in speaking

/singing in English so as

to build their self-esteem

and confidence to

eventually take English classes and for children

to interact at their future schooling e.g. Kinder,

Childcare, primary school plus socially.

It has been a great experience to participate

with family and children from CALD

background. Playgroup has four terms; each

term there is a break up party or excursion.

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Through playgroup families have been introduced

to other services such as Kindergarten, child care

and school with the assistance of the coordinator. It

has been for the past year very challenging but it is

also very rewarding.

Successful outcomes are:

Number of children and families has increased

A few families have been enrolled at kindergarten

Families are attending each week

Parents and children are gaining confidence

Children are performing in front of community leaders and parents

Parents and children are gaining more social skills through playgroup

Children and family are introduced to a visiting animal zoo at Mildura art

centre

Introduced children and family in how to prepare food

Basic language acquisition. Both parents and children are much improved

(especially non English speaking background)

Parents have developed their parenting and personal skills through their

participation at playgroup

Children are learning to play much better together, developing really social

skills such as sharing, waiting their turn and showing concern for other

children

Parents are engaging more with each other in playgroup sessions or outside

sessions.

Parents with similar situations and background support each other.

Challenges

Because they are new to the country it takes a while to get used to the routine

and procedures

Lack of confidence

Language and culture barriers

Parenting skills

Note for future plans

Possibility of providing triple P (Positive parenting program)

Guest Speakers (Story teller from the local library and music player)

Plan event such as excursions or community events

MCH Nurse

Continued provision of active play and smile for miles program into playgroup.

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As coordinator coming from a similar background, I can understand the challenges

especially coming to a new country. I am grateful and thankful to be in a position

where I am able to provide the assistance that the families and children need.

©Ramazan Ali Jaffari

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ACFE CLASSES

OH&S English Class for the CALD Community

CALD Program for Occupation Health and Safety literacy as part of English

class

This program is designed to assist students from a CALD background to understand

the meaning of English words by translating them into their own language, and to

identify things using the same word in their own language.

Students attend English classes at SMECC on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays.

Students get an opportunity to learn how to use a computer, identify parts of body,

make an appointment to see a doctor, etc. Students learn to read the different signs

posted along the streets and on shop fronts.

In the workplace they can read signs that have different coloured pictures and words

plus their meaning: for example

means where to assemble in an emergency, how to read a watch

and a calendar.

They develop an understanding of why people wear safety clothing at many

workplaces and the words you could use when you give someone directions to go to

places. This was learned through group activities and individual exercises.

ESL TRAINER

Joselyne Ntahomvukiye

ESL TRAINER

Freshta Mahsoomi

©Ramazan Ali Jaffari

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©Ramazan Ali Jaffari

Ali’s artwork will be on display at the Mildura Arts Centre later this year.

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MINUTES OF THE 2011 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council Inc

38-40 Madden Avenue

NOVEMBER 30, 2011

Present

Chairperson: Peter Byrne

Guests: CR Nick Cavallo MRCC – Multicultural Affairs

Apologies: John Arnold, Mayor – MRCC

Guest Speaker: Kylie El-Shiekh – Tristar Medical Group

Minutes of last AGM

Motion: That the minutes of the Last Annual General Meeting be accepted as true

and correct.

Moved Aurora Lattore seconded: Phillomina Calderalli) carried

(Bochii Club) (senior Citizens

Chairperson’s Report (Peter Byrne): 2011 as in the AGM Report

Executive Officer’s Report (Dean Wickham): 2011 as in the AGM Report

Treasurer’s Report (Peter Hartmann): 2011

Motion: That the financial report as tabled be accepted as true and accurate

Moved: Dominic Calderalli Seconded: Joven Estacio Carried

Appointment of Auditor

Motion: That the current auditor WHK be appointed as Auditors for 2012

Moved: Kathy Pongraz Seconded: Richard Morfaw Carried

Election of Committee of Management

Thank you to two members of the Board not renominating.

Con Demis -(15 years) Work and family commitments

Richard Morfaw (1 year) started a new business

All positions declared vacant.

Chairperson: Peter Byrne

Vice Chairperson: Gary Pearse

Treasurer: Peter Hartmann

Secretary: Joven Estacio

Committee: Sisilia Puku

Committee: Redgina Balchin

Committee: Theresa Ketting

General Business:

Changes to the constitution for alteration to financial year from September to June.

Show of hands: Carried

Guest Speaker:

Kylie El-Shiekh Tristar Medical Group – The strength in diversity.

Meeting closed: 7 pm