Kindergarten 1st Place Winner Hannah O’Farrell St. Martha Elementary School Okemos, MI
The Hon. Barry O’Farrell MP
Transcript of The Hon. Barry O’Farrell MP
The Hon. Victor Dominello MP Minister for Citizenship and Communities Minister for Aboriginal AffairsLevel 37, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place SYDNEY NSW 2000
31 October 2011
Dear Minister
I have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of the Community Relations Commission for the year ended 30 June 2011 for presentation to Parliament.
The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Regulation 2010.
Yours sincerely
Stepan Kerkyasharian AOChairpersonCommunity Relations Commission
The Hon. Barry O’Farrell MPPremierMinister for Western SydneyLevel 40, Governor Macquarie Tower1 Farrer PlaceSYDNEY NSW 2000
31 October 2011
Dear Premier
I have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of the Community Relations Commission for the year ended 30 June 2011.
The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Regulation 2010.
Yours sincerely
Stepan Kerkyasharian AOChairpersonCommunity Relations Commission
The Hon. Victor Dominello, MPMinister for Citizenship and CommunitiesMinister for Aboriginal Affairs
The Hon. Barry O’Farrell MPPremierMinister for Western Sydney
2 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Contents
Letters of transmission of the annual report 1 Preamble - Principles of multiculturalism 3About the Commission 4 Vision, mission, values and objectives 4 Functions 5Chairperson’s overview of the year 2010/11 6 Summary of achievements 8Financial overview 13
Performance reports 15Focus 1 – Effective leadership in community relations 16Focus 2 – Provision of quality language services 35Focus 3 – Effective resource utilisation 40Focus 4 – Effective communication and consultation 42Focus 5 – Promotion and implementation of the principles of multiculturalism 45Focus 6 – Effective knowledge management 59Focus 7 – Leadership system throughout the Commission 61
Legislative and corporate governance 63Members of the Community Relations Commission 64Commissioners’ attendance at meetings 69Principal staff of the Commission 70Organisation structure 71
Boards and committees 71Functional 72
Executive position 74
Statement of affairs 77Structure and functions 78Effect of the Commission’s functions on members of the public 83Arrangements for public participation in policy formulation 84Access, arrangements, procedures and points of contact 84
Appendices 85Appendix 1 – Management overview 2010/11 86Appendix 2 – Multicultural Policies and Services Program 93Appendix 3 – Representation of staff on committees 104Appendix 4 – Membership of Regional Advisory Councils 106Appendix 5 – Language Services statistical information 109Appendix 6 – Grants awarded in 2010/11 111Appendix 7 – Open access statistical information 120
Audited financial statements 123
Index 174
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Preamble
The Community Relations Commission of New South Wales was established as a statutory body on 13 March 2001 under the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 which defines the principles of multiculturalism. Section 3 of the Act states:
Principles of Multiculturalism
(1) Multiculturalism is founded on the following principles (the “principles of multiculturalism”):
(a) the people of New South Wales are of different linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds who, either individually or in community with other members of their respective groups, are free to profess, practise and maintain their own linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic heritage,
(b) all individuals in New South Wales, irrespective of their linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds, should demonstrate a unified commitment to
Australia, its interests and future and should recognise the importance of shared values governed by the rule of law within a democratic framework,
(c) all individuals in New South Wales should have the greatest possible opportunity to contribute to, and participate in, all aspects of public life in which they may legally participate,
(d) all individuals and institutions should respect and make provision for the culture, language and religion of others within an Australian legal and institutional framework where English is the common language,
(e) all individuals should have the greatest possible opportunity to make use of and participate in relevant activities and programmes provided or administered by the Government of New South Wales,
(f) all institutions of New South Wales should recognise the linguistic and cultural assets in the population of New South Wales as a valuable resource and promote this resource to maximise the development of the State.
(2) Parliament recognises that the principles of multiculturalism are based on citizenship. The expression “citizenship” is not limited to formal Australian citizenship, but refers to the rights and responsibilities of all people in a multicultural society.
(3) The principles of multiculturalism are the policy of the State.
(4) Accordingly, each public authority must observe the principles of multiculturalism in conducting its affairs.
(5) It is the duty of the chief executive officer of each public authority to implement the provisions of this section within the area of his or her administration.
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About the Commission
OBJECTIVES
VISION MISSION VALUES
To be the leader and facilitator of community relations in achieving a harmonious and cohesive multicultural New South Wales.
Engage the community, public and private sectors and provide direct services and advice to enable equal participation and promote community harmony and the benefits of multiculturalism in New South Wales.
The Commission values:• Commitment• Diversity• Equity• Collaboration• Integrity• Quality• Accountability
Section 12 of the Act states:
• participation of the people of New South Wales in community life and the public decision making process so that they can exercise their rights and fulfil their obligations
• access to government and community services that is equitable and that has regard to the linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic diversity of the people of New South Wales
• the promotion of a cohesive and harmonious multicultural society with mutual respect for and understanding of cultural diversity
• the enrichment of all sections of society through the benefits of cultural diversity
• the promotion of the principles of multiculturalism and the advantages of a multicultural society
• the promotion of social justice, community development and community initiatives for ethnic communities in New South Wales.
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Section 13 of the Act states:
(a) to undertake systematic and wide-ranging consultation with people and groups with respect to its objectives,
(b) to advise and make recommendations to the Minister to promote any of its objectives,
(c) to research or investigate and report to the Minister on any matter relating to its objectives that the Commission considers appropriate or that the Minister refers to the Commission for research or investigation and report,
(d) to arrange and participate in forums to promote its objectives,
(e) to facilitate co-operative arrangements involving governmental, business,
educational and community groups or bodies to promote its objectives,
(f) to enter into agreements with public authorities in connection with their functions to promote the objectives of the Commission (including, but not limited to, the objective relating to access to government services),
(f1) to provide a single coordination point for integrated responses to emerging issues associated with cultural diversity,
(g) to assist, and assess the effectiveness of, public authorities in observing the principles of multiculturalism in the conduct of their affairs, particularly in connection with the delivery of government services, so as to facilitate consistency across authorities on issues associated with cultural diversity,
(h) to assist in resolving issues associated with cultural diversity,
(i) to provide (whether within or outside New South Wales) interpreter or other services approved by the Minister,
(j) to advise the Minister on the most effective use of funds appropriated by Parliament for programs related to its objectives (including funds for the provision of resources to community groups that promote the objectives of the Commission),
(k) to support community initiatives that promote the objectives of the Commission,
(l) to encourage eligible people to become Australian citizens,
(m) to advise and make recommendations to the Anti-Discrimination Board on matters relating to discrimination and racial vilification,
(m1) to refer matters relating to discrimination and racial vilification to the Anti- Discrimination Board,
(n) such other functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act.
FUNCTIONS
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Chairperson’s overview 2010/11
Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian AO
The general election on 26 March 2011 resulted in a change of government. Consequently the newly appointed Minister for Citizenship and Communities presented the Commission with new directions. The overall strategy of the Minister is directed at highlighting the intrinsic value of our multicultural society and extracting maximum economic benefit for the whole of New South Wales. The Commission is delighted to work with the Minister and assist the government in implementing this important strategy.
Already the Commission has assisted with the provision of independent advice on numerous issues in the context of ethnic affairs and assisted with the Minister’s interaction with communities.
The Commission’s activities are broad and operate across New South Wales addressing issues at local and state level.
The Commission’s ten Regional Advisory Councils are instrumental in identifying and addressing, wherever possible at a local level, issues of concern to multicultural communities in rural and regional areas. This enhances the relationship between the government and the community. An ongoing activity over the past three years has been the Commission’s engagement of refugee communities in rural and regional areas through the Refugee Youth Sports Sponsorship program, which has assisted over 250 young people to participate in mainstream sporting activities with local organisations. This program promotes a sense of belonging in refugee youth, builds confidence and has resulted in the development of social networks with the wider community.
One of the most significant trends of the reporting year was the consistent growth in the membership of the Multicultural Youth Network and the participation of its members in a range of activities. The annual Youth Leaders’ Day was one project that members of the Network were involved in through planning, organising and implementing the day’s activities. The Network also organised a youth networking evening at Parramatta for those aged between 16 and 30; this event attracted 65 potential leaders.
Skills shortages experienced by employers have been addressed in the NSW State Migration Plan by allowing a broader range of skilled occupations to be sponsored by the government. This will help enhance the state’s economic growth.
Other issues are specific to communities. For instance, the future of the Chinese market gardens at La Perouse involved the Commission in discussions, as did the isssues regarding identity and full face coverings. Other issues were the ongoing lack of adequate provision of burial grounds for those communities that require permanent tenure and also the proposed introduction of renewable burial tenure.
Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian AO
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Overseas events had a local impact: the upheavals in countries in northern Africa and the devastating floods in Pakistan were events where local communities sought the assistance of the Commission.
Multicultural marketers are encouraged to showcase their initiatives with the Commission’s annual National Multicultural Marketing Awards. The 2010 Awards program attracted 58 nominations from across Australia. All are proud of their achievements in the multicultural marketing industry and the high standards that they have achieved.
Programs administered by the Commission include the provision of language services. An expansion of the service in February 2011 saw the opening, in conjunction with the Department of Justice and Attorney General, of a Commission shop front at the Parramatta justice precinct to provide improved access to the Commission’s language services. In response to the community’s increasing language demands, another three languages were added for which interpreting is available: Hmong, Kinyarwanda and Ma’di. This brings to 102 the number of languages for which the Commission can deliver an interpreting and translation service through its panel of 595 accredited interpreters and translators.
The Commission’s grants program is successful in assisting not-for-profit organisations to help utilise multiculturalism for the whole community and promote a cohesive society.
Information on these and more activities will be found within this annual report.
I express my gratitude to my fellow commissioners for their support, expert advice, and willingness to assist, as I do to the staff of the Commission for their dedication to the objectives of the Commission and their hard work.
Stepan Kerkyasharian AOChairperson
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FOCUS 1: Effective leadership in community relations
RESULTS:
• Facilitate and support cooperative arrangements and community initiatives
• Increase participation in government initiatives in the promotion of cultural diversity
• Arranged presentations by government and community organisations at each of the Regional Advisory Council meetings, providing important and relevant information and responding to concerns raised by members in a mutual exchange of ideas
• Continued involvement in the Bhutanese project in Albury/ Wodonga, including participation on steering committees and ensuring successful settlement of new community members
• Continued to distribute information cards to education providers for use by international students
• Due to its continued success, the Refugee Youth Sports Sponsorship Program has again been funded for 2011, enabling the participation of over 230 refugee youth
• Held forty Regional Advisory Council meetings across ten regions in NSW, bringing together government and community representatives and providing a forum to address issues relevant to people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as service providers
• Hosted four well-attended Multicultural Coordinators Forums which examined contemporary cultural diversity issues
• Hosted the annual Multicultural Marketing Conference that presented case studies and best practice models in communicating and marketing to a culturally diverse target audience
• Initiated a Regional Multicultural Coordinators Forum to enable senior NSW Government multicultural practitioners in regional areas to discuss cultural diversity issues and to link this information into wider government networks
• Initiated the first phase of the Community Engagement Project, a joint initiative of the Commission and the Victorian Multicultural Commission aimed at increasing the level of positive engagement and interaction between Muslim and non-Muslim communities in NSW and Victoria
• Produced and disseminated the Community Relations Report 2010 with the theme ‘Looking in, Reaching Out, Our Evolving Community’
Summary of achievements
An overview of achievements made in 2010/11 towards the Commission’s Corporate Plan 2007-12. A more detailed account of these activities is reported in following sections of the report.
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FOCUS 2: Provision of quality language services
RESULT:Improve access to government and community services that has regard to the linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic diversity of the people of New South Wales.
• Conducted examinations of language skills of public sector employees under the Community Language Allowance Scheme
• Continued to participate in forums organised by universities offering interpreting and translation courses
• Continued to provide 24/7 interpreting and translation services in 102 languages and dialects
• Developed a business and marketing plan
• Opened a shop front office at the Parramatta Justice Precinct
• Performed 121 interpreting assignments via Audio Visual Link using video conferencing facilities
• Performed 48,263 interpreting and translation assignments and contributed $5.1 million in net revenue
• Promoted good practice in relation to the provision of interpreters to NSW Government agencies as required under Premier’s Memorandum M2011-06
• Recruited 39 new interpreters who joined the casual panel of interpreters and translators
• Successfully retained contracts with the Roads and Traffic Authority and Housing NSW
• Translated 3.7 million words
• Promoted the new Multicultural Planning Framework to assist NSW Government agencies to implement their legislative requirements with regard to the Principles of Multiculturalism
• Provided advice and assistance to a wide range of NSW public authorities on multicultural issues and the promotion of community harmony
• Provided assistance to international students and conducted information sessions on safety, fair work and rental rights and responsibilities
• Received high profile corporate sponsorships for the National Multicultural Marketing Awards and attracted nominations from a range of industries, resulting in increased awareness in the business community, public sector and general community
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FOCUS 3: Effective resource utilisation
• Continued to update and administer the Multicultural E-Advice NSW online portal to enable public authorities to update, report, upload documents and correspond with the Commission electronically
• Continued to upgrade and enhance the CRC LanguageLink application to improve productivity and access to language services
• Desktop video conferencing pilot continued to be assessed with the aim to increase access to interpreting and translation services
• Implemented electronic lodgement of applications to the Community Development Grants Program and nominations to the National Multicultural Marketing Awards
• Promoted subscription to the MediaLink service which provides reports in English of news items reported in ethnic newspapers
RESULTS:
• Meet performance standards and strategic targets set out in the Results and Services Plan
• Maximise customer benefits through continuing development of electronic service delivery
FOCUS 4: Effective communication and consultation
• Held the annual regional visit in Orange enabling commissioners and staff to meet with new arrivals and established multicultural communities in the region. This provided a greater insight into regional cultural diversity matters while promoting the services of the Commission
• Used the Multicultural Coordinators Forums to disseminate information and to seek whole of government advice on topical issues
• Wrote the 2010 Community Relations Report, which highlighted 287 multicultural initiatives undertaken by public sector agencies and local councils across regional and metropolitan NSW
RESULT:Develop targets and performance measures for reporting
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FOCUS 5: Promotion and implementation of the principles of multiculturalism
• Assisted new and emerging communities in Tamworth, Albury, Auburn, Bega, Griffith and Orange through Local Partnership grants
• Coordinated the Refugee Youth Forum for students in Wagga Wagga in conjunction with the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Multicultural Communities Council of Wagga Wagga, resulting in better and increased interaction between service providers and the African communities in the Riverina
• Distributed information on significant events and topical issues to the multicultural community using the Commission’s contacts database and through the EmailLink service
• Funded 139 community development projects and special cultural events under the Community Development Grants Program
• Implemented an evaluation tool for the Community Development Grants Program using a survey that sought feedback from funded organisations and their clients - the outcome of the survey was used to assist in the planning of the program
• Informed members of the Regional Advisory Councils about the Multicultural Policies and Services Program and strategies for working with key government agencies to deliver multicultural services
• Launched Multicultural Planning: A resource for Practitioners, a comprehensive manual to assist public authorities to navigate the Multicultural Planning Framework
• Regional representation at the Commission symposium by a member representing each Regional Advisory Council
• Worked closely with the Australian Bureau of Census and Statistics to promote Census 2011 to multicultural communities, providing a forum through Regional Advisory Councils for feedback and suggestions
RESULTS:
• Promote social justice, community development and community initiatives for ethnic communities
• Increase the participation of the people of NSW in community life and the public decision-making process
• Measure and report the observation of the principles of multiculturalism by public authorities
• Promote a cohesive and harmonious multicultural society with mutual respect
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FOCUS 6: Effective knowledge management
FOCUS 7: Leadership system throughout the Commission
• Commenced the development of a customer relationship management system to facilitate access, use and retrieval of data and information
• Introduced email capture directly into the recordkeeping system from the email application
• Redesigned the Multicultural Policies and Service Program Framework to facilitate the understanding of what is required by government agencies when implementing the Principles of Multiculturalism
• Responded to 741 (as at 28 April 2011) requests for briefings, speech notes or messages to assist the Premier, the Minister for Citizenship, the Minister for Citizenship and Communities or their representative when attending community events
• Reviewed and updated community profiles to improve the quality of briefings and policy advice
• Developed a greater insight into regional cultural diversity issues during a regional visit to Orange
• Identified staff development opportunities and provided training to employees
RESULT:Measure performance against the Corporate Plan
RESULTS:
• Improve access to information
• Measure, report and improve customer satisfaction with frontline services
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Financial overview 2010/11
Source 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11
Government appropriation $ 13 039 000* 12 334 000 13 086 000
User charges $ 5 034 000 5 227 000 5 052 000
Other $ 493 000 355 000 530 000
Total $ 18 566 000 17 916 000 18 668 000
An unmodified audit report was issued by the Auditor-General. In the Auditor’s opinion, the financial report is in accordance with section 41B of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 (the PF&A Act) and the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2010.
From 1 July 2010 the Commission obtained personnel services from Communities NSW. On 29 October 2010 the Office of the Community Relations Commission was created by administrative order and that group of staff employed in Communities NSW to enable the Commission to exercise its functions was removed from Communities NSW and added to the Office of the Community Relations Commission.
There were no major events after the balance date that would have a significant effect in the succeeding year on the Commission’s operations, clients or stakeholders.
Revenue
The Commission’s revenue in 2010/11 was $18.7 million which was drawn from three sources:
• government appropriation
• user-pays revenue from the sale of language services
• miscellaneous revenue including grants for special projects, earnings from provision of corporate services and investment income.
The following table outlines the Commission’s revenue over the past three years.
Comprehensive Income
The Commission’s comprehensive income for 2010/11 was a surplus of of $1.0 million.
Expenses
The Commission’s total expenses for the year ended 30 June 2011 were $17.7 million.
The table below provides a comparison of the expenditure of the Commission over the past three financial years.
Employee-related $Other operating $Maintenance $Depreciation $Grants & community outreach $Total $
Category 2008/09 2009/10 2010/1114 138 000 13 651 000* 13 433 000
2 309 000 2 548 000 2 915 000187 000 56 000 32 000299 000 117 000 100 000
1 526 000 1 630 000 1 190 00018 459 000 18 002 000 17 670 000
*Government appropriation in 2008/09 comprised a one-off adjustment for long service leave liability of $545,000.
*Includes personnel services shown at note 2a of the financial statements and the 2008/09 total is affected by the one-off adjustment to long service leave liabilities as assessed by NSW Treasury.
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Time for payment of accounts – accounts payable
The Commission has an excellent account paying record and settles at least 99 percent of the claims by the due date. While all claims on hand are settled promptly, some late payments are unavoidable through factors beyond the control of the organisation. Payments effected after due date may be due to the late receipt of creditors’ invoices and/or discrepancies with the goods or services received. Despite settling a minute proportion of claims after the due date, no penalty interest was paid or became payable in 2010/11 for late payments of accounts.
The table below illustrates the performance indicators of the Commission’s payments (accounts paid on time within each quarter).
Quarter Total Accounts Paid on Time Total amount Target % Actual % $ paid $
Time for payment of accounts – accounts receivable
The Commission continued with its aim of keeping debtors’ balances low. The following table shows the debtors’ aged analysis at the end of each quarter for 2010/11.
Quarter Current 30 days 60 days 90 days $ $ $ $
September 2010 611 094 13 973 3 456 5 414
December 2010 322 670 23 768 5 596 2 681
March 2011 277 213 6 340 2 292 7 441
June 2011 317 108 4 787 4 966 4 868
Engagement of consultants
During the 2010/11 financial year the Commission engaged 2 consulting assignments costing less than $50,000. There were no consulting assignments costing more than $50,000.
Fyusion Asia Pacific LtdCultural Perspectives LtdTotal
Name of consultant Category Amount $
Management services 44 550Management services 8 000
52 550
Consultant engagements costing less than $50 000 each
September 2010 100.00 99.92 5 076 308 5 072 143
December 2010 100.00 98.08 4 863 638 4 772 170
March 2011 100.00 100.00 3 993 118 3 993 118
June 2011 100.00 99.25 4 791 774 4 756 123
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performance reports
16 Focus 1: Effective leadership in community relations 35 Focus 2: Provision of quality language services 40 Focus 3: Effective resource utilisation 42 Focus 4: Effective communication and consultation
45 Focus 5: Promotion and implementation of the principles of multiculturalism 59 Focus 6: Effective knowledge management 61 Focus 7: Leadership system throughout the CRC
16 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN COMMUNITY RELATIONS
OBJECTIVES
To maintain the lead agency profile as facilitator to government and community promoting community harmony and the benefits of cultural diversity.
To provide expert advice to government and community on community relations and harmony.
To coordinate government responses to issues relating to cultural diversity.
RESULTS
Facilitate and support cooperative arrangements and community initiatives.
Increase participation in government initiatives in the promotion of cultural diversity.
Advice and assistance to NSW Public Authorities
Throughout 2010/11, the Commission continued to provide advice and assistance to NSW public authorities through the Multicultural Policies and Services Program, and through direct engagement with public authorities on specific issues relating to multicultural service delivery and community harmony considerations.
Advice and information on issues relating to cultural, religious or linguistic diversity was provided to NSW Government agencies in response to direct requests for advice from the agencies, or through the Commission’s participation in interagency forums and its representation on the advisory and consultative bodies of the major agencies.
The Commission worked closely with up to 20 key agencies in their multicultural planning and implementation, requiring intensive liaison by Commission staff.
Botany Cemetery
The Commission in partnership with the Land and Property Management Authority consulted the Chinese community in relation to the future development of Botany Cemetery.
The meeting which was held on 26 July 2010 provided an opportunity to explore ways in which the Government and the community could work in partnership for the betterment of NSW.
1FOCUS
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Canterbury Council emerging communities’ resource centre
The Commission participated as an independent panel member in a meeting to determine whether interested community groups were eligible to access a Council owned facility set aside to support community capacity building activities of new and emerging groups in the local government area.
Community Engagement Project
The NSW/Victoria Community Engagement Project is a joint initiative of the Community Relations Commission and the Victorian Multicultural Commission. The Project aims to increase the level of positive engagement and interaction between Muslim and non-Muslim communities in New South Wales and Victoria.
The Community Engagement Project encourages members of local Islamic and non-Islamic communities to come together around shared interests and concerns and aims to help local Islamic and non-Islamic organisations build relationships and participate together in partnership activities. The Project has a particular focus on engaging young people, with the view that increasing young people’s capacity to engage can help reduce their vulnerability to divisive influences and have broader benefits for community harmony.
The Community Engagement Project aims to:
• increase levels of positive engagement and interaction between young Australian Muslims and other young Australians;
• increase participation of young Australian Muslims who may be at risk of becoming isolated or disengaged from the broader multicultural, multi-faith society;
• increase cultural competency and capacity of youth and community services to relate to and support young Australian Muslims engaging with the broader multicultural society; and
• facilitate greater awareness of, and access to, the broader elements of local community services and infrastructure by young Australian Muslims.
In 2009/10, the Community Relations Commission initiated the first phase of the Community Engagement Project by developing programs and activities in consultation with community organisations in Auburn, Granville and Lakemba.
Community harmony
The Community Relations Commission has a statutory obligation to address issues affecting community harmony in NSW, and works closely with the religiously and ethnically diverse elements of the NSW community toward this end.
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The Ministerial Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (MCIMA) has developed and endorsed the National Action Plan to Build Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security (NAP). The NSW Implementation Plan under the NAP was developed in consultation with NSW Government agencies. The Plan identifies initiatives and partnerships between non-government organisations and the state, cross-agency approaches and partnerships with the Commonwealth.
The Commission has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to implement a number of joint partnership projects under the NAP. These include:
Islamic Scripture Resource KitThe Commission is developing a resource for providers of Islamic Special Religious Education in government secondary schools. The resource kit will assist in educating young Muslims about aspects of Islam and their alignment with Australian values. Islamic scholars were consulted on the proposed content during the year.
A steering committee comprising community representatives and offices from the Department of Education and Training has been established to progress the implementation of the kit in NSW.
Religious Leaders’ Orientation ProgramThe Commission is developing a training resource for religious leaders who come to Australia to serve their faith communities. It is envisaged that this will include an offshore component followed by an intensive 2 day workshop within 6 months of arrival. The purpose is to inform and educate the religious leaders as regards Australian values and laws concerning gender equity, domestic violence, etc.
On the 1st and 2nd of February 2011, a pilot of the two-day, face-to-face training course component of the religious worker’s orientation program, entitled Serving in a New Land: an Orientation and Appraisal for Religious Workers Coming to Australia (2011), was conducted at the premises of the Melkite Catholic Eparchy, 80 Waterloo Rd, Greenacre NSW. Bishop John Issam Darwish hosted the event, Deacon Michael Suliman and Dr Rosemary Suliman were joint coordinators, and Mr Louay Mustafa and Dr Suliman acted as small group discussion facilitators. Dr Mark Weston Wall, the designer of the course, and author of the supporting text and materials, oversaw the delivery of the program. Guest lecturers were used in the delivery of specialist content, and the 19 participants also had an opportunity to visit two sites and talk with, and observe, professional religious practitioners at work.
The pilot was evaluated and was highly successful and further discussions will take place with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship regarding the implementation of the training program.
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Community Relations Report
Section 14 (1) of the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 requires the Community Relations Commission to prepare a report on the ‘state of community relations in New South Wales as affected by cultural diversity, including an assessment of the effectiveness of public authorities in observing the principles of multiculturalism in the conduct of their affairs’.
The Community Relations Report 2010 has the theme ‘Looking in, Reaching Out, Our Evolving Community’.
NSW Government agencies and local councils submitted over 300 accomplishments achieved through implementing the principles of multiculturalism and promoting community harmony during the year.
Each year the Community Relations Report also provides an analysis of how up to 20 designated key agencies – selected because of their importance in servicing the culturally diverse society of NSW and in carrying forward the multicultural objectives of the State – have addressed the specific outcomes of the Multicultural Planning Framework. It is intended that government agencies can use this report to develop new initiatives influenced by the successes and achievements of other agencies.
Coordination of media briefing on Early Warning System
Following an approach from the Department of Premier & Cabinet, the Commission coordinated a briefing and consultation with members of the ethnic print and electronic media on a new national emergency warning system called Emergency Alert, designed to inform the community about imminent emergencies such as bushfires. The briefing aimed to ensure that members of the ethnic media would assist in communicating messages about this system to ethnic communities when required.
Coordination of Settlement Services Coalition
The Commission has continued to chair the CRC Settlement Services Coalition, a network of settlement service providers. The Coalition functions to improve coordination, cooperation and communication between NSW Government agencies and non-government organisations working with migrants, including humanitarian entrants. It also enables settlement workers to raise issues of concern and advocate for their clients on a state level and provide input into service delivery, policy development and community programs with a NSW state focus. Issues discussed in the last year include funding of the Commonwealth Settlement Grants Program, funding for established communities, the housing needs of migrants, particularly newly-arrived refugees, the concerns of international students, and culturally specific services for ageing migrant populations. The Coalition meets quarterly.
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Egyptian community consultation
As a result of events in the Middle East, the Commission held community consultations with the Egyptian community to ascertain its views on issues that affect them.
The first meeting with key members of the Egyptian community was held on 4 April 2011 followed by another meeting on 23 May 2011. Many issues were raised including community harmony in Australia, and the status of Egyptian international students.
An information session in relation to students’ rights and responsibilities is being organised for Egyptian students on 14 July 2011.
The Commission will continue to consult and work with the community.
Housing for refugees
The Commission recognises that accessing affordable housing is increasingly difficult for low income households across Australia and that recently arrived humanitarian entrants face particular challenges and barriers to securing appropriate, safe, low-cost accommodation. This issue has been raised in a number of forums and is expected to be referred to the new Select Council on Immigration and Settlement which will meet before the end of the 2011 calendar year.
Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) sought the Commission’s assistance is communicating with ethnic communities about corruption and the bribery of officials.
The Commission has facilitated meetings between the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services (DTIRIS), and is assisting ICAC to broaden its reach to the communities.
International Students
International students are an integral part of the Australian community. In previous years, a number of issues have affected the growth in student numbers including attacks on international students, private college closures and lack of information resources readily available to international students.
The significance of the role that New South Wales can offer the international student industry is recognised. The Premier hosts the Premier’s Council on International Education which implements a range of government initiatives in the international education sector, while working closely with the Commonwealth to drive further reform and maintain the highest standards of international education. The Chairperson of the Commission is one of 17 members of the Council.
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During 2010/11, the Commission participated in strategies that have been successful in raising awareness of personal security, consumer rights and obligations and work rights. The Commission continues to work closely with the NSW Police and conducts regular community forums with ethnic leaders to discuss the needs to promote community harmony among international students.
Information sessions
The Commission organised three information sessions on the topics of safety, fair work and rental rights and responsibilities. Representatives from New South Wales Police, NSW Industrial Relations and the Office of Fair Trading conducted these presentations. This provided an excellent opportunity for students to learn about their rights and to network with other students.
The first session was organised at Carrick Education in Sydney. Over 50 students who enrolled at Carrick attended the session and received valuable information about their work rights from the representative of the NSW Industrial Relations.
The second and third sessions were held at Sydney and Parramatta respectively. International students received expert advice about their personal safety from the NSW Police, work rights from NSW Industrial Relations and rental rights and responsibilities were addressed by NSW Fair Trading.
At the session, students learned to be vigilant while walking alone late at night, and to avoid exhibiting their valuables including mobile phones and laptops while they are travelling on public transport. Students were requested to maintain a diary while employed in NSW so that they can claim any benefits up to six years after they leave that employment. International students were encouraged to approach the Fair Trading office if they had any rental issues.
International Student Festival
The Commission supported the inaugural International Student Festival on Sunday 6 March at Tumbalong Park. Over 2000 z-style information cards and anti-discrimination brochures were distributed to students at the festival. The event was part of a package of government initiatives to enhance the expe-rience of international students and to support the international education industry.International students seeking information from the CRC at the International Student Festival.
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Representatives from a broad range of service organisations that included Communities NSW, Council of International Students Australia, Department of Education and Training, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, NSW Industrial Relations, NSW Police Force, Office of Fair Trading, and Transport NSW participated at the festival and provided information to help international and domestic students and their families understand the extensive range of services and support available for students studying in NSW.
Presentation by Dr Simon Marginson
An important seminar was hosted by the Commission, where on 9 March 2011, Dr Simon Marginson, a prominent academic and Professor of Higher Education at the Centre for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Melbourne, presented a seminar on a book that he co-authored, International Student Security, for government representatives and education providers. The book is a study of international students in Australia that exposes the opportunities as well as the difficulties they face in the global student market.
Project Officer International Students
A Project Officer International Students was appointed on 13 September 2010 for a period of 12 months. The key role of the project officer includes conducting information sessions for international students on safety, fair work and rental rights and responsibilities, providing telephone and face-to-face assistance in the event of a college closure, distribution of information cards to education providers and to register student complaints and refer them to the appropriate department. This officer is employed through a grant from the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Z-cards
Following the success of the information cards, known as z-cards amongst international students and education providers, the Commission organised a re-print in February 2011. Since the first cards were distributed in January 2010, the Commission has distributed over 140, 000 z-cards to education providers who in turn hand the cards to international students during orientation sessions.
Islamic funeral directors
The Commission consulted with Islamic funeral directors in relation to proposed changes to the Coronial Act and to seek advice on Islamic practices and procedures. The meeting was held on 5 October 2010.
Professor Dr Simon Marginson.
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Lead agency in settlement planning and policy development
The Commission chairs the NSW Government Immigration and Settlement Planning Committee, which has proven an effective instrument in coordinating the development of NSW policy and positions on immigration and settlement issues. The Committee meets quarterly or more frequently as required. Through this process the Commission prepared the State Migration Plan, allowing NSW to nominate skilled migrants for selected industries in NSW. As part of the Plan, a cross agency mechanism for the ongoing review of eligible occupations and the number of places to be allocated, was established. NSW Cabinet endorsed the plan and the Commission is the independent coordination agency for the review process under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth and the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services (DTIRIS). The Commission will facilitate 6 and 12 monthly reviews of the plan to ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of NSW.
The Commission represented the NSW Government at the Standing Committee on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (SCIMA) in November 2010 and coordinated the development of NSW position papers for the July 2010 meeting of the Ministerial Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (MCIMA).
The Commission continues to represent the NSW Government at national forums on immigration, settlement and social cohesion, alongside Industry and Investment NSW at the meetings of the Commonwealth/State Working Party on Skilled Migration. The Commission has coordinated a consultation process on settlement needs and service provision with NSW Government agencies who are members of the Immigration and Settlement Planning Committee. Information provided by NSW has informed a document being developed by the MCIMA Working Party on Settlement Issues. The Commission has also continued to participate in DIAC’s Research Advisory Committee.
Multicultural Business Summit
The Community Relations Commissions, in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Premier, the Office of the Minister for Citizenship and Communities and the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services (DTIRIS) has commenced planning for a Multicultural NSW Business Summit to be held in October 2011. The Summit will assemble business leaders and forward thinkers in areas such as diversity management, multicultural marketing, trade, investment and economic development and generate new ideas on the economic potential of cultural diversity in NSW.
Multicultural community consultations
The Commission held a series of community forums around the Sydney metropolitan area to consult with community and religious leaders and community representatives to ascertain their views on current issues that affect them. Community forums have been held at the Northern Beaches and Randwick.
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Many issues were raised that included relating to community harmony, education among young people, antisocial behaviours of young people, community language schools, increase in domestic violence, lack of community facilities that enable communities to meet, lack of affordable accommodation, issues relating to international students, affordable public liability insurance for community groups, and funding issues for established and emerging communities.
The Commission will continue consultations in other areas across Sydney.
Multicultural Coordinators Forum
Each quarter, around 30 senior representatives from NSW Government agencies and NSW-based Universities participate in the Multicultural Coordinators Forum. This forum helps to identify and share good practice and discuss issues of concern, challenges and opportunities in implementing the Principles of Multiculturalism through the Multicultural Policies and Services Program.
Each forum features a number of guest speakers who have been invited to speak on a topical issue selected by participants. In 2010/11, this had included presentations on:
• Australian Bureau of Statistics - Engaging emerging and smaller communities to participate in Census 2011
• data collection relating to ethnicity
• emerging trends and policy issues relating to refugees
• issues in the provision of interpreting services
• NSW Health - South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health - Refugee Plan
• NSW Police award winning Triple Zero on-line game
• “The Law and You: Legal Information for African Communities’
Minister for Citizenship and Communities, The Hon Victor Dominello, addresses the Multicultural Coordinators Forum.
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The Multicultural Coordinators Forum is also an opportunity for the Commission to update government agencies on developments and directions in multiculturalism, community relations and social cohesion in NSW.
Pakistan floods
One fifth of Pakistan had been ravaged by floods in the country’s North West of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Balochistan regions in 2010. It was reported that at least 1,500 people lost their lives and up to 20 million people were affected. Thousands of public and private properties were destroyed.
The Commission in partnership with the Consul General of Pakistan in Sydney held a roundtable with key members from various multicultural community organisations and groups to discuss ways in which the ethnic communities in NSW could work together to raise funds to assist the flood victims in Pakistan. The meeting was held on 29 September 2010.
Policy advice
The Commission responded to numerous requests each month for policy advice from other government agencies. Such requests included consideration of policy proposals, legislative or policy reviews, agency implementation of the State Plan, and suggestions about how government initiatives can be more responsive to, or inclusive of, the cultural and linguistic diversity in NSW.
Premier’s ethnic media briefings
In December 2010, the former NSW Premier hosted an end of year reception for representatives of the ethnic media with some 50 editors and journalists attending. This event, which offered the Premier an opportunity to personally meet the journalists, was coordinated by the Commission.
The Commission arranged a reception held on 25 May 2011 for the then newly appointed Minister for Citizenship and Communities to meet the ethnic media, comprising 50 representatives of print, television and radio mediums.
Regional Multicultural Coordinators Forum
The first Regional Multicultural Coordinators Forum was held in Wagga Wagga in June 2011. Over 50 representatives from NSW state agencies were invited to participate and contribute to the forum.
The forums are being held in two regional locations, alternately every six months. They are Wagga Wagga in the South and Lismore/Coffs Harbour in the North.
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Like the city-based forums, these regional forums are exclusive to public authorities and any resolution or positions of interest raised at the Regional Multicultural Coordinators Forums will be conveyed to the Sydney-based Multicultural Coordinators Forum and/or to the relevant Regional Advisory Councils as appropriate.
Sabian Mandaean burial protocols
The Commission is working with the Sabian Mandaean community to draft burial protocols that meet the NSW Department of Health Policy Directive PD2007_004 Burials – Exemptions – Public Health (Disposal of Bodies) Regulation 2002 for Community and Religious Reasons.
Senate Legal and Constitutional Committees
The Commission made a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committees inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test and Other Provisions) Bill 2011.
The Commission’s concerns included access and availability of information and advice for those in detention centres.
Sri Mandir Hindu Temple
Following attacks on the Sri Mandir Hindu Temple, the Commission met with various religious and community representatives in the Auburn area to ascertain their views on the incidents around the Sri Mandir Hindu Temple.
The Commission visited the temple and consulted with committee members on safety issues.
The Commission has been working with NSW Police Force and the Office of the Indian Consul-General and will continue to work with them to improve community safety.
Student Visa Program Review - Submission to Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
In April 2011, the Commission prepared a submission to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Student Visa Program Review. The Review, headed by the Hon. Michael Knight AO, provided an opportunity for education providers and stakeholders to share their vision of the sector’s future. It also aimed to enhance the continued competitiveness of the international education sector and strengthen the integrity of the Student Visa Program. The Commission’s submission outlined significant areas of concern identified by students and service providers at a range of CRC consultations and meetings held in recent times. The submission also referred to numerous CRC initiatives developed to address the many issues and included 23 recommendations.
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Sustainable burial workshops
The lack of religiously appropriate burial and memorial space is a recurring issue for the Commission who continues to receive representations on the issue. The Commission in partnership with the NSW Land & Property Management Authority consulted with the multicultural community in NSW on sustainable burial.
Two workshops were held on 3rd and 4th November 2010. The purpose of the workshops was to discuss the proposed sustainable burial practices to meet the needs of the growing population in NSW. As the population grows, there will be critical shortages of grave sites in the future and by acting now we can ensure the issue is managed effectively.
Together for Humanity Foundation
The Together for Humanity Foundation promotes interfaith dialogue and partnership for a harmonious society and is an independent grass roots non-profit organisation. The Foundation was allocated two desk spaces by the Commission, on a pro bono basis, as part of its public sector volunteering initiatives and continued its operations from the Commission’s premises until April 2011.
Working Party on Identification and the Burqa
The Commission consulted with key members of the Islamic community in November 2010 and as a result, resolved to establish a Working Party on Identification and the Burqa in February 2011. Members of the Working Party include key members of the Islamic community as well as members of the non-Islamic community and NSW Government agencies. The aims of the Working Party are to:
• advise the Community Relations Commission on the concerns and experiences of Muslim community members in relation to the wearing of the burqa and niqab in the context of NSW Government service provision;
• assess protocols and procedures around the wearing of the burqa, niqab, and other religious head-coverings that may present issues for the verification of an individual’s identity or other issues within the general operating requirements of a government agency;
• make recommendations to the Community Relations Commission with respect to religious practices associated with wearing of the burqa and niqab in the context of community harmony.
The first Working Party meeting was held on 16 February 2011 and further meetings were held on 30 May 2011 and 5 June 2011.
The Commission has drafted Guidelines for Identification and Full Face Coverings and is in the process of consulting with community and government agencies to have them finalised.
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REGIONAL SERVICES
Regional Advisory Councils
The Commission’s ten Regional Advisory Councils have continued to play an integral part in the relationship between the government and regional and rural communities, recognising and addressing major issues of concern and topics of interest.
There were 40 Regional Advisory Council meetings held in ten regions across NSW during the last twelve months. These meetings bring together government and community representatives to discuss matters of concern to people of non-English speaking backgrounds.
The Regional Advisory Councils have continued to demonstrate the ability to identify the particular needs of multicultural communities and to effectively communicate these to the Commission. Subsequently, members’ participation and contributions have enabled resolutions to be made in relation to issues of concern. These meetings have also allowed the sharing and dissemination of information relating to government policies and programs that are available for and relevant to these regional communities.
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Presentations at Regional Advisory Council meetings
Various government agencies, non-government agencies and community organisations conducted presentations at Regional Advisory Council meetings that covered a wide array of topics:
Government agencies
• Australian Bureau of Census & Statistics - Census 2011 (presentations held at all Regional Advisory Councils)
• Community Relations Commission - Multicultural Policies and Services Program (presentations held at all Regional Advisory Councils)
• Department of Human Services - Community Services
• Multicultural Strategic Commitment 2008-2013
• Housing NSW – Housing Eligibility and Regional Homelessness Action Plan 2010-2014
• Liverpool City Council - Youth Issues in Liverpool
• Migration Heritage Centre - “Did You Know”
• NSW Department of Education and Training
• “Bridges to Understanding”: Partnership with People’s Republic of China
• NSW Police
• Domestic violence statistics in Nepean-Blacktown
• “Steppin’ In” - Community Policing Partnership Projects in the Illawarra
• Youth liaison in Liverpool
These presentations have resulted in Council members being better informed about government services and initiatives in their regions. Likewise, government agencies are able to address community concerns that have been expressed at meetings.
Non-government agencies
• Albury Police and Community Youth Club – Programs of benefit to new and emerging communities
• Association of Illawarra Community Language Schools
• Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre – Settlement needs of new and emerging communities in Liverpool
• Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra – Award winning DVD “It’s not a Disgrace, It’s Dementia”
• OSR Employment Solutions
• Sydney South West Area Health Service – Multicultural Health Service Model of Care
These presentations were of great value to Council members as they provided an understanding and raised awareness about the needs of communities, and of the services provided through non-government agencies.
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REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Albury/Wodonga Bhutanese project
Over 300 refugees from Bhutan have now settled in Albury/Wodonga. The Commission, along with the Victorian Government, has maintained its involvement in the Steering Committee for the Bhutanese project in Albury/Wodonga, which is jointly funded by the Victorian Multicultural Commission and NSW Community Relations Commission.
The project aims to reduce the recently-arrived community’s isolation, and to help them to develop their own support structures and become independent and self-reliant. It also assists African refugees and other established communities who have few other support mechanisms.
The project to date has included a driver education program, community information seminars regarding tenancy and consumer affairs issues, banking, Australian burial practices, and cross- cultural parenting sessions with community health, among other initiatives.
Census 2011
The Commission has worked with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), facilitating interaction between the Bureau and Regional Advisory Councils, and coordinating a regional strategy to promote Census 2011.
The Commission provided a forum for the ABS to consult with the community, and for community members to make suggestions and recommendations to increase accuracy of statistics and encourage greater migrant understanding and participation in the Census.
Through its presentations to the Regional Advisory Councils, the Bureau has established effective links with the various relevant communities and will be developing strategies according to identified needs. This will include the availability of bilingual staff in various community centres to assist with the completion of forms. This will undoubtedly lead to a more accurate collection of statistics.
Domestic Violence
The issue of domestic violence continues to present challenges to regional communities and has frequently been highlighted at Regional Advisory Council meetings.
The Commission arranged for speakers from the NSW Police service, and other relevant agencies, across the state to address concerns raised by the Regional Advisory Councils.
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The Commission continues to promote awareness of these issues within the community, through Regional Advisory Councils. This includes the reporting of incidences of domestic violence, as well as the importance of using female interpreters in situations involving women.
Council members continue to work with the wider community in raising awareness on this issue, including discussion on the need for a refuge on the Central Coast and through the establishment of a working group in the Central West.
Employment opportunities for newly-arrived and emerging communities
Difficulty in gaining employment continues to be a significant barrier to the successful settlement of newly-arrived migrants.
The Commission facilitated interaction between community members and employment service providers through presentations at Regional Advisory Council meetings and liaising with community members.
In the Hunter region, OSR Employment Solutions presented at a Regional Advisory Council meeting, while in Albury, Council members worked together to promote the employability of job-seekers from refugee communities and successfully placed them with local employers.
Subsequent information sessions are being organised to target members of the African community and specific job programs are being considered.
Regional Advisory Councils have been successful in highlighting important issues while providing feedback to the community.
Identity documents
The Commission responded to concerns expressed by refugee communities in Albury, over default dates of birth on identity documents. In many cases where the correct date was not known, individuals were given a default date of birth of “00/00”.
This created difficulties for many humanitarian entrants in accessing services where a date of birth was required to be disclosed, and where the date “00/00” would not be accepted.
Following representations by the Commission to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the issue was resolved and information about the Department’s policy communicated to members of the Albury Regional Advisory Council.
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International students from Libya
The Commission continued its work with international students that included meeting with a Libyan delegation of students from the University of Wollongong.
Following recent conflict in Libya, support for students had been withdrawn by the Libyan Government. The Commission continues to work with the students in highlighting this issue.
Interpreter Awareness Week
The Commission facilitated and participated in an Interpreters Awareness Week on the Central Coast, where the need for the event was identified by members of the Regional Advisory Council. This event assisted in promoting services available to members of the community, organisations and government departments. The Commission also provided funding assistance for the event.
Interpreter issues
Access to interpreters in regional areas has continued to present challenges.
The Commission has, in conjunction with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI), the Multicultural Communities Council of Wagga Wagga, and Refugee Support Services North Coast, facilitated information sessions and testing in regional areas for potential interpreters, resulting in the recognition and accreditation of ten interpreters. This will address the problem of the lack of on-site interpreters to some extent, particularly in the Riverina region.
The Commission is now focusing on delivering interpreting services through video conferencing and is working closely with local agencies to identify and promote key locations where video conferencing facilities can be accessed by the public and service providers.
The Commission continues to promote awareness of the right to an interpreter when dealing with government agencies in regional NSW. This includes addressing concerns about confidentiality when interpreters are used in small regional areas.
Introducing African youth to the NSW Police
In conjunction with the NSW Police and community organisations, the Commission facilitated and provided funding for a project “Introducing African Youth to the NSW Police” aimed at fostering better relations and trust between the Police and young Africans in the community and which will involve a week long event including two days at the Police academy in Goulburn. Experiences at the academy may also encourage African youth to consider a career in policing.This project will strengthen the relationship between the Police and African communities.
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Mental health
The Commission has continued its work in raising awareness of mental health issues affecting members of the culturally and linguistically diverse community. These issues may go undiagnosed with the wider community not understanding the impact on individuals of different backgrounds.
The Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra produced the DVD series “It’s Not a Disgrace, It’s Dementia” to address such concerns and to raise awareness. The series is available in multiple languages and won the Commission’s 2010 major National Multicultural Marketing Award. The DVD has subsequently been shown at multiple Regional Advisory Council meetings across the state.
Multicultural youth forums at Wagga Wagga
The Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga, supported by the Community Relations Commission and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, facilitated forums for refugee youth on 13 & 14 May 2011 at Wagga Wagga High School.
Participants were given encouragement and opportunity to voice their opinions on issues most relevant to them, with the first day being dedicated to students aged 13-18 and the second day to young adults aged 18-25.
Topics included road safety, relationships, drug and alcohol awareness, as well as employment and training. Participants talked of their experiences when settling in Wagga Wagga as well as their hopes for the future.
The forums were a crucial step in engaging newly-arrived youth and in planning for settlement services in the area.
Refugee Youth Sports Sponsorship program
In 2009, the Community Relations Commission introduced a funding program in regional NSW to assist young people from refugee communities to participate in sporting organisations. The project assists by subsidising the costs of membership, uniforms, playing fees and other expenses for eligible young people, enabling them to participate when financial disadvantage would otherwise preclude them.
Participation in sports has proven a positive way for young people to involve themselves in social activity in the wider community, promoting a sense of belonging and mutual understanding and respect.
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Since its inception, the program has enabled the participation of 29 clubs and over 230 eligible young people across a variety of team sports including basketball, netball, soccer, and rugby.
Due to its success, this program has been funded again in 2011.
Water safety
The Commission assisted in the funding and facilitation of a two-day water safety event at Avoca Beach on the Central Coast. The event was aimed to raise water safety awareness within the culturally and linguistically diverse community in the area.
In the State’s north, the Commission is liaising with the Department of Sport and Recreation, Coffs Harbour City Council and the North Coast Branch of Surf Life Saving NSW to arrange similar water safety information sessions for new arrivals in the Coffs Coast area.
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PROVISION OF QUALITY LANGUAGE SERVICES
OBJECTIVE
To enhance access to quality interpreting and translation services in New South Wales.
RESULT
Improved access to government and community services that has regard to the linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic diversity of the people of New South Wales.
The Commission provides quality interpreting and translation services in 102 different languages/dialects to government departments and agencies, private and commercial organisations, community groups and individuals.
Face to face interpreting services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be obtained from anywhere in NSW by telephoning 1300 651 500 for the cost of a local call.
Business and marketing plan
A business and marketing plan has been developed to provide a blueprint for the future direction of the Commission’s language services.
Extension of translation services to Canberra
The Commission met with representatives from the Office of Multicultural, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Affairs (MATSIA) to engage with them to accept translation requests on the Commission’s behalf. This proposal is under consideration.
Information sessions for future interpreters/translators
Information sessions were provided for students undertaking interpreting and translating studies at the University of NSW. An informative lecture was presented on the profile of the Commission and included the type of qualification or accreditation needed to apply as an interpreter/translator, employment paths, working conditions, remuneration, ethnical requirements and other aspects of a career in translating and interpreting.
The Commission also participated at the ‘Interpreter’s Awareness Day’ at Wyong Shire Council. The aim of this event was to encourage and increase the use of interpreters among members of the culturally and linguistically diverse community and to raise awareness with service providers.
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Commission staff were also represented at the final session of the interpreter training course run by the University of Western Sydney - Breaking Through the Language Barrier - empowering refugee and immigrant women to combat domestic and family violence through cultural and language training.
Interpreters legal glossary
In-house interpreters and translators have developed a comprehensive glossary of legal terminology as a useful tool to enhance the delivery of legal interpreting. This document was made available to all interpreters and translators via the LanguageLink system and a copy of the glossary was circulated to all heads of NSW courts and tribunals.
Language testing
More than 150 public sector employees sat the Community Language Allowance Scheme language test this year. The 120 employees who passed are an additional resource for the NSW Government in the provision of front-line services to people who have language difficulties.
The Commission also conducted language testing for the Department of Community Services to assist in the recruitment of multicultural caseworkers.
Our resources
The Commission only employs National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) accredited and or recognised interpreters/translators where possible and the recruitment is based on merit through a competitive selection process. The Commission provides pay and conditions to all its interpreters and translators in accordance with an industrial award that specifically recognises the skills, functions and qualifications of the profession. The Commission continues to recruit interpreters/translators to meet the demands for new and emerging languages.
Thirty-nine new casual interpreters were recruited in Arabic, Auslan, Mandarin, Cantonese, Dinka, French, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Kurdish Kurmanji, Kurdish Sorani, Kurundi, Madi, Malayalam, Nepalese, Persian, Serbian, Spanish, Sudanese Arabic, Swahili, Tibetan and Vietnamese.
Interpreters and translators must attend a compulsory full day orientation/induction course prior to commencement with the Commission. This course enlightens employees about Commission procedures and expectations. A full day orientation/induction was conducted on 29 November 2010 and a further half day session on 28 February 2011 for newly-recruited interpreters.
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Provision of online services via LanguageLink
The Commission utilises a web-based application, CRC LanguageLink, to facilitate the provision of translation and interpreting services. This workflow application enables communication between the Commission and its users including translators/interpreters and clients via the internet.
The application is continually being upgraded to expand the scope of booking assignments and to increase efficiencies in the auto allocation of assignments.
Provision of quality interpreting and translation services
A variety of translation services is offered within 24 hours, 7 working days and 14 working days turnaround periods.
The Commission’s vision is to be the leader in the provision of high quality language services. During the year, the Language Services unit continued to provide services to the people of NSW and performed a total of 48,263 interpreting and translation assignments with 3.7 million words translated.
Raising the profile of language services
A rebranding exercise was undertaken in order to increase the profile of the Commission and to publicise its language services. A new logo was developed together with information material that would serve to enhance awareness and knowledge of the specialist services provided by the Commission.
Service delivery feedback
Regular information and consultation sessions were conducted with casual interpreters and translators to discuss matters of mutual interest. These quarterly sessions provide a platform to discuss new and upcoming issues related to service delivery and to receive feedback. Four consultation sessions were conducted in July and December 2010, and in March and June 2011.
While developing the business and marketing plan for language services, key components of current service delivery were reviewed from both a staff and client perspective to identify opportunities to expand and modify the future services offered.
The current delivery of service was assessed by obtaining feedback from staff, panellists and clients by conducting an online survey as well as face-to-face interviews with clients.
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Panellist surveySurveyed 650 panellists and received 258 responses (40% response rate).
Staff surveySurveyed 26 language services staff and received 19 responses (73% response rate).
Client survey via face-to-face interviewsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 11 corporate clients.
The Interpreter’s Record Book is a very effective tool for customers of the Commission to provide feedback or comments, while certifying attendances and performance of an interpreter. The Commission continued to monitor the comments/feedback received from clients and took action where appropriate.
The Customer Service Charter for language services outlines its service commitment to its customers. Feedback is encouraged and closely monitored.
The Commission strives for excellence in service provision by utilising customer complaints and feedback to identify shortcomings. Service performance continues to be monitored and complaints or feedback is reviewed and evaluated against the Customer Service Charter. During the year, the Commission received 146 complaints, equating to 0.3% of total assignments performed.
Shop front at Parramatta Justice Precinct
Ms Ida Toledo assists a client at the new CRC office at Parramatta.
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The Commission officially opened an office within the Western Sydney Trial Courts complex at Parramatta in the Parramatta Justice Precinct in February 2011. This shop front provides the people of western Sydney with better access to the Commission’s language services.
The office is located at Level 1, Sydney West Trial courts, 6 George Street, Parramatta. Operating hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm (Monday to Friday).
Tenders and Major Contracts
The Commission retained existing contracts for the provision of interpreting and translation services with two major NSW Government agencies.
The initial contract with the Roads and Traffic Authority was for a period of two years which was further extended by mutual agreement for up to an additional two terms of one year each. While the Roads and Traffic Authority assesses its future needs, business continues to be conducted under the original contractual terms.
The contract with Housing NSW is for a period of two years with two options to extend for a further twelve months following a review of service performance by Housing NSW. The final 12 month option under the contract commenced from 1 May 2011.
Video conferencing facilities
The Commission continued to promote and support the use of video conferencing for appropriate matters requiring an interpreter, especially in rural locations, as it offers service delivery improvements and cost benefits across jurisdictions.
As a participant in the Justice Sector Video Conferencing Steering Committee, the Commission has two video conference rooms at head office.
The Commission provided 121 interpreting sessions utilising its video conference facilities during the year.
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EFFECTIVE RESOURCE UTILISATION
OBJECTIVES
To improve and strengthen internal capability.
To meet extended targets for tangible and intangible asset utilisation.
RESULTS
Meet performance standards and strategic targets set out in the Results and Services Plan.
Maximise customer benefits through continuing development of electronic service delivery.
Communications upgrade
A phased migration of existing communications systems to Telstra IP Telephony was completed in 2011.
Community profiles
The Commission has developed and maintains comprehensive community profiles for over 110 ethnic and religious communities in NSW.
These profiles provide information for the Premier, Minister for Citizenship and Communities and other senior government representatives on the demographics of each community within NSW, brief notes on the history of the country of origin, languages and religions, and an outline of the community’s settlement history as well as contemporary community issues.
During 2010/11, the Commission continued to review the structure and content of the profiles, to make them more relevant to the Commission’s needs.
Provision of online services via LanguageLink
The LangugageLink application is continually being upgraded to enhance technical functionalities and integration of new business workflows such as desktop publishing, translation checking and proofreading.
Refugee Conference
Commission staff attended the 2011 Refugee Conference ‘Looking to the Future, Learning from the Past’ to mark 60 years of the Refugee Convention. Conference key themes included regional protection frameworks, the international and regional context of durable solutions and asylum and settlement in Australia and New Zealand.
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Resource centre
The Commission has continued to expand the resource centre used to inform briefings, and deepen the research capabilities required for policy advice and briefings.
Shift to virtual environment
The Commission continues to phase its physical servers into a virtual environment to reduce energy costs, server maintenance and to facilitate the decommissioning of outdated servers.
Uninterruptable power supply (UPS) upgrade
An upgrade of current UPS systems providing enhanced disaster recovery services was completed in 2011.
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EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION
OBJECTIVES
To maintain consistent and responsive internal and external communication.
To enhance the profile of the Commission as the reference point for community harmony and cultural diversity.
RESULT
Develop targets and performance measures for reporting commencing early 2009.
City and Regional Multicultural Coordinators Forums
At each forum, between 30 and 50 senior representatives from NSW public authorities share good practice and discuss issues of concern, challenges and opportunities in implementing the principles of multiculturalism through the Multicultural Policies and Services Program.
The Commission also uses the forums as a means to update government agencies on developments and directions in multiculturalism, community relations and social cohesion in NSW.
Commission visit to Orange
The Commission held its annual regional visit in Orange during November 2010. The visit was part of the Commission’s ongoing program of consultation and engagement with regional communities. It provided the Commission with an opportunity to become familiar with major issues of concern to the locality and enable it to address those issues more effectively.
The Orange Council hosted a civic reception that was attended by approximately 70 people including representatives of government departments, community organisations, cultural groups, welfare agencies, religious organisations, social groups and volunteers as well as various key people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Commissioners and staff met with the region’s newly-arrived and established multicultural communities, developing a greater insight into regional cultural diversity issues and promoting the services of the Commission.
Consultation with Multicultural and Ethnic Communities’ Councils
The Commission introduced regular formal consultative meetings with representatives from the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW, the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Newcastle and the Hunter Region, and the Multicultural
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Council of Wagga Wagga. The Councils represent and promote culturally and linguistically diverse communities and receive funding from the Commission in support of their activities.
The biannual consultations provide a forum for the Councils and the Commission to discuss strategies and policies affecting the culturally and linguistically diverse communities in NSW. The consultations also provide an opportunity to identify prospects that may be carried out collaboratively and address issues of common concern.
EmailLink
Government agencies and other service providers used the Commission’s contacts database and email facility, EmailLink, to inform culturally diverse communities about their programs, services and activities. Use of the EmailLink service increased by 39% compared to last year.
The Commission’s database underwent rigorous cleansing to ensure that data remains relevant and current. The database was made more comprehensive through the registration of new contacts within the culturally diverse community.
MediaLink
News items that appeared in the ethnic press were published through the MediaLink online reporting service of the Commission. The Commission reviews more than 100 publications per week to capture and report items that are relevant to the Government and subscribers of the MediaLink service.
The MediaLink service allows subscribers to gain insight into the activities, views and sentiments of the culturally diverse community. This knowledge assists subscribers in planning and evaluating their own programs and activities.
Multicultural e-Advice NSW
The Multicultural e-Advice NSW database and online portal allows government agencies to upload documents and correspond with the Commission electronically.
The online portal also assists Commission staff to capture and retrieve comprehensive data on how the NSW Government is providing services to identified community groups enabling the Commission to provide a more timely response to requests for information, and results in increased efficiency and savings in storage and printing costs.
Multicultural e-Advice NSW streamlines the reporting and assessment processes, leading to an enhanced capacity to identify trends and gaps in multicultural service provision across the state.
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Multicultural Marketing Conference
In 2010, the Commission hosted the annual Multicultural Marketing Conference themed “Multicultural Marketing Feels The Heat”. The Conference provided participants an opportunity to examine and discuss issues in multicultural marketing within the Australian setting. The Conference brought together resources within and outside NSW to improve the capabilities of government agencies, communities and businesses in engaging a multicultural population. The conference also featured a panel of prominent community representatives who presented the perspective of consumers.
The Conference fostered relationships between public, private and community agencies to address issues and explore opportunities for collaboration. Participants endorsed the conference where it was rated positively.
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PROMOTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF MULTICULTURALISM
OBJECTIVES
To recognise and promote the benefits of diversity to the community.
To maintain government accountability for the implementation of the principles of multiculturalism through the Multicultural Policies and Services Program (MPSP) and reporting.
To provide opportunities to communities to inform decision-making by government.
To facilitate the participation of people of culturally diverse backgrounds on advisory bodies and in volunteer activities.
RESULTS
Promote social justice, community development and community initiatives for ethnic communities in NSW.
Increase the participation of people of NSW in community life and the public decision-making process.
Measure and report the observation of the principles of multiculturalism by public authorities.
Promote a cohesive and harmonious multicultural society with mutual respect.
Awards
The Community Relations Commission’s awards program promotes the advancement of multiculturalism in New South Wales and contributes to the enrichment of all sections of society through the benefits of cultural diversity.
Community Relations Commission Award in the Premier’s Literary Awards
The Community Relat ions Commission Award is conferred upon writers who have made noteworthy contributions to Australian literature, theatre, film, radio or television in representing the settlement experience or the interweaving of cultures in Australia’s culturally diverse society. The Award was presented by Premier Barry O’Farrell in May 2011.
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Mr Ouyang Yu winner of the 2011 CRC Literary Award with CRC Chair, Mr Stepan Kerkyasharian.
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The 2011 Community Relations Commission Award recipient was Ouyang Yu for his novel ‘The English Class’, set at the end of the cultural revolution, which explores how a young truck driver called Jing, manages to teach himself English in adverse circumstances, and eventually passes the examination to get into a university English class. There he falls in love with the estranged wife of the English teacher and later finds his way to Australia.
This novel explores the aspiration of many to migrate to English-speaking countries, and examines the insidious effects of colonialism and deracination. But more than this, it is an evocation of the power of language to shape our identity and to make sense of ourselves in a dislocated world.
Community Relations Commission Awards for Volunteering
The Commission’s annual Awards for Volunteering honour those individuals in NSW whose tireless community service has enhanced the cultural and social well-being of their migrant communities.
The purpose of these awards is to highlight the cultural diversity of those undertaking voluntary work and to foster a greater understanding of the value of their contributions. NSW recognises the crucial role that volunteering plays in social cohesion and community building.
Award winners in four categories for 2010 were:
Community Service AwardWinner: Mr Robin Margo SC
Volunteer of the Year AwardWinner: Ms Peggy Huang
Young Volunteer AwardWinner: Ms Tshibanda Gracia Ngoy
Lifetime Achievement in Community Service AwardWinner: Mr John Gebhardt
The awards were presented at a ceremony at NSW Parliament House on 2 December 2010.
Ms Peggy Huang and Ms Tshibanda Gracia Ngoy , 2010 CRC Awards for Volunteering recipients.
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Dendy Short Film Award
Each year, at the Sydney Film Festival, the Community Relations Commission presents a short film award. Films where content reflects the multicultural experience in Australia are eligible for the Commission’s Dendy Short Film Award.
The 2011 Award recipient was Sydney film-maker Pauline Chan for ‘33 Postcards’. Inspired by real life stories, the film explores how two different individuals come together despite different cultures, ages and unexpected circumstances. The film portrays sensitively how people of vastly different cultural backgrounds can interact effectively in our society.
Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society Poetry Award
The annual Community Relations Commission Award is awarded to a school student as part of the National Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Prize for a poem best highlighting the value of cultural diversity within the Australian community.
In 2010, the Award recipient was Benjamin Gibson from Redeemer Baptist School, North Parramatta for his entry ‘This Great Nation’.
National Multicultural Marketing Awards
The National Multicultural Marketing Awards were held in November 2010. This annual event was attended by more than 450 guests from the government, business and community sectors.
The Awards program is an event that attracts entries at a national level with 58 entries received from across Australia for the 2010 Awards program. These entries were assessed by an independent panel of judges, namely:
• Associate Professor John Stanton, School of Marketing, University of Western Sydney
• Ms Luciana Ozcan, Associate Director, Head of Sales, City Index
• Mr Alun Probert, Director of Strategic Communica t ions and Government Advertising, NSW Government Services
The 2010 National Multicultural Marketing Awards were awarded in seven categories.
Corporate sponsors for 2010 were:
• UBI World TV (Grand Sponsor)
• The Australian Newspaper (Executive Sponsor)
• AFL (Community Award Sponsor)
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (Technical Award Sponsor)
• Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China
• Boka Group
• Casella Wines - the makers of [yellow tail] (Export Award Sponsor)
• Commonwealth Bank (Commercial Small Business Award Sponsor)
• Qantas
• The Westin Sydney
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Award recipients were:
• AFL Community Award and Grand Award Winner Winner: Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra Inc for the DVD ‘It’s not a Disgrace It’s Dementia’.
• Advertising and Communication Award Winner Winner: SBS for its World Cup multilingual and multiplatform marketing campaign in its coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
• Australian Bureau of Statistics Technical Award Winners Winner: Appropriate Dispute Resolution Directorate, Department of Justice Victoria for a new website called ‘Reaching Agreement’.
• Commercial Big Business Award Winner Winner: Western Union for the campaign that signified the launch into new territory of multicultural creative arts which successfully resonated with targeted communities.
• Commonwealth Bank Commercial Small Business Award Winner Winner: Sanford Legal for creative marketing and implementing a social media marketing strategy.
• Government Award Winner Winner: Moreland City Council for producing storyboards as an alternative method for communicating messages to the community that focused on maternal health issues, community health and well-being (domestic violence awareness), responsible gambling awareness and influenza awareness.
Representatives of the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, winners of the 2010 National Multicultural Marketing Awards Grand Award.
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• [yellow tail] Wines Export Award Winner Winner: Longwarry Food Park Pty Ltd for its successful export strategy which placed a strong emphasis on productive diversity by utilising the skills of its employees from specific export regions and allowing them to visit clients on behalf of the company.
As part of the National Multicultural Marketing Awards calendar of events, the Community Relations Commission organised a Multicultural Marketing Conference titled, “Multicultural Marketing Feels the Heat” which was held at the Westin Sydney hotel in November 2011.
The Conference was supported by sponsors of the 2010 National Multicultural Marketing Awards and co-sponsored by the NSW Fire Brigades and OriginsInfo. The aim of the conference was to provide participants with an opportunity to gain or improve their skills in developing effective multicultural communication strategies.
There were 90 attendees at the Conference which included marketing, communications and media professionals.
NSW Premier’s Chinese Community Service Awards
The annual NSW Premier’s Chinese Community Service Awards honour Chinese individuals for outstanding service within and beyond the Chinese community. They recognise the long-standing presence of Chinese Australians in NSW.
(Left to right) Dr Leng Tan, Daphne Lowe Kelly, Clarie Lee and William Ho Yin Chan.
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The purpose of these awards is to acknowledge the social value of voluntary work within the Chinese community.
In 2011, four Chinese Australians were honoured in four award categories for outstanding voluntary service to the community. The winners were announced at a ceremony at Government House on 8 February 2011.
• Jack Wong Sue Award for Voluntary Community Service Beyond the Chinese Community Winner: Ms Daphne Lowe Kelly
• Quong Tart Lifetime Achievement Award in Community Service Winner: Dr Leng Tan
• Victor Chang Community Service Award Winner: Mrs Clarie Lee
• Young Chinese Volunteer Winner: Mr William Ho Yin Chan
NSW Premier’s Newly Established Community Awards
During the period in review, the Commission was directed by the Premier to establish a new set of community awards to acknowledge the work of individuals, organisations and businesses in promoting and contributing to economic relations, cultural exchange, community service and harmony:
NSW Premier’s Filipino Community AwardsWinners were announced at a ceremony at Government House on 2 March, 2011. Award recipients were:
• Trade and Industry Winner: Arturo Sta Barbara
• Arts and Culture Winner: Manny B Castillo
• Community Harmony Winner: Philippine Community Council of NSW Inc
• Community Service Winner: Julie Nunez
• Lifetime Achievement Winner: Lolita Farmer OAM
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NSW Premier’s Indian Subcontinent Community AwardsWinners were announced at a ceremony at Government House on 18 February, 2011. Award recipients were:
• Trade and Industry Winner: Chandru Tolani
• Arts and Culture Winner: Kumud Merani
• Community Harmony Winner: Mr Pawan Luthra
• Community Service: Winner: Mohit Tolani
• Lifetime Achievement (Two Winners): Dr Siddalingeshwara Orekondy and Dr Gurcharn Singh Sidhu
NSW Premier’s Lebanese Community AwardsWinners were announced at a ceremony at Government House on 1 March, 2011. Award recipients were:
• Trade and Industry Winner: Michael Toufic Rizk
• Arts and Culture Winner: Majida Abboud-Saab
• Community Harmony Winner: Sheikh Malek Zeidan
• Community Service Winner: Faten El Dana
• Lifetime Achievement: Winner: Rev Fr Antoine Tarabay
NSW Premier’s Vietnamese Community AwardsWinners were announced at a ceremony at Government House on 3 March, 2011. Award recipients were:
• Trade and Industry Winner: Minh Tri Vo
• Arts and Culture Winner: Vi Phat
• Community Harmony Winner: Tri Vo
• Community Service Winner: Than Van Nguyen
• Lifetime Achievement: Winner: Dr Sang Giang Phan
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NSW Premier’s Translation PrizeThe Premier’s Translation Prize is offered biennially by Arts NSW and the Community Relations Commission in association with Sydney PEN. The prize acknowledges the contribution made to literary culture by Australian translators and to recognise the vital role literary translators play in enabling writers and readers to communicate across cultures. The prize is offered only to translators who translate works into English from other languages. The Award was presented by Premier Barry O’Farrell in May 2011.
For 2011, the Translation Prize recipient was Dr Ian Johnston, acknowledging a body of translation projects in both classical Chinese and Greek.
Community Development Grants Program
The Commission met the needs of the culturally diverse communities through the General, Sponsorship and Local Partnership categories of the Community Development Grants Program. In the General grants category, 49 projects were awarded with a total amount of $787,908 and 72 special events were awarded in the Sponsorship grants category with a total amount of $71,856.
The needs of new and emerging communities were addressed through the Local Partnership grants category by working in partnership with local councils. The local councils of Auburn, Bega, Griffith, Orange and Tamworth as well as the Albury/Wodonga Volunteer Resource Bureau received a total amount of $173,952 in funding.
Community Relations Symposium and Youth Leaders’ Day 2010
The annual Community Relations Commission Youth Leaders’ Day and Symposium was held on 14 and 15 September 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Parramatta.
There were approximately 200 participants who attended the Youth Leaders’ Day, including student delegates from a mix of private, government and religious schools from across Sydney, workshop presenters, facilitators and Commission staff.
Dr Ian Johnston is congratulated by The Hon George Souris, Minister for the Arts.
Participants at the Youth Leaders’ Day learn to dance Bhangra.
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The day is organised with the help of the CRC’s Multicultural Youth Network (MYN) and is hosted by the Commission’s Youth Commissioners.
The Hon. Tanya Gadiel MP delivered the opening address at the Youth Leaders’ Day and the Hon. John Hatzistergos MLC delivered the opening address at the Symposium. The Minister also launched the 2010 CRC Awards for Volunteering on the second day of the Symposium.
The guiding theme of the Symposium and Youth Leaders’ Day was ‘Am I being heard?”. It allowed participants to explore and discuss matters important to multicultural Australia.
Concurrent workshop topics for the Youth Leaders’ Day were: Youth Leadership – Media; Youth Leadership – Project Management; Employment and Stereotypes; Education; Campaigning/Advocacy.
Nathan Cassar, a year 12 student attending Elderslie High School addressed youth delegates. Nathan developed the anti-bullying program, ‘It’s Not Cool To Be Cruel!’ for the Minister’s Young Designer’s Awards, where it won the State Excellence Award in 2006. The program is currently partnered with Wests Tigers and presented by Enough is Enough. The program has been implemented in at least nine primary schools across the South Western Sydney Region.
Nathan’s keynote address highlighted how the challenges he has faced have helped shape the person he has become today.
There were approximately 230 participants who took part in the Community Relations Commission Symposium including delegates representing community, government, academia, religious, corporate and sporting organisations.
In addition there were workshop presenters, facilitators and Commission staff. The concurrent workshop topics for the Symposium were: Accessible Government, Partnerships/Grants, Media, Retaining Languages and Social Entrepreneurism.
Deputy Commissioner of the NSW Police Force, Nick Kaldas AM, delivered the keynote address and explored the NSW Police Force’s commitments to policing in a culturally, linguistically, and religiously diverse society, and his role as the NSW Police Force corporate spokesperson for cultural diversity.
Participants at the Youth Leaders’ Day form a circle of unity.
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Deputy Commissioner Kaldas also outlined some of the ways in which the NSW Police Force recognises and utilises diversity as a practical resource in its everyday actions.
The outcomes from the Symposium and Youth Leaders’ Day will be used to inform the planning and implementation of future community events and forums organised by the Community Relations Commission including the Annual Community Relations Symposium 2011.
Through the Regional Advisory Councils, regional representation at the Symposium was ensured with each Council being represented by a member. This resulted in better understanding of regional issues. Likewise, regional representatives were able to familiarise themselves with general issues in the Sydney metropolitan area.
Days of religious significance
The Commission compiles a list of days of religious significance for each calendar year. The aim of the list is to emphasise the NSW Government’s commitment to accommodate the culturally diverse nature of the public sector workforce and to act as a guide for managers to assist in the consideration of leave applications.
The 2011 guide to days of religious significance was finalised on 23 December 2010.
Football United: Social cohesion through football
The Commission continued to provide strategic partnership and support to Football United through its Social Cohesion Through Football project.
Football United uses football, or soccer, as a medium to promote positive community relations by engaging with and increasing cooperation between refugee and local communities in the Blacktown and Liverpool districts.
The Commission is contributing $24,000 over three years from April 2008 towards the employment of two part-time coordinators, based in Liverpool and Blacktown.
Other project partners are the Australian Research Council as the principal financial contributor, Blacktown District Soccer Football Association, Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre, Miller Lurnea and Evans Intensive English Centres, Sydney Football Club, NSW Health, Sydwest Multicultural Services Inc and the University of NSW.
Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police, Nick Kaldas addressing the CRC Symposium 2010.
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Iftar Dinner
On 23 August 2010, the Premier of NSW hosted the annual Iftar Dinner to which Muslims and representatives from a number of other faiths were invited. The dinner, which was attended by some 250 guests, promotes interfaith harmony while marking the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Multicultural Planning – A Resource for Practitioners
Multicultural Planning – A Resource for Practitioners, a resource to assist in the implementation of the Multicultural Planning Framework, will be launched and distributed to NSW Government agencies in July 2011.
The Multicultural Planning Framework provides the structure for the planning process while the manual provides the substance, by suggesting a series of practical activities for all agencies to consider when seeking to address outcomes.
The manual has been developed to complement the Framework and applies the same structural logic and the same colour-coding to enable the user to easily navigate between the two documents.
The resource is the primary guide for NSW Government agencies in implementing the principles of multiculturalism, demonstrating how actions and strategies can be integrated to achieve higher-order goals.
A resource manual for chief executives and senior managers of public authorities is in development.
Multicultural Planning Framework
The Multicultural Planning Framework is recommended to all NSW Government agencies as a resource for planning.
The framework adopts an outcomes-based model to assist all agencies (regardless of their size) to integrate meaningful multicultural planning into their organisation.
The framework has seven outcomes, which are:1. Planning2. Consultation and feedback3. Leadership4. Human resources5. Access and equity6. Communication, and7. Social and economic development
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The framework was redesigned in 2010/11 to be easier to use, and was colour-coded to facilitate navigation within the accompanying resource manual.
The revised Multicultural Planning Framework was distributed to NSW Government agencies as an A3 poster along with the ‘Multicultural Planning – A Resource for Practitioners’ manual.
Multicultural Policies and Services Program
The Commission coordinated presentations at each of the Regional Advisory Councils on the implementation of the Multicultural Policies and Services Program. These presentations have resulted in a better informed community.
A number of State Government agencies and departments have reported back to their relevant Regional Advisory Councils on steps they have taken to ensure greater understanding of cultural diversity and how this affects the services they deliver. This will be supplemented in 2011 with two regional multicultural forums.
Multicultural Youth Network
The Multicultural Youth Network (MYN) is a collective of young leaders committed to building a bright future for multiculturalism in Australia. The objectives of the MYN is to work with young people and communities in NSW to promote the value of cultural diversity and to provide skills training and leadership and networking opportunities for members.
Participants at the youth networking evening at Parramatta.
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The MYN explores and identifies the social and cultural issues facing young people in NSW and advocates positive outcomes.
The MYN communicates with the Commission on issues of concern to young people of diverse backgrounds, for incorporation into Commission and NSW Government policy, and supports its members in working with their local communities in engaging young people and the issues affecting them.
The members of the Community Relations Commission MYN played a key role in the development and implementation of Youth Leaders’ Day 2010 and also acted as workshop facilitators on the day.
The Multicultural Youth Network organised a youth networking evening on 8 March 2011 at The Courtyard, Riverside Theatre Parramatta. Members of the MYN organised the event to provide opportunities for young people to expand existing networks and to meet similar-minded young leaders.
Commission Youth Commissioners Sam Almaliki and George Pappas met with over 90 young people from various cultural backgrounds and youth organisations. Attendees were given a briefing on the work of the MYN and its future projects and key-note speaker Tshibanda Gracia Ngoy spoke with great passion and clarity about the need for leadership and to act with purpose.
Members of the Mexican Dance Group of Australia entertained attendees with their colourful traditional performance.
Resources kit on volunteering for non-profit sharing organisations
Strategic guidance and advice was provided to the Centre for Volunteering for its project “Transition of Highly Skilled Workers to Paid Employment by Volunteering”. This project received funding from the Commission’s grants program.
Factors that make successful utilisation of highly skilled culturally diverse volunteers by not-for-profit organisations are examined in this project, for both the volunteer and the organisation. The project has not yet concluded but already there have been some ground-breaking achievements with organisations sharing information and helping each other on achieving tangible results from volunteers. A benefits resource kit was developed during the project.
Street Festivals
The Commission continues to encourage local councils to participate in its Multicultural Street Festival Program to promote community participation, social cohesion and community harmony.
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Wollongong’s ‘Viva la Gong’ festival was held on 6 November 2010 which attracted 6000 people. The theme was “Stories of Land and Sea” to incorporate Wollongong’s unique physical location between the mountains and the sea. The sea stories incorporated stories of migration, journeys and arrivals from other countries (80 nationalities settled in Wollongong area). The festival highlighted the area’s diversity, connections and the environment with significant emphasis on the area.
The crowd was entertained by the grand street parade, visual arts programs, physical theatre and circus program, youth program, dance, food, arts and crafts market, environmental and community stalls, a curated children’s program and community stage.
The Camden festival, held on 23 October, had stalls and lively performances by Narellan Rhythms. The event attracted approximately 3000 local residents of diverse backgrounds.
Entertainment included Aboriginal music and dance, zumba, Kool Kruiser car show, multicultural performances, African drumming and dance, Bollywood dance troupe, hip hop, food and arts and crafts stalls.
The Commission approached Liverpool, Orange, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga Councils for their participation in the Multicultural Street Festival program.
In order to encourage the establishment of these street festivals as a regular feature of the events calendar, the Commission offers participating councils three years of consecutive funding on the provision that the councils hold events for a further two years after the funding period ceases.
University of Sydney: Maximising Australia’s language resources
The Community Relations Commission entered into an agreement with the University of Sydney as the lead researcher, together with other partner universities and partner organisations for a project that examines issues pertinent to the formal provision and study of community languages.
These factors include strategies to increase the demand for language study, identifying how teachers’ resources can be developed and shared, and determining measurements of student performance and program evaluation. The Commission’s contribution comprises financial support of $29,500 and in-kind research collaboration.
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EFFECTIVE KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
OBJECTIVES
To develop an effective knowledge management system.
To apply continuous improvement to the technological and human aspect of the knowledge management system.
RESULTS
Improve access to information.
Measure, report and improve customer satisfaction with frontline services.
Customer Information Management System
Forged from its strong ties and well-established relationships with cultural groups and individuals in NSW, the Commission has developed and maintains a unique database of community contacts. This database provides the means to engage the cultural, religious and linguistically diverse community in programs and services of the state.
The Commission regards the contacts database as a valuable resource and has an ongoing program to continuously update contact information.
The Commission commenced the development of a customer relationship management system that will host its database of contacts within the culturally diverse community, ethnic media, consular corps, government agencies, academics and other interest groups.
Information Management
Email CaptureCapturing emails directly from the email application into the electronic records management system was introduced in April 2011. This new system was embraced by staff of the Commission who are now experiencing the benefits of having this information immediately available and accessible.
The Commission is now in a better position to meet its legislative and accountability requirements to make and keep full and accurate records.
Document TemplatesTo facilitate the creation and capture of electronic documents directly into the electronic records management system, document templates have been installed into that system for use by staff when creating electronic records.
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Ministerial Liaison
The Commission provides independent and timely advice to the Minister for Citizenship and Communities on issues affecting the citizenship portfolio. When required, it coordinates events on behalf of or hosted by the Minister.
Open access information
The Freedom of Information Act 1989 was repealed on 1 July 2010 and replaced by the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act). Consequently, the Commission’s website was updated to include new pages in relation to ‘open access information’.
In reviewing its obligations under s7(3) of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009,the Commission during 2010/11, undertook an assessment of information holdings to identify further information that could be made publicly available. This included:
• New publications (operational guidelines, resource material for multicultural planning, news releases and newsletters, annual reports)
• New community awards (Lebanese, Vietnamese, Indian Sub-continent and Filipino)
• Numerous events and activities
• Calendars (meetings for Regional Advisory Councils, Days of Religious Significance)
During the 2010/11 reporting period, the Commission did not receive any applications for access to information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.
The Commission did not refuse any access applications, either wholly or in part, because of an overriding public interest against disclosure.
See Appendix 7 for statistical information as described in Schedule 2 of the Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2009.
Privacy management
The Commission’s privacy policy and management plan have been updated and new strategies have been developed for implementation over the next four years.
Privacy awareness training was made available to all staff of the Commission. This included detailed instructions on the privacy principles for the two NSW Privacy Acts (Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002) as well as applying the principles in practice.
There were no internal review applications received in 2010/11.
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LEADERSHIP SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE CRC
OBJECTIVES
To maintain an effective leadership system throughout the Commission.
To align the Commission’s organisational culture to support leadership to achieve the Commission’s strategic direction.
RESULT
Measure performance against the Corporate Plan.
Occupational Health and Safety Committee
The Community Relations Commission is committed to maintaining a safe and hazard-free work environment that is consistent with the NSW Public Service legislative obligations. The Commission’s Occupational Health and Safety framework is clearly outlined in the Commission’s Occupational Health and Safety policy.
The Occupational Health and Safety Committee is comprised of Commission staff members who are representatives of each division. The Committee also consists of an employer representative who has the responsibility to implement preventative measures on behalf of the employer. The Committee, who met three times from July 2010 to June 2011, operates as an advisory body and is responsible for identifying issues and making appropriate recommendations to the Commission’s division directors regarding safety issues in the workplace.
The Occupational Health and Safety Committee undertook annual inspections of the Commission premises in June 2011. Inspection of regional offices in Newcastle and Wollongong and the new office at Parramatta was also undertaken. Committee members were guided in their inspections by the use of an Annual Workplace Inspection Checklist. Division directors were informed about the scheduled inspection well in advance so as to not interrupt the usual activities in the area. A summary of any principal areas of concern were forwarded to division directors for immediate action.
Other activities by the Occupational Health and Safety Committee in 2010/11 include:
• Introducing new staff, including volunteers to the Commission’s Occupational Health and Safety policy to promote awareness and safety in the workplace
• Undertaking nomination and appointment processes in accordance with its policies and procedures to fill vacancies resulting from staff movements
• Organising mandatory training for new committee members to build an understanding of the principles of occupational health and safety issues and to provide leadership on workplace safety.
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Training and development
Commission staff were provided training and refresher courses in email capture, records handling, as well as privacy awareness training.
External training opportunities for editing and proofreading were also offered and provided to four employees who coordinate Commission publications.
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legislative and corporate governance
64 Members of the Community Relations Commission 69 Commissioners’ attendances at meetings 70 Principal staff of the Commission 71 Organisation structure Board and committiees Functional
74 Executive position
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Members of the Community Relations Commission as at 30 June 2011
Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian AO
Chairperson and Chief Executive OfficerAppointed 27 February 1989. Appointment expires 14 September 2013.Community involvement:
President, Anti-Discrimination BoardMember, Clinical Examination Appeals Board of the Australian Medical CouncilMember, Commissioner’s Advisory Council on Culturally Responsive PolicingMember, Migration Heritage Advisory Board of the Powerhouse MuseumMember, Chief Executives Officers Counter Terrorism Coordinating GroupMember, Countering Violent Extremism Capability Sub-CommitteeMember, Crown Cemeteries Advisory CommitteeMember, Premier’s Council on International Education.
Ms Patricia Azarias
Deputy ChairpersonEconomistAppointed 24 November 2009. Appointment expires 23 November 2012.Community involvement:
Non-Executive Director, Special Broadcasting Service.
Ms Seini Afeaki
Project officerAppointed 25 March 2009. Appointment expires 24 March 2012.Community involvement:
Chairperson, Northern Regional Advisory CouncilManagement Committee Member, Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities AgencyMember, NSW Council for Pacific Communities.
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Ms Wajiha Ahmed
SolicitorAppointed 15 February 2006. Appointment expires 24 March 2012.Community involvement:
Chairperson, Hunter Regional Advisory CouncilLecturer, Southern Cross UniversityLecturer, University of TechnologyMember, Geographical Names Board.
Mr Sam Almaliki, Youth Commissioner
Law Student at the University of Wollongong Appointed 27 January 2011. Appointment expires 26 January 2014.Community involvement:
Founder/President, Sydney Junior Winter Cricket Association IncCommittee Member, Cricket Australia Multicultural Reference Committee Festival Director, Southern Sydney Diwali Festival Committee Member, Abhinay School of Performing Arts Founder/President, NSW Youth Association IncMember, Canterbury Youth Council Board Member, St. George Workplace Learning Partnerships Inc. Committee Member, 2010/11 University of Wollongong Faculty of Law Committee Chairperson, New England Regional Advisory Council.
Mr Diing Bul
Law StudentAppointed 12 January 2010. Appointment expires 11 January 2013.Community involvement:
Chairperson, Kongor Students Association of AustraliaChairperson, Nepean-Blacktown Regional Advisory Council Director, Sudanese Australians National Youth CouncilMember, Human Rights Committee, Young Lawyers of the Law Society of NSW.
66 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Mr Michael Christodoulou AM DO
Chiropractor and OsteopathAppointed 2 March 2005. Appointment expires 1 March 2014.Community involvement:
Board Member of:Anti-Discrimination Board Community Languages Schools Board of NSW Education DepartmentNSW Medical Board of the Medical Board of AustraliaMedical Council of NSWAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, NSW Medical Registration CommitteeStanmore Hawks Football ClubChairperson, Hellenic Emergency Relief FundChairperson, Illawarra Regional Advisory CouncilCoordinator, United Nations Human Rights Day CommitteePresident, Cyprus Community of NSWPresident, Federation of Cyprus Communities of Australia and NZ Treasurer, World Council for Hellenes Abroad
Mr Jihad Dib
High school principalAppointed 22 April 2009. Appointment expires 21 April 2012.Community involvement:
Commission representative on Muslim Cemetery TrustChairperson, Griffith Regional Advisory Council.
Ms Ozlem Huseyin
Appointed 27 January 2011. Appointment expires 26 January 2014.Community involvement:
Member/Director, Australian Turkish Mutual Alliance Member, Turkish Student Society Macquarie University.
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 67
Mr David D. Knoll AM
Barrister and MediatorAppointed 5 November 2010. Appointment expires 4 November 2013.Community involvement:
Chairperson, Central West Regional Advisory Council Community Representative, Crown Cemeteries Advisory Committee Councillor, Executive Council of Australian Jewry Director, Council for Jewish Community Security (NSW).
Mr Anthony Pang
Accountant CPAAppointed 2 March 2011. Appointment expires 1 March 2014.Community involvement:
Member, Institute of Internal Auditors President, Chinese Australian Forum.
Mr George Pappas, Youth Commissioner
University StudentAppointed 27 January 2011. Appointment expires 26 January 2014.Community involvement:
Councillor, UTS Law Students’ Society Partner, G Squared Digital Design.
Mr Lalli Sethuram
Appointed 2 March 2011. Appointment expires 1 March 2014Community involvement:.
Member, Blacktown Rotary Club.
68 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Dr Eman Sharobeem PhD
Appointed 2 March 2011. Appointment expires 1 March 2014.Community involvement:
Manager, Immigrant Women’s Health Service Member, NSW Premier’s Council on Preventing Violence Against Women Co-Convenor, Fairfield Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Network Chairwoman, Non English Speaking Housing for Women Member, Association of Former International Civil Servants Chairperson, Macarthur/Liverpool Regional Advisory Council.
Ms Adol Takpiny
Appointed 2 March 2011. Appointment expires 1 March 2014.Community involvement:
Chairperson, Albury Regional Advisory Council.
Commissioners whose appointment concluded during 2010/11:
Katrina Banh (youth commissioner)Ezel JupiterVivian Pak
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 69
Commissioners’attendance at meetings
S Kerkyasharian AO
P Azarias
S Afeaki
W Ahmed
S Almaliki
K Banh
D Bul
M Christodoulou AM DO
J Dib
O Huseyin
E Jupiter
D Knoll AM
V Pak
A Pang
G Pappas
L Sethuram
E Sharobeem
A Takpiny
Commissioner Number of meetings Number of meetings attended eligible to attend
14
12
13
10
6
1
6
14
9
5
11
7
4
3
6
3
5
4
15
15
15
15
6
7
15
15
15
6
11
8
7
5
6
5
5
5
70 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Principal staff of the Commission
CHAIRPERSON AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian AO
DIVISION HEADS
Business Services
DirectorMrs Marte TagleMBT, PSMngt
Community Relations Service
DirectorMr Richard Acheson
Grad.Cert.Mig Law & Prac, Dip.Gov(Fin),Cert.BusMgt, Cert.Mediation
Government Relations Service
DirectorMs Steffanie von Helle
BA, LLB, MA PS Leadership, Cert IV WTA
Operations
DirectorMr Keith Stevens
CPA
Regional Services
DirectorMr Fadel Benhima
PSM, BA, IB
Executive Officer
Ms Rachel DumasB.Econ, Dip.Govt (Policy)
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Organisation structure
CHAIRPERSON ANDCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Stepan Kerkyasharian AO
PREMIER*The Hon Barry Robert O’Farrell,MP*
ILLAWARRA REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ChairpersonMichael
ChristodoulouAM DO
NORTHERNREGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ChairpersonSeini Afeaki
NEW ENGLANDREGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ChairpersonSam Almaliki
ALBURYREGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ChairpersonAdol Takpiny
GRIFFITHREGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ChairpersonJihad Dib
HORNSBY and CENTRAL COAST
REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ChairpersonPatricia Azarias
MACARTHUR –LIVERPOOLREGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ChairpersonEman Sharobeem
NEPEAN –BLACKTOWN
REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ChairpersonDiing Bul
CENTRAL WESTREGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ChairpersonDavid Knoll AM
HUNTERREGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
ChairpersonWajiha Ahmed
Organisation structure - boards and committeesas at 30 June 2011
PART-TIME COMMISSIONERSSeini Afeaki
Wajiha AhmedSam Almaliki
Diing BulMichael Christodoulou AM DO
Jihad DibOzlem HuseyinDavid Knoll AMAnthony Pang
George PappasLalli Sethuram
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSONPatricia Azarias
*Under Administrative Orders, the Premier has joint responsibility with the Minister for Citizenship for the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000.
MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP*The Hon Victor Dominello MP
72 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Organisation structure - functional as at 30 June 2011
CHAIRPERSON andCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Education and training
Planning and reporting
GovernmentRelations Service
Business Services Community RelationsService
Reporting the status of community relations to
Parliament
Management of the Multicultural Policies
and Services Program
Develop and maintain community profiles
Communityharmony projects
Migrant settlement and planning coordination
Language testing
National MulticulturalMarketing Awards
Grants administration
Advertising and publications
Secretariat
Electronic mail service(EmailLink)
Ethnic Media reporting(MediaLink)
Information management (records, privacy, GIPA)
Policy analysis and development
Monitoring theimplementation of Cultural Harmony
2002-2012White Paper
Event briefings and messages for the
Premier and Minister
Research and investigation
Communityconsultation
Awards and festivals
Multicultural MarketingConference
Resource development to assist government
agencies to implement the Principles of Multiculturalism
Convening the Multicultural Regional Coordinators Forum
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Regional programs and projects coordination
Regional outreach
RegionalServices
FinancialServices
Facilities and Procurement
Risk Managementand Internal Audit
Ministerial and parliamentary
liaison
Specialprojects
Executive Unit
Human Resources and Industrial Relations
Information and Communications
Technology
Language Services(Interpreting and
Translations)
Video conferencing
Operations
74 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Executive Position
Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian AOChairperson and Chief Executive OfficerSES Level 5: remuneration as at 30 June 2011 - $312,820 plus an allowance of $10,000 per annum as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Anti-Discrimination Board of New South Wales, both full-time responsibilities.
The Chairperson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Relations Commission, an agency of the NSW Government. Dr Kerkyasharian successfully oversaw and managed all facets and operations of the Community Relations Commission including its legislative, legal and financial obligations. The Chairperson represented the Commission at meetings with government, community, business and diplomatic representatives. The Chairperson provided the Minister with independent advice on issues relating to the administration of the Citizenship portfolio. The Chairperson presides at meetings of the Community Relations Commission, which is established under the provisions of the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act.
As the Chairperson of the Community Relations Commission For a multicultural NSW (and also as President of the Anti-Discrimination Board) Dr Kerkyasharian has realised a number of significant objectives for the Commission:
1. Provided independent advice to Governments in the context of the Citizenship portfolio. Following the election of a new Government in March 2011, the Chairperson led the Commission in discussions with its new Minister on revised strategic directions for the Commission.
2. The Chairperson will guide the Commission to progress ongoing key initiatives, reviews and projects.
3. The Commission was represented by the Chairperson on committees and forums which comprised senior representatives of agencies and organisations.
4. The Chairperson is an ex officio member of the Premier’s Council on International Education, where he plays an active role in informing deliberations on the implementation of important initiatives for overseas students.
5. The Chairperson continued his participation in conferences and public forums as a speaker which presents important opportunities for him to engage on multicultural matters with government officials, academics and other stakeholders.
6. The Chairperson maintained close administrative oversight of a series of ethnic communities roundtable meetings organised by the Commission for the Premier of New South Wales. These meetings involve the participation of key members from specific ethnic communities to inform the Premier directly on appropriate delivery of government programs.
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7. During the past year the Chairperson convened meetings for local communities to encourage consultation and engagement with small and emerging communities. These meetings and forums provided an avenue for communities to interact with the Commission and raise specific issues of concern at a local level.
8. The National Multicultural Marketing Awards which are led by the Chairperson celebrated their 21st anniversary. The Awards recognise outstanding achievements in the multicultural marketing industry and encourage high standards of best practice for all marketers.
9. The Community Relations Commission’s annual symposium is an effective consultative mechanism for the Commission when major concerns confronting New South Wales as a multicultural society are explored with peak community bodies, local councils and government agencies. The 2010 forum, held at Parramatta on 14 and 15 October, 2010, attracted some 430 participants over the two days. The views and discussions provided the Commission with further insight into priority issues for community organisations.
10. Regional communities appreciated the leadership of the Commission in hosting forums that address local community matters in rural and regional areas of New South Wales. In conjunction with the Commission’s ten Regional Advisory Councils, local issues can be identified and resolved locally. This enables the enhancement of relationships between the government and the community.
11. The Commission supported the engagement of refugee communities in rural and regional areas through the Refugee Youth Sports Sponsorship program that has assisted over 250 young people over the past three years to participate in sporting activities with local organisations. The program has helped to promote a sense of belonging in refugee youth, built confidence, and has resulted in the development of social networks with the wider community.
12. The Chairperson successfully negotiated with the Department of Justice and Attorney General to provide an shop front within the Western Sydney Trial Courts complex in Parramatta. The shop front opened in February 2011 to provide improved access to the Commission’s language services for the people of western Sydney.
13. Building on its work in the previous year, the Commission distributed the Guide to NSW Services for International Students. The resource, designed to inform students about services they can access while they are studying in NSW, was distributed to over 290 agencies including international education providers, government agencies, high schools, TAFE colleges, education agents and local councils.
14. The Chairperson, accompanied by staff, presided at information sessions on international student matters, which significantly assisted in managing community relations. The Commission held four major forums for international students, which presented a comfortable platform for students to present their issues to both federal and state government agencies.
76 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
15. The Chairperson launched the Multicultural Planning Framework and Multicultural Planning: A resource for Practitioners. These complementary resources provide a flexible structure for agencies to develop comprehensive plans to achieve common multicultural objectives, and offer practical suggestions about how to achieve and implement broader strategic goals.
16. The quarterly Multicultural Coordinators Forums have developed a positive momentum. A recent evaluation of the Multicultural Policies and Services Program revealed that the overwhelming majority of Forum participants believed that the suite of reforms had assisted them significantly to implement the Principles of Multiculturalism within their portfolio areas and to appreciate the broader multicultural policy context.
17. Delegations from overseas are received by the Chairperson. Most of these delegations seek a briefing on the Commission’s role in promoting community harmony and are provided with an overview of the NSW Government’s programs for its multicultural communities.
18. The 2009-2012 Information Communication and Strategic Plan continued to be important to the Commission’s provision of service to stakeholders and in achieving organisational objectives throughout the 2010/11 year. The Chairperson, who closely supervised the development of the plan, supervises its delivery and updates.
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statement of affairs
78 Structure and functions 83 Effect of the Commission’s functions on members of the public
84 Arrangements for public participation in policy formulation 84 Access, arrangements, procedures and points of contact
78 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Statement of Affairs
1. STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
This report was prepared in pursuance of Section 125 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 No 52.
The report describes the structure and functions of the Community Relations Commission For a multicultural NSW and the kind of information that will be made publicly available either free of charge or at cost.
Establishment
The Community Relations Commission was established in terms of the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 and commenced operation on 13 March 2001.
The Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 provides for the appointment by the Governor of up to fifteen Commissioners.
On 30 June 2011, the Commission consisted of one full-time Chairperson, one part-time Deputy Chairperson, and thirteen part-time commissioners. Commissioners are appointed on the basis of their qualifications, experience, knowledge and sensitivity to multicultural issues.
The Community Relations Commission is responsible for promoting community harmony, participation and access to services so that the contribution of cultural diversity to New South Wales is recognised and celebrated.
Organisation
In order to carry out the functions prescribed under the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000, the Commission operates as an administrative office under the Public Sector Management Act.
The structure includes the Community Relations Service Division, Government Relations Service Division, Regional Services Division, Business Services Division and the Operations Division.
In addition, section 20 of the Act allows for the establishment of committees of commissioners or commissioners and other persons as required to assist the Commission to carry out its functions.
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Regional Advisory Councils
The Commission operates ten Regional Advisory Councils to enable enhanced community input into policy formulation and community comment on prevailing regional issues.
Regional Advisory Councils are convened by part-time commissioners and their recommendations are brought to the attention of the Commission.
Structure and Activities of the Community Relations Commission For a multicultural NSW
• Business Services Division
Business Services manages and controls the linkages between the Commission’s knowledge base, information and organisational performance. It undertakes strategic program development and planning to promote and support the objectives of the Commission. Its functions and responsibilities include:
• corporate planning and reporting
• performance management, training, and compliance reporting
• information, records, data and knowledge management
• program management and administration (funding and language testing)
• electronic business
• secretariat support
• ethnic media reporting
• publications
• National Multicultural Marketing Awards
• Multicultural Marketing Conference.
• Community Relations Service Division
The Community Relations Service Division promotes the development and implementation of community relations policies across the spectrum of government activities, as outlined in the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000.
This Division also coordinates whole of government positions and develops model projects with communities and partnership organisations based on the goals of the Act.
The Community Relations Service Division encourages the participation of young people and communities in decision-making, consults with communities, and also promotes the benefits of multiculturalism through a range of festivals, events and awards.
80 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
• Government Relations Service Division
Through the Multicultural Policies and Services Program (formerly Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statement or EAPS), the Government Relations Service Division implements the Commission’s legislated responsibility to assist and assess public authorities in observing the Principles of Multiculturalism.
It also responds to requests for policy advice from the Premier, Minister and other government agencies and, through the quarterly Multicultural Coordinators Forum, coordinates whole of government positions on government responsiveness to cultural, linguistic and religious diversity in NSW.
The Division supports the Premier or Premier’s representative when attending community events through the provision of briefings and speech notes. The Government Relations Service Division also prepares the Community Relations Report on the state of community relations, which is tabled in Parliament annually in accordance with s.14 of the Act.
• Operations Division
The Operations Division of the Commission covers the following business units:
• Language Services
• Financial Services
• Human Resources & Industrial Relations
• Facilities management and procurement
• Systems and Technology
The Commission provides comprehensive interpreting and translation services throughout NSW in over 102 languages and dialects, in order to facilitate equal participation and access to government services within a multicultural NSW.
The Community Relations Commission utilises 595 casual and 6 full-time interpreters and translators. Services are available to all government departments, agencies, private and commercial organisations, community groups and individuals. Services are provided primarily on a user-pays basis, with exemption granted on a needs basis. Language Services provides:
• access to interpreters 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the cost of a local call on 1300 651 500
• counter service for translations, open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
• TTY (telephone typewriter) number 02 8255 6758
• electronic transactions via CRC LanguageLink including booking an interpreter
• communication with casual panellists via CRC LanguageLink.
In addition to the above, the business units of the Operations Division have responsibility for delivering a suite of core corporate services to the Commission which include:
• accommodation and facilities management
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• budgeting and reporting
• development and implementation of short, medium and long term financial and strategic plans to ensure the effective delivery of Commission objectives
• financial and management accounting
• human resource management through an outsourced payroll service as well as industrial relations support
• information communications and technology
• risk management and internal audit.
• Regional Services Division
This Division coordinates and manages ten Regional Advisory Councils which cover the Albury, Central West, Griffith, Hornsby-Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra, Macarthur-Liverpool, Nepean-Blacktown, New England and Northern regions.
The councils assist the Commission in its interaction with people representing the multicultural community in rural and regional areas. The councils advise on matters affecting their specific regions of the state. Membership of the councils comprises relevant local and regional government agencies and individuals to reflect the diversity of each region.
The Regional Services Division develops strategies and works in partnership with local community organisations and government agencies to address identified regional issues. This division keeps the Commission informed of any regional developments.
Planning mechanisms
The following planning mechanisms are in place in respect of the Community Relations Commission For a multicultural NSW:
• the 2007-2012 Corporate Plan identifies the goals of the Commission and outlines strategies to ensure the achievement of the corporate objectives and the relevance to the Government’s community relations objectives articulated in the CommunityRelations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 and the White Paper Cultural Harmony, The Next Decade 2002-2012
• the Results and Services Plan provides a summary of the corporate objectives for service delivery. The Commission reviews the plan annually to ensure alignment of the Commission’s priorities and targets with the State Plan
• strategic plans provide direction and a consistent focus in key areas of management including risk, information and communication technology, information and records and business operations
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• each division develops an operational plan to ensure corporate objectives are achieved. The plans demonstrate how corporate strategies are to be implemented.
• meetings of the Commission are convened monthly, or more often if required, to determine policy and priorities
• weekly meetings of senior executive staff play a major role in planning the day to day activities of the Commission
• the White Paper, Cultural Harmony, The Next Decade 2002 - 2012 contains the Community Relations Plan of Action 2012. The White Paper sets the directions for community relations and the implementation of the Principles of Multiculturalism by NSW Government agencies until 2012.
The Plan of Action 2012 contains the four key objectives which flow from the principles of multiculturalism and articulate the Government’s aims and the results expected from Government agencies. Key objectives are:
• leadership
• community harmony
• access and equity within a framework of social justice obligations
• economic and cultural opportunities.
To ensure the timely and efficient implementation of the Community Relations Action Plan 2012, the Government requires key agencies to provide a Multicultural Policies and Services Plan (formerly EAPS) to the Commission. Each agency’s Multicultural Plan will indicate the recent achievements of the agency in implementing the four key objectives, as well as foreshadowing the initiatives that will be undertaken.
To ensure that Multicultural Plans are publicly accessible and fully implemented into the core business of all NSW Government agencies, the Government requires that all NSW agencies, except those with 200 or fewer equivalent full-time staff, provide in their annual reports a statement of Multicultural Policies and Services achievements and foreshadowed activities for the following year. Agencies with 200 or fewer equivalent full-time staff will be required to report on a three yearly cycle.
Furthermore, the Commission is required to annually produce a report to Parliament on the state of community relations in New South Wales.
• An annual Community Relations Symposium and Youth Leaders’ Day are the major consultative event on the NSW multicultural calendar. The Commission organises symposia as part of its legislative responsibility to consult systematically and widely with the people of New South Wales.
The symposia invite participation from key community organisations in rural, regional and metropolitan NSW.
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Criteria for measuring the Commission’s performance
The Commission is sensitive to community response to its policy decisions. Community Relations Service staff provide information on community reaction.
The corporate plan outlines goals and strategies of the Commission for the period from 2007 to 2012. The annual report provides feedback against the corporate plan using pre-determined performance indicators.
The Results and Services Plan reports key performance in service delivery. The plan provides measures and costing for each service group. It forms part of the annual budget submission of the Commission.
In the interests of customer service, the Commission has in place mechanisms to monitor performance in meeting customer expectations.
The Commission monitors standards for translation and interpreting by meeting with and networking closely with major clients. This provides a clear indication of customer needs and satisfaction with services. Interpreters and translators in rare and emerging languages are also actively recruited.
The Commission’s MediaLink ethnic press reporting service provides feedback on community views and reaction to programs and other initiatives.
Funding assistance to community organisations is provided by the Commission through the Community Development Grants Program. All grant recipients enter into a funding agreement with the Commission. Part of the acquittal process for community development projects is the submission of completed Service Providers Survey and Client Survey forms. These are compiled and a report is provided to the Commission during the planning process. Funded organisations are also required to submit a financial and written project report.
2. EFFECT OF THE COMMISSION’S FUNCTIONS ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
The Commission’s functions affect the public in the following ways:
• the provision of interpreter and translation services has immediate benefit for non-English speaking clients of the Commission both in personal matters and in their dealings with government departments
• community relations policies and programs in the NSW public sector are based on the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 which incorporates four principles of multiculturalism and makes chief executive officers of public sector agencies responsible for the implementation of the principles
84 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
• the Act seeks to ensure that the public sector is responsive to the needs of, and the opportunities created by, a culturally diverse society
• the Commission’s community relations programs are an avenue for bringing the needs of community groups to the attention of the government
• the Commission accepts submissions on matters relating to community relations, and is prepared to examine them in the context of government policy.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN POLICY FORMULATION
The Commission welcomes the comments of the public on issues relating to community relations and service delivery. This is achieved through the activities of its Regional Advisory Councils, the conduct of seminars and forums, and the distribution of documents for public discussion.
Community members of Regional Advisory Councils are appointed for three years.
In addition, the Commission actively consults with communities across Sydney and on specific matters of concern.
4 . ACCESS, ARRANGEMENTS, PROCEDURES AND POINTS OF CONTACT
Information is available from the Commission’s Right to Information Officer, who is located at level 8, 175 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. The telephone number is (02) 8255 6707, Monday to Friday on usual working days between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm.
Charges for access to the documents are in accordance with the guidelines established by the Information Commissioner:
Nature of application Application fee Processing charge
Access to records by natural persons $30 $30 per hour after first twenty hoursabout their personal affairs.
All other requests $30 $30 per hour
Internal review $40 Nil
Amendment of records Nil Nil
appendices
86 Appendix 1: Management overview 2010/11
93 Appendix 2: Multicultural Policies and Services Program 104 Appendix 3: Representation of staff on committees
106 Appendix 4: Membership of Regional Advisory Councils
109 Appendix 5: Language services statistical information 111 Appendix 6: Grants awarded in 2010/11
118 Appendix 7: Open access statistical information
86 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Appendix 1 - Management overview 2010/11
Accommodation services
The Accommodation Services unit is responsible for procurement, stores, facilities, energy and waste management, maintenance acquisition and disposal of fixed assets. Refurbishments, fit-outs and building maintenance are also monitored and coordinated by this unit.
The Accommodation Services unit is responsible for ensuring the Commission’s compliance with various regulatory and social objectives. In particular the unit prepares and monitors the Commission’s performance in respect of:
• asset management plan
• office accommodation strategy
• procurement plan
• WRAPP – waste reduction and purchasing plan
The Commission leases three fleet vehicles which are used for official business travel by staff and Commissioners. One of these vehicles is a hybrid electric-fuel powered vehicle to ensure that the Commission leads by example in its social and environmental responsibilities.
Corporate credit cards
The Commission has in place a procurement card policy which is conducted in line with Treasury guidelines.
Disability plan
The Commission has a Disability Action Plan in place for 2009-2011 which was formulated via a consultative process with each of the divisions of the Commission. The action plan has targets in each of the outcome areas stipulated in the plan and fully supports the opportunity to plan for inclusive services that also meet the needs of those with a disability. The action plan will be reviewed during 2011/12 to ensure it remains relevant and complies with any legislative requirements.
Disclosure of controlled entities
The Community Relations Commission as a reporting entity comprises all the entities under its control. The Office of Community Relations Commission is a controlled entity established pursuant to Division 2, Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002.
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Benchmarkor Target
2009 2010 2011
EEO group
Women 50% 67.6% 65.7% 68.6%
Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders 2.6% 4.1% 0.0% 0.0%
People whose first language was not English 19.0% 66.2% 60.5% 59.5%
People with a disability n/a* 5.7% 5.2% 4.8%
People with a disability requiring work-related adjustment 1.5% 2.0% 2.0% 1.9%
Percentage of total staff
Benchmarkor Target
2009 2010 2011
EEO group
Women 100 91 92 93
Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders 100 n/a 0 0
People whose first language was not English 100 94 93 86
People with a disability 100 n/a n/a n/a
People with a disability requiring work-related adjustment 100 n/a n/a n/a
Percentage of total staff
B. TRENDS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF EEO GROUPS
n/a = not applicable
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
Note 1: A distribution index of 100 indicates that the centre of the distribution of the EEO group across salary levels is equivalent to that of other staff. Values less than 100 mean that the EEO group tends to be more concentrated at lower salary levels than is the case for other staff. The more pronounced this tendency is, the lower the index will be. In some cases the index may be more than 100, indicating that the EEO group is less concentrated at lower salary levels.
Note 2: The distribution index is not calculated where EEO group or non-EEO group numbers are less than 20.
Note 3: As per the consensus at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), the focus and benchmark measurement will be directed towards measuring people with a disability requiring work-related adjustment.
EEO Management Plan
The Community Relations Commission’s EEO Management Plan addresses the identification and removal of systemic barriers to the participation and promotion in employment of EEO groups including:
A. TRENDS IN THE REPRESENTATION OF EEO GROUPS
88 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
• Women
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• People with a disability including those requiring work-related adjustment.
The Commission actively seeks to achieve the recommended benchmark for all identified EEO groups.
In 2010/11 benchmark targets were met for four of the five EEO groups. The Commission’s small staffing establishment presents challenges in achieving all target representation across all groups.
Major EEO outcomes of 2010/11
The current flexible working hours policy has was reviewed with staff during 2010/11 with the objective of providing management and staff a more responsive arrangement that addresses business deadlines, work/life balance and carers arrangements. The Commission advertised short term vacancies through Expression of Interests (EOIs) to promote equity and development and mentoring opportunities. In addition, staff are encouraged to seek and undertake secondments to other NSW government agencies to foster career progression.
Staff attended privacy training to ensure all staff are up to date with current legislation.
Major Planned EEO outcomes for 2011/12
Commission staff are provided with OHS training and targeted training on a needs basis.
Energy performance
The Community Relations Commission is committed to achieving savings in energy usage and sustained energy management principles. The Commission has offices at three sites which purchase electricity in the contestable market. Two sites, Newcastle and Wollongong currently purchase 6 percent of their electricity from renewable sources.
The purchase of electricity in the contestable market has lowered costs. A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has been achieved by consumption of green power for the last six years.
Planning
Accountability and responsibility for energy management has been established by the nomination of an Energy Manager and Energy Coordinator.
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*Total energy consumed
% of total energy
Annual cost excluding
Fuel Carbon dioxide (CO2)greenhouse emissions
(tonnes)Electricity (black coal) 631.8 84.4% $27 719 188.3
Electricity (green power) 3.7 0.5% $207 0.0
ULP 32.9 14.4% $1 113 2.2
E-10 Fuel 79.9 10.7% $2 789 4.8
TOTAL 748.3 100.0% $31 828 195.3
Where costs are effectively feasible, the Commission will endeavour to continue to reduce energy consumption in buildings and transport. The Commission has already achieved the GEMP energy reduction target by 15 percent of the 1995 level in 2001 (excluding fleet data) and has also exceeded the 2005 target of a 25 percent reduction with a result of 42 percent. An energy management plan has been completed and identifies energy consumption reduction targets and includes the strategies for all facilities.
Implementation
The Energy Management Plan has established a plan of implementation to enable energy savings to be enhanced. The plan addresses facilities or technologies with the greatest saving potential. The plan has identified suitable funding options to enable energy saving recommendations to be implemented.
Performance
The Commission, during 2010/11, purchased the following major energy sources:
There has been an increase in overall energy consumption of 1%, including vehicles, from the 2009/10 period. There was also a 42% reduction compared to the 1995/96 baseline for buildings only. The cost of electricity has increased by 5% from the 2009/10 period due to the increase in the network and environmental costs.
Future direction
The Energy Management Plan includes the Commission’s policy directions, monitoring, targeting and reporting mechanisms and energy management strategies. These directions, mechanisms and strategies will be implemented during 2011/12 where possible.
Exceptional movements in employee wages, salary and allowances
No exceptional movements were recorded in employee wages, salary and allowances. However the Commission was impacted adversely by the staff freeze.
90 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Human Resources - Number of staff by division
Implementation of price determinations
During the year there were no price determinations which had a significant effect on the operation of the Community Relations Commission.
Internal audit and risk management
A business risk assessment was completed by the Commission’s internal auditors, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in October 2010 that delivered the Strategic Internal Audit Plan for 2010-2013. Three reviews were conducted during 2010/11 as per the plan:
1. Accounts Payable and General Ledger
2. Succession Planning
3. Performance Management and Training
The Commission’s Independent Audit and Risk Committee met three times during the year.
Location 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11
Executive 3 7 7 4
Community Relations Service 7 5 5 7
Financial and Corporate Services 11 14 14 11
Business Services 18 12 12 12
Language Services 22 24 25 29
Regional Service 5 6 5 5
Government Relations Service 6 7 8 7
TOTALS 72 75 76 75
Panel of interpreters and translators* 672 547 554 595
Equivalent full-time 52 75 73 86
* Total number of resources available
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 91
Internal Audit and Risk Management Statement for 2010/11 Financial Year for the Community Relations Commission of NSW
I, Stepan Kerkyasharian, am of the opinion that the Community Relations Commission of NSW has internal audit and risk management processes in place that are, in all material aspects, compliant with the core requirements set out in Treasury Circular NSW TC 09/08 Internal Audit and Risk Management Policy.
I, Stepan Kerkyasharian, am of the opinion that the Audit and Risk Committee for the Community Relations Commission is constituted and operates in accordance with the independence and governance requirements of Treasury Circular NSW TC 09/08. The Chair and members of the Audit and Risk Committee are:
• Ms Bonnie Boezeman AO – Independent Chair – 3 year term (12/04/2010 – 11/04/2013)
• Mr John Hunter – Independent Member – 2 year term (12/4/2010 – 11/4 /2012)
• Ms Steffanie von Helle – Member – 12 month term (12/04/2010 – 11/04/2011)
I, Stepan Kerkyasharian, declare that this Internal Audit and Risk Management Statement is made on behalf of the following controlled entity:
- Office of the Community Relations Commission NSW
These processes provide a level of assurance that enables the senior management of the Community Relations Commission of NSW to understand, manage and satisfactorily control risk exposures.
Stepan KerkyasharianChairpersonCommunity Relations Commission of NSW31 October 2011
92 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Land disposal
The Community Relations Commission did not hold, sell or acquire land during the reporting period.
Overseas visits
The Commission did not incur any financial expenses for overseas visits during 2010/11.
Waste Management
The Commission uses recycled material whenever possible, provided that the product will not affect the operation of office equipment and is available under government contract. The Commission is committed to reducing the generation of waste and has implemented a number of recycling measures:
• Using recycled toner cartridges
• Recycling empty toner cartridges
• Using scanners to minimise paper use
• Using scrap paper for drafting documents
• Capturing electronic mail directly into recordkeeping system in lieu of printing
• Providing workstations with recycling receptacles.
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 93
Appendix 2 - Multicultural Policies and Services Program (MPSP)
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2
Outco
me 1:
Pl
annin
g
Outco
me 2:
Co
nsult
ation
an
d fee
dbac
k
Act
iviti
es
The C
ommi
ssion
deve
lops
a mult
icultu
ral p
lan fo
r 201
1 an
d 201
2.
The C
ommi
ssion
Cor
pora
te Pl
an 20
07 -
2012
is lin
ked t
o the
MPS
P Pl
an.
Lang
uage
Ser
vices
analy
ses
clien
t dem
and d
ata to
plan
sta
ff rec
ruitm
ent a
nd se
rvice
pr
ovisi
on.
Gove
rnme
nt Re
lation
s Se
rvice
colla
tes da
ta on
NS
W G
over
nmen
t age
ncy
comp
lianc
e with
the l
egisl
ated
oblig
ation
to im
pleme
nt the
Pr
incipl
es of
Mult
icultu
ralis
m.
Inter
nal w
orkin
g gro
ups
on ke
y pro
jects
and
new
initia
tives
inclu
de
repr
esen
tation
from
staff
ha
ving s
pecifi
c cult
ural
skills
or
know
ledge
.
Plan
is de
velop
ed an
d im
pleme
nted.
MPSP
is lin
ked t
o the
Cor
pora
te Pl
an.
Clien
t dem
and d
ata ha
s de
termi
ned r
ecru
itmen
t of s
taff to
pr
ovide
servi
ce in
high
dema
nd or
ra
re la
ngua
ges a
nd th
roug
h cas
ual
and i
ntern
al int
erpr
eter p
anels
.
New
and e
merg
ing la
ngua
ges
identi
fied t
hrou
gh cl
ient’s
re
ques
t and
addr
esse
d thr
ough
re
cruitm
ent.
Comm
unity
Rela
tions
Rep
ort is
tab
led in
Par
liame
nt, an
d con
tains
an
analy
sis of
publi
c auth
ority
pe
rform
ance
.
Capa
city o
f staf
f to co
mplet
e the
pr
ojects
or in
itiativ
es sa
tisfac
torily
.
By en
d Oc
tober
20
11
Ongo
ingTo
be
revie
wed
2012
Ongo
ing
End o
f Ap
rilan
nuall
y
Ongo
ing
Dire
ctor,
Co
mmun
ity
Relat
ions S
ervic
e
Dire
ctor,
Comm
unity
Re
lation
s Ser
vice
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
Dire
ctor,
Gove
rnme
nt Re
lation
s Ser
vice
Chair
perso
n,Di
recto
r, Re
giona
l Ser
vices
, Di
recto
r, Co
mmun
ityRe
lation
s Ser
vice
Plan
finali
sed.
Ongo
ing re
view.
Ongo
ing of
fer of
emplo
ymen
t to
exist
ing ca
sual
inter
prete
rs an
d tra
nslat
ors.
Ongo
ing re
cruitm
ent o
f new
int
erpr
eters
and t
rans
lator
s as
per n
eed b
asis.
Ongo
ing co
llecti
on of
data
for th
e 201
1 Com
munit
y Re
lation
s Rep
ort.
Draw
upon
the c
ultur
al ne
twor
ks of
staff
to pr
omote
Co
mmiss
ion in
itiativ
es an
d inv
estig
ate av
enue
s for
furth
er
deve
lopme
nt.
Draft
Com
miss
ion m
ulticu
ltura
l pla
n dev
elope
d.
The C
ommi
ssion
’s Co
rpor
ate
Plan
is lin
ked t
o the
MPS
P Pl
an.
The C
ommi
ssion
conti
nued
re
cruitin
g inte
rpre
ters a
nd
trans
lator
s to m
eet th
e de
mand
for n
ew an
d eme
rging
lan
guag
es. T
here
wer
e 39 n
ew
casu
al int
erpr
eters
recru
ited.
The 2
010 C
ommu
nity
Relat
ions R
epor
t was
table
d in
Parlia
ment.
Inter
nal w
orkin
g par
ty for
the
estab
lishm
ent o
f the
Multic
ultur
al Bu
sines
s Sum
mit
includ
es re
pres
entat
ion fr
om al
l div
ision
s to a
ddre
ss di
ffere
nt iss
ues.
Com
mun
ity R
ela
tions
Com
mis
sion
Mul
ticul
tura
l Pol
icie
s a
nd S
ervi
ces
Prog
ram
Prog
ress
Rep
ort 2
010/
11 a
nd F
orw
ard
Pla
n 20
11/1
2
Crit
eria
Plan
ning
and
perfo
rman
ce
meas
urem
ent
Integ
ratio
nwi
thco
rpor
ate
plann
ing
Use o
f data
an
d ana
lysis
Staff
ex
pertis
e and
re
sear
ch
94 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2A
ctiv
ities
Octob
er
2011
for
econ
omic
contr
ibutio
n re
sear
ch
Ongo
ing
Exec
utive
Chair
perso
n,Di
recto
r, Re
giona
l Ser
vices
,Di
recto
r, Co
mmun
ity
Rese
arch
will
infor
m fut
ure
polic
y prio
rities
.
The C
ommi
ssion
will
conti
nue
to co
nsult
the c
ommu
nities
in
vario
us ev
ents
includ
ing
CRC
Symp
osia
and h
old
comm
unity
cons
ultati
ons i
n dif
feren
t are
as ar
ound
the
Sydn
ey m
etrop
olitan
area
. Th
e iss
ues r
aised
by th
e co
mmun
ities w
ill co
ntinu
e to
be ad
dres
sed.
Comm
unity
cons
ultati
ons w
ill be
held
throu
ghou
t 201
1/12.
Profe
ssor
John
Niew
enhu
ysen
en
gage
d and
scop
ing co
mmen
ced.
The C
ommi
ssion
orga
nised
the
annu
al Sy
mpos
ium w
ith yo
uth
and g
ener
al eth
nic co
mmun
ity
repr
esen
tative
s. Th
is tw
o-da
y eve
nt aim
s at c
onsu
lting e
thnic
comm
unitie
s in
NSW
on cu
rrent
comm
unity
ha
rmon
y iss
ues i
mpac
ting o
n the
m.
Over
400 c
ommu
nity r
epre
senta
tives
of
diver
se ba
ckgr
ound
s par
ticipa
ted
and i
ssue
s rais
ed w
ere d
ocum
ented
an
d are
being
addr
esse
d.
The C
ommi
ssion
held
five
multic
ultur
al co
mmun
ity fo
rums
at
Blac
ktown
, Live
rpoo
l, the
Hills
Ho
lroyd
Par
rama
tta, A
ubur
n and
St
Geor
ge ar
eas.
Ther
e wer
e ove
r 170
co
mmun
ity m
embe
rs fro
m div
erse
cu
ltura
l and
relig
ious b
ackg
roun
ds
who p
artic
ipated
at th
ese f
orum
s.
The C
ommi
ssion
also
held
spec
ific
comm
unity
foru
ms w
ith th
e Som
ali
and C
hines
e-sp
eakin
g com
munit
ies to
ad
dres
s spe
cific c
ommu
nity i
ssue
s.
Crit
eria
Clien
tco
mmun
ity
feedb
ack
Succ
essfu
l eva
luatio
n and
ac
quitta
l of fu
nding
, and
co
mplet
ion of
the p
rojec
ts to
the
Comm
ission
’s an
d Mini
ster’s
sa
tisfac
tion.
Actio
ns ta
ken b
y Com
miss
ion on
iss
ues r
aised
thro
ugh R
egion
al A
dviso
ry Co
uncil
s and
foru
ms.
Rese
arch
and p
rojec
ts co
mmiss
ioned
to ex
amine
iss
ues a
ssoc
iated
with
co
unter
ing vi
olent
extre
mism
an
d the
econ
omic
contr
ibutio
n of
migr
ants.
The C
ommi
ssion
cons
iders
issue
s rais
ed th
roug
h its
Regio
nal A
dviso
ry Co
uncil
s, ye
arly
Symp
osium
, You
th Le
ader
s’ Da
y and
othe
r ethn
ic co
mmun
ity fo
rums
.
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 95
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2A
ctiv
ities
Multic
ultur
al Co
ordin
ators
Foru
ms he
ld wi
th se
nior
office
rs fro
m a r
ange
of
NSW
publi
c auth
oritie
s in t
he
metro
polita
n and
regio
nal
area
s to e
nable
cros
s-sec
toral
input
into t
he C
ommi
ssion
’s pla
nning
and p
olicy
de
velop
ment.
Lang
uage
Ser
vices
has i
n pla
ce a
comp
laints
hand
ling
syste
m for
both
servi
ce
deliv
ery a
nd st
aff.
Issue
s rais
ed at
the f
orum
s inf
orm
the C
ommi
ssion
’s br
oade
r pla
nning
and p
olicy
deve
lopme
nt.
Partic
ipant
evalu
ation
of th
e us
efulne
ss of
the f
orum
s to t
heir
agen
cy’s
imple
menta
tion o
f the
Princ
iples
of M
ulticu
ltura
lism.
Custo
mer S
ervic
e Cha
rter o
utline
s se
rvice
comm
itmen
ts.
Feed
back
is cl
osely
mon
itore
d.
Conti
nued
daily
mon
itorin
g of
comm
ents/
feedb
ack r
eceiv
ed fr
om
clien
ts thr
ough
Inter
prete
r Rec
ord
Book
s.
Conti
nued
to co
nduc
t qua
rterly
fee
dbac
k ses
sions
with
casu
al int
erpr
eters
and t
rans
lator
s to g
ive
and r
eceiv
e fee
dbac
k.
Quar
terly
metro
polita
nfor
ums a
nd
half-y
early
re
giona
lfor
ums (
6-8
per a
nnum
)
Ongo
ing
Dire
ctor,
Gove
rnme
nt Re
lation
s Ser
vice
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
Initia
tion o
f the fi
rst R
egion
alMu
lticult
ural
Coor
dinato
rs Fo
rum
in Lis
more
/Coff
s Ha
rbou
r.
Revie
w of
Comp
laints
Ha
ndlin
g Poli
cy
and P
roce
dure
s for
Cas
ual
Inter
prete
rsan
d Tra
nslat
ors i
s plan
ned.
The D
irecto
r, Gov
ernm
ent R
elatio
ns
Servi
ce at
tende
d a m
eetin
g of e
ach
Regio
nal A
dviso
ry Co
uncil
durin
g the
ye
ar to
brief
mem
bers
on th
e MPS
P an
d Mult
icultu
ral P
lannin
g Fra
mewo
rk.
The C
ommi
ssion
orga
nised
a se
ries
of ro
undta
ble m
eetin
gs be
twee
n the
Pr
emier
and k
ey m
embe
rs of
ethnic
co
mmun
ities i
n NSW
. Issu
es ra
ised
at the
se m
eetin
gs w
ere d
ocum
ented
by
the C
ommi
ssion
, and
appr
opria
te ac
tions
wer
e init
iated
to re
solve
the
matte
rs.
Four
metr
opoli
tan w
orks
hops
wer
e he
ld in
2011
with
over
30 pa
rticipa
nts
in att
enda
nce a
t eac
h. Ini
tiatio
n of
the fir
st Re
giona
l Mult
icultu
ral
Coor
dinato
rs Fo
rum
in W
agga
Wag
ga.
Conti
nued
to m
onito
r the
perfo
rman
ce
of se
rvice
and r
eview
and e
valua
te an
y com
plaint
and/o
r fee
dbac
k ag
ainst
the C
ustom
er S
ervic
e Cha
rter.
Crit
eria
96 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2
Outco
me 3:
Le
ader
ship
Act
iviti
es
Staff
repr
esen
t the
Comm
ission
on go
vern
ment
and c
ommu
nity c
ommi
ttees
an
d inte
r-age
ncies
.
The B
oard
of C
ommi
ssion
ers
maint
ains a
watc
hing b
rief
over
the i
mplem
entat
ion of
the
Mult
icultu
ral P
lan.
Chair
perso
n add
ress
es
confe
renc
es, fo
rums
and t
he
media
on ke
y cult
ural
diver
sity i
ssue
s.
Chair
perso
n init
iates
Co
mmiss
ion ac
tions
whic
h br
ing to
gethe
r the
comm
unity
, go
vern
ment
or ot
her
stake
holde
rs to
reso
lve
critic
al co
mmun
ity is
sues
.
Gove
rnme
nt an
d non
-gov
ernm
ent
comm
ittees
with
Com
miss
ion
repr
esen
tation
.
Numb
er of
times
mult
icultu
ral
plan i
mplem
entat
ion is
sues
are
cons
idere
d in c
ommi
ssion
ers’
month
ly me
eting
s.
Confe
renc
e and
othe
r pub
lic an
d me
dia en
gage
ments
unde
rtake
n in
repo
rting y
ear.
Cultu
ral d
iversi
ty an
d com
munit
y re
lation
s iss
ues a
ddre
ssed
an
d imp
rove
d/res
olved
thro
ugh
Comm
ission
inter
venti
on, in
re
portin
g yea
r.
Ongo
ing
Ong
oing
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Chair
perso
n,Di
vision
al Di
recto
rs
Chair
perso
n
Chair
perso
n
Chair
perso
n
The C
ommi
ssion
will
conti
nue
to be
repr
esen
ted w
hen
requ
ired.
Month
ly Co
mmiss
ioner
me
eting
s will
conti
nue t
o co
nside
r mult
icultu
ral p
lan
imple
menta
tion i
ssue
s.
Ongo
ing
The C
ommi
ssion
will
be
orga
nising
two i
nform
ation
se
ssion
s for
inter
natio
nal
stude
nts at
Ban
kstow
n and
Ne
wcas
tle.
A nu
mber
of co
mmun
ity
enga
geme
nt ev
ents
are a
lso
being
plan
ned t
o fac
ilitate
re
lation
ships
betw
een
over
seas
stud
ents
and t
he
broa
der c
ommu
nity.
Thes
e acti
vities
will
bring
tog
ether
stak
ehold
ers f
rom
gove
rnme
nt, co
mmun
ity an
d pr
ivate
secto
rs.
The C
ommi
ssion
is re
pres
ented
on
a num
ber o
f gov
ernm
ent a
nd
comm
unity
comm
ittees
.
Ther
e wer
e 11 m
onthl
y Co
mmiss
ioner
s’ me
eting
s held
whe
re
multic
ultur
al pla
n imp
lemen
tation
iss
ues w
ere c
onsid
ered
.
Ongo
ing
In 20
10, th
e Com
miss
ion ap
point
ed
an In
terna
tiona
l Stud
ents
Proje
ct Of
ficer
for a
perio
d of o
ne ye
ar, up
to
Septe
mber
2011
.
The C
ommi
ssion
orga
nised
thre
e inf
orma
tion s
essio
ns fo
r inter
natio
nal
stude
nts on
safet
y, fai
r wor
k and
renta
l rig
hts an
d res
pons
ibiliti
es.
The C
ommi
ssion
partic
ipated
at
the in
augu
ral In
terna
tiona
l Stud
ent
Festi
val o
rgan
ised b
y the
Dep
artm
ent
of Pr
emier
and C
abine
t. Ove
r 2,00
0 inf
orma
tion b
ookle
ts we
re di
stribu
tedto
stude
nts at
the f
estiv
al.
The C
ommi
ssion
hoste
d Dr S
imon
Ma
rgins
on fr
om th
e Univ
ersit
y of
Melbo
urne
. Dr M
argin
son
pres
ented
a se
mina
r on a
book
that
he ha
d co-
autho
red ‘
Inte
rnat
ional
Stud
ent S
ecur
ity fo
r gov
ernm
ent
repr
esen
tativ
es a
nd E
duca
tion
Prov
iders
’.
Crit
eria
Partic
ipatio
n on
advis
ory
bodie
s
Acco
untab
ility
and s
enior
ma
nage
ment
Activ
e inv
olvem
ent
of se
nior
mana
geme
nt
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 97
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2
Outco
me 4:
Huma
n Re
sour
ces
Act
iviti
es
Regu
lar co
ntact
with
NSW
go
vern
ment
agen
cies i
s us
ed as
an op
portu
nity t
o pr
omote
the P
rincip
les of
Mu
lticult
urali
sm an
d the
ob
jectiv
es an
d fun
ction
s of
the C
ommi
ssion
.
Lang
uage
and c
ultur
al div
ersit
y exp
erien
ce/sk
ills of
sta
ff, oth
er th
an in
terpr
eters
and t
rans
lator
s, ar
e ide
ntifie
d an
d CLA
S is
imple
mente
d.
Casu
al int
erpr
eters
and
trans
lator
s hav
e tra
ining
op
portu
nities
to re
fresh
or
furthe
r dev
elop t
heir s
kills.
Comp
ulsor
y Orie
ntatio
n/Ind
uctio
n Pro
gram
for n
ew
inter
prete
rs an
d tra
nslat
ors.
Impr
oved
awar
enes
s and
pr
ioritis
ation
of th
e Prin
ciples
of
Multic
ultur
alism
amon
g pub
lic
officia
ls.
Numb
er of
Com
miss
ion of
ficer
s re
ceivi
ng C
LAS
and l
angu
ages
of
CLAS
offic
ers i
n rep
ortin
g yea
r.
Numb
er of
inter
prete
rs wh
o ha
ve ta
ken p
art in
train
ing in
the
repo
rting y
ear.
Numb
er of
indu
ction
prog
rams
an
d num
ber o
f par
ticipa
nts
atten
ding d
uring
the y
ear.
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Dire
ctor,
Gove
rnme
nt Re
lation
s Ser
vice
Divis
ional
Dire
ctors
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
Regio
nal m
ulticu
ltura
l Co
ordin
ator F
orum
s to b
e es
tablis
hed i
n Wag
ga W
agga
an
d Lism
ore/
Coffs
Har
bour.
Wor
ksho
ps to
be he
ld wi
th Mu
lticult
ural
Coor
dinato
rs to
launc
h and
expla
in ho
w to
cond
uct m
ulticu
ltura
l plan
ning
using
the M
ulticu
ltura
lPl
annin
g Fr
amew
ork a
nd
Mult
icultu
ral p
lannin
g: a
re
sour
ce fo
r Pra
ctitio
ners
.
The C
ommi
ssion
will
conti
nue
to uti
lise i
ts CL
AS qu
alifie
d offi
cers.
A Bu
sines
s and
Mar
ketin
g Pl
an ha
s bee
n app
rove
d to
prov
ide a
blue p
rint fo
r the
fut
ure d
irecti
on of
Lang
uage
Se
rvice
s. Ed
ucati
on an
d tra
ining
oppo
rtunit
ies ar
e inc
luded
.
Induc
tion a
nd or
ientat
ion
for ne
w int
erpr
eters
and
trans
lator
s will
be or
ganis
ed
as ne
eded
.
Quar
terly
Multic
ultur
al Co
ordin
ators
Foru
ms w
ere h
eld. T
he D
irecto
r Go
vern
ment
Relat
ions S
ervic
ema
de pr
esen
tation
s and
re
pres
entat
ions a
t num
erou
s cro
ss-
secto
ral e
vents
and t
wo ne
w re
sour
ces w
ere i
ssue
d for
mu
lticult
ural
coor
dinato
rs in
publi
c au
thoriti
es.
Ther
e are
16 lo
w lev
el CL
AS
recip
ients
and 1
high
leve
l CLA
S re
cipien
t.
Two c
ourse
s wer
e offe
red:
• Int
erpr
eting
for p
eople
who
have
ex
perie
nced
sexu
al as
sault
(cou
rse
dates
17 A
ugus
t 201
0 and
24 M
ay
2011
).•
Inter
preti
ng fo
r peo
ple w
ho ha
ve
expe
rienc
ed do
mesti
c viol
ence
(co
urse
dates
2 No
vemb
er 20
10
and 2
Mar
ch 20
11).
Two i
nduc
tion a
nd or
ientat
ion
prog
rams
wer
e held
durin
g the
year.
On
29 N
ovem
ber 2
010,
28 in
terpr
eters
atten
ded.
On 28
Feb
ruar
y 201
1, 6 n
ew in
terpr
eters
were
indu
cted.
Crit
eria
Cultu
ral a
nd
lingu
istic
comp
etenc
e
Staff
de
velop
ment
and s
uppo
rt
98 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2
Outco
me 5:
Acce
ss an
d Eq
uity
Act
iviti
es
The C
ommi
ssion
prov
ides
a 24 h
our in
terpr
eting
and
trans
lating
servi
ce ac
ross
Ne
w So
uth W
ales i
n ap
prox
imate
ly 10
0 lan
guag
es
and d
ialec
ts inc
luding
AU
SLAN
.
Shop
fron
t at P
arra
matta
Ju
stice
Pre
cinct.
Lang
uage
servi
ces
infor
matio
n is p
ublic
ised i
n En
glish
.
Telep
hone
inter
prete
r ser
vice
(TIS
) is us
ed to
prov
ide
infor
matio
n at th
e cou
nter f
or
langu
age s
ervic
es.
Numb
er of
inter
preti
ng an
d tra
nslat
ing as
signm
ents
and
langu
ages
servi
ced i
n the
re
portin
g yea
r.
Numb
er of
inter
preti
ng an
d tra
nslat
ing re
ques
ts re
ceive
d.
Numb
er of
lang
uage
s tha
t inf
orma
tion s
heets
/fact
shee
ts ar
e tra
nslat
ed in
to.
Occa
sions
of T
IS us
e in t
he
repo
rting y
ear.
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
The C
ommi
ssion
’s lan
guag
e se
rvice
s ope
ratio
ns w
ill co
ntinu
e to p
rovid
e fac
e to
face q
uality
inter
preti
ng an
d tra
nslat
ion se
rvice
s to a
ssist
the
Com
miss
ion in
achie
ving
its m
ission
.
Imple
ment
a bus
iness
str
ategy
to in
creas
e aw
aren
ess o
f ser
vices
pr
ovide
d by t
he C
ommi
ssion
.
The C
ommi
ssion
will
conti
nue
to pr
ovide
infor
matio
n in
vario
us la
ngua
ges a
nd re
view
if nec
essa
ry.
Digit
al so
lution
s and
mate
rial
in the
top t
en la
ngua
ges w
ill be
ed du
ring t
he 20
11-1
2 re
portin
g yea
r.
The C
ommi
ssion
will
conti
nue
to pr
ovide
TIS
acce
ss.
Servi
ces w
ere p
rovid
ed in
100
langu
ages
and d
ialec
ts, in
cludin
g AU
SLAN
durin
g the
year
ende
d Jun
e 20
11.
Perfo
rmed
a tot
al of
48,26
3 int
erpr
eting
and t
rans
lation
as
signm
ents
with
3.7 m
illion
wor
ds
trans
lated
.
Offic
ially
open
ed an
offic
e with
in the
W
ester
n Syd
ney T
rial C
ourts
comp
lex
at Pa
rrama
tta w
ithin
the P
arra
matta
Ju
stice
Pre
cinct
in Fe
brua
ry 20
11
to fac
ilitate
bette
r acc
ess t
o the
Co
mmiss
ion’s
langu
age s
ervic
es to
the
peop
le of
weste
rn S
ydne
y.
Infor
matio
n she
ets on
Com
miss
ion
servi
ces a
re pr
ovide
d in m
ultilin
gual
docu
ments
at th
e sho
p fro
nts of
the
Comm
ission
.
Sche
dule
of Fe
es in
forma
tion i
s av
ailab
le in
Engli
sh, C
hines
e and
Vi
etnam
ese.
Fee e
xemp
tion i
nform
ation
is
avail
able
in En
glish
, Ara
bic, C
hines
e, Ma
cedo
nian a
nd V
ietna
mese
.
TIS
is re
ferre
d to b
y the
Com
miss
ion’s
coun
ter st
aff.
Crit
eria
Inter
prete
rse
rvice
use
Resp
onsiv
e an
dma
instre
amtar
geted
plann
ing
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 99
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2A
ctiv
ities
The C
ommi
ssion
prov
ides
infor
matio
n fac
t she
ets on
ho
w to
use i
nterp
reter
s for
gove
rnme
nt ag
encie
s and
the
publi
c.
The C
ommi
ssion
man
ages
the
Com
munit
y Dev
elopm
ent
Gran
ts Pr
ogra
m wh
ere
gran
ts ar
e adv
ertis
ed in
the
main
strea
m, lo
cal a
nd
non-
Engli
sh la
ngua
ge
news
pape
rs.
The C
ommi
ssion
assis
ts NS
W G
over
nmen
t and
loca
l co
uncil
s to i
mplem
ent th
e pr
incipl
es of
mult
icultu
ralis
m thr
ough
the M
PSP
by
prov
iding
advic
e, ca
rrying
out
asse
ssme
nts an
d dev
elopin
g re
sour
ces.
Numb
er of
web
site h
its in
the
repo
rting y
ear f
or fa
ct sh
eets
on
how
to us
e inte
rpre
ters.
Incre
ase i
n the
numb
er of
gran
t ap
plica
tions
in th
e exp
ande
d ra
nge o
f cate
gorie
s (Ge
nera
l; Sp
onso
rship;
Loc
al Pa
rtner
ship)
.
Occa
sions
of M
PSP
assis
tance
pr
ovide
d to N
SW ag
encie
s and
loc
al co
uncil
s in t
he re
portin
g yea
r.
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
Dire
ctor,
Busin
ess
Servi
ces
Dire
ctor,
Gove
rnme
nt Re
lation
s Ser
vice
The C
ommi
ssion
will
conti
nue
to ma
ke av
ailab
le the
int
erpr
eter g
uideli
ne bo
oklet
s, fac
t she
ets an
d info
rmati
on on
re
ques
ting a
nd w
orkin
g with
int
erpr
eters.
The C
ommu
nity D
evelo
pmen
t Gr
ants
Prog
ram
will b
e re
viewe
d by t
he C
ommi
ssion
to
exam
ine th
e poli
cy
unde
rpinn
ing cu
rrent
prog
rams
, ens
ure c
riteria
ar
e alig
ned w
ith C
ommi
ssion
ob
jectiv
es, id
entify
area
s of
dupli
catio
n and
revie
w the
pr
oces
s of m
onito
ring a
nd
repo
rting.
The C
ommi
ssion
will
conti
nue
to mo
nitor
and a
ssist
ag
ency
prog
ress
again
st the
MPS
P, an
d to a
sses
s ke
y age
ncy r
epor
ts ag
ainst
the M
ulticu
ltura
l Plan
ning
Fram
ewor
k.
The i
nterp
reter
guide
line b
ookle
t is
avail
able
for di
stribu
tion a
nd is
pu
blish
ed on
the C
ommi
ssion
’s we
bsite
.
The a
dver
tisem
ent fo
r the
Com
munit
y De
velop
ment
Gran
ts Pr
ogra
m wa
s tra
nslat
ed in
to re
levan
t lang
uage
s and
pu
blish
ed in
non-
Engli
sh la
ngua
ge
news
pape
rs. T
he E
nglis
h ver
sion o
f the
adve
rtisem
ent w
as pu
blish
ed in
ma
instre
am an
d reg
ional
news
pape
rs an
d plac
ed on
the C
ommi
ssion
’s we
bsite
.
Appli
catio
ns fo
r Spo
nsor
ship
gran
ts ar
e ope
n thr
ough
out th
e yea
r. Inf
orma
tion a
nd ap
plica
tion f
orms
ar
e ava
ilable
on th
e Com
miss
ion’s
webs
ite.
A tot
al of
137 g
rants
wer
e awa
rded
by
the C
ommi
ssion
unde
r the
2010
/11
finan
cial y
ear.
Met w
ith al
l key
agen
cies t
o ass
ist
with
deve
lopme
nt of
Multic
ultur
al Pl
ans a
nd/or
repo
rt ag
ainst
those
pla
ns.
Multic
ultur
al Co
ordin
ators
Foru
ms
were
cond
ucted
, and
well
-atte
nded
, on
four
occa
sions
durin
g the
year.
Crit
eria
100 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2A
ctiv
ities
Advic
e pro
vided
to th
e Mi
nister
and g
over
nmen
t on
cultu
ral d
iversi
ty an
d co
mmun
ity re
lation
s iss
ues.
Occa
sions
of po
licy/e
thnic
comm
unity
/comm
unity
relat
ions/
media
advic
e pro
vided
in a
timely
ma
nner
durin
g the
repo
rting y
ear.
As requ
ired
Dire
ctor,
Busin
ess
Servi
ces
Targ
eted M
ulticu
ltura
l Co
ordin
ators
Foru
ms
includ
ing a
Regio
nal M
PSP
Foru
m ar
e plan
ned f
or
2010
/11.
Deve
lopme
nt of
a con
dens
ed
versi
on of
the r
esou
rce
hand
book
for D
irecto
rs Ge
nera
l and
Chie
f Exe
cutiv
es.
The C
ommi
ssion
will
conti
nue
to me
et re
ques
ts for
advic
e an
d brie
fings
in a
timely
ma
nner,
as an
d whe
n the
y ar
ise.
Laun
ched
the r
evise
d Mult
icultu
ral
Plan
ning
Fram
ewor
k and
co
mplem
entar
y Mult
icultu
ral P
lannin
g: a r
esou
rce fo
r Pra
ctitio
ners.
Prov
ided a
dvice
and a
ssist
ance
on
multic
ultur
al pla
nning
to ap
prox
imate
ly 20
0 dep
artm
ents,
statu
tory b
odies
and
state-
owne
d cor
pora
tions
.
Senio
r staf
f par
ticipa
ted in
a pla
nning
me
eting
cond
ucted
by th
e Mini
ster’s
Of
fice t
o set
the st
rateg
ic dir
ectio
n of
multic
ultur
alism
in N
SW.
Comm
ission
ers a
nd se
nior s
taff a
lso
partic
ipated
in a
strate
gic pl
annin
g ac
tivity
.
The C
ommi
ssion
held
a plan
ning
meeti
ng.
In 20
10/11
, the C
ommi
ssion
prov
ided
a tota
l of 9
19 br
iefing
s, ev
ents
briefi
ngs,
and m
iniste
rial a
dvice
s, me
eting
dead
lines
in al
l cas
es. A
wi
de ra
nge o
f writt
en ad
vice w
as al
so
prov
ided t
o age
ncies
thro
ugh d
irect
corre
spon
denc
e.
Regu
lar ad
vice p
rovid
ed to
the
Minis
ter on
issu
es af
fectin
g int
erna
tiona
l stud
ents
in NS
W.
Regu
lar ad
vice p
rovid
ed to
the
Depa
rtmen
t of P
remi
er an
d Cab
inet
on th
e plan
ning a
nd im
pleme
ntatio
n of
the C
ounc
il of A
ustra
lian G
over
nmen
ts Int
erna
tiona
l Stud
ent S
trateg
y.
Crit
eria
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 101
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2
Outco
me 6:
Comm
unica
tions
Act
iviti
es
Vaca
ncies
on th
e Co
mmiss
ion ar
e adv
ertis
ed
wide
ly in
mains
tream
, loca
l an
d non
-Eng
lish n
ewsp
aper
s.
The C
ommi
ssion
utilis
es
video
-confe
renc
ing fa
cilitie
s to
prov
ide in
terpr
eting
, pa
rticula
rly in
regio
nal a
reas
.
The C
ommi
ssion
prov
ides
trans
mitte
rs for
Cou
rt int
erpr
eting
.
Incre
ase i
n the
numb
er of
ex
pres
sions
of in
teres
t for
appo
intme
nt to
the C
ommi
ssion
.
Equip
ment
avail
able
and
occa
sions
of vi
deo-
confe
renc
ing
equip
ment
used
in th
e rep
ortin
g ye
ar.
Equip
ment
avail
able
and
occa
sions
of us
e in t
he re
portin
g ye
ar.
As requ
ired
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Chair
perso
n,Di
recto
r, Bu
sines
s Se
rvice
s
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
Dire
ctor,
Oper
ation
s
Futur
e vac
ancie
s will
be
publi
cised
.
Desk
top vi
deo c
onfer
ence
pil
ot is
await
ing fu
rther
tec
hnolo
gical
enha
ncem
ents.
Revie
w the
equip
ment
in us
e an
d upd
ate if
nece
ssar
y.
Follo
wing
a re
view,
advic
e was
pr
ovide
d to t
he M
iniste
r on t
he
imple
menta
tion o
f the l
egisl
ative
am
endm
ents
to the
Com
mun
ityRe
lation
s Com
miss
ion a
nd P
rincip
les
of M
ulticu
ltura
lism
Act
2000
.
The M
iniste
r was
advis
ed of
sig
nifica
nt ch
ange
s to t
he C
ommu
nity
Deve
lopme
nt Gr
ants
Prog
ram
includ
ing fu
nding
to E
thnic
and
Multic
ultur
al Co
uncil
s ope
ratin
g in
NSW
.
Vaca
ncies
for t
wo yo
uth
comm
ission
ers w
ere a
dver
tised
in
mains
tream
, reg
ional
and l
ocal
news
pape
rs. F
urthe
r vac
ancie
s wer
e pu
blicis
ed on
the C
ommi
ssion
’s we
bsite
follo
wing
the a
nnou
ncem
ent
by th
e Pre
mier.
The C
ommi
ssion
crea
ted a
regis
ter of
pe
ople
inter
ested
in be
comi
ng pa
rt-tim
e com
miss
ioner
s. Inf
orma
tion a
bout
the re
gistra
tion w
as m
ade a
vaila
ble on
the
Com
miss
ion’s
webs
ite.
Facil
itated
121 v
ideo-
confe
renc
ing
sess
ions d
uring
the y
ear.
The C
ommi
ssion
has t
hree
sets
of tra
nsmi
tters
for us
e by i
nterp
reter
s in
cour
t roo
m int
erpr
eting
.
Crit
eria
Emer
ging
techn
ology
us
e
102 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2A
ctiv
ities
Mana
ge th
e Ema
ilLink
servi
ce
to en
able
publi
c and
priva
te ag
encie
s to l
ink w
ith cu
ltura
lly
diver
se co
mmun
ities.
Mana
ge th
e Med
iaLink
re
portin
g ser
vice t
o info
rm
agen
cies o
n non
-Eng
lish
langu
age m
edia.
Awar
ds ar
e adm
iniste
red
by th
e Com
miss
ion to
give
re
cogn
ition t
o the
contr
ibutio
n of
peop
le fro
m cu
ltura
lly
diver
se ba
ckgr
ound
s and
/or
agen
cies s
ervic
ing cu
ltura
l div
ersit
y.
Prom
ote co
mmun
ity
inter
actio
n acti
vities
and
build
partn
ersh
ips w
ith et
hnic
grou
ps to
assis
t com
munit
y re
lation
s and
settle
ment
or
peop
le fro
m cu
ltura
lly di
verse
ba
ckgr
ound
s.
Incre
ase i
n num
ber o
f ser
vice
user
s dur
ing re
portin
g yea
r.
Incre
ase i
n num
ber o
f ser
vice
user
s dur
ing th
e rep
ortin
g yea
r.
Numb
er of
nomi
natio
ns re
ceive
d an
d awa
rds p
rese
nted i
n the
re
portin
g yea
r.
Activ
ities a
nd pa
rtner
ship
proje
cts
unde
rtake
n with
ethn
ic gr
oups
an
d the
broa
der c
ommu
nity i
n the
me
tropo
litan a
nd re
giona
l are
as.
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Dire
ctor,
Busin
ess
Servi
ces
Dire
ctor,
Busin
ess
Servi
ces
Dire
ctor,
Comm
unity
Re
lation
s Ser
vice
Dire
ctor,
Comm
unity
Re
lation
s Se
rvice
,Di
recto
r, Reg
ional
Servi
ces
The E
mailL
ink se
rvice
will
conti
nue t
o be p
romo
ted
acro
ss th
e gov
ernm
ent s
ector
at
the fe
dera
l, stat
e and
loca
l lev
el as
well
as th
e priv
ate
and c
ommu
nity s
ector
s.
Media
Link r
epor
ts wi
ll be
made
avail
able
wide
ly to
incre
ase u
ptake
of th
e se
rvice
.
In 20
11/12
the a
ward
s str
uctur
e will
be re
viewe
d.
The C
ommi
ssion
will
conti
nue
to mo
nitor
and w
ork c
losely
wi
th co
uncil
s and
will
enco
urag
e mor
e cou
ncils
to
partic
ipate
in the
prog
ram.
The E
mailL
ink se
rvice
was
used
by
feder
al, st
ate an
d loc
al go
vern
ment
agen
cies,
comm
unity
orga
nisati
ons
and b
usine
ss en
terpr
ises.
Subs
cripti
ons t
o Med
iaLink
by lo
cal
coun
cils i
ncre
ased
from
the p
revio
us
year.
Rece
ived 1
11 no
mina
tions
in
2010
for t
he C
ommi
ssion
Awa
rds
for V
olunte
ering
from
whic
h fou
r wi
nner
s wer
e sele
cted.
The a
ward
s pr
esen
tation
was
held
on 2
Dece
mber
20
10 at
Par
liame
nt Ho
use.
The C
ommi
ssion
also
admi
nister
ed
the N
SW P
remi
er’s
Chine
se
comm
unity
Ser
vice A
ward
s. Fr
om
the 25
nomi
natio
ns re
ceive
d in t
he
2011
awar
ds, fo
ur w
inner
s wer
e se
lected
. The
pres
entat
ion w
as m
ade
at Go
vern
ment
Hous
e on 8
Feb
ruar
y 20
11.
The C
ommi
ssion
has b
een w
orkin
g in
partn
ersh
ip wi
th Cl
aren
ce V
alley
, Ca
mden
, and
Woll
ongo
ng Lo
cal
Coun
cils o
n Mult
icultu
ral S
treet
Proje
cts to
prom
ote co
mmun
ity
activ
ities a
nd ha
rmon
y acro
ss et
hnic
and r
eligio
us gr
oups
.
Crit
eria
Plan
ned
comm
unica
-tio
n
Build
ing
poten
tial
throu
gh
partn
ersh
ips
Outco
me 7:
Socia
l and
Ec
onom
ic De
velop
ment
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 103
Mul
ticul
tura
lPl
anni
ngFr
amew
ork
Out
com
es
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
sTi
me-
fram
esR
espo
nsib
ilitie
sPr
ogre
ss20
10/1
1A
ctiv
ities
pla
nned
20
11/1
2A
ctiv
ities
The N
ation
al Mu
lticult
ural
Marke
ting A
ward
s and
annu
al mu
lticult
ural
marke
ting
confe
renc
e for
ge pa
rtner
ships
be
twee
n gov
ernm
ent,
busin
ess a
nd co
mmun
ity
secto
rs to
prom
ote th
e be
nefits
of m
ulticu
ltura
lism.
The M
ulticu
ltura
l You
th Ne
twor
k (MY
N) pr
ovide
s a
forum
prov
ides a
foru
m for
yo
ung p
eople
with
a pe
rsona
l co
mmitm
ent to
the v
alues
of
multic
ultur
alism
who
are
keen
to sh
are t
heir i
deas
with
oth
er yo
ung p
eople
and w
ith
all le
vels
of go
vern
ment
and
comm
unity
.
Incre
ased
spon
sorsh
ips,
nomi
natio
ns an
d par
ticipa
tion b
y sta
keho
lders.
Incre
ased
mem
bersh
ip,
atten
danc
e at M
YN m
eetin
gs an
d ev
ents.
Ongo
ing
Ongo
ing
Dire
ctor,
Busin
ess
Servi
ces
Dire
ctor,
Comm
unity
Re
lation
s Ser
vice
Ongo
ing su
ppor
t will
be
prov
ided t
o refu
gee y
outh
to ma
intain
their
enga
geme
nt in
spor
ting a
ctivit
ies th
roug
hout
NSW
.
Ongo
ing su
ppor
t will
be
prov
ided t
o Bhu
tanes
e re
fugee
s and
othe
r em
ergin
g com
munit
ies in
Al
bury/
Wod
onga
thro
ugh
a par
tnersh
ip pr
oject
with
the V
ictor
ian M
ulticu
ltura
l Co
mmiss
ion.
Deve
lop st
rateg
ies to
retai
n cu
rrent
spon
sors
and t
o att
ract
new
partn
ers a
nd
incre
ase p
artic
ipatio
n in t
he
confe
renc
e and
Awa
rds.
The M
YN pl
an to
deve
lop
a tim
e line
of ac
tivitie
s and
ev
ents
to gu
ide th
e netw
ork
over
the n
ext 3
year
s bas
ed
on th
e aim
s of th
e stra
tegic
plan.
The 2
011 A
ward
s wer
e lau
nche
d in
June
and n
omina
tions
will
close
31
Augu
st.
The 2
011 M
ulticu
ltura
l Mar
ketin
g Co
nfere
nce w
ill be
held
on 20
Octo
ber.
Memb
ers o
f the M
YN co
ntribu
ted to
the
plan
ning a
nd im
pleme
ntatio
n of
the Yo
uth N
etwor
king E
venin
g held
on
8 Ma
rch 20
11 at
Par
rama
tta.
Appr
oxim
ately
65 yo
ung p
eople
aged
be
twee
n 16-
30 ye
ars o
f age
atten
ded
from
acro
ss S
ydne
y.
Memb
ers o
f the M
YN ha
ve fo
rmed
a pr
oject
team
and h
ave c
onsu
lted w
ith
the C
ommi
ssion
rega
rding
the p
lannin
g of
the 20
11 Yo
uth Le
ader
s’ Da
y.
Crit
eria
104 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
The Commission was represented by staff on the following committees:
Business Services
Marte Tagle
• NSW Right to Information/Privacy Practitioners’ Network
• Reception & Assistance Centre Working Group
• Records Manager’s Forum
Community Relations Service
Richard Acheson
• Commission Settlement Services Coalition
• Commonwealth/State Working Party on Skilled Migration
• Joint State, Territory and Commonwealth Research Advisory Committee for the Australian Population, Immigration and Multicultural Research Program
• NSW Government Immigration and Settlement Planning Committee
• Redfern-Waterloo Interdepartmental Senior Officer’s Group
• Refugee Review Tribunal Liaison Committee
Donna Mosford
• Commission Settlement Services Coalition (Secretariat)
• NSW Government Immigration and Settlement Planning Committee (Secretariat)
Thida Yang
• Auburn Somali Community Capacity Project Steering Committee (Observer)
• Victims of Crime Interagency Forum
• Working Party on the Burqa (Secretariat)
Rosa Stathis
• Multicultural Youth Network (Secretariat)
Mark Wall
• Steering Committee on Islamic Scripture Project (Secretariat)
Appendix 3 - Representation of staff on committees
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 105
Government Relations Service
Steffanie von Helle
• Ageing Disability and Home Care Expert Advisory Group
• Communities NSW Data Development Group
• Housing and Human Services Senior Officer’s Group
• TAFE NSW Social Inclusion and Vocational Access Advisory Group
Gosia Dybka
• Community Services Ethnic Affairs Advisory Group
Peter Reynolds
• Ageing Disability & Home Care Planning for Later Life Forum
• Centrelink/DEEWR/FAHCSIA Multicultural Advisory Forum
• Community Services State Welfare Services Functional Area Committee
• Director-General of Education and Training Advisory Group on Multicultural Education and Training (AGMET)
Operations
Keith Stevens
Auslan/AVL Working Party
Regional Services
Fadel Benhima
• Albury/Wodonga Immigration Settlement Planning Committee
• Blacktown Emerging Communities Action Plan
• Central Coast Multicultural Interagency
• Griffith Immigration Settlement Planning Committee
• Hunter Coordinating Committee for the Safety of International Students
• Hunter New England Health Multicultural Advisory Committee
• Multicultural Reference Group, Wollongong City Council
• Regional Coordination Management Group Illawarra-South East, Hunter, Riverina and New England
• Riverina Immigration Settlement Planning Committee
• Steering Committee for the Albury/Wodonga Bhutanese Project
106 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Albury Regional Advisory CouncilAdol Takpiny (Chairperson) Seini Afeaki (Former Chairperson)Padmavathy AyyagariEmilio BaikiRebecca BaldsingDavid BouphasavanhGraeme Clark*Gary Commins* Colin EnglishTimothy FarrahRadha GuragaiZane Healy*Tony Jans*Susan MacDonaldCassie McAnanlyHeather Noller*Ezekiel NwoseLynelle Rodwell*Peter Smith*Maralee Vogel*
Central West Regional Advisory Council David Knoll AM (Chairperson)Patricia Azarias (Former Chairperson)Isabel Abbas*Peter Bartley* Richard Cheney*Anni Gallagher* Denise Godden*Rosemary Hailstone* Ray Hallinan* Peter Harvey*Christina Johansson Madhwan Keshwan Theam-Eng Khoo Paul Loxley* Leah McKinneyCaz PilgrimRobert Ryan*Richard Sowden*Loami Wilson
Griffith Regional Advisory Council Jihad Dib (Chairperson)Glenda Brown*Maxine KirbySiosiana LiuPeter MacLean*Jyotika MaharajAllan Mason*Marlene NehmeMichael Neville*Geoff Pelizzer*Barbara PenningaUate QasiSue ReynoldsMichael Rowan*Ian Woolfe*
Hornsby and Central Coast Regional Advisory Council Patricia Azarias (Chairperson)Jason Bourke*George Bradbury* Cathy Butler* Glenn Cannard*Keiko Clements Darlene Cole*Wendy Colyer* Ruby EatonRob Farley*Danielle Habib Adah Hodgins Akhilesh KhaleSean Lonergan*Tony McLaughlin*Jillian Meyers-Brittain* Fiona Miekle*Fiona Morrison*Steve Russell*Kian Safaei Kevan Smith*Rachel Steel*Anne Stewart*Mohammed Talib
Appendix 4 - Membership of Regional Advisory Councils
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 107
John Theaker*Leonie TrethowanPhocion VourosHelen Warner*
Hunter Regional Advisory Council Wajiha Ahmed (Chairperson)Loretta Baker Abdul Bari Tony Cosentino* Amany George Shakila Kader Tonkoh KamaraButheina KukuGerard Lawson*Tony McLaughlin*Anne Mullen*Catherine Norman*Simon Pabek Suzanne RileyTammy Richardson*Maxine Smith*Ann Smyth*John Theaker*Helen Warner* Murray Webber*
Illawarra Regional Advisory Council Michael Christodoulou AM DO (Chairperson) Giovanna Cardamone Khaled Elhage Rima Elhage*Brenda Goguen*Paul Humble* Graham Kahabka*Terrie Leoleos Mark Lavers*David Lewis* Sharyn MacKenzieJelena Mealey* Gracia NgoyKyle Stewart*
Jennifer Thompson* Mendo TrajcevskiNihal Uckan
Macarthur-Liverpool Regional Advisory Council Eman Sharobeem (Chairperson)Michael Christodoulou (Former Chairperson)Sana Al-AhmarJosefina BontoCindy Cagney*Gemma Cooney*Malaemie FrueanPeter Gillam*Mazhar Hadid*Ray King*Audrey LaiAngela Manson*Amad MtasharPeter McErlain*Ray Palmer*Yvonne Santalucia*Nhan Tran*
Nepean-Blacktown Regional Advisory CouncilDiing Bul (Chairperson) Faustino Oja AbokaPamela Billington*Kathie Collins*Jackie GreenowSivane Kemal-AbusneinehVictor KollieKaren McKeown*Francesca Molluso*Clarissa Mulas*Juliana NkumrahTim O’Connor*Peter Prants*Souzan RazmaraLaura SardoLiva TukutamaSusan VogelsJennifer Young*
108 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
*Denotes a government member
New England Regional Advisory Council Sam Almaliki (Chairperson)Ezel Jupiter (Former Chairperson) Anthony Baxter-Tomkins* Rod Bayliss* Sally-Anne Burrow* Peter Ducat* Colleen FullerVicki Haworth* Mathew Lynch*Angela Lyons Bruce Mercer*Luke McGrath*Victoria McNaughton*Phillip O’Reilly*Anne Rix*John Scott Kiran Shinde Rebecca Spence Brooke Spokes*Helen Swain Edward WhithamHabib Zafarullah
Northern Regional Advisory Council Seini Afeaki (Chairperson)Judith Addleton* Victoria Akek John ArkanRoger Atwal Susan Clarke* Sandra Grant*Michele Greenwood* Franz GrotzZehrina HajdicRobert Hoiles* Mark Holahan*Joseph MajambereApach MapieuPhil Meehan* Gail MoloneyPhillip VenessAlison Stewart*Michelle Stubbs*
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 109
Total assignments
performed
Total assignments
performed Language Language
INTERPRETING ASSIGNMENTS 2010/11
ACEH (ACEHNESE)ALBANIANAMHARICARABICARMENIANASSYRIANAUSLANBENGALI / BANGLABOSNIANBULGARIANBURMESECHALDEANCHINESECHINESE-CANTONESECHINESE-HOKKIENCHINESE-MANDARINCOOK I MAORICROATIANCZECHDARIDINKAFANTIFIJI HINDI FIJIANFILIPINO (TAGALOG)FINNISHFRENCHFULFULDEGAGERMANGREEKGUJARATIHAZARAGIHEBREWHINDIHINDUSTANIHUNGARIANINDONESIANITALIANJAPANESEKANNADAKARENKHMERKIRUNDIKOREAN
21050
3,67615
294391154
294
12542
378891
22,689
9125
12275342
37
23197
4115
74
16292
22322
1711742
159228
9934
1536
1,011
KRIOKURDISHKURDISH (KURMANJI)KURDISH (SORANI)LAOLINGALALITHUANIANMACEDONIANMADIMALAYALAMMALTESEMONGOLIANNEPALESENORWEGIANOROMOPERSIAN (FARSI)PIDGIN ENGLISHPOLISHPORTUGUESEPUKAPUKANPUNJABIPUSHTOROMANIANRUSSIANSAMOANSERBIANSIERRA LEONESINHALESESLOVAKSOMALISPANISHSUDANESE ARABICSWAHILI (KISWAHILI)SWEDISHTAMILTHAITIGRINYATONGANTURKISHTWIUKRAINIANURDUVIETNAMESE
TOTAL
8620
12
4332
18615
149
10325
6038
131178
1393
1930
317241325
312
753
63111033
3110338
9184463
521
1492,750
19,759
Appendix 5 - Language services statistical information
110 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
AFRIKAANSALBANIANAMHARICARABICARMENIANBENGALI / BANGLABIELORUSSIANBOSNIANBULGARIANBURMESECHINESECROATIANCZECHDANISHDARIDUTCHESTONIANFILIPINO (TAGALOG)FINNISHFRENCHGERMANGREEKHAZARAGIHEBREWHINDIHUNGARIANINDONESIANITALIANJAPANESEKHMERKOREANLAO
216
93,183
1023
55128
1778,799
194184
50213207
122733
1,031808315
18262
1091,121
5731,201
821,733
20
2942,5671,000
419,5672,1482,996
84213,713
4,86025,122
1,001,45849,76923,091
5,69924,28828,259
1,70015,896
4,584147,575109,028
66,753452
10,94310,99614,047
120,76999,332
142,12313,115
214,3762,130
LATVIANLITHUANIANMACEDONIANMALAYMALTESEMONGOLIANNEPALESENORWEGIANPERSIAN (FARSI)POLISHPORTUGUESEPUNJABIPUSHTOROMANIANRUSSIANSAMOANSERBIANSINHALESESLOVAKSLOVENESOMALISPANISHSWAHILI (KISWAHILI)SWEDISHTAMILTHAITURKISHUKRAINIANURDUVIETNAMESE
TOTAL
178
166771
1532
24023
782303923
101953
4725
19029
14015
1,5241
9912
1,295208
8140
679
28,504
2,545900
38,79379,017
5,3503,300
24,4873,092
96,35542,329
109,8861,6102,3369,300
66,9972,657
34,6712,900
15,747100
1,301226,433
30211,3471,939
154,65866,63911,5624,903
118,494
3,719,442
TRANSLATION ASSIGNMENTS 2010/11
Total assignments performed
Total number of words
translatedLanguage
Total assignments
performed
Total number of words
translatedLanguage
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 111
Appendix 6 - Grants awarded in 2010/11
Organisation and purpose Amount $
The following grants were awarded to organisations under the Commission’s 2010/11 Community Development Grants Program and the Community Partnership Scheme.
Access Community Group 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the ‘Spring into Corrimal Festival’.
Affinity Intercultural Foundation 750 Purpose: Sponsorship towards event ‘Universal Message of Love and Peace’.
Affinity Intercultural Foundation 5 000 Purpose: Contribution towards the Friendship and Dialogue Ramadan Iftar Dinner.
AFL NSW/ACT 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a multicultural talent identification coordinator.
African Women Australia Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a project for sharing stories ‘Lessons from Our Journeys’.
Albury-Wodonga Volunteer Resource Bureau 5 000 Purpose: Contribution towards the provision of programs for newly-arrived refugees.
Auburn City Council 43 226 Purpose: Contribution to employ a Somali speaking community development worker.
Association of Bhanin El Minieh 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards workshops on women’s health issues.
Australia Alevi Cultural Centre 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to address the needs of Alevi women.
Australian Federal Police 2 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards Harmony Day celebrations.
Australian-Filipino Business & Workers Club Australia 5 000 Purpose: Contribution towards the cost of hosting ‘Balik Sayasa Blacktown Multicultural Fiesta’.
Australian Korean Welfare Association Ltd 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards ‘You are my Neighbour’ night.
Australian Sikh Association Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist senior citizens of the community.
Australian Somali Community Association 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Somali Cultural Festival.
Australian Turkish Music Ensemble Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a Turkish Music Concert.
Aweil Community in NSW Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Aweil Cultural Day.
Bankstown Youth Development Service Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards young refugee writing and performing workshops.
Bankstown Youth Development Service Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with a project to assist young refugees.
Bega Valley Council 22 026 Purpose: Contribution to employ a community development officer to assist the culturally and linguistically diverse and migrant communities.
112 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Organisation and purpose Amount $
Bengali Association of New South Wales Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Bengali Community Cultural Festival.
Bengali Association of New South Wales Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Annual Drama Festival.
Bengali Association of New South Wales Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the 2011 Cultural Festival.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Australia 5 000 Purpose: Contribution towards the cost of hosting the Holi Mahotsav Festival.
Brackets & Jam Central Coast Inc 5 000 Purpose: Contribution towards the 14th Annual Gathering of Clans.
Brazilian Community Council of Australia 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with a Brazilian cultural development project.
Camden Council 11 000 Purpose: Multicultural Street Festival.
Central Coast Multicultural Interagency 400 Purpose: Contribution to conduct the Central Coast Interpreter Awareness Day.
Central Coast Ugnay Kabayan (People’s Link) Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the event ‘Fiesta ng Bayan’.
Children’s Festival Organisation Inc 5 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Bankstown Children’s Festival.
Chinese Language Education Council 2 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the National Chinese Eisteddfod Competition.
Co.As.It 500Purpose: Sponsorship towards Italian Seniors Week 2011.
COA Sydney Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Annual Chanukah Luncheon Concert.
Communities NSW 10 000 Purpose: Contribution towards the Rahman Concert as part of the 2010 Sydney Festival.
Community Relations Commission Symposium/Youth Day 2010 45 190 Purpose: Contribution to assist with a community consultation event.
Croatian Australian Community Council 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist in conducting conferences and workshops.
Croatian Australian Welfare Centre Cooperative 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist Croatian senior citizens and carers.
Croatian Studies Foundation 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a conference ‘Building Future through Youth Networking’.
Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia and New Zealand 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ an Armenian community youth worker.
Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia and New Zealand 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ an Armenian community welfare officer.
Ethiopian Community Association in NSW Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Ethiopian Cultural Festival.
Ethiopian Orthodox St. Mary’s Biblical Ministry 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to provide information and referral services.
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 113
Organisation and purpose Amount $
Ethnic Communities Council of Newcastle & Hunter Region Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards event ‘Fiesta on Australia Day 2011’.
Ethnic Communities Council of Newcastle & Hunter Region Inc 19 850 Purpose: Contribution to a project for community capacity building, engagement and cooperation.
Ethnic Communities Counil of the Newcastle and the Hunter Region 82 770 Purpose: Contribution to employ an Executive Officer to manage the day-to-day operations of the Council.
Ethnic Communities Council of NSW 100 000 Purpose: Contribution to employ an Executive Officer to manage the day-to-day operations of the Council.
Ethnic Communities Council of NSW 20 750 Purpose: Contribution to employ an executive officer to assist with program management and development of Council.
Ethnic Communities Council of NSW 15 000 Purpose: Contribution towards the multicultural online directory project.
Federation of Congolese Council of Australia 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the national conference of Congolese community organisations.
Federation of Congolese Council of Australia 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Australian Congolese Youth National Conference.
Feza Foundation 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Sydney Annual Multicultural Qurban Festival.
Friends of STARTTS 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the celebration of Sierra Leonean cultures.
Friends of STARTTS 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the South Sudanese Dance Competition.
George Cross Falcons Club Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the 60th anniversary celebrations.
George Cross Falcons Club Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a community liaison officer.
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia 20 000 Purpose: Contribution towards the anniversary event marking the Greek struggle for independence.
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Greek Welfare Centre NSW 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with the Harris Park Community project.
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Green Welfare Centre NSW 10 000 Purpose: Contribution towards a community harmony awareness project.
Griffith City Council 63 700 Purpose: Contribution to employ four bilingual workers to service Afghan, Indian, Turkish and Pacific Island communities respectively.
Hamazkaine Armenian Educational and Cultural Society Regional Committee Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Armenian Community Performing Arts Awards.
Handital NSW Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a bilingual worker to assist with a peer group project.
Horn of Africa Relief and Development Agency - HARDA 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the HARDA cultural night.
114 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Organisation and purpose Amount $
Hye Hoki Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a diaspora gathering in August 2011.
Information and Cultural Exchange 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a theatrical production titled East London West Sydney.
Iranian Cultural & Art Society of NSW Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a music, art and poetry night.
Italian Social Welfare Organisation of Wollongong 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards event ‘Fiesta of Flags’.
Italian Social Welfare Organisation of Wollongong 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a forum to promote unity amongst Italian-Australian community leaders.
Italian Social Welfare Organisation of Wollongong 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with project ‘La Iarda: Italian Australian Backyard’.
JewishCare 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with the elderly Russian community integration and health initiative project.
Kateb Hazara Association Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist in developing leadership skills among young Afghani women.
La Festa Inc 2 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the event ‘La Festa: Faces of Australian Festival’.
Lebanese Community Council of NSW 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards Australia Day celebrations.
Lebanese Community Council of NSW 3 000 Purpose: Contribution towards the International Women’s Day project.
Lightning Ridge and Region Transcultural Community Council Inc 18 200 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to provide information and referral services to the community.
Lithgow Information and Neighbourhood Centre Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a multicultural worker.
Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with the ‘Liverpool Ethnic Leadership Training’ project.
Macarthur Diversity Services Inc 2 852 Purpose: Contribution towards project ‘Better Way- Youth Resilience Award’.
Macedonian Australian Welfare Association of Sydney Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with the Women and Men’s Support Groups project.
Macedonian Welfare Association Inc 18 200 Purpose: Contribution to employ a Community Development and Information Officer - Outreach.
Maltese Community Council of NSW Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards Australia Day celebrations.
Mandaean Women’s Union in Australia 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a community project ‘Craft Skills with Mandaean Women’.
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 115
Organisation and purpose Amount $
Manly Vale – Calabria Bowling Club 4 000 Purpose: Contribution towards the Sydney Multicultural Festival.
Manly Vale – Calabria Bowling Club 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Sydney Multicultural Festival.
Migration Heritage Centre 100 000 Purpose: Commission’s contribution towards the Migration Heritage Centre.
Monaro Family Support Services Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with project ‘More Magic’.
Moving Forward Together Association Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Harmony Day poster competition.
Mt Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards project ‘Let’s Sew Together’.
Mt Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards Harmony Day.
Mt Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with project ‘Voice of New and Emerging Communities’.
Mt Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with a youth outreach project.
Mukti-Gupteshwar Mandir Society 7 500 Purpose: Contribution towards hosting the 2010 Deepavali celebrations at Parliament House.
Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra 19 850 Purpose: Contribution to employ a Regional Multicultural Community Development Project Coordinator.
Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra 91 136 Purpose: To contribute towards the employment of the Executive Officer to manage the day-to-day operations of the Council.
Multicultural Council of Griffith Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution towards the Multicultural Community Festival.
Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Refugee Week community event.
Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga 27 300 Purpose: Contribution to employ a manager to manage the day-to-day operations of the Council.
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters 193 678 Purpose: NSW Contribution to NAATI.
National Council of Social Services NSW 2 000 Purpose: Contribution towards conference ‘Future of Community Management’.
Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities Forum Australia 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the International day of Indigenous People.
Northern Cyprus Turkish Association of NSW Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Folklore Dance Youth Group.
Northern Inland Cross Cultural Support Services Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with the ‘Let’s Come Together’ project.
NSW Council for Pacific Communities 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards pacific communities’ cultural development events.
116 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Organisation and purpose Amount $
NSW Council for Pacific Communities 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with the Multicultural Arts Exhibition project.
NSW Council for Pacific Communities 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker for the ‘Governance and Leadership’ conference.
NSW Federation of Community Language Schools 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a workshop for professional development and training.
NSW Federation of Community Language Schools 18 200 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist in the provision of quality services to after hours community language schools.
NSW Fire Brigades 1 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards Harmony Day.
NSWJBD Projects Limited 9 100 Purpose: Contribution towards the Holocaust commemoration.
NSW Police Force Newcastle Local Area Command 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards an induction program to the Police Force for Sudanese youth.
NSW Spanish and Latin American Association for Social Assistance (NSW SLASA) 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a multicultural public forum for the general community in South Western Sydney.
NSW Spanish and Latin American Association for Social Assistance (NSW SLASA) 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards ‘Musical Constructions’ a youth forum celebrating the Latin American cultural heritage.
Orange City Council 20 000 Purpose: Contribution to employ a community development worker to provide casework and information and referral services to the Sudanese community within or near Orange.
Orange Family Support Service Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Multicultural Feast Fest.
Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the 2011 Volunteer Expo.
Refugee Council of Australia 5 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards Refugee Week 2011: coordination of small grants for community organisations.
Ryde Multicultural Centre 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a conference and an evening function to highlight people of culturally diverse backgrounds in the northern suburbs as an asset.
Sikh Council of Australia Inc 5 500 Purpose: Contribution towards the establishment of an office in Austral.
Sikh Council of Australia Inc 6 600 Purpose: Contribution towards project ‘Interactive Cross-Cultural Resource Centre for Learning and Issue Reporting’.
Somali Welfare and Culture Association 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the ‘Celebration of African Cultures’ project.
South Asian Muslim Association of Australia Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist with the South Asian Muslim Senior Citizen Services project.
Spanish Community Care Association Incorporated 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist isolated members of the community.
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 117
Organisation and purpose Amount $
St George Community Services Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the 2011 Southern Sydney Volunteer Expo.
State Library of NSW 1 000Purpose: Sponsorship towards ‘My Language’ conference.
Sydney Jewish Music Festival Inc 3 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards ‘Shir Madness’ at the Sydney Jewish Music Festival 2012.
Sydney Talmudical College Association 10 000 Purpose: Contribution towards Chanukah at the Bay Festival.
Sydney Tamil Resource Centre 7 500 Purpose: Contribution towards a project to assist with the enhancement of skills for unemployed women and housewives within the community.
Sydney Tamil Women’s Welfare Group Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards Tamil New Year celebrations.
Tamworth City Council 20 000 Purpose: Contribution to employ a community development officer – cultural diversity.
Telugu Association Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the Telugu Festival.
Thai Welfare Association 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist victims of domestic violence within the Thai community.
Together for Humanity Foundation Limited 22 080 Purpose: Contribution towards the ‘Step Outside’ project.
Turkish Welfare Association Inc 18 200 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist senior citizens of the community.
Turkish Welfare Association Inc 27 300 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to provide social support and community development services to members of the Turkish community.
Ukrainian Welfare Association Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist members of the Ukrainian community.
United Hmong Australian Community Inc 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a New Year Festival.
Unity Festival Inc 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the 2011 Unity Festival.
Urban Theatre Projects Ltd 500 Purpose: Sponsorship to showcase talents of young and emerging artists.
Vietnamese Senior Association Marrickville Inc 3 000 Purpose: Contribution towards ‘Children’s Moon Festival’.
Vietnamese Women’s Association in NSW Inc 9 100 Purpose: Contribution to employ a worker to assist parents of children with special needs.
Voice of Tamils 500 Purpose: Sponsorship towards a sports competition.
Wollongong City Council 10 000 Purpose: Multicultural Street Festival – Viva La Gong.
Woolgoolga & Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce 1 000 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the ‘2011 Woolgoolga CurryFest’.
All amounts are net of GST and include $374,066 grants awarded but not expensed within 2010/11 financial year.
118 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Organisation and purpose Amount $
Albury Auskick Centre 400 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of four eligible players.
Albury City Soccer Club 4 594 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of five eligible players.
Albury Cricket Club 600 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of one eligible player.
Albury Netball Association 425 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of two eligible players.
Belmont Football Club 1 005 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of nine eligible players.
Coffs Coast Tigers Football Club 2 785 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of eleven eligible players.
Coffs Harbour Netball Club 767 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of one eligible player.
Jesmond Soccer Club 642 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of two eligible players.
Lambton Jaffa Junior Soccer Club 494 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of three eligible players.
Lismore Basketball Association 1 470 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of two eligible players.
Lismore Swans Junior AFL 300 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of two eligible players.
Lismore Thistles Soccer Club 1 785 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of seven eligible players.
Maitland Basketball Association 971 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of two eligible players.
Mullumbimby Netball Club 848 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of four eligible players.
SPORTS SPONSORSHIP GRANTS
Sports sponsorship grants are awarded to sporting organisations in regional NSW to cover costs associated with the participation of young people from refugee backgrounds including membership and game fees, uniforms, basic transport and playing equipment.
Eligibility criteria for the subsidy includes the following:
• 25 years of age or younger
• Unemployed or of school age
• Settled in Australia within the last 5 years (humanitarian entrant)
• Financially disadvantaged
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 119
Organisation and purpose Amount $
Northern Storm Football Club 8 310 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of twenty seven eligible players.
South Cardiff Football Club 395 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of two eligible players.
St Patrick’s Junior Football Club 215 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of one eligible player.
The Grainery Soccer Club 4 770 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of fourteen eligible players.
University of Wollongong Soccer Club 1 241 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of eight eligible players.
Wallsend Football Club 3 787 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of three eligible players.
West Leagues Netball Club 220 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of one eligible player.
Woolgoolga District Netball Association 2 010 Purpose: Sponsorship towards the participation of six eligible players.
Organisation Amount $
2010/11 RETURNED GRANTS
Ashfield Municipal Council 2 606
Brazilian Community Council of Australia 500
Council of Social Service of NSW 1 500
Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services 500
South West Arts Inc 500
All amounts are net of GST and recorded under Community Partnership Scheme (Note 4 (d) of Financial Statements.
120 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Access refusedin full
Appendix 7 - Open access statistical information
Accessgranted
Informationnot held
Accessgrantedin full
Informationalreadyavailable
Media 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Members of Parliament 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private sector business 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Not for profit organisations 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 or community groups
Members of the public 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (application by legal representative)
Members of the public 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (other)
Refuse to deal with applicationin part
Refuse to confirm/deny whetherinformationis held
Applicationwithdrawn
Access refusedin full
Accessgranted
Informationnot held
Accessgrantedin full
Informationalreadyavailable
Personal information 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0applications*
Access applications 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (other than personal information applications)
Access applications that 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 are partly personal information applications and partly other
Refuse to deal with applicationin part
Refuse to confirm/deny whetherinformationis held
Applicationwithdrawn
TABLE B: Number of applications by type of application and outcome
TABLE A: Number of applications by type of applicant and outcome*
Application does not comply with formal requirements (section 41 of the Act) 0
Application is for excluded information of the agency (section 43 of the Act) 0
Application contravenes restraint order (section 110 of the Act) 0
Total number of invalid applications received 0
Invalid applications that subsequently became valid applications 0
Number of applications
TABLE C: Invalid applications
Reason for invalidity
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW 121
Number of times consideration used*
TABLE D: Conclusive presumption of overriding public interest against disclosure: matters listed in Schedule 1 to Act
Overriding secrecy laws 0
Cabinet information 0
Executive Council information 0
Contempt 0
Legal professional privilege 0
Excluded information 0
Documents affecting law enforcement and public safety 0
Transport safety 0
Adoption 0
Care and protection of children 0
Ministerial code of conduct 0
Aboriginal and environmental heritage 0
Responsible and effective government 0
Law enforcement and security 0
Individual rights, judicial processes and natural justice 0
Business interests of agencies and other persons 0
Environment, culture, economy and general matters 0
Secrecy provisions 0
Exempt documents under interstate Freedom of Information legislation 0
Number of occasions when application not successful
TABLE E: Other public interest considerations against disclosure: matters listed in table to section 14 of Act
Decided within the statutory timeframe (20 days plus any extensions) N/A
Decided after 35 days (by agreement with applicant) N/A
Not decided within time (deemed refusal) N/A
Total N/A
Number of applications
TABLE F: Timeliness
122 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 • COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION For a multicultural NSW
Internal review N/A N/A 0
Review by Information Commissioner* N/A N/A 0
Internal review following recommendation under section 93 of Act N/A N/A 0
Review by ADT N/A N/A 0
Total
TABLE G: Number of applications reviewed under Part 5 of the Act (by type of review and outcome)
Reason for invalidity Decisionupheld
Decisionvaried
Applications by access applicants 0
Applications by persons to whom information the subject of access application relates 0 (see section 54 of the Act)
Number of applicationsfor review
TABLE H: Applications for review under Part 5 of the Act (by type of applicant)