Embracing and supporting our multi-cultural community
ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - 2012
The flowers I draw are a symbol of love.
The bird is a symbol for freedom. The heart with the flag in it
is a symbol of my love for Australia
© Ramazan Ali Jaffari
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A SNAPSHOT OF 2011-2012
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2012 ANNUAL REPORT
CONTENTS PAGE
Agenda 4
Guest Speaker – Amanda Paxton Bio 5
Board of Management 6
Staff 7
President’s Report 8
Executive Officer’s Report 10
Treasurer’s Report 14
Financial Performance 15
HSS Project Report 31
SGP Project Report 33
HACC and PAG Project Report 35
RAP Project Report 40
Playgroup Project Report 42
ACFE Project Report 45
Artist Profile – Jaffari Ali Ramazan 46
Minutes of 2011 AGM 47
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
THURSDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2012
5.00 PM TO 7.00 PM
LOCATION: 38-40 MADDEN AVENUE, MILDURA
AGENDA
WELCOME
GUEST SPEAKER: AMANDA PAXTON – STATE DIRECTOR,
DEPT OF IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP VICTORIA
APOLOGIES
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – HELD NOVEMBER 30, 2011
REPORTS:
PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
TREASURER
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR
ELECTION OF BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
GENERAL BUSINESS
RECOMMENDATION: THAT THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION BE INCREASED
FROM
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP $10.00 TO $20.00
GROUP MEMBERSHIP $30.00 TO $ 60.00
MOVED ………………………………SECONDED ……………………………CARRIED
MEETING CLOSE
JOIN US FOR LIGHT REFRESHMENTS whilst enjoying some entertainment
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BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
PRESIDENT
Peter Byrne
VICE PRESIDENT
Gary Pearse
TREASURER/PUBLIC OFFICER
Peter Hartmann
SECRETARY
Joven Estacio
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Sisilia Puku
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Theresa Ketting
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Dean Wickham
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SUNRAYSIA MALLEE ETHNIC
COMMUNITIES COUNCIL INC
STAFF 2011- 2012
L-R
Back row: Dean Wickham (Executive Officer), Lawrence Mona (Business Manager), Elfrida Chagellis(PAG), Alison Fraser (SGP) Front Row:Joselyne Ntahomvukiye (RAP), Jean Reed (Play Group), Juvelina Guterres (Play Group),
Colleen Tarrant (HSS), Pamela Liddicoat (HACC), Nergus Zahidi (Administration) and Abdul Rezaei(HSS Community Guide)
Absent: Kate Cotching (RAP), Jamuna Jackson (HSS Community Guide), Freshta Mahsoomi
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Redgina Balchin
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Over the frontage of this building there is a
large map of Australia. If you look closely at it,
you will see it is composed, in the form of 62
other maps. They are the countries which
have communities living in Mildura. This place
is now one of the most culturally diverse
Provincial Cities in Australia. Near the stylised
map you will see the words” We are one, we
are many. In diversity is strength. We are
proud of our multicultural community.”
Those maps and those words tell anyone who
sees them what Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic
Communities Council Inc. (SMECC) is all
about. Our mission statement, and every
organisation seems to have one these days, is “Embracing and supporting our
multicultural community”. In our case the mission statement has real meaning and
our Board and staff do embrace the concept of cultural diversity, and the staff in
particular do spend their working days supporting the newcomers who live here.
The board and the staff of SMECC are a microcosm of the general Mildura
community. The board includes a member born in Tonga, one of Maori and another
of Fijian extraction, a dual Irish Australian national and members of Welsh and
German background. The staff of fifteen includes people born in East Timor,
Afghanistan, Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Burundi and Greece as well as
Australia.
The annual report tells you what our staff spend their working week doing. It takes a
certain type of person to work in this environment, and I congratulate our staff for
their dedication, expertise and sheer hard work.
Apart from newcomers who arrive in Mildura under their own steam to live and work,
we continue to settle refugees under the auspices of the Department of Immigration
and Citizenship. Currently we rent eleven accommodation units for them, and have
recently purchased a large house to cope with the numbers. We are very pleased to
take part in this nation building work, which fits perfectly with those words over the
entrance to this building “In Diversity is Strength.”
Let me tell you a story about a bloke who brought his wife and five children to
Mildura to live. He and his family are from South Sudan; he is about seven feet tall,
and very visible. His brother was killed in Melbourne in a racially motivated attack.
After a meeting a couple of years ago I asked him why he had chosen Mildura. He
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told me that he wanted to find a place where his family could live in peace. He had
heard about Mildura, so came on his own to have a look at the place. He said “I was
walking down the mall when I saw a local man walking towards me. When he got
level with me he turned to me, smiled, and said “G’day Mate!” Like you are doing
now, I waited for the rest of the story, but there was no more story to it. A simple
smile and a “G’day Mate” was enough to convince this multi lingual university
educated African man to bring his family to settle here. So the answer to the
question ‘why do people from all over the world come to live in Mildura?’ is partially
that they feel welcomed.
Australia is a multicultural nation. Since the end of the Second World War in 1945,
seven million people have migrated to Australia. As a result, today, one in four
Australians, of our population of twenty two million, were born overseas - five and a
half million overseas born Australians in fact. Forty four per cent of Australians, more
than nine million, were either born overseas or have one or both parents born
overseas. Apart from the antics of a few troglodytes, the system is working very well.
I reckon we‘re privileged to be living in this vibrant multicultural provincial city in the
twenty first century. WE ARE ONE, WE ARE MANY. We are proud of our
multicultural community. In DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH.
All Artwork in this publication has been used with permission of the Artist © Ramazan Ali Jaffari
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EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
As the Executive Officer of SMECC, I have
the privilege of working with culturally and
linguistically diverse people every day.
The role of SMECC as a service provider,
facilitator and advocate makes for vibrant
and challenging work. We at SMECC are
acutely aware of the need to enhance service
provision to Culturally and Linguistically
Diverse (CALD) communities within the
Sunraysia/Northern Mallee Region and lead
the charge with pride.
I thank our program partners;
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development; Department of Immigration & Citizenship; Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship; Department of Health; Department of Health and Ageing; Mildura Rural City Council; Adult Migrant Education Services (AMES); Learn Local - Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE); Robinvale Network House; and Davison Ford. SMECC core programs: Settlement Grants Programme (SGP):
The aim of the SGP is to deliver services which assist eligible clients to become self-reliant and participate equitably in Australian society as soon as possible after arrival. The SGP target group comprises permanent residents who have arrived in Australia during the last five years as:
humanitarian entrants family stream migrants with low levels of English proficiency dependants of skilled migrants in rural and regional areas with low English
proficiency.
Select temporary residents (Prospective Marriage, Provisional Partner, Provisional Spouse and Provisional Interdependency visa holders and their dependants) in rural and regional areas who have arrived in Australia during the last five years and who have low English proficiency also fall within the target group. http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/settlement-grants/
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Under the SGP program SMECC Staff work in partnership with local service providers on local planning tables advocating on behalf of the SGP cohort and as a direct linkage point to individuals and groups.
Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS):
The Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) program assists humanitarian clients in their early settlement period in Australia. HSS replaces the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (or IHSS) and like its predecessor, HSS provides a suite of services delivered through a coordinated case management model.
In supporting humanitarian clients to begin their new lives, the HSS program focuses on capacity building; building clients' confidence and ability to participate economically and socially in the wider Australian community; and equips them with the knowledge and skills they will need to access services in the future. Support through the HSS is tailored to individual client needs, including the specific needs of young people http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/government-programs/settlement-programs/hss.htm
The SMECC HSS team consists of a Case Manager and two Community Guides; the Community Guides assist new arrivals through orientation which begins immediately on arrival to Mildura.
This team works closely with SuniTAFE, Sunraysia Community Health Services, local schools, Mildura English Language Centre, Department of Human Services, TriStar Medical, Mallee Family Care and Mildura Rural City Council.
Refugee Action Program (RAP):
The Refugee Action Program (RAP) supports local community-based partnerships
between service agencies and communities from a refugee background to identify
local issues and concerns and plan tailored, community-owned responses. The
Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship currently provides funding to ten
organisations to deliver the Refugee Action Program across metropolitan Melbourne
and in regional Victoria. http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/projects-and-
initiatives/supporting-refugees/refugee-action-program
SMECC works with the Burundian, Hazara and Sudanese communities to address
local issues. The RAP program partners include Mildura English language Centre,
ABC Open, Sustainable Sunraysia Festival, Mallee Human Rights Collective and
LEAP.
Home and Community Care (HACC):
The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program provides funding for services which support frail older people, younger people with disabilities and their carers. These services provide basic support and maintenance to people living at home and whose capacity for independent living is at risk, or who are at risk of premature or inappropriate admission to long-term residential care. http://www.health.vic.gov.au/hacc/
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SMECC HACC staff work across the local service system in an advisory, advocacy
and linkage/ facilitator role. Internally this program supports the HSS, SGP and
Playgroups.
Adult Community Further Education/Learn Local (ACFE):
Learn Local organisations provide a unique, community-based context for learning. They have a genuine focus on the individual needs of learners and the flexibility to meet their learning requirements. For this reason Learn Local is particularly suited to meeting the needs of adult learners of all ages who wish to undertake programs that assist them to gain qualifications and employment. Programs are designed to be flexible to meet learners’ needs and support them to return to study, improve their literacy and numeracy skills, gain a qualification, broaden their employment options and learn new skills. http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/Pages/learnlocal-ACFE/about-acfe.aspx
SMECC ACFE/Learn Local program delivers foundation English as a Second
language (ESL) classes focusing on OH&S, Civics and foundation English. We
currently employ two trainers of Hazara and Burundian backgrounds to cater directly
to these communities and one volunteer delivering our civics class. The focus of the
classes was developed with direct input from the community attending these classes.
Our classes currently run in the SMECC hub and in the Mildura Library, of which we
have mixed, male only and female only classes.
Harmony and Rhythm and Rhyme Playgroup:
SMECC playgroups are designed to pathway children and parents into mainstream
service provision while focusing on information provision, referral and early
intervention.
Harmony Playgroup is held each Monday during the school term, this playgroup is
hosted by Kathleen Kelly Kindergarten at 45 Lemon Ave Mildura. Rhythm and
Rhyme Playgroup is funded through the SPPI program under Best Start.
Best Start is a Victorian government early years initiative. It supports families,
caregivers and communities to provide the best possible environment, experiences
and care for young children in the important years from pregnancy to school. Best
Start aims to improve the health, development, learning and wellbeing of all Victorian
children (0-8 years). It supports communities, parents and service providers to
improve universal early years services so they are responsive to local needs. It has a
strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ecsmanagement/beststart/
On average our playgroups are attended by 12 children and their parents on a
weekly basis.
Volunteer Supervised Driving Program.
This program offers low cost driving practice to CALD community members.
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This program is supported by Davison Ford through the donation of a vehicle and
volunteer supervisors are recruited from the community, through friends and family
networks to provide on road driving practice under the supervision of a fully licensed
driver.
A further add on to the program is the Passport to Drive Program in partnership with
Transport Connections Program and Road Safe Mildura. Under this partnership
mentors will be trained using the Road Safe developed training program to further
build sustainability and capacity within community.
In conclusion I would like to thank the talented, passionate and hardworking staff of
SMECC, the board for their support and guidance, our Ethnic Community groups,
partner service providers and key stakeholders.
I would also like to acknowledge Dr Bev Biggs, TriStar Medical – Dr Mehdi, Ethnic
Communities Council Victoria, Settlement Council of Australia and Refugee Council
of Australia for their support of Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council and
the sector.
My thanks also to the Sunraysia Daily for their support; in particular Graeme O’Neill
who writes articles featuring locals of CALD backgrounds under the banner titled The
Newcomers. I look forward to this continuing.
Acknowledging and building capacity within our community is the focus of all
SMECC programs.
In Diversity is Strength.
Dean Aqo Wickham.
© Ramazan Ali Jaffari
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TREASURER’S REPORT
The Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities
Council continues to go from strength to
strength. The result for the 9 months to June
2012 shows a surplus of funds of $116,915 as
opposed to $129,169 for the preceding 12
months.
As noted in the Accounts, the reported financial
statements at last year’s AGM needed revision.
The explanation of our Auditors as to the error
is noted in the Note 2 of the financial
statements.
The financial position of the SMECC has never
been better with the Council improving its net
assets position to $645,657 – up 22% on last year. The Council has significant cash
reserves and is looking at opportunities to invest in infrastructure to help the CALD
communities in the region thrive.
The highlight if the report is the Residential House in San Mateo Ave that the Council
has acquired. Whilst the property has significant debt, it is a great investment in the
CALD community and has made the transition of new arrivals to the region easier for
all concerned.
Overall, the financial result is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work that
Dean and his staff do week in, week out.
© Ramazan Ali Jaffari
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HUMANITARIAN SETTLEMENT SERVICES
REPORT
CASE MANAGER: Colleen Tarrant
It has been an interesting 12 months with
around 179 clients coming from detention
centres and refugee camps, also with the
addition of the release of bridging visas E’S
arriving from the countries of Sri Lanka, Iraq,
Iran and Afghanistan. Unfortunately we
cannot assist the bridging visa E’s until they
get their Permanent residence. It still
remains busy with transfers from cities and
regional towns around Australia.
SMECC staff have ongoing partnerships with all service providers around Sunraysia.
We take clients to be registered with banks, Centrelink, Medicare, TAFE, attend
health appointments, find housing and get them settled.
Also we have done many orientation sessions, covering welcome to Australia,
money and budgets, working within Australia, working with Centrelink, children,
education and health sessions, and general Australian customs.
We hold ongoing meetings with local service providers bi-monthly, to discuss any
issues or ideas to assist refugees in the area. Most of the time we have a
representative from AMES or DIAC attend these meetings, so they are very
worthwhile. From these meetings came a discussion of the need of a refugee health
nurse. Sunraysia Community health services obtained a nurse for 3 days per week in
this position, and we have a close working partnership.
We have had many bus outings to various places, to show the clients their
surroundings also to give them access to employment, with trips to Colignan Farm-
where 4 clients gained employment, Stefano’s restaurant - 3 clients employed, trips
to field days, Lock 11, Mildura base hospital, Tri-Star medical group, schools,
libraries, Round Again and Bollywood movie nights. There was also a day out at
kings Billabong where an Aboriginal elder
from Parks Australia spoke to the clients.
We still have currently 60 clients within the
HSS program and have more arriving.
We rent an 11 room ex motel that has two
beds in each room that we have as our
STA.
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In April this year SMECC purchased a large 4
bedroom home on San Mateo Avenue.
This is all achieved with the HSS team consisting of
the Case manager and 2x .3 community guides.
The HSS team all
agree this is a
rewarding position
we hold at SMECC, and
we are happy to keep assisting these clients to
become Australian citizens.
COMMUNITY GUIDE Abdul Rezaei
Absent: Jamuna Jackson
© Ramazan Ali Jaffari
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SETTLEMENT GRANTS PROGRAM
REPORT
CASE MANAGER: Alison Fraser
The 2011-2012 work plan for the Settlement
Grants Program (SGP) incorporated the broader
service types of Orientation to Australia and
Participation in Australia; specifically the needs
addressed were- Front Counter (referral )
services; casework; group information sessions
- Living in Australia, information sessions; Living
in Australia workshops - multi - session
information sessions; Participation in Australian
Society - Cultural Kitchen; Community advocacy - Network Meetings.
The first quarter of 2011 showed some limitations in engagement of clients due to
the orientation of a new SGP project worker. However front counter
services/referrals, casework and advocacy were recorded during this time.
The second quarter of 2011 highlighted regular referrals to mainstream service
providers for clients. Casework focused mostly on accommodation, employment,
financial issues, all short term. Advocacy was also a focus. This pattern was
reflected for casework over the whole of the SGP funding period.
There were six activities under Living in Australia - Information Sessions throughout
the year. These were an information session for Afghan women on their human
rights; an information session on family violence attended by the South Sudanese
community; an information session on Internet Safety attended by the South
Sudanese Community; Meet the Children’s Nurse sessions where clients, mostly
Burundian and South Sudanese, could learn about Maternal and Child Health
Services; two Netball Come and Try days attended by the South Sudanese
community; and a Basic First Aid session attended by the Burundian community.
Living in Australia - workshops provided three sessions throughout the year. These
were First Aid attended by the Afghan community, a Positive Parenting Program
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attended by the South Sudanese women, and a Learn to Swim program for Afghan
men.
There was a very successful Cultural Kitchen attended by the
South Sudanese women over a four week period. This time
frame allowed the women to relax, enjoy themselves, and gain
valuable skills such as gaining their Food Handlers
Certificates. The women also had one session where they
invited staff from MRCC to share their cooking with them,
which was terrific fun.
The SGP project worker also represented the refugee client groups throughout the
year through advocacy and network meetings with organisations such as Mildura
Rural City Council, Sunraysia Community Health Services, Maternal and Child
Health Services, and Northern Mallee Primary Care Partnership. There was also
participation in the Mall. Human Rights Collective and collaboration between
Sunraysia Daily and SMECC of a series of news articles highlighting refugee
communities.
© Ramazan Ali Jaffari
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HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE
REPORT
CASE MANAGER: Pamela Liddicoat
Ethno- Generic Home and Community Care
This annual report provides an overview in the Mildura, Robinvale & Swan Hill areas in the area of Home and Community Care (HACC)
Background:
The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program supports frail, older people, younger people with disabilities and their carers to be more independent at home and in the community, thereby preventing their inappropriate admission to long term residential care and enhancing their quality of life through access to HACC care services. This is done through information sessions to community groups and to individuals via home visits so as to learn about any barriers that exist within the communities that prevent the access to mainstream services and in turn pass on to service providers and assist to overcome them. Report: 2012 has been very busy year beginning with all the Ethnic Senior groups reconvening after the Christmas break. Throughout the year assistance is given to all these groups with funding applications to help their groups to provide special cultural events to enhance their member’s quality of life & to showcase their culture to other communities, empowering individuals as well as their community. Information sessions are a large part of introducing ethnic communities to local services within their own municipality to increase their awareness of services available so informed choices can be made when and if individuals require a service to suit their needs.
These sessions included information on the Active Service Model approach to HACC services promoting “doing with” instead of “doing for” the client, Alzheimer’s Vic project officer from Swan Hill informed the Italian & Turkish groups about Dementia with great success.
Many home visits are made to individual clients that identify they may need a service and require assistance to approach the service provider themselves, or a referral made on their behalf to the appropriate provider.
I have attended many cultural events at the invitation of the different groups
(including the newer/emerging groups) to learn & increase my knowledge of their
cultures and any issues they have to pass on to service providers to assist them to
provide culturally appropriate services.
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Cultural events attended included Philippine, Greek, Croatian, Sudanese, Afghan,
Italian, Turkish, Samoan and Indian.
I am looking forward to 2013 where my role will take on an access & support role,
renewing and enhancing existing partnerships with Service Providers to open up
pathways to access and empowerment of the Ethnic Communities when the need for
services arises.
PLANNED ACTIVITY GROUP (HACC) REPORT
PROJECT OFFICER: Elfrida Chagellis
Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council’s Planned Activity Group (PAG) program aims to maintain an older and/or disabled individual's ability to live at home and in the community, by providing a planned program of structured activities. PAG provides an opportunity for our isolated clients to connect with other people and they receive encouragement and support in participating with activities and forming friendships.
It can give the clients a sense of belonging in a safe environment where they can improve quality of life and they are treated with respect and dignity. Activities and outings are designed or modified to suit the needs, abilities and desires of group members
The activities are aimed at enhancing the skills required for daily living and providing physical, intellectual, emotional and social stimulation. They also provide opportunities for social interaction as well as respite and support for carers.
The PAGs are held every fortnight and include the Mildura and Robinvale areas. The total PAG hours for this reporting period are approximately 2620 hours.
We have recently introduced craft classes to our groups as it is enhancing their lives by providing new skills and creating new craft. It is a new thing for them to learn as it has not been a part of their lives as they have been extremely busy raising families and working hard all their lives. They have embraced the lessons and are proud of their creations.
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We are currently creating an International Cook Book where all the clients are encouraged to provide their recipes which I personalise for them by adding photos and country flags. There has been a lot of positive feedback from their clients with the grandchildren assisting with the decorating and suggesting recipes for their grandparents to put in.
IOLANDA AND FRED’S RECIPE
ANISE BISCUITS Ingredients
50 grams diced Almonds 100 grams glazed cherries
4 oz. butter 3 eggs
1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
2 teaspoons ground star anise
Approximately 2 ¼ cups self-raising flour (till it forms a soft dough)
Preparation method
Heat oven to 200 degrees
Beat the eggs, butter, sugar, vanilla essence, star anise, nuts, cherries and flour.
Mix well and knead. Roll into logs and bake in oven for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and cut into 1 cm thin slices.
Put back on baking tray and lower the oven temperature to 100 degrees. Place back
in oven long enough to brown on both sides and look like toast. Cool and store in
airtight container.
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ROSA’S FAVOURITE RECIPES
ITALIAN MACARONI PIE
Ingredients
Cooked macaroni Cold bolognaise mince sauce
Sliced tomatoes Sliced onion
Small pieces of butter Bread crumbs and salt and pepper
Method
Place layers of cooked macaroni, cold bolognaise meat sauce, sliced raw tomato and onion, salt and pepper in a pie dish till full.
Leave the last layer as macaroni. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and small pieces of butter and bake in the oven til nice and brown.
CRUMBED TOMATOES
Ingredients
Large tomatoes (cut in half) Small pieces of butter
Soft bread crumbs Salt and pepper
Method
Pre heat oven to 160 degrees
Place tomato halves in a dish, cover with soft bread crumbs, salt and pepper and top with butter (parmesan cheese and parsley can be added as well)
Bake in oven till tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
Serve on toast for breakfast or with mashed potatoes.
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2012 FESTIVAL OF OLIVES
We were successful in holding the Festival of
Olives on 5th of May 2012. We were featured in
the Qantas Air In-flight Magazine and numerous
magazines, internet sites and newspapers and
received a lot of positive coverage Nation-wide.
We were
privileged to
have the
Victorian
Minister of
Multi-Cultural Affairs Mr Nickolas Kotsiras open
the Festival and he was very impressed with the
day. We had George Kapiniaris and the Greek
Lyceum Dancers from Adelaide perform.
Over 1000 people attended and we have already received a substantial Grant from
the Mildura Rural City Council for 2013. They are also assisting us promote the
Festival to Olive Oil Industries.
We will be calling the 2013 Festival ‘KEFI’ which
is a Greek word meaning the spirit of joy, passion,
enthusiasm, high
spirits and frenzy.
We have already
made a lot of
plans for more
activities and
special guests to perform and we will be seeking
corporate sponsorships and contributions.
We now have our Mascot for 2013 and she will
provide a lot of fun and advertising opportunities.
She is a Greek model who has migrated to live
permanently in Australia.
KEFI FESTIVAL OF OLIVES MASCOT
2013 Karla Mata the Olive
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REFUGEE ACTION PROGRAM REPORT
PROJECT OFFICER: Kate Cotching
Main Achievements
Knowledge of community groups
The increasing knowledge of the refugee
communities has been one of the main
achievements with the RAP to date. Knowledge of
community groups means that English classes are
able to be filled and programs and information
sessions are appropriate and delivered as well as
possible.
Public outcomes
Over the past year there have been a number of public outcomes that have been
part of the RAP, some of these were conducted in collaboration with the SGP Case
Manager. The Human Rights Festival in November 2011 was a great success and
done in collaboration with SGP, and other organisations in Mildura. A number of
small groups and individuals participated in local markets selling handmade items
and doing Henna tattoos and hair extensions for a small fee. A group of women
from the South Sudanese community participated in the Sustainable Sunraysia
Festival by holding a food stall. The women were able to share their culture as well
as earn extra money.
With support from the RAP the South Sudanese Community held a public event in
the Langtree Mall to celebrate the first anniversary of their independence. They
cooked traditional food that people could try for free. Other community groups also
contributed to this event through singing, dancing
and a very appropriate welcome to country by an
indigenous elder. An art exhibition of artwork by a
Hazara artist has been held in the corridor at
SMECC. The exhibition is a great opportunity to
raise public awareness of the issues people face in
Afghanistan, in Australian detention centres and at
the same time has a strong message of hope for a
brighter future in Australia. The RAP also engaged
ABC open to train four individuals in using a digital
Camera to make short films so they can tell their stories.
Programs
A number of information sessions for refugee communities were held by local and
visiting organisations as part of the Rights and Responsibilities program. These
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include the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship delivering sessions on
democracy and participation, the Victoria police regarding the role of the police in
Australia, the Sherriff’s office on fines and infringement notices, and the Victorian
Equal Opportunity Commission on Human Rights.
A homework group started in February this year with support from MELC. The
program engages a number of volunteer tutors and was initially aimed at early high
school students. The program started at the SMECC office and provided some
snack food for the students upon arrival. Six students were engaged in the group
over the first semester with an average of four students attending each week. At the
beginning of second semester the group moved to the library due to its closer
proximity to the high schools and a more studious environment. The group was also
opened up to students of other ages and now involves up to ten students from late
primary school through to VCE. The program has been challenging in terms of
consistently engaging students (numbers) and the way in which they are engaged
during the homework group (ensuring the students are focused on academic
activity).
The jobs club has only recently started and was a response to the number of people
that came into the office asking us to find them a job and having little awareness of
the processes ordinary people need to go through in order to find employment. The
jobs club is an evolving fortnightly program responding to clients’ needs. So far both
sessions have focused on giving explanations of the kinds of work that is available,
terminology (eg casual, part time, and contract work) and the advantages and
disadvantages of taking part time or casual employment. There has been a strong
focus on the responsibility that individuals have in finding their own work and in
requesting help from their employment service providers.
Women’s swimming classes, a 10 week swimming program for
women only was held at Mazini’s swimming centre involving
about 10 participants.
Bus trips
Five Sunday bus trips were organised
for Afghan women and their families, taking them to places
that would ordinarily have been inaccessible to them, for
example the Perry Sand Hills, Kings billabong and
Woodsies gem shop. The women bought their own food
and enjoyed an afternoon of socialising, getting a better
understanding of the area they live in. The issue with the bus trip is staffing/ duty of
care, also there is always a cap on the number of participants due to the limitations
of the bus. After the last bus trip there was discussion around getting to places by
public bus instead.
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HARMONY PLAYGROUP AND
RHYTHM & RHYME PLAYGROUP
REPORT
CO ORDINATOR: Juvelina Guterres
ASSISTANT: Jean Reed
Harmony Playgroup
Harmony playgroup is designed for
CALD families with young children
isolated by
language and
cultural barriers.
By participating in playgroup the
children and parents can learn
new skills, build confidence and
make friends. An added benefit
is that families can access other
services through the centre and
develop support networks.
Rhythm & Rhyme Playgroup
Rhythm and Rhyme playgroup is supported playgroup for
newly arrived families to practise and engage in speaking
/singing in English so as
to build their self-esteem
and confidence to
eventually take English classes and for children
to interact at their future schooling e.g. Kinder,
Childcare, primary school plus socially.
It has been a great experience to participate
with family and children from CALD
background. Playgroup has four terms; each
term there is a break up party or excursion.
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Through playgroup families have been introduced
to other services such as Kindergarten, child care
and school with the assistance of the coordinator. It
has been for the past year very challenging but it is
also very rewarding.
Successful outcomes are:
Number of children and families has increased
A few families have been enrolled at kindergarten
Families are attending each week
Parents and children are gaining confidence
Children are performing in front of community leaders and parents
Parents and children are gaining more social skills through playgroup
Children and family are introduced to a visiting animal zoo at Mildura art
centre
Introduced children and family in how to prepare food
Basic language acquisition. Both parents and children are much improved
(especially non English speaking background)
Parents have developed their parenting and personal skills through their
participation at playgroup
Children are learning to play much better together, developing really social
skills such as sharing, waiting their turn and showing concern for other
children
Parents are engaging more with each other in playgroup sessions or outside
sessions.
Parents with similar situations and background support each other.
Challenges
Because they are new to the country it takes a while to get used to the routine
and procedures
Lack of confidence
Language and culture barriers
Parenting skills
Note for future plans
Possibility of providing triple P (Positive parenting program)
Guest Speakers (Story teller from the local library and music player)
Plan event such as excursions or community events
MCH Nurse
Continued provision of active play and smile for miles program into playgroup.
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As coordinator coming from a similar background, I can understand the challenges
especially coming to a new country. I am grateful and thankful to be in a position
where I am able to provide the assistance that the families and children need.
©Ramazan Ali Jaffari
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ACFE CLASSES
OH&S English Class for the CALD Community
CALD Program for Occupation Health and Safety literacy as part of English
class
This program is designed to assist students from a CALD background to understand
the meaning of English words by translating them into their own language, and to
identify things using the same word in their own language.
Students attend English classes at SMECC on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays.
Students get an opportunity to learn how to use a computer, identify parts of body,
make an appointment to see a doctor, etc. Students learn to read the different signs
posted along the streets and on shop fronts.
In the workplace they can read signs that have different coloured pictures and words
plus their meaning: for example
means where to assemble in an emergency, how to read a watch
and a calendar.
They develop an understanding of why people wear safety clothing at many
workplaces and the words you could use when you give someone directions to go to
places. This was learned through group activities and individual exercises.
ESL TRAINER
Joselyne Ntahomvukiye
ESL TRAINER
Freshta Mahsoomi
©Ramazan Ali Jaffari
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©Ramazan Ali Jaffari
Ali’s artwork will be on display at the Mildura Arts Centre later this year.
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MINUTES OF THE 2011 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council Inc
38-40 Madden Avenue
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
Present
Chairperson: Peter Byrne
Guests: CR Nick Cavallo MRCC – Multicultural Affairs
Apologies: John Arnold, Mayor – MRCC
Guest Speaker: Kylie El-Shiekh – Tristar Medical Group
Minutes of last AGM
Motion: That the minutes of the Last Annual General Meeting be accepted as true
and correct.
Moved Aurora Lattore seconded: Phillomina Calderalli) carried
(Bochii Club) (senior Citizens
Chairperson’s Report (Peter Byrne): 2011 as in the AGM Report
Executive Officer’s Report (Dean Wickham): 2011 as in the AGM Report
Treasurer’s Report (Peter Hartmann): 2011
Motion: That the financial report as tabled be accepted as true and accurate
Moved: Dominic Calderalli Seconded: Joven Estacio Carried
Appointment of Auditor
Motion: That the current auditor WHK be appointed as Auditors for 2012
Moved: Kathy Pongraz Seconded: Richard Morfaw Carried
Election of Committee of Management
Thank you to two members of the Board not renominating.
Con Demis -(15 years) Work and family commitments
Richard Morfaw (1 year) started a new business
All positions declared vacant.
Chairperson: Peter Byrne
Vice Chairperson: Gary Pearse
Treasurer: Peter Hartmann
Secretary: Joven Estacio
Committee: Sisilia Puku
Committee: Redgina Balchin
Committee: Theresa Ketting
General Business:
Changes to the constitution for alteration to financial year from September to June.
Show of hands: Carried
Guest Speaker:
Kylie El-Shiekh Tristar Medical Group – The strength in diversity.
Meeting closed: 7 pm
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