RAINBOW QUILL
The monthly newsletter of Southland Multicultural Council (formerly Southland Multi-Nations), 46 Kelvin Street Invercargill (03) 2149296 [email protected] www.southlandmulticultural.co.nz November 2013
In this Issue Southland
Santa Parade 1 Christmas Picnic 1 Santa Parade Photos from Diwali celebration 1 Photo Gallery 2 Saturday November 23 Thank you to our Funders 2 From the President 2 Star ng 2.00pm From the Coordinator 3 Applying for Citizenship 3 More details on page 7 Rainbow Praise 3 Multicultural Food Festival 2014 3 Southland Multicultural Council New Kiwis 4
Settlement Support 5 Invercargill Expats Club 5 Christmas Picnic Noticeboard 6 Kids’ Korner —Santa Parade 7 Sunday December 8 Women in Unity fundraiser 7 Anderson Park - Pavilion area From 12 midday to 2.30pm Thank you to our funders: The picnic and barbeque will be in the pavilion area which is a short walk across the grass from the car park.
Bring a picnic lunch for yourself & your family, or food to barbeque if you prefer to do that
You might also want to bring a rug or chair to sit on. The sun will be shining (we hope!) so remember to bring sunhats.
Fun for all ages! Everyone Welcome!
Races; The Bubble Man; Lolly Scramble etc
Santa Claus will make a guest appearance & present gifts to the children. (Parents —please help Santa at this busy time of the year by bringing a present of no more than $5 with the child’s name on it to be gifted by Santa Claus)
Any queries phone Violet at the office, 214 9296 (8.15am —2.30pm) or email [email protected]
Photos of Diwali celebration at October potluck For report on the potluck see president’s report page 2, also more photos page 2
Thanks to the DISCLAIMER — International school at SIT for The information disclosed in this publication does not necessarily reflect the view of the Southland Multicultural Council Inc. printing this publication Southland Multicultural Council Inc does not support any particular political party.
Photo Gallery -October potluck (continued) From President Angela
The last potluck on Saturday October 19th was a wonderful event because everybody’s effort came together and at the end the result was fun. The motivation, the happiness and the joy were there. Southland Multicultural Council is the platform for our community, our children, families and friends. You support us in our activities and we grow. You come along to the gatherings and participate and we grow. This organization wants to encourage ethnic communities to embrace their cultures and traditions. We like to celebrate them with you all. Keep that in mind, the more we do things together the better and we grow. Madhu, Suman, Mindy, Laleshni, Gayatri, Praveshna, James, Washim, Swheta, Sara, Cherly, Nadin, Pooja, Poonam and Kamla. Thank you. The committee members worked hard, Vishnu Nair, Flora Lin, Ferenc Szucs, Trevor Penny, Sheryl Zorengh, Brian Bellett, keep up the good work. We are a team. Donna Bellett thanks for minding the table. Good to have you all on board. Also we extend our welcome to the new faces that came along. It was very nice. Thank you to Avinash Varghese for lending his laptop and SIT for the projector. Santa Parade is around the corner and here is our call, please come and walk along with us wearing our customs and flags. Thank you to our funders: Christmas picnic is also happening so keep that date to support us as well. At different times of the year we receive funding from various organisations This is for our community, for you all. So, again, we want to hear which support us. your ideas, suggestions. Volunteer when you can, help when you can if you want. This month we say thank you to: Thank you,
Angela Pardo Cortes President Southland Multicultural Council
Tax Credit for Donations
New to Eastern Southland?
Visit http://www.newcomers.co.nz/southland/gore.html Southland Multicultural Council Inc. is an incorporated society and is registered under the Charities Act 2005, If you would like to talk to the police about anything you CC27119. can phone me on 215 0311 or
Invercargill Police Station 211 0400. Donations of $5 or more are eligible for a Remember, if it is urgent dial 111 Community Constable, Anthony Hogan donations tax credit from the Inland Revenue Department. A GST receipt will If you’d like to share a story with readers of this newsletter — something be issued so you can claim the rebate. that has helped you to settle into New Zealand, a good news story, a recipe , something else of interest and appropriate for the newsletter — The purpose of Southland Multicultural you can email it to me at [email protected] and I will Council is to promote and protect the include it as space permits. Thanks. Violet interests of ethnic people in Southland
2 The Rainbow Quill Southland Multicultural Council Inc November 2013
From the Coordinator
Greetings to everyone
I’ve just heard that two of the students who did the Professional Speaking for Migrants course and went on to do the exam have passed. Congratula ons to Regina Benne and Dorothy Ato. I’m sure we’ll have some photos in next month’s newsle er of them receiving their cer ficates. That’s a wonderful achievement for them and will be good for their CVs.
Coming up on November 3rd is Rainbow Praise and on November 23rd we’ll be taking part in the Santa Parade (details on page 7). Hope you’ll be able to join with us then so we have lots of people taking part from different countries. Joining in with an event like this, and other community events, helps to grow the feeling of belonging in the community.
This me of the year in New Zealand you will find there are lots of end of year ac vi es between now and Christmas. We have our Christmas picnic on Sunday December 8th, from 12 noon to 2.30pm. This is very informal so you are welcome to come and go as you want to.
Remember, if you have a query or need help, or not sure what to do give me a phone call. If I can’t help directly, I’ll be able to put you in touch with someone who can.
Violet Stewart
Applying for N Z citizenship?
Would you like your application checked before you apply?
A pre-checked application makes the process faster and easier for you!
No need to visit a Justice of the Peace. You don’t have to post your valuable documents. You can discuss your application with an experienced citizenship officer.
Invercargill 3 December & 14 January 2014 For more information or to make your FREE Mul cultural Food Fes val March 15 next year appointment call Andrew now This will be at ILT Stadium Southland. Phone: 03 339 5481
If you would like informa on about having Or 0800 22 51 51 a food stall please contact Violet at the office, 214 9296 or email office@southlandmul cultural.co.nz Please note there are strict food regula ons.
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New Kiwis • In NZ, a very high percentage of vacancies are not adver sed in conven onal ways – here it is all about networks and networking. New Kiwis links Hey Job seekers - Tips to help you to our business networks under our brand you Spring into Ac on and we can show you how to network in NZ. Wri en by Val Maskell – • The www.newkiwis.co.nz site and our services are Employer / Migrant Liaison – for skilled and qualified candidates living in New Auckland Chamber of Commerce Zealand (Local), and those who are in the The onset of longer days, warmer weather and the process of emigra ng (Global). holiday season around the corner brings with it the need to put your job search / career path into fourth • Employers love this service because it is free – it gear. Now is the me to capitalise on organisa ons saves them me and money because they can log that want to employ before the end of the year to into the site and search for candidates that meet assist with seasonal pressures. their needs. Employers actually prefer not to adver se and this is why there are a limited of So – for the million dollar ques on – what I can do vacancies posted on the site. But Employers are differently that will get me be er results! ac vely using the site to search and download shortlists of candidates. Over 5,000 CVs are 1. Take stock – what is it that you have currently downloaded by employers and recruitment been doing on your job search journey. Assess agencies each year and many more shortlisted the results – What’s working/ what’s not? and viewed. 2. What methods are you using to job search? Job • New Kiwis ( www.newkiwis.co.nz ) is a partnership Boards? Networking? Direct Approach? project between the Auckland Chamber of Recruitment Agencies? Remember 80% of the Commerce and Immigra on New Zealand. jobs are not adver sed in New Zealand –don’t spend 100% of your me where only 20% of the The second ini a ve – New Kiwi Career Success - is jobs exist. Get out there and talk to people. Start all about ‘job search skills and strategies’ and also making connec ons. funded by Government. 3. Are you ge ng interviews? In Auckland: you can a end our 3 day course and on • Yes – great – your CV is good, stay with it. -going follow-up workshops at no cost where will cover everything from how to do your CV and cover • No interview? Your CV needs to be le er through to cold-calling and networking. re-worked! The job of the CV is to get you to the interview stage. Outside Auckland / already working / offshore: you can access the New Kiwi Career Success online 4. OK – so you are invited to a end through: www.newkiwis.co.nz There is a link from inter views , however you seem to be missing the landing page for seekers or through the out on ‘clinching’ the deal! Perhaps then, you informa on centre. h p://www.newkiwis.co.nz/ need to ‘sharpen’ those interview skills local/job_seeker/online_course.aspx Here’s HOW we can help you. Join a group where you will also have access to jobs The first ini a ve is the website: www.newkiwis.co.nz as they become available. Keep abreast of latest trends and informa on related to Job searching and I guess you want to know what’s different about New mo va on. Your par cipa on in the group will help Kiwis and the other web based recruitment raise your profile to poten al employers looking to services? Well, here’s why, every month, we have on recruit. average 256 people locally and 778 globally registering on the site: New Kiwis-Job seekers group on LinkedIn • h p://linkd.in/174Iyya The New Kiwis programme links jobseekers to our extensive network of Employers and vice versa. New Kiwis - Job Seekers Group on Facebook There is no-cost to the candidate or employer h ps://www.facebook.com/NewKiwijobseekers
and the service leverages off our exis ng Follow us on Twi er @ChamberRecruits
rela onship with around 22,000 businesses Need more informa on – contact Val Maskell on around NZ. (09)375 3929 or email [email protected]
4 The Rainbow Quill Southland Multicultural Council Inc November 2013
November 2013
Se lement Support Southland
Well I can’t believe that signs of Christmas are already appearing in the shops! Where has this year gone?! I hope you are all well and enjoyed one of the warmest Southland winters in history J. The Spring weather has been a li le unpredictable, but hopefully we will soon see a few more sunnier days – me to get the high factor sun cream out of the cupboard.
I’ve been enjoying connec ng with many newcomers in the last few months, and being able to link people up with other newcomers is also very sa sfying – the more links with other people that you make on arrival, the be er for the future months as those links branch out further.
Upcoming Events
Invercargill Thursday, 21 st November 2013
• Morning tea informa on session • Meet and chat with others – children welcome! • Meet with Se lement Support
• Pick up Immigra on forms Join us for Breakfast
th Lumsden Saturday 30 November Wednesday, 27 November 10.30am – 12.30pm Morning tea informa on session from 9.15am @ First in Windsor,
Being held at the Community Resource Centre, 72 King Street, Windsor Hero Street, Lumsden Full selection of meals – from toast, eggs benedict, pancakes to a full cooked breakfast. Gore – NEW VENUE! th To view a menu check out Friday, 6 December 10.30am – 12.30pm http://www.firstinwindsor.co.nz/ • Informa on session • Meet with Se lement Support To book your place, contact Eirlys at • [email protected] or 03 211 1803 Meet other newcomers • Pick up Immigra on forms and other A great social opportunity, and if you are in informa on resources business, bring your business cards to share. Kids
welcome and First in Windsor will provide smaller Being held at Gore Library versions of breakfast meals for younger children.
Invercargill ALL WELCOME ! EXPATS AND KIWIS!
Immigra on New Zealand Seminar www.facebook.com/groups/invercargillexpatsclub Monday, 9 th December 2013 10.30am – 12.30pm • Presenta ons on work visas and skilled migrant residence visas. • Opportunity to ask ques ons of Immigra on officials. • Booking not required
Being held at Venture Southland, 143 Spey Street, Invercargill.
------Contact Eirlys at [email protected] or 03 211 1803 for more details on these events.
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Notice Board
Citizen's Advice Bureau
97 Spey Street, Invercargill (note new address)
This agency has been set up to assist people with enquiries for services and for referral to other agencies.
Specialist service include: Southland Centre 184 Esk Street, Invercargill Justice of the Peace clinic – Saturday 10am until noon. (no appointment necessary) English language classes for people from non -English speaking backgrounds Consumer clinic - every Wednesday 3pm - 4.30pm, Friday 12pm -1.30pm - call to make an appointment • Home tutors • Legal services - free legal service on Thursday English Language Groups -Invercargill, Gore, Lumsden & Winton night. An appointment must be made. • English for Employees - Invercargill, Gore & Winton Telephone: ( 03) 218 6648 or 0800 367 222 (for permanent residents /NZ citizens who are in employment)
www.cab.org.nz **There will be a nominal charge for Permanent Residents of $30 per term(10 weeks) and $50 for non Permanent Residents for English Language Groups Southland Community IELTS training available Law Centre
5 Tay Street, Invercargill For more information please call Nalini Varghese
on 03 -218 2736 / 029 771 0950 or Ph 03 214 3180 or 0800 55 0800 email [email protected]
Services include:
• providing legal information Learn English • advice and assistance at SIT
• promoting legal education and law reform • and in some cases representing people in court.
These services are usually provided free to eligible he SIT English language school provides new & old residents members of the public. Check with your local of Southland the best educational opportunity in the country community law centre to see what services they to improve their English language learning at no cost. offer. Full time students can apply for study allowances to assist them through their study.
November SIT offer Full & part-time Intensive English language Birthday Greetings to: certificate, NZQA approved with part-time IELTS program.
Beginning any MondayMonday----TimesTimes are: Monday– Thursday 9am-4pm and Fridays 9am-12pm.
☺ Bryan For further information call 03 2112699 extn. 8826 or ☺ Ankita ☺ Parkirti email [email protected] ☺ Belinda ☺ Tinashe ☺ Robert ☺ Lyra Membership of ☺ Gabriel ☺ Charles Southland Multicultural Council ☺ If you aren’t a member of Southland Mich Multicultural Council and would like to be
you can either phone Violet at the office for
Congratulations to everyone, young and old, having a a form, come into the office and collect a birthday this month. form or download a form from our website www.southlandmulticultural.co.nz. On the website you
will find the membership form under the heading of If anyone would like to have birthday greetings in our publications. newsletters please let Violet know at the office, 214 9296 Annual Membership is $15 per family
6 The Rainbow Quill Southland Multicultural Council Inc November 2013
Kids Korner
Hi Everyone Southland Santa Parade Saturday 23 November, 2.00pm
Southland Mul cultural Council will take part in the annual Santa Parade again this year. We need people, both adults and children, to dress in the costume of their country and take part in the parade. Even if you don’t have a costume you can s ll take part. It would be great to have lots of people to help celebrate the cultural diversity we have in Southland. We need some people to ride on the “float” and also others to walk behind it. I promise you, you will have fun!!
Important : If you’re not wearing a costume of a country please dress smart casual.
Phone Violet at the office (214 9296) for more informa on or email office@southlandmul cultural.co.nz.
If you plan to take part please let me know if possible as it would be good to know we have plenty of people. The parade leaves from Gala Street and you need to be there between 1.30pm and 1.45pm at the very latest.
This year for a “float” we plan to have a very big balloon which looks like a globe of the world. It will be on a large trailer, ed on very well! Hope you and your family will be able come along on November 23 and join in with us. Violet ☺ Women in Unity Fundraiser
Present Cultural Fashion Show & Dance Evening
Date : Saturday 7 th December 2013 Time : 7:30 pm Venue: Waikiwi Tavern (Lasers) 35 Gimblett Street Waikiwi, Invercargill Enquiries: Kim 2159535 Jasmine 2157827 Tickets - $10.00 each Supper included
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Please return to : Southland Multicultural Council Southland Community House 46 Kelvin Street Invercargill 9810
Ci zen Ini ated Referendum
In December this year there will be a postal referendum on the ques on “ Do you support the Government selling up to 49 per cent of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Solid Energy and Air New Zealand?"
You will get to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the referendum ques on. This is an indica ve referendum, which means it is not binding on the government to act on it. The referendum will be a postal vote, so you need to be correctly enrolled to get your vo ng paper in the mail. You must be enrolled before vo ng starts on 22 November if you want to take part. If you’re not enrolled or need to update your details, do it now. It’s easy. Visit www.elec ons.org.nz , call 0800 36 76 56, text your name and address to 3676, or visit any PostShop for an enrolment form.
For more informa on, visit www.elec ons.org.nz