Multicultural Council of Prospectus Community.

Multicultural Council Multicultural NSW of Wagga Wagga Multicultural NSW is the lead agency for implementing the policy and legislative framework to support multicultural An independent not-for-profit organisation, principles in NSW. the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga promotes the acceptance and celebration It is driven by three key principles which are fully supported by MCWW: of cultural diversity in the wider community. • Engage with all sections of Through our programs, we assist and support society and break down barriers humanitarian settlers and people from refugee to participation. and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) • Enable equitable access backgrounds. Our service aims to build the skills to services and programs. and knowledge required to lead productive and • Enrich social and economic rewarding lives in our community. capacity through cultural diversity as an asset of our state. Through education and partnerships with the broader community, we foster multicultural We receive valuable support from Multicultural NSW and acknowledge the engagement and promote harmony. Our aim major role they play in funding MCWW is to continue to provide specialist services through a 3-year funding agreement to new settlers as long as they are needed as well as funding short term projects and to respond to the needs of all of our clients. through their grants program. Our Vision Current Programs To achieve an enriched DSS Settlement Grants Common Threads multicultural society The Multicultural Council is contracted The Multicultural Council facilitates the through cultural diversity, to provide settlement related information, Common Threads Project which provides social cohesion and advice, advocacy or referral services to a safe space for community members individuals or their families due to issues to build important social support community harmony. arising from their settlement experience. networks and reduce social isolation while engaging in skills development Our Mission This includes: in a range of different textile mediums. • Life skills classes and programs that Common Threads supports members To provide a range of high assist clients to become ‘job ready’ in exploring social enterprises, quality programs and services • Assistance to newly arrived clients participating in public exhibitions to assist people from culturally to make social connections and showcasing multicultural arts. • Leadership and mentoring activities and linguistically diverse Refugee Youth Peer Mentoring Program backgrounds to integrate • Specialised settlement services successfully into the Wagga for young people aged between The Refugee Youth Peer Mentoring Program (RYPMP) supports young Wagga and surrounding 15-24 years, including building capabilities in employment, people from refugee backgrounds to communities. education and leadership; navigate education and employment homework support; and fostering pathways, access a range of services connections with the community. and participate in community life. Emphasis is placed on building independence and in young people Water Safety setting and working towards goals This project aims to engage with that are meaningful to them. local community members from the humanitarian entrant, migrant and This program has been funded international student populations in a by the NSW Government’s Family range of programs that build knowledge and Community Services. and skills for engaging safely in and around the water. Funded by the NSW Tax Help Program Government’s Office of Emergency The Multicultural Council of Wagga Management, the program includes: Wagga is a Tax Help Centre between July and October each year. • Identifying potential dangers • Responding to emergency situations Clients earning $60,000 or less can book • Intensive Swim to Survive programs an appointment with an ATO trained and accredited community volunteer • CPR and River Safety training who can provide a free and confidential • Development of culturally service to help complete their tax return appropriate resources. online using MyTax.

Culture Club Refugee Health Established in 2015 from a Multicultural The Murrumbidgee Local Health District NSW Unity Grant, Culture Club (MLHD) funds a Refugee Health Nurse to is an informal community group run a Refugee Health Assessment Centre co-ordinated by the Multicultural (RHAC) from the Multicultural Council’s Council of Wagga Wagga. Wagga Wagga office. Operating from MCWW since 2017, the clinic provides The group meets monthly to discuss quality, coordinated, primary health care and plan activities that meet the needs to meet the needs of refugees prior to of its culturally diverse membership. transitioning to local GPs. Past activities have included Flight and Delight, Harmony in Sport, Spring Fling This includes: and cultural sharing events. Many Culture Club initiatives have been supported by • Holistic health assessments Wagga Wagga City Council grants. 217 Through the • Immunisation catch ups ‘Learn to Swim Safe Today’, • Referrals to specialist Since its inception, Culture Club Don’t Let the Chance and allied health services membership has grown to more than • Counselling and supports. than 400 members representing Float Away Program 50 community groups. Diversity.

At a Glance

From 2005-2017 we settled 484 families and 1697 individuals, under the Federal Government HSS (Humanitarian Settlement Services).

In 2017:

9 Staff

35 Partner organisations

63 Community sponsorships Our Impact 12 Community Partnerships • MARWA – Muslim Association 17 Wagga Association Since 2005, the Multicultural • Wafrica – Wagga African MCWW events Association Council of Wagga Wagga has assisted hundreds • Potowa Buddhist Group 14 Information of families and thousands • WASCA - Sri Lankan Association of Wagga Wagga sessions of individuals settle into their new communities. • Filipino Community Association of Wagga Wagga Our dedicated and 1769 • Bhutanese Association Client sessions professional staff, along with /Wodonga a team of compassionate • SEAMS – South East Asia 22 Volunteers volunteers, has helped Migrants Support foster cultural diversity • Kachin Community of and harmony across the Wagga Wagga 13 Cultural Riverina Murray region. • Chin Community of Wagga Wagga awareness • Afghan Community of presentations/ Wagga Wagga Country of origin forums • Bahi Community of Wagga Wagga • Afghanistan • Yazidi Community • Bhutan • Democratic Republic of Congo Key partners and friends of MCWW • India • Wagga Wagga City Council • Iran • Albury City Council • Iraq • Wodonga City Council • Jordan • Rotary Club of • Myanmar Wagga Wagga Sunrise • Pakistan • Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga • Philippines • St Vincent de Paul • Rwanda • NSW/ACT Cricket • Sri Lanka • NSW/ACT AFL • Sudan • CSU International students • Syria • Relationships • Riverina Institute of TAFE AMEP • Teys Australia I came to Australia The Multicultural Council I left Sudan a long time ago. because of my children. community is very happy. When I left the country, We are very warm together it was because of the war Before we came here, as a refugee in and share everything. - we were in the war zone. Iran, it was really hard for us and it was hard for our children to go to school. When we first arrived, the Multicultural When we reached here, there’s no war. They would not accept them because we Council came to the airport and You forget that in some countries are Afghani and at one time we were not welcomed us. Every single day they people are dying, and in some countries, allowed to send the children to school. have helped us. If we have a problem, people are enjoying themselves. maybe emotional, or family, or language, I think that is the biggest difference! There, they were not allowed to go to we ring them or we come here and we university or study what they want. talk to them. Coming to a new place, we didn’t know I hoped that by coming here, we would anything really. We needed someone have good education for my children. Here, if you are not qualified, the to tell us what to do and where to go. Already I am really glad. Multicultural Council can help arrange TAFE to get a certificate and they can help When you arrive, the Multicultural When we first arrived, the Multicultural look for a job. Here, we are confident for Council are the first people to come to Council were really welcoming. our family and what we need to do for our you. Every day they were here with us My children were tired because it’s a future. I love that we are very safe and and they made us feel comfortable. long way and I was very worried about what you want to do you can do. how we could find our house, how we When we arrived, we didn’t know how can find shopping and everything. If we don’t understand something we can to use bank card and sometimes we ask the Multicultural Council. They are didn’t know whether there was money. I didn’t understand that the Multicultural very helpful. Every single person is like a Council had found a house for us already. family to us. They care for us very warmly They were very good to take us and They took us there and said, “This is your and it means we are very, very happy. show us how to use our money and help house, and everything is for you”. us to get our food. Multicultural Council I love to live here. I love Multicultural is the best office in Wagga helping We didn’t really have any idea of what Council most of all. refugees. They are with you every day Wagga Wagga would be like, but the and make you feel comfortable and Multicultural Council helps us with Htu San La Bang belonging. I have been here many years everything: language, finding where but still I come to Multicultural Council to go, finding doctors. Any issues I have, Originally from Myanmar for help and they help me. I come straight here. They just say, Arrived in Wagga Wagga It is like a family. “It’s okay. I will help you.” in December 2010 Constance Okot Multicultural Council is like my family; my best friend. Originally from Sudan Arrived in Wagga Wagga Hakimeh Rahimi in January 2005 Originally from Afghanistan Arrived in Wagga Wagga in May 2014 Work With Us

There are many ways you can work with the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga to promote acceptance and celebrate cultural diversity and harmony.

For funding bodies For local service clubs and community partners Based on our past performance, consider the Multicultural Council Community-based organisations of Wagga Wagga for grants relating to: have a role to play in supporting cultural awareness and diversity. • Refugees • Humanitarian entrants Here are a few ideas: • CALD communities • Host community gatherings to • Celebrating diversity encourage families from different • Social cohesion/harmony. backgrounds and community organisations to meet For corporate partners • Incorporate more aspects of cultural diversity into existing • Sponsor events and activities that community activities promote inclusion and harmony • Host a community meeting with • Support MCWW communities guest speakers from a refugee via fundraising efforts background to share stories. • Incorporate more aspects of cultural diversity into existing For individuals organisational activities • Host guest speakers from a • Attend community-based events refugee background to share stories. that celebrate cultural awareness and harmony, e.g. food festivals, multicultural film nights and sporting events • Show appreciation and respect for another’s culture • Avoid triggers where possible • Keep an open mind – educate yourself using reputable sources • If required, use available services when communicating with people from a refugee, humanitarian entrant or CALD background.

Contact Us

Wagga Wagga 18 Station Pl, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650 (02) 6921 6666 [email protected] www.facebook.com/multiculturalcouncilwaggawagga www.mcww.org.au Harmony. Our Origins

First known as the Ethnic Communities Council of Wagga Wagga, the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga was established in 1988.

That same year, a very successful Carnivale event highlighted the growing diversity of cultures in Wagga Wagga and affirmed the need for an organisation to assist newly arrived and longer-term settlers from all parts of the world.

A grant from the Community Relations Commission and support from the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW allowed for establishment of the Ethnic Communities Council of Wagga Wagga and the appointment of the first community worker.

Since that time, the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga has expanded its services and workforce, and has helped settle 1697 newcomers into the community.

Wagga Wagga has the longest running regional cultural support organisation in NSW. We are proud of our past and present services, and look to the future with optimism.

The Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land of the Wiradjuri nation. We pay respect to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal people and the future leaders of their communities. www.mcww.org.au