Annual Report 2013 Vision, Mission and Core Values

VISION CORE VALUES

A just, equal and inclusive society where individuals • A Bias for Action: We choose to act quickly and • Inclusiveness: We are inclusive of all cultures and are valued, contributing, and self-suffi cient members proactively in everything we do with a clear and communities ensuring access and equity for all. of the Australian community. unambiguous focus on serving our clients and meeting their needs. • Integrity: We work within a framework of professionalism, teamwork, confi dentiality • Accountability: We will be accountable in all our MISSION and trust. dealings with our stakeholders. To provide high quality services, settlement • Leadership: We will provide strong leadership to • Empowered Self-Determination: We will build the information, support and advocacy to migrants and the community services sector, our stakeholders capacity of migrants, refugees and newly arrived refugees in order to facilitate successful integration and staff. communities to move towards a position of into the wider community. self- determination. • Partnerships: As a dedicated team we will work collaboratively with all stakeholders, effectively • Excellence: We will provide programs and facilitating change in people’s lives that result in services that provide the optimum outcomes for quality outcomes for all concerned. our stakeholders and communities. • Financial Sustainability: We will maintain a fi nancial management system that has as its goal the long term fi nancial sustainability of the Centre.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 1

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2 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Annual Report Contents

Chairperson’s Report 1 Executive Director’s Report 7 Treasurer Report 11 Administration and Finance Report 12 Board of Management 14 Staff 18 Funding Bodies 22 Volunteers 28 Settlement Grants Program Report 30 Guide to Employment for Migrants 39 Early Intervention and Perinatal project Report 48 Africian Sessional Worker’s project Report 54 Pathways for Social Inclusion and Participation 56 project Report Northern Region Services Report 60 Enable Energy Effi ciency project Report 68 ABN: 89 786 937 360 Financial Report 73 Registration Number: Y2365716 For The Year Ended 30 June 2013

CMRC Annual Report 2013 3 Chairperson’s Report

4 CMRC CMRC Annual Annual Report Report 2013 2013 Chairperson’s Report Members and friends of Community Migrant Resource Centre, I am pleased to present our seventeenth Annual Report.

I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional job seekers, small business, volunteers and families MRC’s work with migrants and refugees and in owners of the land on which we meet and on which across a range of cultural groups. promoting diversity in our community. the MRC works, and to pay my respects to their On behalf of the Board, I’d like to acknowledge My personal thanks go to Melissa Monteiro for her elders, past and present. the MRC’s staff for their continuing effective work excellent management of the MRC, to the executive This Annual Report outlines the work done by the in the community, delivering a range of traditional of the Board of Management, Nola Randall-Mohk, MRC in the 2012-13 fi nancial year. It also includes MRC services as well as social enterprise and small Renu Narchal, Jason Guest and Warren Schweitzer the audited fi nancial reports which outline our business initiatives. Our grateful thanks go to our for their vision and leadership of the organisation, fi nancial position. Executive Director, Melissa Monteiro and the MRC’s and to the Board for its wise governance of the MRC. coordinators and all the staff for their achievements Unfortunately, Renu Narchal resigned from the Board 2012-13 was a full and active year for our this year. this year. We miss Renu’s intelligence and insight and organisation. The detail of our extensive range of we look forward to her continuing involvement with programs is laid out in the following pages of this Some of our most successful programs have been the MRC, in one form or other, in the future. Annual Report. One of our major initiatives this year delivered in partnership or in collaboration with other has been to begin working in the Northern region of organisations and we are proud of our association I am pleased to present this Annual Report to Sydney. We are grateful for the support we have with those in the community who do similar, or members and friends of Community Migrant received from Ryde City Council and Kur-ring-gai complementary, work. I extend our thanks and best Resource Centre. We thank you all for your Council to help us establish programs in their local wishes to all those organisations who have worked continuing support. government areas. with us this year. Our programs cover health, community participation, Our work would not be possible without the fi nancial education, sustainability, community celebrations and support of Commonwealth, State and Local Terrie Gardner cross cultural training. We work with young people, governments. We thank them for underpinning the Chairperson

CMRC Annual Report 2013 5 6 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Executive Director’s Report I am delighted to present the Centre report for 2013. Through this period the MRC has maintained its strong focus on providing settlement services with excellence. A strong focus was on community development and implementation of major funded programs such as the Settlement Grants Program, FACS Early Intervention and Perinatal Program, and the African Sessional Workers Program.

Integrated service delivery: Our approaches supported and encouraged people Funded by DIAC, the Settlement Grants program and groups to discover and mobilize these gifts and aims to create create, enhance and integrate services Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC) has talents to build strong individuals and families. and programs to better support their clients in the clearly outlined its strategic objectives in the last year. The support we provided was in the areas of: region. The settlement staff is tasked to support In order to achieve these strategies an integrated these teams to create meaningful opportunities team was piloted and has been operating for the last • Community planning and capacity building for employment, training and development, youth six months. This includes implementing the following • Partnership development and management engagement, youth intervention and community and strategic directions of • Organizational, board and volunteer family supports. • Strengthen staff to participate in service development CMRC has worked hard to create a strong culture of planning and delivery • Integrated and service access community engagement through capacity building, • Expanding leadership and developing progressive learning and innovative training. A strong community partnerships • Financial planning, resource development/ team of over 16 SGP workers have provided services management and accountability We practiced the philosophy of “community building” to the African, Indian, Afghani, Burmese, and Karen, – a belief that each client / community, organization, • Planning, development and delivery of Middle Eastern and Chinese communities in this agency, has gifts and talents to share with others integrated programs and services region. The SGP team has addressed the needs of over 4000 clients. More than 8000 referrals have been and contributes to each other’s growth, learning and • Facilitated community initiated community development. made to relevant services. 250 information sessions development services in response to identifi ed have been organised with an overall attendance of community needs. 3300 clients.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 7 Melissa Monteiro with Nelsa Simmonds and Dativah Councilor Le Lam- Auburn City Council and Hon Greg Smith, Attorney General and Melissa Monteiro Murungi Melissa Monteiro

The HPMN has 54 registered providers in the Holroyd We thank FACS for funding the CMRC through Social Inclusion - is funded through the Community and Parramatta and catchment. the whole-of-government prevention and early Builders for three years. A successful outcome of The CMRC is an organization committed to intervention strategy that aims to provide children the project has been the establishment of the pool providing a range of settlement services, training with the best start in life. This is achieved by of NAATI accredited interpreters/interpreters. supporting families expecting a baby or with and education for individuals, families and young A direct outcome of this initiative was the Social children aged up to 8 years. The Strategy is people to facilitate continuing education, skills Enterprise “Fair Go Driving “Funded by Wenty underpinned by a strong body of evidence training and community engagement. Leagues and Guildford Clubs, Parramatta Leagues demonstrating the importance of the early years through the Clubs grants formerly CDSE scheme. What started seven years ago as the African in a child’s development and the long term Learning Circle is now well known as the effectiveness of supporting parents and children SSI: we are pleased to have an ongoing Community learning circle that brings together during these years. partnership with Settlement Services International people from various backgrounds discussing (SSI). In the last year a total of 1000 Humanitarian The aim of the program is to strengthen families, child protection, family violence, relationships, Entrants were provided with Settlement Services improve outcomes for children and young people, intergenerational confl ict and other such topics. under this program. Accommodation was provided and reduce the number of women experiencing The circle has recently opened up broader issues to 400 clients in the region. Parramatta continues to violence and build community capacity. that addresses issues related to migration, isolation, grow in Humanitarian entrant numbers. service provision and language barriers etc The CMRC has participated in the Families First Northern Team: The CMRC acknowledges the Implementation Group (FIGG), Community Services support from the City of Ryde and Ku- ring-ai MAC and Triple P steering committee in the last Council in establishing its presence in the northern year.

8 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Melissa Monteiro receiving UWS Community Award 2013 Michelle Rowland- MP, Bill Shorten- Minister for Senator the Hon. Kate Lundy, Minister for Sport and in recognition of oustanding community service and Employment, Melissa Monteiro and Julie Owens MP Multicultural Affairs and Melissa Monteiro leadership region. We thank Northern Sydney Medicare Local for Identifying that there is an urgent need to address We look forward to the establishment of the youth hub funding the Parent education program in this region. the accessibility of relevant information to CALD and acknowledge the Scanlon foundation. communities and the community sector, CMRC Energy effi ciency is becoming integral in our daily I would like to end by thanking the CMRC board, in was awarded a grant by the Department of Industry lifestyle as rising costs of electricity bills means particular chair person Terrie Gardner for her support as part of the Energy Effi ciency Information Grants that it is essential for us to limit our electricity use in the last year, special mention to Warren Schweitzer Program to empower the Community Sector as well through effi ciency measures to reduce our power for the many hours he has spent in providing coaching as CALD businesses in Western Sydney. bills and help alleviate the environmental cost of to staff. Thank you also to Nola Randall Mohk, Jason high energy use. The rising energy prices have a The 3E (Enable Energy Effi ciency) Project’s aim is Guest and Dr. Renu Narchal. tremendous impact on communities, especially those to empower CALD Small and Medium Enterprises Many thanks to the coordinators, staff, community who may not be able to access information to make (SMEs) and community organisations to make partners. Finally, the work we do would not be informed decisions on energy effi ciency. Culturally informed decisions about energy effi ciency. The 3E possible without our funding bodies. Thank you and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) businesses and the Project delivers information to CALD community to DCCEE, DIAC, FACS & other federal and local community sector are particularly vulnerable, they are organisations and SMEs in Western Sydney to assist government. often time-poor, they often lack resources to access them with reliable information to make informed government incentives and while the increase in decisions on their behavioural impact towards energy operational costs are challenging, it may not a effi ciency. The project targets businesses owners, Melissa Monteiro priority to the community sector as they address senior managers and supervisors who have decision Executive Director social issues. making authority to make positive changes towards improving energy effi ciencies in their workplace.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 9 CMRC has focussed on sustainable growth into new opportunities whilst maintaining a commitment to service delivery improvements.

10 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Treasurer’s Report

Throughout the 2012-2013 fi nancial year As Treasurer, I would like to pay special Community Migrant Resource Centre tribute to our partners and funders that (CMRC) has focussed on sustainable enable Community Migrant Resource growth into new opportunities whilst Centre to deliver important settlement work maintaining a commitment to service delivery across the region. Our funders include improvements. This has involved preparing the Department of Immigration & Border and monitoring the organisation’s fi nancial Protection, Family & Community Services, position in a way that positions CMRC to Department of the Environment, Settlement deliver on its mandate. Services International, several Local Government bodies and service clubs. Community Migrant Resource Centre’s fi nancial statements have been audited by Thank you to Linda Marsonet and Dijana Behrens Rowley Chartered Accountants and Mackic from the Finance Team. Thank you are enclosed within the Annual Report. The also to the CMRC Board of Management and organisation is in a strong fi nancial position all staff members. but there remains a strong need to identify new funding and revenue opportunities. It is hoped that CMRC’s innovative project mix Jason Guest will attract the increased fi nancial support of Treasurer both funders and the wider community.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 11 Administration and Financial Report

Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC) Settlement Services International project. has continued to develop and expand the The ability of the MRC to provide quality services it delivers to migrants. This year in core services that seek to meet the diverse addition to the Parramatta, Holroyd and Hills needs of the community would not be areas, the CMRC has initiated projects in possible without the partnerships and support the Northern Region (Ryde, Eastwood and from The Department of Immigration and Gordon). Citizenship (DIAC), Department of Climate The CMRC continues to lease the two shops Change & Energy Effi ciency (DCCEE), at ground level which provides “shop-front” Settlement Services International (SSI), promotion of the activities of the Centre and Family and Community Services (FACS) and valuable offi ce and program space for the the Department of Education, Employment Enable Energy Effi ciency (3E Project), Job and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). We also Club and the Social Enterprise projects. In acknowledge the important contribution of addition to level four where the majority or the local councils, clubs and community CMRC projects are housed the organisation partnerships: Parramatta City Council Holroyd has leased Level 3 to accommodate the City Council, City of Ryde Council and Offi ce

12 CMRC Annual Report 2013 of Communities. The CMRC continues to seek • FACS continues to fund the Early Intervention • The strategic outlook is for continued new funding sources in order to expand service and Perinatal project, African Sessional project growth and expansion of high quality, cost capacity and provide specifi c services in response and Community Builders – Social Inclusion and effective services which respond to identifi ed to emerging community needs. Participation Project. and emerging community needs and are supported by best practice and sound fi nancial The CMRC is diligent in ensuring funding is spent • A one off grant was received from DEEWR to management. effectively with the Board of Management, the develop, produce and distribute a Guide to Executive Director and staff working together to Employment for Migrants. The launch of Guide Thank you to our bookkeeper, Linda Marsonet, the ensure that every dollar has maximum return. This to Employment resource was one of the administration support staff, Elizabeth and Wadiha assists with the costs of maintaining the facilities highlights of the year. and the wonderful staff of CMRC. and also ensures the profi le of the CMRC remains Finally, I would like to thank Terrie Gardner- high in the community. Chairperson, Jason Guest, our Treasurer, Executive • A small grant was received from the Offi ce of In relation to the fi nancial report please note: and Board members and Melissa Monteiro- Communities to o rganise ANZAC tours for • The Community Migrant Resource Centre is in Executive Director for their ongoing support. multicultural communities. a fi nancially sound position which is supported by the Audit Report. • The Councils and Clubs Grants have continued to allow CMRC to implement new and Dijana Mackic • The Balance Sheet is strong which is refl ected specialised projects with the expansion of Admin & Finance Coordinator by total assets of $1 127 315 and total equity the Social Enterprise Driving School initiative. of $362 729. In addition funding from these sources has • The CMRC has suffi cient liquidity available supported Women’s Wellbeing project, Talk- to meet the fi nancial obligations of the Time Talent-Time, Paint the Town REaD and organisation. Refugee Week activities. • DIAC continues to be the primary funding • There were 18 full-time, 14 part-time and source with almost $1.2 million received in 35 casual staff employed in fi nancial year this fi nancial year. 2012/13. The accessibility of the facility and the commitment of the staff are key factors in • The DCCEE Grant has funded an 18 month the quality of service delivery the CMRC offers project with approximately $591 000 received the community. this fi nancial year

CMRC Annual Report 2013 13 Board of

Terrie Gardner Chairperson Nola Randall-Mohk Deputy Chairperson Jason Guest Treasurer Renu Narchal Secretary Warren Schweitzer Staff Liaison Offi cer Ajmer Singh Sikh Council of Australia Albert Jubian Council of Australian Palestinian Andrew Ang TAFE NSW Augustine Okereafor Igbo Community Australia Hau Wong Individual Neil El-Kadomi Parramatta Islamic Cultural Association Olayide Ogunsiyi University of Western Sydney Safar Sarmed Individual Susannah Tobin Individual Umaru Binneh Conteh El-Bethel Crusades

14 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Ajmer Singh & Jason Guest Aurelia, Julie Owens MP, Dijana and Board members Safar and Warren

Hela Jaffar, Melissa Monteiro- Hon Victor Dominello- MP Executive Director and Olayide with Warren Schweitzer, Ogunsiyi- Board member Board member

Augustine Okereafor, Safar Sarmed, Melissa Monteiro, Ummaru Binneh, Andrew Ang & Jason Guest Julie Owens MP with Brendan O’Connor, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

Bill Shorten-MP, Terrie Gardner Hau Wong, Board member and Steering Committee with staff

CMRC Annual Report 2013 15 16 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Neil El-Kadomi, Board member Nola Randall-Mohk, with staff Deputy Chair

Susannah Tobin Terrie Gardner, Chairperson and staff

Warren Schweitzer and Board of Management Safar Sarmed Members with Ivan Petch, Mayor of City of Ryde

Warren and Ajmer Nola Randall-Mohk, Kevin Heys and Melissa Monteiro

CMRC Annual Report 2013 17 Staff Melissa Monteiro Executive Director Dijana Mackic Admin and Finance Coordinator Linda Marsonet Bookkeeper Elizabeth Mateo Customer Service Offi cer Ifrah Mohamed Customer Service Offi cer Wadiha Mouawad Offi ce Assistant

18 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Department of Immigration and Saw Yung Htut Karen SGP Worker Northern Region team Citizenship – DIAC – SGP TEAM: Elizabeth Phillipsz Burmese SGP Worker Chrysanthie Community Access and Aurelia Rahman Community Capacity Fernando Resource Worker Conscila Emilianus Tamil SGP Worker Building Coordinator Ji Hyun Kim Community Access and Alham Ashiq Afghan SGP Worker Bahram Mia Humanitarian Youth SGP Resource Worker Yuyang Su Chinese SGP Worker Maeve Brown Community Development Faiza Shakori Community Access and Offi cer – African Acuoth Acol African Generalist SGP Resource Worker Communities Worker Young Sil Park Community Access and Ayan Makor Community Development Narayan Dhimal Indian Sub-continent SGP Resource Worker Worker – African Worker Zhenqian Feng Community Access and Dativah Murungi Community Development Arif Nabizadah Family and Youth SGP Resource Worker Worker – African Worker Mayor Chagai Community Development Hela Jaffar Middle Eastern SGP Worker & Support worker Xiaobing Cai Group worker Priscella Engall Community Settlement & Development Offi cer

CMRC Annual Report 2013 19 Department of Family and Community Yasotha Group Worker Alima Lumena African Sessional Worker Services – Community Builders Pathamanathan Amer Achiek African Sessional Worker Nancy Chu Group Worker Phin Tang Social Enterprise Program Amou Job African Sessional Worker Coordinator Mastura Marial Group Worker Anthony African Sessional Worker Department of Family and Community Department of Family and Community Bee-Conteh Services – Early Intervention Team: Services – Chibalonza Malula African Sessional Worker Norma Boules Family CALD Worker AFRICAN SESSIONAL PILOT PROJECT Elizabeth African Sessional Worker Solomon Freeman African Sessional Project Li Hua Chu Early Intervention Worker Gezahegne Coordinator Biljana Kulic Early Intervention Worker Emmanuel Msafi ri African Sessional Worker Tabitha Ajak African Sessional Worker Florence Abera African Sessional Worker Alice Utamuriza African Sessional Worker

20 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Getahun Desta African Sessional Worker Mayor M Chagai African Sessional Worker Jean-Francois 3E Project Support Offi cer Prime Gloria Marcella African Sessional Worker Mohamed Musa African Sessional Worker Johnson Felicity- Anne 3E Marketing Support Rebecca Ziga African Sessional Worker Wicks Offi cer Liliane African Sessional Worker Department of Climate Change and Lukoki-N’gengu MRC Driving school Energy Effi ciency- 3E project Naima Ahmed African Sessional Worker Uma Menon 3E Project Coordinator Sharokh Sobhani Project Assistant Abdullah Arun Sharma 3E Project Field Assessor Justin Koholo African Sessional Worker Mani Ramasamy 3E Project Field Assessor Dativah Murungi African Sessional Worker Yuling Du 3E Project Field Assessor Florence Abera African Sessional Worker Jayshree Pather 3E Project Support Offi cer Hawanatu Bangura African Sessional Worker

CMRC Annual Report 2013 21 Community Migrant Resource Centre would like to thank the following organisations and individuals for their support this fi nancial year:

Department of Immigration and Citizenship Family and Community Services - Community Services Community Builders (administered by Community Services) Department of Climate Change and Energy Effi ciency Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Offi ce of Communities Parramatta City Council Holroyd City Council The Hills Shire Council Guildford Leagues Club Wentys Leagues Club Parramatta Leagues Club

22 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Supporting Agencies and Partnerships

Government (Federal) The Department of Immigration and Citizenship NSW Department of Primary Industries Government (Local) Australian Federal Police – Counter Terrorism Unit Roads & Traffi c Authority (RTA) Holroyd City Council NSW Department of Education & Communities The Department of Employment, Education and Parramatta City Council Workplace Relations NSW Offi ce of Communities The Hills Shire Council Department of Families, Housing, Community NSW Department of Primary Industries Blacktown City Council Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) Offi ce of Environment and Heritage, NSW Ryde City Council Department of Human Services Department of Premier and Cabinet Ku-ring-gai City Council NSW Ombudsman Offi ce Australian Human Rights Commission Willoughby City Council Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW Climate Commission Parramatta City Library NSW Emergency Services Top Ryde Library Government (State) Offi ce of the NSW Small Business Commissioner Department of Attorney General and Justice – Fair Trading NSW Crime Prevention Division State Training Services NSW Police and Local Area Commands (Holroyd, Parramatta, Rosehill Merrylands, Housing NSW Rosehill, Granville, Eastwood, Blacktown )

CMRC Annual Report 2013 23 Health Ngroo Preschool Job Find NSW Refugee Health Services Arthur Phillip High School Family Services – General Western Sydney Area Health Service Holroyd High School KU Children’s Services Traumatic Stress Clinic Parramatta High School SIDS and Kids NSW Transcultural Mental Health Macarthur Girls High School Save the Children NSW Westmead Hospital and Centre for Newborn Northmead High School Karitane Care Granville TAFE Outreach Kidsafe NSW STARTTS Open Training and Education Network (OTEN) Carers and Parents Support Services Community Health Centres in Parramatta and University of Sydney Holroyd Parramatta Family Support Service Holroyd University of New South Wales St Anthony’s Family Care Health One University of Western Sydney Ryde Family Support Relationships Australia Macquarie University Department of Sociology Family Relationship Centre Cumberland Women’s Health Services and PACE Family Practice Flinders University Educational Institutions Rouse Hill Families Connect UTS Marsden High School St Michael’s Family Centre Chester Hill High School River Road Kindergarten, Ermington Legal Services – General Pendle Hill High School Navitas College Parramatta Community Justice Clinic Parramatta East Public School Employment Macquarie Legal Centre Parramatta West Public School Jobquest Legal Aid NSW Parramatta North Public School Wise Employment Hilltop Public School MTC Work Solutions – Youth Connections Networks The Cottage Preschool GAS Apprenticeships and Training NSW Multicultural Advisory Committee for Family and Community Services Marsden & Holroyd High Intensive English AMES Employment Holroyd CaLD Consultative Committee Centres (IEC) Fitted for Work Hills Multicultural Network (HMN) Granville South Creative Arts and Performing ORS High School Holroyd Parramatta Multicultural Network Greystanes High School (HPMN) Westmead Public School Parramatta Health Multicultural Access Committee Ironbark Ridge Public School Granville Services Network

24 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Sydney Social Enterprise Steplight Pty Ltd Anglicare Bankstown Advisory Services Greater Western Sydney Business Enterprises Community Christ Church Western Sydney Koori Interagency Centre Ryde Uniting Church Corporate Partners Community Organisations / NGOs Together for Humanity Foundation IMB Bank Mission Australia Western Sydney Tenancy Service Rotary Club Marist Youth Care Good Beginnings Australia Westpac Bank Refugee Art Project Catholic Care Bendigo Bank Parramatta Mission Red Cross Australia Maurice Blackburn Lawyers Royal Life Saving Society- Australia Max Potential Western Wanderers Youth League Josephite Community Aid Settlement Services International Left-fi eld Business Solutions Boronia Multicultural Services Diverse Community Care Julien Freed Consulting St Vincent De Paul Harris Park Community Centre

CMRC Annual Report 2013 25 Wesley Mission Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency Chinese Association of Social Service Integricare (MECA) The Sikh Council of Australia Granville Multicultural Community Centre Western Sydney Community Forum Consortium of Tamil Associations (GMCC) Multicultural Enterprises Australia Catholic Association of Sydney Tamils Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association Toongabbie Legal Centre South Sudanese Football Association of NSW Hills Community Aid and Information Service Arab Council of Australia Association of Bhutanese in Australia Baptist Community Services Youth Kateb Hazara Association Glenhaven Community Centre PCYC Hazara Vision Gandhi Outreach Programs Western Housing for Youth Human Care Welfare The Smith Family Wentworthville Youth Centre Guinea Community Association Rouse Hill Community Centre Street Works Association of Southern Sudanese and Hills Community Centre Granville Youth & Recreation Centre Other Marginalised Areas Auburn Diversity Services Inc Youth Off The Streets New Sudan Youth Association of NSW SydWest Multicultural Services Inc Parramatta Young Christian Workers El-Bethel Crusades Metro MRC Karen Association of Australia Sport Community Relations Commission for NSW Karen Youth Organisation Australian Soccer Referees Federation Family Worker Training + Professional Rumbek Women’s Group Football United Development Zimaid Football Federation Australia Woodville Community Services Aweil Community Association Granville Kewpies Soccer Club Dundas Neighbourhood Centre Igbo Community Australia NSW Rugby League Inspire Community Association Chaldean Association Lions Club of Parramatta Ethno-specifi c Community Partnerships Rwanda Association of NSW Uniting Care Burnside Australian Korean Welfare Association Hazara Council of Australia Refugee Council of Australia Technocrats Association of Australia Inc Dinka Jieng Association Energy Effi ciency Council Asian Welfare Centre African Women’s Group Ethnic Communities Council (ECC) Australian Hindi Indian Association African Women Australia Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australian Asian Chinese Association Twic Mayardit Youth Association Australia (FECCA) Chinese Australian Services Society African Diversity Council of Australia

26 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Australian Tamil Broadcasting corporation Australian Ethiopian Association Zimbabwean Community Association Skidrow- Sierra Leone Radio Iranian Community Organisation Indian Arts & Film Association Bhar al-ghazal Youth Union African Communities Council SEVA Inc Nepalese Granville Soccer Club Darfur Association Rumbek Youth Association Congolese Association of NSW Radio Sudan Duk Community Organisation Bor Women’s Association Sudanese Association of the Lost Boys Bor Community Association Upper Nile Regional Youth Association Afghan Australia Youth Network of NSW Nigerian Association of NSW Ethiopian Community Association Edo Association of NSW Tamil Women’s Development Group Odua Association of NSW Sierra Unite Abyei Community Organisation Federation of African Communities Council Association of Liberian Communities Dinka Literacy Association Ghan Lighthouse Institute Friends of Sierra Leone

CMRC Annual Report 2013 27 Volunteers

Migration Help Family and Youth SGP Project Amanda Kirkpatrick Nahid Rajab Tax Help Indian Sub-Continent SGP Michael Perry Manjari Singhal Reception volunteers Sonia Kalsi Supriya Temkar Alei Yel Aneela Basharat Dinaz Rather Ghenwa Abdul-Wahab CMRC Driving School Sharokh Sobhani Tamil SGP Project Muguntharajah Manickarajah Mathuram Sivakumaran

28 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Chinese SGP Project Keliang Wang Elizabeth Browne Afghan SGP Project Humanitarian Youth Bol Kuol SGP project Estelle Rae Youyu Yu Zhen Dong Hedayat Osyan Anastasia Pradheepan Melvin Rivera Kathleen Doris Smith Rong Xue Judith Cioccarelli Meena Wahab Minna Sayar Early Intervention Thelma Wo Yan Jun Feng Zhenqian Feng Abdul Matin Rahmani Sajida Ashsafi project Ann Coupland Quan Gen Zhang Qingsen Huang Middle Eastern Project Community Capacity Melanie Thuraisingham SGP Building Lynette White Wenjuan Huang Tricia Lin Karuna Soni Bola Sargeous Jessie Morgan Jian Zhou Shu Rong Song African Sessional Social Enterprise Project Shatha Khoja Aisha Karaozbek Roger Pan Chang Zheng Song program Bezabih Barasa Dheyaa Mahwali Manjit Singh Yu Lei Shirong Yu Hyunjung Jo 3E – Energy Effi ciency Waleed Al-Khadadi Nasreen Mostafa Jieying Li Win Ying Feng Community Project Najeb Shadadzadeh Northern Region Miaoling Shen Hong Yum Xu Development Swetha Maram Manal Abzakh Liping Wang Yugin Jin Lianfu Yu Mariem Tokh Haiyan Punch Hilal Al-Jukhali Asefeh Tajnirriahi Shi Ting Yan Jiaming Zhou Faiza Shakori Dhanya Menon Amir Gholizadeh Shu Zhen Wang Xiu Lan Wang Francois Prime

CMRC Annual Report 2013 29 Settlement Grants Program Report

30 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Settlement Grants Program Report The MRC provides settlement services for newly arrived migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants to assist them with transition into the new environment and become self reliant and participate equitably in the Australian society as soon as possible after arrival. The provision of services is done under three service types: orientation to Australia, community development and integration.

During the past year, the MRC’s SGP team continued During the 2012-2013 fi nancial year, there were of the communities in identifying, addressing and to have a signifi cant impact on the individuals 3,750 instances of service for clients with more than resolving issues that affects them through the and communities they are working with, initiating 10,000 referrals to relevant and appropriate services. development and implementation of appropriate community projects, addressing issues of access and Over 3,000 newly and recently arrived migrants projects. equity and working towards integration of the newer participated in support groups and other activities The SGP team works with the wide spectrum communities into the broader fabric of the Australian organised by project workers. of mainstream, community, government and society. During this year a great number of issues were private agencies to enhance their knowledge and Increased awareness of issues affecting refugee and identifi ed and addressed by the SGP team through understanding of the experiences of people from a migrant communities has been created in the wider casework and group activities. These issues included: refugee and migrant background. This is done by community and relevant service providers became English language profi ciency, lack of affordable and educating and raising awareness about the diversity aware of various refugee groups, their settlement appropriate housing, gaps in education, pre-arrival of the community and how to increase access to issues and learnt how to better engage with the torture and trauma, protracted separation from family, services for people from CALD backgrounds. various groups. depression, barriers to employment, recognition The MRC’s SGP projects endeavour to generate and of overseas qualifi cations, Australian work culture A new intake and assessment process has been build community leadership, enhance participation in and experience, legal issues, safety and violence introduced during the current fi nancial year as part all aspects of life in Australia and a shared community prevention, budgeting and fi nancial assistance, of the Integrated Service Delivery approach of the vision. understanding Australian culture and systems, family MRC. This approach aims to streamline service relationships, inter-generational confl ict, isolation, The MRC convenes the Holroyd Parramatta provision and delivery, to make it more client centred accessing mainstream services and activities as Multicultural Network and the Hills Multicultural and deliver timely interventions and services to our well as support with community development and Networks. The SGP workers participate in key clientele. sourcing of funding for projects that assist with regional multicultural networks, interagencies, forums building the community infrastructure. and service planning committees to provide input and feedback. The capacity building project endeavoured to develop strategies and generate leadership within the target Below are highlights of the projects that the SGP communities to ensure the ongoing involvement team has initiated and delivered during the past year.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 31 Facilitating Leadership and Community Engagement

I Am A Woman! Film Project: South Sudanese, Karen small community organisations in order to increase formulating work plans and sourcing funding. A total and Bhutanese women were interviewed on a range of their understanding of fi nancial accountability and of 43 people participated in this practical training. governance. issues such as their maternal relationships from their Governance training for CALD communities was home countries, arranged marriages, skin bleaching, Leadership Skills trainings have been conducted during held in partnership with Anglicare during the past their cultural transition to Australia and how this is November 2012 and May 2013. This highly popular fi nancial year. Over 43 participants from different CALD refl ected on their maintenance and fusion of traditional training program focused on understanding leadership communities attended the training including African, cultures. The women were involved in public speaking within the community context, styles of leadership, Chinese, Sri Lankan, Iraqi and Bhutanese communities. and singing training. The camera operators for the fi lm communication skills, advocacy, and networking. The Business management skills training for CALD were the Afghan Youth Worker and a female fi lmmaker course has provided the participants with the tools to women was held in April and July 2013. The training from Sierra Leone. understand how best they can assist their communities aimed at helping women to start their own business by and provided educational pathways into TAFE to study Leadership and Volunteer Training Program. The learning how to earn while doing something they love. community welfare. This project was a joint partnership objectives of the training were to equip participants with The training ran for 12 weeks. Ten women attended with Anglicare, Holroyd City Council and Granville TAFE knowledge and understanding of what it means to be and three women have already started their own small Outreach. a volunteer, settlement services, needs and issues of business enterprise in the area of jewellery, catering and communities, how to work with individuals and how to How to Get that Grant training sessions in Parramatta party planning. make effective referrals to relevant services. and Merrylands were run in partnership with Anglicare Conversations with my Sister project aims to bring and Holroyd City Council to assist leaders from small Understanding Budgeting and Financial Accountability together young African women and girls to focus on and emerging community organisations with project training session in partnership with Anglicare and self knowledge, self development and self esteem. Holroyd City Council for community leaders from planning in direct response to identifi ed needs,

32 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Youth “The best thing about MSA Sisters Unigoal Tournament Parent & Student Camp the camp was enjoying A one day of girl’s only Futsal tournament A one day of girl’s only Futsal tournamentnt (time) with my daughter and was held at the Whitlam Leisure Center was held at the Whitlam Leisure Center overcoming fears.” in Liverpool attracting well over 100 in Liverpool attracting well over 100 participants. participants. The tournament aimed to encourage women from diverse backgrounds, especially from the Muslim faith, to participate in healthy physical activity and organized sports. Major thanks go to the Muslim Students Association (MSA) for their tireless work and volunteering to make this event a success.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 33 The African Youth Mentoring Group has been A Karen Sports Committee was established in “It was an awesome day - so much running concurrently with the basketball outreach this fi nancial year. Representatives of the Karen fun. So organized, everything ran program in Granville since its inception in 2012. The community and settlement workers from CMRC, smoothly and everything was aim of this group is to engage socially disconnected STARTTS, Fairfi eld Migrant Resource Centre, Auburn considered. I especially appreciated youth and create an avenue where they can fi nd Diversity Services and community leaders were the availability of fi rst aid. I found workers whom they can build trust with. The involved in sport related issues such as fi eld hiring, that excellent - nothing I’ve seen mentoring programs are informal one-on-one and insurance, training, budgeting and tournament before at events like this. Everyone was friendly and the atmosphere sometimes group/team mentoring. The program dates. More than ten friendship soccer and volleyball was brilliant. Can’t wait to do it also links young people to mainstream sporting matches with participants from across Australia and again next year.” competitions and other opportunities for skills with multicultural teams have been organised since development. the establishment in NSW and ACT.

34 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Employment, Education and Training Following the launch of the new Guide to Employment for Migrants developed by CMRC in partnership with State Training Services, NSW TAFE and Western Sydney Local Employment Coordinator, workshops were held in Western and South Western Sydney to equip service providers and jobseekers with the knowledge of navigating this live resource which is on the State Training Services website for easy access. Workshops were also held for various groups to create and spread awareness about this useful resource.

An Understanding Budgeting and Financial Ready! Set! Work!: Employment Mentoring Schools First! Project - Linking emerging Accountability training session was held in Assistance Program is a bilingual face-to-face & communities and their children with local schools, partnership with Anglicare for community leaders email mentoring program. The project is aimed at and resourcing schools and Refugee Transition Unit from small community organisations in order newly arrived cohorts of clients – particularly from the Programs. A Parent/Student Forum was facilitated to increase their understanding of fi nancial Afghan, Iranian and Tamil backgrounds. Overall the in November 2012 with Granville South Creative & accountability and governance. program delivered 62 days of service and assisted Performing Arts HS. A discussion panel of CaLD & over 120 clients with developing their communication, refugee parents and students was facilitated covering Creating Career Pathways course was organised for computer, cultural skills in overcoming barriers to topics pertaining to bi-cultural and intergenerational people who recently came to Australia having different entering the Australian labour market. The program issues such as: parental understanding of education qualifi cations from overseas. The aim of the workshops also provided cultural competency training for those and career options for their children, depression, peer was to equip recently arrived migrants and refugees moving into the community sector. pressure, social media awareness, sexual activity, with knowledge of the education and employment dating, bullying, supervision, discipline, homework system in Australia and to assist them with recognising ZEST Awards 2013: Each One: Assist One – supervision and religious and cultural tolerance. their overseas qualifi cations. The course was the Employment Mentoring program that was a organised in partnership with Granville TAFE. partnership with UWS’s Psychology Department CMRC partnered with the Together for Humanity was awarded the Winner in the Exceptional Project Foundation to work with students at the above school Employment opportunity for the Karen community Category at the ZEST Awards in February 2013. and engage them in practising interviewing and goal at Urban Ecological Systems Australia P/L in Cobbity, setting techniques. A total of 50 students participated. NSW started in January 2013. So far 18 Karen This was a good opportunity for the students to work community members have been employed in this together in teams, listen and refl ect and report back project which is a partnership with STARTTS. on what they learnt.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 35 Shaping our Future Forum for Parents and Students in the past fi nancial year to provide orientation to Refugee Week Event – School Partnerships with partners: Department of Education, Granville students to services in the area with a focus on Conference, June 2013. A photo collage of all South High School, Aspire Foundation, UNSW, Psyche employment and further education pathways. CMRC school partnerships was hung on canvas and Central, Trauma Stress Clinic. Parental engagement School Dayz Program was an employment orientation bookmarks were designed. These were displayed at forum to bridge intergenerational and bicultural divide program run in partnership with Holroyd High School. the conference and proved effective in promoting the between parent and child and community divide The program focused on role models as examples of CMRC’s Schools Partnership Flagship Projects. between school and family of student. Communities successful transition into education and employment Unlocking the Trauma Project - Partnership with represented on the day included African mixed, Afghan pathways as well as preparation for job interviews and Traumatic Stress Clinic at Westmead Hospital and Hazara, Lebanese, Tongan, Turkish, Iranian. building self confi dence and overcoming self doubt. UNSW. This is an Engagement project based around RAW ( Ready, Arrive, Work ) is a transition and Forty (40) students participated in this program. building a relationship between the psychologists orientation program for students and engagement 3 Beatz Theatre Project: Following theatre at the clinic and hard to reach communities, such program for parents to look at education and rehearsals, students from Pendle Hill High School as the Southern Sudanese and the Afghans. The employment pathways for at-risk refugee students. performed a piece based on an urban “ Red Riding program assists people at risk of developing mental The MRC is represented on the RAW Steering Hood in Pendle Hill” theme at the Community health problems post-trauma and develop culturally Committee alongside State and regional partners from Services Expo. appropriate treatments for unresolved torture/trauma the Multicultural & Refugee Units of Department of symptoms and complicated grief. A partnership Education and Training. Two RAW programs were run has been developed with the Attorney General’s

36 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Department, Crime Prevention Division, Forum The Health Education Program was organised for Sentencing Mediation, to provide access to mediation clients from the Indian Subcontinent. The program and support for refugee offenders and victims of crime, focussed on dental health, as well as having a through a process to reduce chances of entering balanced diet in order to improve the health and justice system and streamlining access for refugees to wellbeing of all age groups. The aim of organising the the TSC. program was to instil good eating habits at home in As part of the Unlocking the Trauma program, a Field order for children to learn these habits from parents. of Dreams project was run at Holroyd High School Australian Citizenship Classes cover Australia’s which is a creative engagement project with Trauma system of government, Australian culture, history Stress Clinic clinicians from Westmead Hospital. and specifi c questions that may be covered by the Workshops were held over three days on creative Citizenship Test. A number of participants have since writing with Afghan students, to start linking their pre passed their Citizenship Test. and post-arrival experiences and challenges with the concept of counselling.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 37 Sports

The Holroyd After-School Soccer program The ‘Soccer is Life’ Futsal tournament The Pendle Hill High School Girls Group program is a program run in partnership with Football United, (run in partnership with Liverpool MRC and was run every Tuesday afternoon for a group of about every Tuesday after school. It provides students Football United) was run after the ‘Soccer is 15 students over 2 terms. The aim of the program with the opportunity to engage in organised training Life’ tournament to continue on with the themes was to encourage physical activity amongst young sessions, promotes health through physical activity, associated with it; sport, promotion of physical women, cross-cultural participation, and to provide provides a space for cross-cultural interaction and activity/health, social participation and promoting them with a safe area in which to express themselves social participation to occur. It all so gives students cross cultural engagement. The event was a great and learn new skills. This was done through running the opportunity to take advantage of future leadership success with over 120 participants from a variety self defense and aerobic classes, in the form of the workshops, coaching courses and leadership camps of backgrounds in a competitive tournament for Brazilian martial art Capoeira and Zumba. provided by partner Football United. young boys. CALD Volleyball Program ran weekly at Granville Men’s Hoop Dreamz! Partnership with RTA and Youth and Recreation Centre. The participants held during August to November 2012. Men from included young people and unaccompanied minors communities such as Nepal, Iran and the Philippines from communities such as Afghan Hazara, Iranian participated in this project. They played bi-weekly and Iraqi. at Thomas Ater’s basketball court in Granville to address social isolation and health issues.

38 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Guide to As an interactive Employment for Migrants self-help tool, suggested links will enable job seekers to gain knowledge about their chosen career. The guide includes Guide to Employment for Migrants information on: • Skills, Qualifi cations and A Guide to Employment for Migrants has been The guide has been developed by Communitynity Experience developed to assist people to understand how to Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC) building oonn • Working in Australia gain employment in Australia. It has been designed the success of the “Employment Guides forr • Getting Help for all people from overseas who wish to enter the Skilled Migrants”. This project received fundingnding • Types of Jobs Australian workforce. from the Department of Education, Employmentyment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) with additionalditional The Guide aims to link those with qualifi cations and resources provided by the NSW Departmentnt of skills gained overseas to information that will assist Education and Communities, NSW Departmentmeent them to have their skills recognised in Australia. Education and Communities - State Trainingng This is an online resource which provides facts and Services (STS), TAFE NSW – Greater Westernern practical advice on employment, education and Sydney, Parramatta Offi ce, Regional Developmentoppment assistance available to job seekers. Australia Sydney and the Greater Western SySydneyydney CALD Employment Taskforce. The guide is available online at www.training.nsw.gov.au

CMRC Annual Report 2013 39 Talk Time! Talent Time! Talk Time! Talent Time! Program (TT TT). Sports / Arts Fusion Engagement Program ( Supported by Holroyd Council / Wenty Leagues ) Six (6) Talk Time! Talent Time! Programs ran across Chester Hill / Merrylands / Pendle Hill / Granville South with partner schools including Pendle Hill HS, Merrylands HS, Chester Hill HS, Granville South Creative & Performing Arts HS. Traditional dance, hip hop, rap, soccer and basketball programs were run for the students. Twenty fi ve (25) students from the TT TT Pendle Hill group performed at various events hosted by CMRC in partnership with the multicultural network and local agencies such as: the Community Services Expo in November 2012, International Women’s Day and Harmony Day events both held in March 2013. The sports/arts programs were supplemented with life skills components on cultural awareness, respectful relationships and team work.

40 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Community Learning Circle The Community Learning Circle is coordinated by During this fi nancial year, the Community Learning the CMRC in partnership with Families & Community Circle has met twice to discuss the following Services and other community service providers in topics: “Knowing your Rights: The rights and Western Sydney. The project continues to provide responsibilities of parents in Australia (hosted an opportunity for people from various communities, by SydWest Multicultural Services and facilitated community services and other service providers to by Legal Aid); “Effective Communication within a meet and discuss issues relating to child protection Family” (hosted by CMRC and facilitated by CMRC and the wellbeing of children, young people, their & STARTTS). families and communities. The sessions focused on child protection, how to Over 150 people, from a variety of cultural better support families and children, overcoming backgrounds, participated in the Learning Circle barriers to accessing services, particularly health during 2012-13, including service providers and services, roles and responsibilities within the family, community members from Afghanistan, Iran, Sri intergenerational confl ict, and communication Lanka, Sudan, South Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, strategies. Pakistan, Iraq, Bhutan, Nepal, India and China.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 41 New Frontiers

New Frontiers! Partnership with PCYC. volleyball/wrestling at PCYC. Then over three days in Intercommunity engagement program targeting May, the participants travelled to the Bush Challenge recently arrived single males (Afghan Hazara, Iranian, Camp with River Deep, Mountain High in the Blue Sri Lankan Tamil) with disengaged and isolated young Mountains. Bonding exercises, abseiling, hiking males from existing refugee cohorts. Engagement and storytelling were then followed by an Amazing began with a community consultation, then a series Race challenge on the last day of the camp. 18 This is the fi rst time I’ve of activity based programs such as fi tness and gym participants enjoyed the challenge and the bush ever been out with a sessions at PCYC, team sports (soccer, basketball, tucker. mixed group ever. martial arts, wrestling). In January 2013, a group of New Frontiers has proven to be a very popular youth Hazara, Iranian and South Sudanese young people engagement program. As planning begins for the travelled together to a professional boxing match in South Asian Cup Football Tournament and Wrestling the city. Tournament, there are great hopes to see this project One of the Ready Set Work clients, Amir Gholizadeh, expand. successfully applied for the Trainer/Fitness Coordinator position. The Program rolled out from March with twice weekly fi tness circuit training/

42 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Soccer is Life!

Soccer is Life! is a community initiative to engage HIGHLIGHTS with young people from a refugee background ■ Soccer Is Life! has been running successfully This year we have run a 3 month round robin soccer through soccer . Sports is a terrifi c vehicle to keep for three years, and started as a Refugee Week tournament for youth-at-risk from South Sudanese young people involved in a positive, constructive Program with Arthur Phillip High School. and other marginalised communities (including activity, that promotes a healthy lifestyle and builds Afghan, Lebanese, Iraqi) living in Western Sydney. on life skills such as time management, team work ■ Over 500 young people have participated in the Twelve teams registered to play, with players aged and leadership. program. 17 – 24 yrs. During the delivery of this project, youth CMRC works with youth community leaders who ■ We work with a number of grassroots community leaders were skilled up in project planning, WH&S, volunteer their time to help register players, maintain associations (such as the South Sudanese event management, and effective communication codes of conduct and assist players with transport. Football Association NSW, Bhutanese Association skills. A Soccer Awards night was held in March We also engage with family members who come to of NSW, Karen Youth Organization ), in order 2013. watch, and assist with them with other settlement to facilitate capacity building support of youth Valued partners include Holroyd City Council and the issues such as employment, access to further study, leaders, access to mainstream services and Australian Soccer Referees Federation. homework support, housing issues and access programs, leadership training & employment to MRC programs to address multiple auxillary pathways. settlement challenges. (OUTCOME- three volunteers from the program have moved on to employment with CMRC & SSI offi ces )

CMRC Annual Report 2013 43 Community Gardens

The Chinese Community Garden has gone from strength to strength since its beginning in June 2012 at Wentworthville Community Garden. Participants’ knowledge and skills have been enhanced by regular Horticulture Gardening Workshops. Harris Park Community Garden is supported by members of local communities and CMRC. This garden engages positively with local members of the community and is a way to provide social interaction and networking together with skills in gardening. Old Guildford Public School Community. The volunteers helped with the school’s vegetable garden, including: weeding the garden plot, building vegetable garden beds and transporting mulch and soil into the garden.

44 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Events My real state always brings people to my home to inspect the unit Community Services Expo – held at Parramatta Interfaith conference – addressing the Refugee for sale but he only tells me a day before Mall in October 2012 brought together over 50 Week theme of One Family Torn Apart by War, is and ask the rooms to be cleaned all the services that showcased information on services and Too Many. Uniting mainstream refugee support time. Now that I attended the forum, projects. This was a partnership project stemming services with the volunteer staff and religious I know that I have the right to say from the Holroyd Parramatta Multicultural Network and leaders at places of worship (churches, mosques, to my real estate that I need more spearheaded by the MRC’s capacity building project. temples), the aim of the forum was to support than one days notice. “ A female Five workshops were also run concurrently on topics of religious staff who are facing a huge increase Afghan Hazara participant interest to the wider audience such as housing, welfare in refugee numbers and fi nding themselves ill support, health, social enterprise, safety. equipped to support issues ranging from mental health problems, housing, fi nancial assistance, Hands of Hope Forum, a project stemming from employment related. They were able to connect the Holroyd Parramatta Multicultural Network, was with a range of service providers at the forum held at Parramatta Town Hall with supporting partners: and also hear testimonials from Hazara/South Holroyd & Parramatta LAC, Merrylands Community Sudanese/Tamil Youth Speakers. Health, Dept of Education, Anglicare, Parramatta Mission & Doonside HS. Hands of Hope was an

CMRC Annual Report 2013 45 Family Harmony Forum was held for women refugee communities from achieving successful International Women’s Day celebrations were from various CALD backgrounds. The messages settlement. Presentations were given from the pro held in Parramatta, Holroyd and the Hills areas. These about cycles of violence and the difference between bono migration agents and the Humanitarian Program events brought together women from the local areas psychological, emotional and physical violence were Decision Support Section of DIAC in Canberra. There to share their stories and experiences, listen to music, presented to the group which generated vigorous were sixty participants at the forum from various participating in dancing and in general enjoying a discussion both during and after the program. cultural backgrounds: Iranian, Afghan, Southern relaxing day full of fun and activities. Sudanese, Congolese, Guinean, Karen, Sri Lankan, A Tenancy Rights and Responsibilities Forum A Cross-Cultural Excursion to the Blue Liberian, Bosnian, Chinese. was organized in Parramatta Town Hall in May 2013, Mountains was held for the clients from China and in partnership with Anglicare. Over 100 people Immigration Forum held in May 22nd 2013 was the Indian Subcontinent which helped the clients to participated. facilitated by the Federal Immigration Minister Brendan understand the geography and the history of the new O’Connor and Julie Owens MP. Seventy (70) people environment. As part of the Parramatta Community Justice were in attendance. Clinic Steering Committee, an Immigration Cross-Cultural Exchange Program was held Forum was hosted by CMRC at Parramatta Town Hall An Employment Forum was held with Community in partnership with the African Women’s Group and in October 2012. Partner agencies included UWS Leaders in February 2013. The Forum was facilitated Kiama City Council. African women attended a three School of Law/Community Engagement, Parramatta by Senator Kate Lundy and Julie Owens MP. Seventy day camp in Kiama. Cultural exchange activities Community Justice Clinic, DIAC, Dept Justice Attorney (70) people were in attendance. The Forum addressed included: information sessions, storytelling, music and General and Parramatta City Council. The Forum pathways to employment especially issue pertaining dance, basket weaving at an Aboriginal centre and addressed a number of pressing issues which prevent to women accessing jobs and training and lack of sharing food from different cultures. support for organisations with volunteers.

46 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Women Creating a Better Tomorrow

Connecting and communicating, identifying women’s hidden skills sets and building on their knowledge and strengths has been the focus of the work with this particular group. Safe spaces for women have been set up which provided excellent opportunities for them and other vulnerable groups to improve their skills, support each other and learn more about services available, employment and training opportunities. These safe spaces for women provided an excellent platform for cultural exchange, networking and communicating in English which in turn built the women’s confi dence, self esteem and ability to engage with the wider community.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 47 Early Intervention and Perinatal project Report Funded through Community Services - outcomes when their diverse strengths, Family and Community Services NSW Early abilities, interests, and cultural practices were Intervention and Perinatal program aims to understood and supported. provide children with the best start in life. This It was found that valuing and respecting is achieved by supporting families expecting a diversity was vital for children to develop a baby or with children aged up to 8 years. The strong sense of identity. The service addresses Strategy is underpinned by a strong body of early Intervention needs of families with evidence demonstrating the importance of the children 0-8 years living in the Parramatta and early years in a child’s development and the Holroyd local government areas. long term effectiveness of supporting parents and children during these years. The project aims at providing a high quality support to families with children in this age 2012-13 has been a year of growth and group and promoting health, development achievement for the team. Signifi cantly higher and wellbeing outcomes for children, as well numbers of families have accessed these as building parent confi dence and capacity, services. while supporting the establishment of social Utilizing a strength-based approach the project networks. collaborated with families and helped children to discover individual and family strengths. The project enabled children achieve better

48 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Figure 1 Increased participation from clients in 2012-2013 compared to the 2011-2012

Support Groups, Home Visiting Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) Supported Playgroups Capacity Building Programs Early Intervention and Perinatal Report

An integrated service is provided for families, SUPPORT WOMEN’S GROUPS SUPPORTED PLAYGROUPS AND READINESS particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged families, to TO SCHOOL PROGRAM A Multicultural Women’s Group, Mothers and Babies improve child wellbeing and development, safety and Group and a Tamil Support Group were held in the 554 children, parents and grandparents attended family functioning. seven supported playgroups in Merrylands , area. These groups provided: Parramatta East Public School, Parramatta West The team recognises that it is important that families • emotional support and coping mechanisms to Public School , Parramatta North Public School, function well in nurturing and safe environments. It also those people who are undergoing a diffi cult time Sharing and Learning Playgroup in Granville, recognises that families, including children, especially in their lives Westmead Public School and Wentworthville those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged, benefi t Support Playgroup from better social inclusion and reduced disadvantage • settlement information Our clients benefi tted from these supported • social support for members to draw strength from Changes in settlement trends, global issues and playgroups as they are an effective means to empower other members experiences increasing number of asylum seekers have increased families and help them make choices that positively the diversity and profi le of the Parramatta and Holroyd • members with knowledge about life in Australia, infl uence their children’s development whilst also local government areas. information and to create opportunities for them fostering the skills needed to effectively participate to learn new skills in and contribute to the development of their local There has been a signifi cant increase in the number of • A social network for people with similar needs and community. In these ways, supported playgroups families accessing CMRC early intervention services issues and to created networking opportunities contribute to improving both short and longer-term with large numbers of client origins being Sri Lanka, • reduced social isolation outcomes for children, parents and families, and India, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan (Hazara). have a positive effect of the health and vitality of communities across our local government areas.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 49 50 CMRC Annual Report 2013 The Readiness to School program is aimed at children Fathers expressed their interest in the program: Children Australia, Western Wonderers Youth League that are starting school the following year. The program “This is an excellent program and it should be made and National Year of Reading Ambassador, Sarah creates a sense of belonging within the school more available to the community” (father that attended Davis. Forty students from Pendle Hill Public School community. It is aimed at achieve a smooth transition Triple P). volunteered on the day and offered their helping hand for all children from playgroup to primary school EIP HOME VISITS with promotion and evaluation of the project. ANTENATAL CLASSES 53 home visits were conducted to disadvantaged Families learnt the importance of spending time with Antenatal classes provided support to disadvantaged CALD mothers and their newborn babies. During their children reading, singing, talking and playing mothers from CALD backgrounds who have lived in home visits, mothers were given information about together. The EIP team recognizes that children can breastfeeding, infant bonding, accessing local services Australia for less than two years. The classes were benefi t from having a language rich environment, and general settlement information. Home visits also modifi ed to provide support to pregnant mothers contact and engagement with their families and carers. with disabilities. played a key role in providing effective parenting skills and improving child development. Better links with Our community can benefi t from children starting 250 mothers from various cultural backgrounds local services were established. All mothers were school ready to learn to read and write and having participated in this program. We acknowledge provided with a resource folder containing information a positive experience of school leading to better the partnership with the Women’s Health Clinic at about support services in the area, local playgroups, educational outcomes. Westmead Hospital. A signifi cant outcome of the mother’s groups etc. 80% of families were linked to the FITTED FOR WORK EMPLOYMENT MENTORING program has been the decrease in the rate of birth Readiness to School programs and local playgroups. PROGRAM complication incidences occurring from CALD Referral to other services occurred as a component mothers and babies. This has been achieved simply of all home visits, as appropriate, and support was Lack of skills, confi dence, and often periods of by maintaining positive and effective communication provided in both one-to-one and group contexts. being out of work are the main barriers for many channels between health providers and CALD women. EIP WATER SAFETY WORKSHOPS migrant women accessing and maintaining ongoing POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM (TRIPLE P) employment. The project was run in partnership with Water safety workshops were delivered in partnership Fitted for Work and it aimed at assisting migrant The EIP team recognizes that being a parent, raising with Royal Lifesaving Society Australia. Clients learnt women experiencing disadvantage to gain fi nancial and nurturing a family, is most important for a parent. specifi cally how to keep young children safe in and independence, and the dignity that comes from having Becoming a parent in a foreign country is a joyful around aquatic environments and to provided families gainful employment. The program assisted women by and a challenging experience. Learning how to be a with relevant information to ensure their homes parent and taking care of a child while learning how are safe. providing interview preparation, personal outfi tting and to navigate a foreign culture and a new language is mentoring programs. an enormous task. To support families during that PAINT PARRA READ MUMMY AND ME YOGA CLASSES for mothers, transitional time, the EIP service offered free Triple P Community Migrant Resource Centre in partnership babies and toddlers Programs. Triple P provides parents with simple and with Parramatta Library hosted the Second Annual practical strategies to help them confi dently manage Reading day. Over 300 parents and children attended Mothers learnt how babies develop through yoga their children’s behaviour, prevent problems developing the event. Five reading tents were set up in Parramatta poses, and how it could help them in their gross and and build strong, healthy relationships. Mall area. Local businesses showed they support fi ne motor skills. They also learnt about other effects and took the time out of their busy schedule to read Triple P groups were held with Hazara women of yoga on babies such as: sleeping patterns both to children. Following businesses and individuals in Merrylands, Burmese community members in in duration and frequency, as well as encouraging supported the event: Police (Parramatta Local Area Parramatta, Granville Youth Community Centre and sleeping through the night. Research suggests that Command), IMB Bank, Rotary Club, Westpac Bank, Seminar 1 at River Road Kindergarten yoga poses and stretches for infants’ aid in digestion, Bendigo Bank, Maurice Blackburn, Home Support constipation, and relieve gas and colic. Follow up (Parramatta City Council), Wesley Mission, Save the

CMRC Annual Report 2013 51

with participants was arranged three months after PERINATAL RESEARCH; EVALUATION OF AN HEALTHY HOLROYD PROJECT the classes and all mothers felt that they experienced AUSTRALIAN BIRTH CULTURAL DIMENSIONS This project was held in partnership with Holroyd many benefi ts from the program such as: bonding ANTENATAL EDUCATION BIRTH EXPERIENCES, City Council time with their babies, learning proper baby massage BIRTH OUTCOMES AND MATERNITY CARE techniques etc. Mothers also felt that classes helped ADULT LEARN TO SWIM CLASSES 300 CALD women participated in this research. The them to; reduce back tension and discomfort; to research was a partnership with the Women’s Health 50 women successfully completed the program. improve body posture; to build core strength and Clinic at Westmead Hospital. A survey was conducted The aim of the program was to improve the swimming stability (including abdominals) and to reduce anxiety among the CALD women and their partners attending and safety skills of CALD women living in the Holroyd and stress. childbirth and antenatal classes at Westmead local government area. The program increased the confi dence of women in the water. These lessons PERINATAL FORUM: PERINATAL CARE Hospital for the need assessment. This helped to opened a new avenue to exercise and to enjoy time AWARENESS IN CALD COMMUNITIES identify the cultural practice, traditional beliefs and in the pool with family and friends. The CALD Perinatal forum was well attended by over issues in childbirth. A post project measurement HEALTHY COOKING CLASSES 100 service providers and focused on CALD mothers was also structured to survey all new mothers from who gave birth in Australia. The aim was to: CALD background after their delivery to evaluate the 18 women successfully completed the program. effectiveness of the childbirth and parenting education During the class women learnt about: healthy eating • Improve the wellbeing of CALD women seeking by attending a class reunion, phone survey and home guidelines; reading food labels; importance of perinatal and associated care (pregnancy, birth, visit by the Community Migrant Resource Centre breakfast; packing up healthy lunch boxes for their newborn, maternity care and early parenting) Outcomes: children and modifying their current receipts. • Explore maternity from cross cultural perspective in • Improved mothers and their infant’s health Other Highlights include: motherhood • Improved psychological wellbeing and safety • Storytelling Day at Parramatta Town Hall to enhance • Identify the implications for improving cultural children language abilities, learning capacity, social sensitivity and appropriate service provision for • Health care providers now have a better skills and creativity understanding and awareness of cultural practices CALD women • Participation in a Community Safety Forum with and issues of CALD women giving birth in a new TAMIL COMMUNITY FORUM Community Consultations with Jason Clare, country Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Justice and Over one hundred of Tamil community members FAMILIES WEEK Julie Owens MP for Parramatta in Merrylands attended the forum. The Focus of the forum was • Understanding the roles of Family and Community Partnership with Boronia Multicultural Services, on trends and traditions in today’s busy families, Services (FACS) and child protection in NSW juggling parenting and relationships, tips for the Holroyd City Council, Karabi, SPARK, and NSW • Women’s Health session on women’s wellbeing, Police – Parramatta LAC organised its second annual effective communication among family members, use of contemporary medicines and Zumba classes stress management and self-care. The Forum was “Movies Under the Stars” event. Families watched “Dr • Supported Parramatta Library and Holroyd City attended by Tamil community members from different Seuss – The Lorax” movie and engaged with henna & Council with “Read with a Mate Program” age groups and both males and female community face painting. The aim of the event was to encourage members. It was very well received by the community families to take the time to do things together that will members and they expressed the need for more similar improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. forums in the future.

52 CMRC Annual Report 2013

• Importance of baby hand and foot massages: • Play Power Workshop for playgroup families about The team is very excited about the next twelve months Mothers learnt the importance of ‘Magic Hands building play into daily routines to help parents as we continue to deliver a high quality service to our Massage’ to provide pain management, stress develop stronger bonds with their children. The clients and develop new and exciting partnerships reduction, and a sense of wellbeing through workshop also focused on developmentally across sector. massage. Mothers also learn how foot massage can appropriate activities for children of different ages This Annual Report can only capture highlights revitalise a baby body in many ways and stages of growth and development. It promoted from what is a constantly evolving and developing use of items found in every household as toys • Fire Safety Information session: NSW Fire environment in which the team works. The work Department visiting playgroups to educate families The EIP team would like to acknowledge the following undertaken by the team has been solely focused on on safety at home in preparation for winter people. achieving the best possible outcomes for low income, • Information session delivered by Brave Hearts (to vulnerable and disadvantaged migrant families and Melissa Monteiro, CMRC’s Executive Director, Board educate, empower and protect) – teaching children communities. The outcomes achieved are a refl ection of Management and dedicated staff, and dedicated about stranger danger of the commitment and expertise of the team members. volunteers for all their hard work. • Information session delivered by SIDS about adult Most of all, we acknowledge and thank our clients for sleeping environments that potentially can be unsafe trusting and allowing us to share this journey with them. for infants and may increase the risk of SIDS

CMRC Annual Report 2013 53 Settlement Grants Program Report Copy 14 light Copy 14 light African Sessional Worker’s project Report

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54 CMRC CMRC Annual Annual Report Report 2013 2013 The African Sessional Workers Project began in July Eastern, Hunter Central Coast, Northern and Metro with a total of 532 individuals benefi ting from this 2007 as a pilot project funded by the Department of South West Regions of Sydney/New South Wales service. Family and Community Services. The project which at Community Services Centres and partners. The Three (3) Community Learning Circle sessions were is based at CMRC, aims to address issues related promotional drive has helped increase demand for held in collaboration with the multicultural community to communication, improve service delivery, assist referrals. groups on relevant topics including: in assessments and investigations and to ensure Some of the signifi cant outcomes for the project include: • Strong Relationships, Strong Families Parents, constructive and appropriate interventions and • Improved communication and building trust In-laws, Grandparents, and Extended Families - case plan implementations with African families by between caseworkers and clients. Raising Kids Together Community Services. • Improvement in the provision of language and • Knowing Your Rights: The rights and The 18 Sessional Workers employed to deliver this culture support services to Community Services responsibilities of parents in Australia project are from the following target communities: caseworkers. Burundi,Congolese,Ethiopian,Liberian,Rwandan,Sierra • Effective communication within a family Leonean,Somali and Sudanese (North & South). • Improvement of family interventions, linking • How to Deal with intergenerational confl ict in Community Services caseworkers with community A steady increase in requests for services outside the the family and contacts and support services available to African original target region of Western Sydney prompted the • The roles and decision making processes of families. extension of the service state-wide providing services Community Services • Positive engagement between African families and in the Metro Central, Eastern, Hunter Central Coast, I would like to thank the project reference group for community services case workers. Northern and Metro South West Regions of Sydney their guidance and commitment and also the staff at and New South Wales. Services were also provided There were two hundred and thirty-four (234) requests CMRC for their great assistance. Heart-felt thanks outside Sydney to Bathurst, Lismore, Orange, for sessional support, from sixteen(16) Community to Ozen Karanlik, Peter Prants, Fatma Mohamed Mayfi eld, Charlestown, and Cessnock CSC. Services Centres and four (5) Brighter Future partners; and Hilda Taf Mugadza, who tirelessly assisted in all In this fi nancial year, seven (7) promotional out of which two hundred and twenty-seven (227) aspects of the project and continued to promote it presentations were held across the Metro Central, support services were delivered to 82 African families to service centres and partners.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 55 55 Pathways for Social Inclusion and Participation project Report

56 CMRC Annual Report 2013 FAIR GO DRIVING speaks Persian (Farsi and Dari), a great help to majority STUDENT PROFILE of the students from Iran and Afghan who have limited Fair Go Driving is a social enterprise that assists those Shankar Renukunta is the CMRC’S fi rst client who English. Sharokh knows how diffi cult it is to get a who are unable to acquire their provisional driving passed the driving test soon after a few hours of Fair licence in Australia especially if they don’t have good licence in an affordable manner because of their Go driving instruction. He arrived in Australia in 2011 English and are recent arrivals because it took him circumstances. This project enables equal access to as a skilled migrant and had great diffi culty securing a 3 attempts to pass the driving test even though he jobs, services and employment opportunities. The job because he didn’t have an Australia drivers licence. was an experienced bus driver for many years in Iran. focus of the project is on young people and women. He also struggled to adjust into the Australian way of Sharokh commented that since he started volunteering life without a licence and a car to get to places quickly Every day large numbers of young people and women for the CMRC in this Fair Go Driving School, his and conveniently and had to rely on public transport. undertake driving lessons. 15 of these learner drivers English has improved dramatically, his sugar level and passed their driving tests within the fi rst month and the blood pressure has gone down and more importantly “I can now go to work on time and pick my children other students continue to receive supervised driving feel valued that he can make a contribution to the from school and am able to spend more time together from our dedicated volunteers. Australian community in return for the many years he with my family like everyone else”. “With my driver and his family have benefi ted from the generosity of licence and ability to drive, I now feel that I am part Our key volunteer is a ‘gem’ hard to fi nd! He volunteers the Australian government including having 4 children of the wider Australian community to be able to 5 to 6 days per week and sometime 7 days because he graduated from University in Telecommunications, Civil participate in community activities and special events, is passionate and loves what he is doing. He provides Engineering, Child Care and IT, and are all currently and the freedom to explore this beautiful rich country supervision and driving instruction to students. He employed in their professional fi elds. of Australia with my new car”. came to Australia from Iran in 2002 as a refugee with his wife and 4 children, all with limited English and he

CMRC Annual Report 2013 57 INTERPRETING AND MEDIATION RENT-A-CHAIR HAIRDRESSING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT COURSES BEAUTY SALON TRAINING CONDUCTED: A CMRC pool of interpreter and mediators have been established to provide services to government and non This project targets women who were either Introduction to short term courses on employment government agencies on a fee for service. hairdressers or practicing beauticians from overseas pathways and job market/opportunities have been who do not have an Australian qualifi cation and held. Intensive Courses were held on the following Two 3 days workshops specially tailored in partnership experience. This project provides women with an in several locations around Western Sydney on with SWSI TAFE NSW to recruit and train potential opportunity to earn an income while being trained interpreters and mediators for this enterprise project • Job Readiness either directly from a qualifi ed hairdresser and owner were conducted. A total of 40 participants attended of their hair salon or through TAFE NSW. • Mediation the trainings and have since been recruited. The language skills covered by our Interpreters and Gladys Maseko, Sales Executive of Vickerie • Interpreting Mediators are as follows:Dari,Farsi,Hazaragi,Kurdish,Hi Collections Hairdressing Salon based at Parramatta • Civic Education Program ndi,Tamil,Punjabi,Urdu,Pashtu,Singhala,Bangla,Oriya,G Greenway Plaza has partnered with the CMRC for this ujarati,Dinka,Sudanese, Arabic, Arabic, Chinese, Krio, project. • Mentoring Program Tigrinya& Amharic. All workers have been trained by NAATI and have registered for recognition or accreditation which will soon be confi rmed.

58 CMRC Annual Report 2013 CMRC Annual Report 2013 59 Northern Region Services Report

60 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Northern Region Services Access & Resource Team Annual Report 2013

Community Migrant Resource Centre was proud to The Northern Region has traditionally played host launch the Northern Region Services Program this to a wide number of migrant communities over year in the Ryde and Ku-ring-gai local government the years, however in the last 12 months the area areas. The Access & Resource Workers serviced has received a large infl ux of young male refugees Afghan / Iranian / Korean / Chinese / Sri Lankan / and unaccompanied minors. This has created an Indian / Pakistani and other Indian Subcontinent opportunity for the centre to address a myriad of newly arrived communities with a broad range issues affecting those who have arrived from war of settlement information and referral programs, torn countries with no parents or other family / community development initiatives, parenting / youth social support networks . By working closely with support groups and cross cultural training. key providers in the area such as Marsden High School, Marist Youth Care, Northern Sydney Area The Northern Region Services offi ce at Eastwood was Health Service, NSW Police and Eastwood LAC , a offi cially launched on May 24th in the presence of The new collaborative framework has been developed Hon Senator Victor Dominello, Minister for Citizenship to address integration and resettlement in these and Communities, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, sprawling, diverse and increasingly high need Member for Ryde, The Hon Greg Smith, Attorney catchments. General, Minister for Justice Member for Epping and John Alexander MP, Federal Member for Bennelong.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 61 62 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Highlights for the inaugural year of this program include: Events & Expos

Refugee Week Event – Restoring Hope: A Journey of Community Info Expo – Connecting our Community Strength and Resilience: Restoring Hope was a sharing with Information & Services: The Community Expo of the journey undertaken by Sri Lankan Tamil, Afghan held at the Eastwood Plaza in March 2013 brought and Iranian refugees. This event provided an opportunity together a range of services to provide information for the wider Australian society to understand and be to refugee and migrant communities. This was a introduced to three of the emerging refugee communities partnership between Ryde Council, Relationships in the Northern Region through their stories in art, music Australia & Families NSW. CMRC contributed to the and culture( Persian violin, Sri Lankan fl ute ). Traditional project by providing interpreters in several languages dress of women from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Iran including Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Farsi, Dari were showcased together with jewellery and handicrafts and Hindi. This was the fi rst major project the CMRC from these countries. The project was organised in was involved in as a new service provider in the partnership with Ryde Council, Macquarie University and Northern Region. The Expo provided an opportunity The Refugee Art Project. to showcase the services provided by the CMRC and expand networks in the area.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 63 Mentoring Initiatives

Ready! Set! Work! Employment Mentoring Beyond Settlement: was a multi -phase Homebush Stadium. This proved a great opportunity Program: which was initiated in the Western project, engaging Afghan and Iranian youth and for the boys to travel outside their own suburb, see Region, was replicated in the Northern Region. unaccompanied minors. The initial stage of this and understand more about Australian culture and gett This program targeted Afghan and Iranian project was to engage youth through Meet and Greet to meet some professional sports people. Post-game community members who needed assistance in BBQs and soccer at Marsden High School every the boys were invited to a meet and greet with the gaining employment. Most of the client cohort week. This phase of the project aimed to encourage players. serviced were deemed to be classifi ed high need youth to participate in dynamic and benefi cial Through these interventions in Beyond Settlement, and required intensive assistance with resumes, activities within the community to improve their social CMRC aims to deliver information on key settlement cover letter writing, interview techniques, skills, fi tness, communication skills and rebuild their topics, such as education pathways, mental health Australian workplace culture orientation, as well as sense of security and trust. assistance, resilience building, communication skills, referrals to job vacancies and local volunteering The second phase of the project involved a social skill building, homework assistance and opportunites. More than 30 clients have received partnership with Street Works and Ryde Council. employment. mentoring assistance, with some segue waying Over 10 weeks, Afghan youth in community detention into local work experience and others into paid participated in soccer training and BBQs at Marsden employment. High School . The third phase of the program involved a partnership with Max Potential. The boys were able to participate in an excursion to an AFL game at

64 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Good News Story Amir Gholizadeh participated in the Ready!Set!Work! Employment Program. “In his fi rst appointment, we discussed his goals, aspirations and past experiences. He was keen to continue his passion for sport InteragencyIn Support Groups and mentoring. When the opportunity arose, he was able to apply for a casual position with the EstablishmentEst of the Northern Sydney Region Maxim Little Learners: Weekly English New Frontiers! Project in the Western Region KKoreanoro Network (NSRNKN) has proven to be Conversation Classes and settlement support as a Fitness Coordinator and Trainer, assisting aann important service provision tool to build on services offered with 25 Korean parents and pre- newly arrived refugees to improve their fi tness papartnershipr capital in the region. Bi-monthly kindergarten aged children in partnership with Ryde level, do circuit training, wrestling, volleyball and mmeetingse are held with partner agencies including Uniting Multicultural Church. Program participants socialize with other community members and NNSWS Department of Education & Communities , received a surprise visit from the former Prime generally destress. Amir’s hardwork, dedication ReRelationshipsl Australia, Willoughby Council, Mission Minister Kevin Rudd on August 7th during the and professionalism have seen him secure that AuAustralias Hornsby, Australian Korean Welfare position, then excel in that role as trainer and Federal Election campaign. AsAssociations and the Chinese Association of Social coordinator, and contribute to the lives of Weekly Chinese English support class ran SeService.r so many young men. All this, in such every Wednesday at Eastwood with 25 participants. a short time in this country.” Faiza

CMRC Annual Report 2013 65 Information Sessions “I have been living in Australia more than 20 years Transition To School Seminars were held for Chinese group Triple P Program was deliveredreedd as a citizen but this is the families from the Indian Subcontinent and Korea, in over four (4) weeks at West Pennant Hill Public partnership with the NSW Department of Education School in Hornsby. Monthly information sessionss fi rst time I learned about the & Communities, Relationships Australia, Ryde were held for the Chinese community from servicesess election process and what is Council, Good Beginnings Australia and Integricare. including : Fair Trading, Centrelink and Family Laww this all about.” The seminars dealt with practical issues relating to NSW. preparing young children for school, which included Eight (8) ‘How to Vote Workshops’ with the a panel discussion on what does school readiness Australian Electoral Commission were delivered foror mean in Australia, as well as what is school like in the Korean community. Australia?

66 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Thank You On behalf of this new and emerging team covering the Northern Region of Sydney, we would like to fi rstly thank our key partners and hosts in the two key regional areas, Ryde Council (Jonathan Nanlohy) and Ku-ring-gai Council (Danny Housea ).

We would also like to thank Relationships Australia and the other services operating at the West Ryde Community Hub. All the services mentioned in the report above have warmly welcomed the new team and new project initiatives into the area with open arms. We couldn’t be more grateful for their collaborative strength and words of encouragement.

Lastly, we would like to thank all the community members, especially the new arrivals in the area, who have made contact and have been so eager to connect with our bilingual staff and the programs they have created together.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 67 Enable Energy Effi ciency project Report

68 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Energy effi ciency is becoming integral in our daily Identifying that there is an urgent need to address effi ciency. The project targets businesses owners, lifestyle as rising costs of electricity bills means the accessibility of relevant information to CALD senior managers and supervisors who have decision that it is essential for us to limit our electricity use communities and the community sector, Community making authority to make positive changes towards through effi ciency measures to reduce our power Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC) was awarded a improving energy effi ciencies in their workplace. bills and help alleviate the environmental cost of grant by the Department of Industry as part of the The target audience will benefi t by reducing emission high energy use. The rising energy prices will have a Energy Effi ciency Information Grants Program to to improve productivity and profi tability through tremendous impact on communities, especially those empower the Community Sector as well as CALD savings; specifi c sectors will secure considerable who may not be able to access information to make businesses in Western Sydney. knowledge of energy reduction measures; and informed decisions on energy effi ciency. Culturally The 3E (Enable Energy Effi ciency) Project’s aim is specifi c community needs will be met through access and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) businesses and the to empower CALD Small and Medium Enterprises to current and accurate energy effi ciency information community sector are particularly vulnerable, they are (SMEs) and community organisations to make in diverse languages. often time-poor, they often lack resources to access informed decisions about energy effi ciency. The 3E government incentives and while the increase in A series of workshops in multi-lingual languages Project delivers information to CALD community operational costs are challenging, it may not a priority (Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindi, Tamil, Philippine), organisations and SMEs in Western Sydney to assist to the community sector as they address social free technical advice and energy information them with reliable information to make informed issues. in diverse languages and energy assessments decisions on their behavioural impact towards energy with implementation plans provide help to CALD

CMRC Annual Report 2013 69 Uma Menon discussing Johnny’s Café as a case study Uma Menon discussing Johnny’s Café as a case study Ian Moxon of Steplight Pty Ltd conducting a two-hour workshop for the 3E Project with Mark Davis, Director of EEIG and for the 3E Project with Mark Davis, Director of EEIG and at Business Enterprise Centre, Blacktown. The workshop was Assistant Director Mainul Haque in December 2012. Assistant Director Mainul Haque in December 2012. attended by business people, community organisations, industry Johnny’s Café undertook all the recommendations of the Johnny’s Café undertook all the recommendations of the and government staff as well as climate critiques. Many of the Energy Assessment Plan and was able to save power and Energy Assessment Plan and was able to save power and participants also attended the 2-day comprehensive Energy reduce their carbon footprint. A video and u-tubes are reduce their carbon footprint. A video and u-tubes are Management Skills workshop. now being developed for the 3E website. now being developed for the 3E website.

businesses and not-for-profi t organisations/community • Understanding of energy effi ciency basics – • Introduction to Sustainability sectors to reduce power and their carbon footprint. lighting, refrigeration, Air conditioning, water • Energy Basics and how to overcome barriers heating, etc. A 2-hour workshop “Energy Effi ciency Information to energy effi ciency adoption and Sustainable Awareness Training Workshop” • Energy Effi ciency Information Fact Sheets • Understanding Energy Use assists CALD businesses and community with references to products, services and grants organisations to become aware of energy reduction • Interpreting Energy Bills • Provide examples of previous case studies/ measures with free professional advice. Contents of video presentations/utube • Energy Saving Opportunities the workshop: A 2-Day workshop “Energy Management Skills • Implementing Energy Effi ciency • Carbon pollution, Climate change and Energy Workshops for Focal Point Managers” assists to Effi ciency. What does it mean to the Business, • Behaviour Change educate, train and equip CALD businesses and Community and the Planet? Community Organisations with energy management Face-to-face Field visits by the 3E Team Field • What is the Department of Climate Change and skills to identify, assess and become implementing Offi cers helps deliver face-to-face technical energy Energy Effi ciency (Government) doing to support champions on reducing carbon footprint in their effi ciency information to over 1,600 businesses in the SME’S and Community Organisations towards workplace. Contents include: Western Sydney. Over 70 walk-through assessments an innovative change? conducted by the 3E Field Assessors and ratifi ed by

70 CMRC Annual Report 2013 3E Project provide information at community events. At a Narelle Brown of EWON NSW providing information on The 3E Team and Steplight Pty Ltd provide services presentation of the 3E Project on “Stories of Cross Sector “Energy Essentials for Community Workers” at the 3E to CALD businesses and community organisations on Collaboration” 2013 Western Sydney Community Sector Energy Community Forum. consuming energy in a smart way. Symposium, Jayshree Pather provides information about Interactive Q&A Session also included Business Energy The 3E Team comprises of Energy Field Offi cers (from the 3E Project to interested audiences. Fact sheets in Effi ciency delivered by Steplight Pty Ltd, Lighting Solutions left to right) Arun Sharma, Mani Ramasamy, Yuling Du; multicultural languages are disseminated with newsletters for Small Businesses by Julien Freed. Project Support - Jayshree Pathar, Uma Menon - Project at events. Coordinator. Steplight Pty Ltd’s Ian Moxon (Sustainable Educator and Presenter of 3E Workshops) and Co-Director Anoop Gupta.

Steplight Pty Ltd to-date has helped businesses and A toll free number (1800 242 845) provides technical More signifi cantly, the 3E Project outreaches toward community organisations implement their action plans. information during business hours. a new innovative model to include private sector 3E Field Offi cers provide one-to-one technical advice partnerships forming alliances with local businesses Energy Effi ciency Resources in multilingual languages to businesses and community organisations. chamber of commerce, sector specifi c industry disseminates through marketing/advertising and social groups, community newspapers, community radio A website dedicates information in diverse languages, media (LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter) reaching over and universities to bring together a more synergised businesses and community organisations are invited 100,000 people. The 3E website also features the 3E approach to target a new sector to the community to register on-line or call the 3E Team to register for Newsletters and information on links to energy services organisation model of targeting CALD businesses. workshops and request for free energy assessments. and industries. Approach collaborative partners who share a common Workshop participants are able to log in to conduct 3E Project works through a collaborative leadership ground: assessments and receive fact sheets on Air- in partnership with government, business sectors, conditioning, Lighting, Offi ce Equipment, Refrigeration, • Community organisations that will benefi t from universities and community networks to pool joint HVAC, Automotive Industry, Air Compressors, the 3E Project. This process included sharing fi nances, human and information resources and work Bakeries, Growers and Other Useful Information as of information, resources, activities and other in a shared understanding to deliver services through well as FAQ. These fact sheets are also translated in capabilities. the establishment of trust. Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindi, Tamil, Philippine.

CMRC Annual Report 2013 71 Workshop participants at a 2-day Energy Management Skills Workshop at CMRC’s Training Room. Participants included staff from EWON NSW, Aboriginal Land Council, Disability NSW, Child Care Centre, Australian MEFF Consortium and HESS Granville. Energy Assessments are recommended as participants become champions to carry out the Energy Implementation Plans and train their staff to be consume electricity in a smart way so as to bring down power bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

• Infl uential leaders to take the positive Symposium as well as delivering a speech on Energy Organisations and businesses who have volunteered messages back to their ethno-specifi c community. Issues for diverse communities at EWON’S Anti- to be 3E Project case studies will be rewarded at Through word-of-mouth from credible sources, Poverty Week 2013. our Award Nite in November 2013 as they are able communities were willing to trust messages that to show evidence of reducing carbon emissions in A community forum “Making Energy Effi ciency Work were disseminated and participated in workshops their electricity bill and have been able to consume for you” held at Parkroyal on 14 August brought conducted in their language. electricity in a smart way. U-tubes and videos in together over 120 people from the community and diverse languages are now being developed and will • Link State and Local Governments incentives business sector. Following the forum, an Interactive be posted on the 3E Website : to target groups. Q&A Session on Business Energy Effi ciency, Lighting Solutions for Small Business” and “Energy Essentials www.3eproject.org.au • Encourage business sector, industry and action for Community Workers was a useful avenue for groups to be involved. information. Using the model above, the 3E Project was successful in presenting “Stories of Cross Sector Collaboration” at the 2013 Western Sydney Community Sector

72 CMRC Annual Report 2013 Financial Report For The Year Ended 30 June 2013

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84 CMRC Annual Report 2013 CMRC ce: fi Northern Region Of Community Migrant Resource Centre Community Migrant Resource 159 Shaftesbury Road Eastwood NSW 2122 02 98581925 Telephone: Website: www.cmrc.com.au ce: fi Head Of Community Migrant Resouce Centre Level 4, 1 Horwood Place, Parramatta NSW 2150 PO Box 1081, Parramatta NSW 2124 Telephone: 02 9687 9901 Telephone: Fax: Website: www.cmrc.com.au 02 9687 9990