SMRC news

DIVERSITY RESPECT EMPOWERMENT PARTICIPATION RESILIENCE

“Never doubt that a

small group of

thoughtful, commit-

ted citizens can

change the world.

Indeed, it is the only

thing that ever has.“

Margaret Mead

In This Issue

• Harmony Day

• Community Bus Hire

• Homework Support

• Migration Services

• Social Media

• International Women’s Day

• Perla’s 20th year with us

Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre, 39 Clow St Dandenong VIC 3175, Ph: 03 9767 1900 www.smrc.org.au

Welcome to our newsletter To celebrate our 50th edition, we’re launching a new look.

From the Chairperson:

Thanks to those attending our Special Members Meeting on 16th March. We pro-

vided a progress report on activities and introduced members of the Board, includ-ing executive and subcommittee positions. I explained about the draft new Consti-

tution, the Dispute Committee and letters SMRC has written to Department of Jus-tice regarding problems with how elections need to be conducted under modern

rules. Voting on the new Constitution takes place in May. The Board has reintro-

duced its mentor program, mentoring 3 people with Board members. If you know anyone in your community who would benefit from being introduced to governance

principles and practices working alongside a Board member, we’ll be recruiting again later this year. Board and Management are in the process of finalising our

new Strategic Plan, now working on costings and budget considerations. Thank you for your continued support and interest in SMRC activities.

Brian Oates JP

Newsletter # 50 Autumn 2016

Harmony Day 2016

SMRC celebrated Harmony Day this year with a huge multicultural and

multi-cuisine celebration of cultures from around the globe. Our staff

and staff from the co-located agencies at 39 Clow St entered into the

spirit of Harmony Day with a colourful display of costumes, creative

cooking, quizzes, cultural artefacts and personal memorabilia from

home countries.

Community bus hire

Would your organisation like to

hire a bus with a driver for your

weekend activity? SMRC is mak-

ing available our mini-buses (11

seats, plus driver) for use by rec-

ognised community groups. We

provide a skilled driver to

transport your group to a venue

for activities on Saturdays, Sun-

days or Public Holidays. Our

rates are very competitive. If

you’d like to know more, contact

Chris Brooking, Business Devel-

opment Manager, on 03-9767

1906 or chrisb@smrc.org.au

SMRC mini-buses for weekend hire — for approved community groups

Homework Support - a

new approach

We’ve been delivering

Homework Support for

many years now, Monday

to Wednesday from 3.30

to 6pm, for secondary

school students from ref-

ugee backgrounds. We

still have volunteer tutors

with expertise in Maths,

Science, English, and

Business Management.

But now we’ve integrated

the program with good

study practices, offering

more space, with new

laptops, encouraging rec-

reation and offering ac-

cess to youth workers.

And we now encourage

parents to attend.

We have recruited new

volunteer tutors and we’re

always looking for more,

especially in additional

subjects, such as Legal

Studies and Account-

ing. It’s a great way to

support newly arrived

refugee young people

who are dedicated to their

studies.

For further information,

please contact Courtney

on 9767 1965 or email

courtneyd@smrc.org.au

Courtney Dunn (SMRC Youth Engagement Worker) in the homework space, with some students and tutors in study groups for the Homework Support Program

Perla’s 20 years at SMRC

Interview with Perla Mazie, our longest-serving staff member.

Tell us about your journey at SMRC for last 20 years.

I came to Australia on a 12-month working visa with $500 in my pocket, 21 years ago from The Philippines. I hoped to find a job in couple of weeks. The weeks became months and I was still struggling to find a job. I took a 6-month Admin course, and on advice from my course coordinator I started volunteering. I was walking down Walker Street in Dandenong and saw the Migrant Resource Centre. I walked in thinking it might be a centre which could give me some ‘resources’. That was my first introduction to SMRC. I became an Admin volunteer and within 1 year a staff member. Ever since I’ve worked at SMRC with my full dedication doing a variety of roles.

What was your motivation to stay at SMRC for so long?

SMRC supported and helped me when I needed it most. Working and com-mitting to SMRC is a way I repay that debt of gratitude and it’s become my home away from home. During my time here I’ve had many personal and professional challenges. With the support of SMRC and especially Jenny Semple (CEO), I’ve been able to face those obstacles and move on. Some occasions I thought about leaving but I reminded myself how I started here and built my life in Australia with SMRC support. I don’t think I would be able to receive the same level of management support anywhere else.

What are your biggest achieve-

ments while working at SMRC?

I’m still in Australia and leading an independent life and that’s my big-gest achievement. Also while work-ing here I’ve grown professionally and academically. I completed a double degree-diploma in Commu-nity Services and Case Manage-ment. Now I’m working in a most enjoyable yet challenging position as Bookkeeper at SMRC.

Perla Mazie (left) with CEO Jenny Semple celebrating Perla’s 20 years’ service at SMRC

SMRC goes ‘social’ We’ve broadened our communication options to include the growing phenomenon of social media. Via Facebook and Twitter we can now communicate rapidly to clients, members and supporters. Events can be pre-promoted and activities celebrated with a 'click' as we embrace this exciting new media.

Our current focus is on build-ing followers and supporters so if you haven’t seen our pages take a moment to visit and 'like' and/or 'follow' us.

International Women’s Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2016, SMRC was pleased to nominate the Australian Hazara Wom-en’s Friendship Network (AHWFN) for an award sponsored by Women’s Health in the South East, Bentleigh Bayside Community Health and partners. The awards honour achievements of women in the Southern region.

AHWFN’s goals are to empower and support women from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds in the South East of Melbourne. They run community development projects aimed at empowering women, includ-ing English classes, computer classes, citizenship classes, learner driving programs and referral support. They also deliver programs to educate the community about family violence and healthy relationships. They conduct community celebrations such as Eid and other events relevant to the Hazara Muslim community. Isolated and disempowered women have found friendship, support and education from the services offered by AHWFN, who have also raised money for women in rural Pakistan to gain access to computers and a library. This group is committed to empowering women and giving a voice to women who may be isolated. We commend the way AHWFN approach every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow, and consistently overcome barriers that prevent women in their community from achieving their dreams.

We are proud that our own Sylvia Wan also received a Recognition award, for Inspirational Woman. Sylvia has been a member of SMRC’s Management team since 2008. She seizes opportunities and makes things hap-pen. Since she began leading the Planned Activity Groups team, our PAGs have expanded from 6 to 27, providing more opportunities for older migrants to participate in social activities, and reducing their isolation and providing much needed respite for their carers. In addition to her work with SMRC, Sylvia has received the CFA National Emergency Medal Award and the School and Community Education Fire Awareness/Safety Award. She also volunteers for the local CFA, and is a member of her church group as well as other communi-ty programs. Her positive can-do attitude is an inspiration to her colleagues, our clients and the community.

Sylvia Wan (SMRC PAG Team Leader), Alia Sultana (AHWFN), Intha Chetty (Moorleigh Moorabbin Rotary Club), Rhonda Garad (Women’s Health in the South East )

www.northwind.com

Care workers in your language

Our 130 bi-lingual workers provide personal care, respite and home help.

We have over 50 different languages in our workforce to meet the needs

of clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

We are now recruiting. Cert III in Aged Care or HACC. Ability to speak a

language other than English is highly desirable.

Languages in high demand: Greek, Italian, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian,

Dari, Polish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese

Suburbs in high demand: Caulfield, Bulleen, Narre Warren, Knoxfield,

Ferntree Gully, Bentleigh, Mentone, Box Hill

For more information, call on 03 9767 1909 or diversecare@smrc.org.au

Volunteers wanted

We value and need the skills and expertise of volunteers in many of our programs. We provide training and sup-port to all our volunteers. Programs that currently require volunteers are:

Social Support, includes friendly visiting and Community Visitors Program to elderly migrants. Lan-guages in demand include Portuguese, Italian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Bosnian and Serbian.

Homework Support Program, includes tutors to assist young refugee students (primary and secondary) — after school with their homework.

Settlement Group program support for newly arrived refugees.