Eastern Multicultural News
EDITION 118 – July 2011
A.B.N. 27 084 251 669
Information Session for the Zomi Community
The Migrant Information Centre is facilitating an information session for the Zomi
community with Victoria Police on what to do if they are involved in a car accident. The
session will cover responsibilities of drivers involved in an accident, common causes of
accidents, what to do if stopped by the Police and when you must report an accident.
The session will be held at 6pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday 27th July at the Ringwood Uniting
Church, Corner of Station Street and Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.
For further information, please contact Sawm Thang Suante on 9285 4888 or Email
ssuante@miceastmelb.com.au.
The session is funded by the Australian Government under the Settlement Grants Program
funding.



Say No to Crime Youth Project
The ‘Say No to Crime’ Youth Project is a new project that aims to prevent crime in the Chin
communities from Burma and the Bor communities from southern Sudan. Young people
who participate will attend a leadership training camp, then plan and implement an 8 week
program for other young people in their community, aimed at preventing crime through
increased knowledge of Australian Laws and increased social and recreational
opportunities.
The leadership training camp will run for 3 days during the July school and university
holidays. Youth Ambassadors are then expected to attend regular planning sessions after
the camp, every fortnight for 10 weeks held in the afternoon or evening to develop and
organise the 8 week programs. The programs that Youth Ambassadors will run will be 2
hours every week for 8 weeks, held in the afternoon or evening.
For further information, please contact Jessica Bishop at the Migrant Information Centre
(Eastern Melbourne) on phone 9285 4888 or Email: jbishop@miceastmelb.com.au.



Trip to the Footy
The Migrant Information Centre in partnership with the AFL Multicultural Program and
Hawthorn Football Club is facilitating a trip to the MCG for newly arrived refugee families to
see the Port Adelaide versus Hawthorn football match. Entrance to the game is free of
charge.
Participants will meet at 11am at the Box Hill train station at 11am and travel by train to the
Richmond station.
The excursion is jointly funded by the Australian Government under the Settlement Grants
Program funding and the Victorian Government Community support fund in partnership with
the Australian Football League and Hawthorn Football Club.
For further information, please contact Niquita Meyers on 9285 4888 or Email
nmeyers@miceastmelb.com.au.
Eastern Multicultural News is prepared and distributed by the Migrant Information Centre
(Eastern Melbourne), Suite 2, Town Hall Hub, 27 Bank Street, Box Hill 3128, E-mail: mic@miceastmelb.com.au
1
MIC AGED & DISABILITY SERVICES TEAM
News from the MIC Aged and Disability Services
The Migrant Information Centre Aged and Disability Services implement a number of
projects funded through local, state and commonwealth governments that target the aged
and disability area. These include:


Multicultural Equity and Access Program (MEAP)
Community Partners Program (CPP)

Information and Communication Technology Project (ICT)

Inviting and Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Volunteering Project
We work closely with aged and disability service providers and individuals or groups from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to assist with the provision of culturally
appropriate services and improving access to services. To find out more please contact
Sharon Porteous on 9275 6905.



Cultural Briefings and Cultural Awareness Training
The new calendar and registration form for cultural briefings and training is now available at
http://www.miceastmelb.com.au/meap.htm#Training.
Working Effectively with the Chinese Community
Monash Wheelers Hill Meeting Room Wheelers Hill Library
860 Ferntree Gully Road, Glen Waverley
Thursday, 28 July 2011
10 am – 12.45 pm
Introduction to Cultural Awareness
Willis Room, Whitehorse Civic Centre, 379- 397 Whitehorse Rd,
Nunawading
Thursday, 11 August 2011
9.15 am – 12.30 pm
Exploring Culture Festivals* (Filipino, Japanese, Korean,
Vietnamese)
Studio Room, Whitehorse Centre, 379- 397 Whitehorse Rd,
Nunawading
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
9.15 am – 12.30pm
Tips on Cultural Planning, Engaging with and Promoting your
Services to CALD Communities
Wednesday, 7 September
2011
9.45am – 1 pm
Monash Wheelers Hill Meeting Room Wheelers Hill Library
860 Ferntree Gully Road, Glen Waverley
Understanding Islam
Heide Room, Manningham City Council, 699 Doncaster Road,
Doncaster
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
9.15am – 12 pm
Understanding Cambodian Culture*
Meeting Room 5, Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood
Ave, Ringwood)
Thursday, 13 October 2011
9.15 am – 12pm
Working Effectively with German Speaking Community
Meeting Room 2, Knox Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Highway,
Wantirna
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
9.15 am – 12 pm
DEMENTIA AND CULTURE SPECIAL EVENT
Thursday, 10 November 2011
9.30am – 4 pm
Meeting Room 1 & 2, Maroondah Federation Estate,
2
32 Greenwood Ave, Ringwood
To be on the mailing list for this and other training information please Email Wanling Zhang
at wzhang@miceastmelb.com.au.
MEAP also provides in-house training for HACC funded organisations. Training can be
tailored to meet your organisation’s needs. Please contact Wanling Zhang on 9275 6904 to
discuss further.



MIC Website – Aged Care & Disability
Have you looked at the MIC website recently? If you are interested in aged care and
supporting people from CALD backgrounds there are many links to translated information
about a range of topics as well as resources for workers such as cultural profiles. Our
home page is www.miceastmelb.com.au. See the menu on the top left hand side for Aged
Care & Disability or Cultural Resources to find what you are looking for.



EMR CALD Aged Care Network
The next meeting of the EMR CALD Aged Care Network is scheduled for Wednesday 27
July 2010 from 10am to 12 midday in the Matsudo Room, Box Hill Town Hall, Whitehorse
Road, Box Hill. Please ensure you check parking signs as we cannot provide permit parking
for attendees.
For more information or to be added to the mailing list for the Network please contact
Sharon Porteous on 9275 6905 or Email sporteous@miceastmelb.com.au.



Community Partners Program – NEW resource for CALD carers
The Information about Carer Support Services booklet has been completed and is
available on MIC’s website. This information booklet explains who is a carer, what help is
available for carers and how to obtain carer support services. A list of organisations that
provide carer support services in the EMR is also included.
It is translated in Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian, Tamil and Vietnamese languages. More
languages will be available soon. Go to this link on our website:
http://www.miceastmelb.com.au/agedcareclients.htm.
We are going to develop a resource for service providers about perceptions of caring
from CALD perspective. If you are interested please contact Linda Tan.
For further information please contact Linda Tan on telephone 9275 6906 or Email
ltan@miceastmelb.com.au.



Inviting and Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Volunteering Project
The Migrant Information Centre has received funding by the Department of Planning and
Community Development (DPCD), Department of Health (DH) and the Office of
Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC) formerly the Victorian Multicultural
Commission (VMC) to encourage volunteer involving organisations to recruit and support
volunteers from CALD backgrounds in their programs, raise awareness about volunteering
3
in Australia with CALD communities and recognise and celebrate existing volunteers from
culturally diverse backgrounds.
We are looking for participants from Volunteer Resource Centres, Local Government and
other volunteer-involving organizations for training to build their skills and expertise in the
area of including CALD volunteers in programs. 2 to 3 training sessions will be organized
with a quality facilitator. If you are interested please contact Robyn Clark (see below).
Over the next few months, information sessions about volunteering in the Australian context
will be delivered to CALD community groups which will include the distribution of translated
information. For further information please contact Robyn Clark on 9275 6903 or email
rclark@miceastmelb.com.au.



Information and Communication Technology Project (ICT)
The Migrant Information Centre has received funding from the Department of Planning and
Community Development (DPCD) to teach communities from refugee background and
CALD elderly groups basic computer skills. The Project will deliver basic computing and
Microsoft word training to the following communities - Indian, Sri Lankan, Karen, Mizo,
Hakha-Chin, Zomi, Afghan, Iranian, Sudanese, and Iraqi groups.
The sessions in July are:
07/07/11, 11/07/11, 18/7/11, (Mon)
Karen Seniors
26/07/11 (Tues)
Zomi community
20/07/11, 27/07/11 (Wed)
Hakha-Chin community
21/07/11, 28/07/11 (Thurs)
Mozi/Falam communities
01/07/11, 08/07/11, 15/07/11
Iraq/Sudanese communities
For further information please contact Geraldine Jeremiah on 9275 6907 or Email
geraldinej@miceastmelb.com.au.
EMPLOYMENT
Overseas Qualifications Unit
The Overseas Qualifications Unit, Workforce Victoria, has newly designed brochures
available that provide information on how clients can access the service, determine if they
are eligible and understand the process for having their overseas qualifications recognised
in Australia.
To request brochures, please Email Brijesh.Rajvansh@dbi.vic.gov.au.



Bridges to Employment – Migrant Project 2011
The Salvation Army Camberwell is facilitating an employment program for newly arrived
migrants looking for work and those struggling to get past the interview stage.
The Bridges to Employment Program offers:


Identification of major barriers facing migrants in obtaining work in their chosen field
or commensurate with their qualifications
Provision of English pronunciation classes, work exposure, search skills, and
exposure to Australian society
4


Industry and community seminars and workshops focussing on building mutual
understanding of the changing cultural mix in our local community
Social networking
The program focus on assisting and supporting migrants to understand the Australian work
environment, including work culture, employment search processes and exposure to
various workplaces.
It includes opportunities for the local community to gain a wider understanding of the issues
facing migrants in looking for work and integrating into the local community. However, the
project does not involve finding work for migrants, nor does it guarantee a job.
You can Register your Interest by contacting The Salvation Army:
o
o
o
Email: norman.gale@aus.salvationarmy.org
Phone: (03) 9889 2468
Visit or mail: The Salvation Army, Camberwell, PO Box 323 Camberwell, 3124, 7-11
Bowen Street, Camberwell, 3124
Migrant Social Support Network meets next on 9th September 2011.
EXPO
Hope Project Launch and EKCAV Art Exhibition
The Hope Project is an initiative if Croydon Hills Baptist Church which aims to provide
support, encouragement and advocacy for Karen people on the Thai/ Burma border. The
Hope Project invites you to attend the Hope Project Launch and EKCAV Art Exhibition. The
event will include: an art exhibition by local Karen artists, Karen handicraft stalls,
presentations of current projects by The Hope Project team and the opportunity to hear
first-hand experiences from Karen refugees.
The event will be held at 2pm on Saturday 30th July at the Croydon Hills Baptist Church, 6-8
Bemboka Road Croydon Hills.
For enquiries please contact: enquiries@thehopeproject.org.au or call Kathy Thompson on
0418 372 167.



Festival of Refugees
Act for Peace presents the Festival of Refugees – a celebration of the contributions
refugees make to Australia. The festival will feature performers from Sudan, Burma, West
Papua, Sri Lanka, Congo, Tibet and more. Aurelio Denasha (Yellowbird), a Native
American of the Ojibwe Nation will perform a special guest appearance.
The festival will be held at 3pm–5pm on Sunday 21st August at the St Kilda Town Hall, 99A
Carlisle Street, St Kilda.
Tickets for the event cost $15 (includes Middle Eastern and West African dinner). To
purchase tickets for the festival of for further information call Visier Sanyu on 9650 6811 or
email him at vsanyu@ncca.org.au.
5
TRAINING
Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit Seminar and Case Presentation
The Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit (VTPU) presents ‘Cultural responsive approach
to working with trauma and sexual assault – the UK experience’ by Margaret Clarke.
In this seminar, Margaret will explore differences in UK and Australian Asylum legislation,
and the implications for trauma – focused psychotherapy with survivors. She will also look
at the treatment of female asylum seekers and refugees within the healthcare system.
This free seminar will be held at 3pm-4pm and the case presentation at 4.15pm-5.15pm on
Wednesday 20th July at the VTPU Seminar Room, Level 2, Bolte Wing, St Vincent’s
Hospital 14 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy. RSVP by 15th July, registration available at
http://www.vtpu.org.au/reg.html .



Victorian Legal Assistance Forum
The Victorian Legal Assistance Forum presents ‘CALD communities: Early intervention is
the way to go’, a forum which showcases good practice and methodology for delivering
Community Legal Education (CLE) to CALD communities.
The forum will be held at 9am-12.30pm on Wednesday 20th July at the Lionel Murphy
Centre, 360 Queen Street, Melbourne. RSVP by 8th July to Jennie Chainey on
jenniec@vla.vic.gov.au or 9269 0138.



Foundation House’s Learning and Professional Development Calendar
Foundation House’s Learning and Professional Development Calendar is available at
http://www.foundationhouse.org.au/professional_development/index.htm.
Professional development offered for the second half of the year 2011 includes:

Professional development for schools

Courses for counsellors and incidental counsellors

Professional development for nurses

Spirituality and Human Services Practice weekend retreat.
VOLUNTEERS
Monash Volunteer Resource Centre
Monash Volunteer Resource Centre is holding the following training sessions.
Introduction to Volunteer Training sessions are held on the second Tuesday of each
month at 5 Myrtle Street Glen Waverley
Time: 9.30 am until 11.30 am
Dates: August 9th, September 13th, October 11th, November 8th, December 13th
Introduction to Volunteer Training sessions held at Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St
Clayton Mel 79C3
6
Time: 9.30 am until 11.30 am
Dates: September 7th, November 16th
WORKSHOPS – all workshops are held from 9.30am to 11.30am at Monash Volunteer
Resource Centre, 5 Myrtle Street, Glen Waverley.
Workshops for Volunteers:
Privacy & Confidentiality Wednesday 27th July 2011 Facilitator: To be confirmed
Professional Boundaries in your Volunteer Role Wednesday 31st August 211
Facilitator: To be confirmed
Volunteering @ Christmas Wednesday 29th September 2011 Facilitator: Monash
Volunteer Resource Centre
Dealing with Difficult Behaviour Wednesday 26th October 2011Facilitator:
Brad
Desmond, Life Psychology
Taking Care of Yourself as a Volunteer and Carer of a person with dementia –
Addressing the Issues and providing Strategies
Wednesday 23rd November 2010 Facilitator: Alzheimer’s Victoria
Workshops for Agencies: 9.30am to 11.30am
Intellectual Property Issues for the Not for Profit
Wednesday 20th July 2011, Facilitator: Marianne Dunham, Mason Sier Turnbull
Evaluation Skills for Managers of Volunteer Programs
Wednesday 21st September 2011, Facilitator: Jenni Livingston
Professionalising Volunteering
Wednesday 23rd November 2011, Facilitator: Jenni Livingston
Please Note:
 All sessions are free of charge.
 Bookings are essential for all sessions
 Dates and venues are subject to confirmation.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior as late arrivals will not be admitted. For bookings & further
information please contact: Monash Volunteer Resource Centre Inc, phone 9562 0414 or
Fax 9562 0411.
WOMEN
ARIES Program
The Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition (VIRWC) has pioneered the
ARIES Program (Advice, Referral, Information and Educational Support) for multicultural
women with or without permanent residency including female international students.
Free bilingual services provided through the program includes Family Law Advice,
individual counselling, peer group support for international students and mentoring care
support including life skills and employment pathways.
The program is available at 2pm to 5pm on Wednesdays, 11am to 12.30pm on Thursdays
and 3.30pm to 5.30pm on Fridays at the Women’s Space, Queen Victoria Women’s Centre,
Level 1, 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
For further information please call 9654 1243 or Email virwc@virwc.org.au.



Health Education Programs
The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health is available to run health education sessions
for women from immigrant communities. The sessions are conducted in community
7
languages by bilingual health workers who are trained to discuss sensitive women’s health
issues.
Health sessions can be planned around the themes of women’s health, reproductive health,
sexual health, mental health and wellbeing, occupational health and safety, alcohol and
other drugs and diabetes healthy living.
Presently the bilingual health educators cover the following languages: Arabic, Burmese,
Cantonese, Croatian, Dari, Dinka, English, Farsi, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Karen, Khmer,
Lotuka, Macedonian, Madi, Mandarin, Marathi, Nuer, Somali, Spanish, Sudanese-Arabic,
Thai, Tigrigna, Turkish and Vietnamese.
For further information contact Amira Rahmanovic on amira@mcwh.com.au or telephone
9418 0999.
YOUTH
Cruzin’ Study Homework Program
In term 3, Youth ConneXions will facilitate a Homework Program for Refugee and Migrant
Youth at Box Hill Library on Thursday afternoons for all secondary school and TAFE
students.
Bring your homework and assignments; there will be free tutoring, free printing and free
internet available at these sessions. For further information please contact Jacqueline at
Youth ConneXions on Jacqueline.piper@whitehorse.vic.gov.au or call 9898 9340.



This newsletter produced by the Migrant Information Centre received funding from
the Australian Government, Department of Immigration and Citizenship under the
Settlement Grants Program funding program.
To submit an item for the next edition of Eastern Multicultural News please contact
Judy McDougall at the MIC by email jmcdougall@miceastmelb.com.au.
All items must be submitted by the last Friday of the month to be included in the
following month’s news.
8