Good Practice

24 November 2023
Women’s Honour Roll 2023
Steadfast support and service to migrant and refugee communities
We’re thrilled to share that our very own Cynthia Caird, Senior Manager, Community Services and Engagement, Women’s Empowerment and Youth Leadership, has been recognized among the exceptional women in South Australia, joining the prestigious SA Women’s Honour Roll 2023!
Cynthia’s dedication spans over 26 years, empowering refugee communities and fostering social cohesion through innovative programs.
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18 November 2022
WHS Training

SafeWork SA’s Ingrid Ormay recently conducted 3 WHS trainings at AMRC. Over 70 care workers and 13 case managers/support coordinators participated. The training covered the following program compliance contents.

  • General Infection Control and COVID-related
  • Food safety
  • Staff mental health
  • Challenging and aggressive behaviour
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17 November 2022
Patronage Garden Party

Thank you to Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC and Mr Bunten for hosting AMRC at Government House for the annual Patronage Garden Party.

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11 November 2022
Connecting Settlement, Community and Industry (CSCI) Forum – Murraylands

AMRC convened a Murraylands CSCI Forum bringing together 30 participating organisations in the Murray Bridge Town Hall. These included the Department of Home Affairs, Rural City of Murray Bridge, RDAMR, Pacific Labour Facility, TAFE SA, St Joseph’s, Unity College, Tinyeri, Early Learning Centre, Trees for Life, Costa Mushrooms, Thomas Foods International, Murraylands Training and Employment and SAPOL. They provided updates on their industries and presentations were made by Michael Sedgman, CEO, Rural City of Murray Bridge, Heather Muirhead, Manager of MMRC, Bao Luo, Community Services Officer, MMRC and John Scarvelis, Chair, Murraylands Multicultural Network.

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11 November 2022
Mt Gambier Seniors’ Social Group

Every Tuesday, the Mt Gambier MRC hosts the Mt Gambier Seniors’ Social Group. They participate in a range of activities to promote their physical and mental health and social connectedness. Last week the group participated in a movement class aimed at developing their mobility and strength. They also participated in an arts and craft session where they created some beautiful artwork.

To find out more about the Seniors’ Social Group, please call the Mt Gambier MRC on

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3 November 2022
Young Achiever – Ral Chum Lian

Ral Chum Lian, 23, is a budding self-taught artist. Having resettled in South Australia from Myanmar in 2019, Ral hopes to establish his own art brand for young people and one day own his own business. Ral is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of South Australia, but focuses on pursuing art in his spare time. Armed with a digital pen, Ral creates mesmerising portraits and captures each distinctive characteristic of his subjects. Ral’s passion for art transfers into his volunteer work at the AMRC where he is a role model for youth in the AMRC Youth Leadership Program.

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1 November 2022
UN Day Dinner

Thank you to the United Nations Association of Australia (SA Division) for inviting us to attend the United Nations Day Dinner at the National Wine Centre. Congratulations on a fantastic evening!

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27 October 2022
ILC Excursion – Road Safety School & Playground

During the school holidays, Naracoorte MRC organised an excursion for its ILC clients to visit the Millicent Road Safety School and playground. The excursion aimed to build confidence in children with disabilities to experience new activities and places, and to encourage their parents that having a disability is no reason to be excluded from meaningful play. The children brought bicycles and scooters to the Road Safety School where they had the opportunity to ride around and learn about road signals. The children loved the playground and were especially fond of the swings, slides and whirly gigs.

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27 October 2022
Water Safety Information Session for ILC Clients

Around 80 ILC clients, carers and their families participated in a Water Safety Information Session hosted by AMRC in partnership with Royal Life Saving Society SA.

AMRC’s ILC (‘Information Linkages and Capacity’) program is about engaging and empowering people with disabilities from refugee and migrant backgrounds. This session engaged participants in learning about water safety and also provided them with the opportunity to socialise with others in a safe environment.

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13 October 2022
‘How to get into uni’ workshop

These school holidays, the Northern Area MRC hosted a ‘how to get into uni workshop’ for young people and their parents. The workshop was delivered in partnership with the Northern Multicultural Women’s Network and Multicultural Youth Link SA. The attendees found it incredibly useful hearing from UniSA guest speaker Dr Teresa Puvimanasinghe who discussed potential pathways to university. Thank you to all involved!

 

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13 October 2022
Vaagai Awards

Thank you to the Vaagai – Tamil Broadcasting Service for awarding the AMRC the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Refugee and Migrant Communities Award’. Just like the word ‘vaagai’, which means ‘victory’, the vaagai flower has been extending its arms to ensure social inclusion for all. AMRC looks forward to continuing to work with you and other multicultural communities in SA and celebrating many more achievements together.

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6 October 2022
Good news story: Zuhra Ahmadi
Zuhra Ahmadi arrived in Adelaide with her husband and 11-year-old son in April this year. Zuhra is from Afghanistan but her family had to leave the country when she was only three years old. Since then, she has lived in Iran and later in India. She trained as a teacher and taught for 11 years in Iran and for one year in India.
Zuhra took up painting and sketching at the age of 18.
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30 September 2022
BAASA Soccer Carnival

The Bhutanese Australian Association of SA (BAASA), supported by AMRC, hosted a soccer carnival to engage youth in the community with sport and recreation. The carnival involved 13 teams from South Australia and interstate and saw various community stakeholders attend as spectators. Well done to all involved in organising this spectacular event for the community!

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30 September 2022
WEIA: Employment Opportunities

25 Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) participants are currently studying Certificate III in Individual Support. With help from AMRC, the women had their first interview with Resthaven Aged Care and Retirement Living. The Recruitment Team were impressed with the participants who demonstrated confidence in presenting their skills.

Want support to work?

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29 September 2022
Good news: Masuma Hassanzadeh

“Since I started volunteering, my life has totally changed. When I come to volunteer at AMRC, I become a different person. I am happier and more confident.”

AMRC volunteer, Masuma Hassanzadeh, is emblematic of AMRC stories of achievers.

Masuma and her family fled the war in Afghanistan, making their way to Pakistan, before finally being resettled in South Australia in 2001.

Masuma was a homemaker and successfully brought up 5 children, who now work as professionals in nursing and teaching.

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29 September 2022
Unmasked African Festival

Congratulations to everyone involved in the Unmasked African Festival over the weekend. It was a wonderful day that brought communities together to celebrate with food, music and dance. AMRC is always privileged and honoured to be part of the celebration.

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27 September 2022
Mooncake Festival Celebrations

The Murray Bridge Chinese Community hosted a wonderful Mooncake Festival Celebration this month, supported by Murraylands MRC. Mooncake Festival is one of the three major festivals in the Chinese calendar. As part of the festival, participants appreciate the bright full moon in the evening sky, eat mooncake, and celebrate or pray for the reunion of family and friends. This year’s celebrations featured 14 Chinese cultural performances, home-made food sharing and speech from Mayor Brenton Lewis. Well done to all who were involved!

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15 September 2022
Strength for life program
The Strength for Life Program is delivered by AMRC in partnership with COTA SA. The Program combines physical and social activities to support seniors in developing their fitness and overall wellbeing. Activities include strength training sessions, to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls, and social activities, to raise self-esteem, self-confidence, and enhance mental wellbeing. These types of activities have been shown to alleviate the effects of chronic conditions such as arthritis, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease.
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13 September 2022
Good news story: Cungzalen

Cungzalen fled the war in Myanmar with her small children five years ago. She was eventually resettled in South Australia with a humanitarian visa. She attended TAFE classes to learn English and was encouraged to join the Northern Women’s Multicultural Network, which led her to AMRC. Cungzalen began volunteering at the Northern Area MRC as an introduction into the workplace. She was referred to the Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) program to support her pathway to employment. Through the program, Cungzalen has secured a casual position in homecare, which accommodates her family and child care responsibilities.

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6 September 2022
Chin IPD’s Relief Concert

AMRC was proud to support the Chin IDP’s Relief Concert organised by young people in the Chin Community of SA. The concert attracted over 500 people to raise funds for the Internally Displaced People of Myanmar. The audience loved the performances and the opportunity to come together and be part of the event. Well done on a fantastic event!

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2 September 2022
Northern Area Women’s Network celebrate ‘Better Together Day’

The Northern Area Women’s Network came together to celebrate ‘Better Together Day’ by welcoming new members to the group and planning their summer activities. Guest speaker and pharmacist Tamara Filmer spoke to the women and shared information about their health and well-being. There was singing, dancing and lots of different food to share.

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30 August 2022
MYAN at the Annual Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) Youth Forum

Read the full newsletter here.

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30 August 2022
#WeStandwithUkraine

AMRC was pleased to support the 31st Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence on Sunday the 28th of August. This day highlighted the importance of being free and safe and for the current conflict to end. The Ukrainian community and new displaced people showcased a wonderful mix of art, music and performances that left the audience in awe.

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30 August 2022
Settlement Workshops for New Afghan Arrivals
AUASA, MECCSA and AMRC have partnered with TAFE SA to deliver information workshops for new Afghan arrivals. The workshops provide new arrivals with information on the programs and services available to them and introduces them and links them to facilities and staff.
Three workshops were held this month in the Adelaide Multicultural Centre and Northern Area MRC where the new arrivals were introduced to community support workers and Chairperson of the Afghan United Association of SA, Mr Hussain Razaiat.
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25 August 2022
Good News Story – Faris Al-Hilli

Faris Al-Hilli and his family arrived in Adelaide in March 2022 on a Skilled Regional Visa. They settled in Murray Bridge so they contacted Murraylands MRC for assistance and information. Faris and his wife gained employment at the local mushroom farm, they found a rental property and their children enrolled in a local high school. Now that they have settled down, Faris has become a volunteer at Murraylands MRC to help other new arrivals with their language skills.

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16 August 2022
Bhutanese Youth Leaders

A group of 14 active and energetic young people have put up their hands to volunteer under the recently elected Bhutanese Committee. These enthusiastic youth leaders meet regularly to plan and organise group activities and events. Keep an eye out for some of their upcoming events!

 

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9 August 2022
Myanmar Food Fair
Anelia Blackie

The Mount Gambier Karenni community held a successful event on the weekend to raise awareness and funds for people affected by the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, which displaced thousands of people. Calling on the Australian Government for more support, various speakers addressed the large audience from all walks of life. Hon Clare Scriven MLC represented Multicultural Affairs Minister Hon Zoe Bettison MP and acknowledged the important role the AMRC has played in the successful settlement of the Mount Gambier Karen and Karenni community since their arrival in 2007.

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9 August 2022
Glen Osmond Primary Students Donate Backpacks for Refugee Children
During SA Refugee Week, the Wellbeing Student Action team at Glen Osmond Primary decided to host a casual clothes event. They raised over $600 which all went towards making up backpacks for refugee children.
They were able to make 20 backpacks full of exciting items, including a lunch box, pencil case, coloured pencils, note book, story book and pens.
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1 August 2022
AMRC Settlement Story: Raziq Rahimi

Raziq is from the Shia Hazara minority, a heavily persecuted religious and ethnic group of Afghanistan. After his family were the victims of distressing events in Afghanistan, they were eventually forced to flee. The family ultimately made the decision to migrate to Pakistan with the hope of living peacefully.

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27 July 2022
Walking the line
ABC News
Evelyn Leckie, Rebecca Puddy, Jessica Haynes, and Che Chorley

Coach Dan runs a tight ship, but his basketball program keeps teens shooting for the right goals

Read full article here.

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25 July 2022
Kiribati Independence Day

It started with a handful of bleary eyes, turning up the heat of the BBQ on a chilly Saturday at 5am. Some had been up late the night before, chopping, slicing, dicing and prepping, ready to cook for the event.

Kiribati celebrated their 46th year of independence in 2022, and this year, the 54-member community in Naracoorte in the Limestone Coast celebrated the event for the first time.

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20 July 2022
Young Achiever – Macham Bak Macham
Macham Bak Macham, 22, made quite an impression at the AMRC Youth Forum for speaking up and sharing his insights on some of the challenges facing young people.
 
“I would like to be a role model and inspiration to Sudanese young people because of what had previously happened to my country and also recently in South Australia.
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13 July 2022
Youth Forum 2022

Congratulations all for an amazing and inspirational 2022 Youth Forum – Pathways to Belonging – the last event celebrating Refugee Week in SA, which now extends over the month. Thank you to our speakers for sharing their stories, our friend Major ‘Moogy’ Sumner AM for his warm welcome to his country, Minister Bettison for her affirmation of our diversity and migration experience, our partners, CCYP and MYLSA, our MC, Elizabeth Ho OAM, and our young people who will become our future leaders!

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29 June 2022
Launch of the Afghan-Australian Community and Settlement Support

Wonderful night at the Wali-e-Asr Centre celebrating Refugee Week by launching the Afghan—Australian Community and Settlement Support funded by the Department of Home Affairs and facilitated by the Migration Council of Australia. It was heart-warming to welcome new Afghan evacuees, the children, women and men making up the Afghan community and meeting with Minister Zoe Bettison MP, SAPOL and other emergency services.

Eugenia Tsoulis OAM

Chief Executive Officer

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24 June 2022
Launch of SA Refugee Week & Youth Poster Exhibition and Awards
Thank you to all the organisations who celebrated the launch of SA Refugee Week by Hon Zoe Bettison MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, during the Youth Poster Exhibition and Awards at the amazing Children’s Artspace in the Adelaide Festival Centre to an audience of over 200 children, young people, their schools and families. Please make time to see this wonderful exhibition from young people across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions who inspire us towards a better future.
It was an engaging event for new arrivals, as well as established communities, who came together to empathize and socialise.
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24 June 2022
World Refugee Day Reception

Thank you to Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC and Mr Rod Bunten for hosting World Refugee Day at Government House. Thank you to all participants – leaders, those of refugee background, and those who came to support, reflect and celebrate the courage, resilience and hope of refugees worldwide. The warmth in Government House was an exceptional healing process.

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20 June 2022
Limestone Coast Visit
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27 May 2022
New Patch Feeds Belonging
Article by Carla Caruso
A new veggie patch in your Adelaide Park Lands is helping recently-arrived migrants lay roots in the community.
 
The ‘Global Garden’ is an initiative of one of the Botanic Garden’s therapeutic horticultural programs in the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
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27 May 2022
Farewell Tania

AMRC Board farewells Tania Gerlach, Regional Director of the South Australian Social Cohesion Division of the Social Cohesion and Citizenship Group, Department of Home Affairs. A true public servant!

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25 May 2022
Northern Area MRC English Class visits the library
Today is a special day. We visited the Salisbury Hub. It was a beautiful building. We learned many things there: how to become a library member, how to make a booking to use the computer and how to borrow some cooking books. I will bring my children in next time.
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9 May 2022
ILC Zoo Excursion
“Thank you so much for the trip…the kids are so happy”.
These school holidays AMRC organised family trips to the Adelaide Zoo for over 150 people. The children were excited to visit the zoo for the first time and to meet Wang Wang and Fun Ni. The parents appreciated the outings as they took their mind off COVID-19 loss and wars back home. Thank you to Rotary Club of Campbelltown SA for donating some of the tickets. The trips were greatly appreciated by all!
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2 May 2022
MRC Works – Employment Hub
Esther Latung was signed up for a job in Aged Care services this month.
“[AMRC] You have provided me the entry point to get a job through volunteering. Thank you for giving me a job reference so that I get the job.”
Having a qualification in Cert III Aged Care, Esther Latung still found it challenging to get a job as she had no Australian work experience. She was able to overcome this barrier through volunteering and mentoring from AMRC’s Women’s Employment In Action, Try, Test and Learn Program.
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2 May 2022
Supporting the Murray Bridge Chinese Community
Around 150 people came out to support the Murray Bridge Chinese community at the Murraylands MRC. The day featured an array of cultural performances, speeches and fantastic food. The roast lamb, cooked Xinjian style, was a massive hit! Thank you to all those who attended, President of the Murraylands Chinese Association Mr Borong Xu, Deputy Mayor Wayne Thorley, Chair of the Murraylands Multicultural Network Mr John Scarvelis and AMRC Senior Manager Michelle Dieu for their speeches and the Chinese Embassy Deputy Consul-General for sponsoring presents for the children.
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2 May 2022
MRC Works – Employment Hub
“Networking and making connections are important…in getting a job in South Australia,” John said.
John had worked in Naracoorte and as volunteer with Alexandrina Council before landing a full-time professional position in public health at City of Salisbury.
He moved back to Adelaide to start work at City of Salisbury.
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20 April 2022
Women Making Connections in the North
A group of 25 newly arrived, young parents set up a Big Sister Support Group in the Northern Area MRC on Thursdays. Initially it was attended by Afghan women, but now the meeting has attracted other parents from Burma and Bhutan for friendship, information sharing, preparing for volunteering and job pathways. Their ages range from 21 to 34. Some are attending AMEP classes at the centre. Guest speakers have included a RAH female doctor and a female chemist who facilitated Q & A sessions. Some of the topics raised included family planning, COVID concerns, family health and wellbeing, medication and parenting skills.
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28 March 2022
Afghan Community Nawruz & Harmony Day Celebrations

Congratulations to everyone involved on the weekend for bringing together thousands of Afghan community members and other friends to celebrate Middle Eastern New Year and Harmony Day in an environment bursting with cultural diversity. It was a wonderful afternoon of music, dance and sharing of stories, providing the community with some respite at a time of adversity in their home country. AMRC is always privileged and honoured to be part of the celebration.

Eugenia Tsoulis OAM

Chief Executive Officer

 

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21 March 2022
The Journey to Belonging – Youth Roundtables
It was both eye opening and inspiring for young migrants and refugees to come together to share with their peers and our staff their aspirations for belonging in a multicultural world. We look forward to using this information to develop the annual Youth Symposium to be held on Wednesday 20 April 2022. Thank you, Andrew Cummings, for facilitating very energetic and inspiring roundtables for our future leaders.
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7 March 2022
International Women’s Day Forum – Building the Future Together

It was an honour to have our Chief Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, launch the 2022 International Women’s Day Forum to an audience of over 200 women of diverse backgrounds.

Thank you to Men Tial Lian and Staish Rahimi for sharing their inspiring stories, Barbara Hancock for her discussion on women’s safety and the Honourable Jing Lee MLC for acknowledging a number of our women volunteers.

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4 March 2022
The key to success is to focus on skills not obstacles!
“I feel so fortunate that I have something to hold on to in my pathway towards employment,” Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) participant.

WEIA training sessions commenced this February to support the first 20 women from refugee and migrant backgrounds, from the over one hundred who registered their interest so far.

We welcome ongoing Expressions of Interest from women to be part of this amazing program—childcare is provided.

Please register your Expression of Interest here.

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4 March 2022
Afghan Women’s Morning Tea

Northern Area MRC and Adelaide Multicultural Centre were privileged to host a morning tea to share food and discussions with newly-arrived Afghan evacuees. It was heart-warming to hear of their journey and their hopes and desires for the future. AMRC is keen to assist these talented women to quickly contribute and belong. Thank you to Afghan United Association of SA and AMRC staff for providing these women with a forum to tell us the assistance they require to fulfil their dreams.

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1 February 2022
Back-to-school in 2022 made better for 66 children
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7 January 2022
Seniors’ End of Year Party

To celebrate the end of 2021 the AMRC held its annual Seniors’ End of Year Party. Our senior clients from a range of communities came together to enjoy their traditional meals, share stories and sing together. We look forward to welcoming more seniors into our social activities and events in 2022!

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21 December 2021
Thank you to our Care Support Workers

A Yearend Lunch was held for over 65 Care Support Workers to celebrate and recognise their great effort and commitment to delivering quality services and support to our Aged Care and NDIS clients.  Everyone had great fun sharing experiences and highlights from their year as well as participating in games, karaoke and dancing. Thank you all for your great work!

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20 December 2021
1000 Christmas gifts for 1000 refugee and migrant children
Thank you for a very merry Christmas to our generous donors, the Refugee & Asylum Seeker Toy Drive, Pinnacle College, the Salvation Army and the Rotary Club of Adelaide, for their generous donation of 1000 toys for 1000 children. We have completed distributing toys to all of our client groups through Christmas gatherings at all the AMRC sites and by taking them to the homes of those who can’t come to us. So far, the children have been delighted with their gifts!
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17 December 2021
Young Achievers

Congratulations to our Young Achievers for being recruited into the Australian Navy and Army!

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9 December 2021
Getting into the spirit of Christmas

The AMRC partnered with Pinnacle College, the Australian Relief Organisation and the City of Salisbury to host a Families Get Together. Around 50 attendees from the newly arrived Afghan and Burmese communities were amongst the attendees. They were touched by the warm messages and spirit of giving during Christmas. We would like to thank the generous donations and hardworking volunteers from Pinnacle College and the Australian Relief Organisation who put together presents and food for the event and Mayor Gillian Aldridge OAM who sent her warm wishes.

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6 December 2021
Young Achievers

Congratulations to Shikofa Anguri for being awarded the South Australian Student Citizenship Award 2021! Shikofa is an Afghan Youth Leader, Treasurer of Multicultural Youth Link SA (MYLSA) and a registered AMRC Volunteer.

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6 December 2021
International Day of People with Disability

To celebrate International Day of People with Disability, the AMRC held workshops in Adelaide, Mt Gambier, Naracoorte and the Murraylands to empower people with disability in the CALD community and introduce them to the functions of the Disability Royal Commission.

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1 December 2021
ILC Excursions

With warmer weather here, 40 ILC Project participants with a disability or mental health issue and their families and carers picked strawberries during an excursion to Hahndorf. This was followed by a fishing trip to Victor Harbor a few days later. These activities allowed them to enjoy themselves in a safe environment while also enabling their carers to take a break from caring responsibilities. Home-cooked meals were prepared by AMRC care support staff and shared at the end of the excursions. The food brought everyone together and was a great way to end both days.

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30 November 2021
MECCSA’s 2021 Annual General Meeting
Congratulations Vahedeh Mansoury, Chairperson of the Middle Eastern Communities Council of South Australia (MECCSA) and all elected members and Hussain Razaiat, Settlement Director of MECCSA, supporters and volunteers for your outstanding work and contributions managing so many challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the Afghanistan crisis.
 
MECCSA was formed in 1999 as an umbrella body representing eight communities in South Australia – the Iraqi, Iranian, Afghan, Uzbek, Qatari, Kurdish, Turkman and Syrian communities.
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3 November 2021
Good News Story

Two-year-old Aisy was born in Australia, but only received his Australian Citizenship last month. Mum, Saliza, fell pregnant with Aisy three years after arriving in Australia and is currently living on a temporary visa. The AMRC has helped Saliza and Aisy in navigating the Australian system in terms of health care, childcare, social security and employment, while Saliza’s permanent visa application is being assessed. Saliza has been a volunteer at the AMRC in Creche activities for the past year and has developed a skillset in working with children.

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29 October 2021
AMRC Volunteers interviewed for CALD Community podcast

Last week a group of AMRC volunteers were interviewed by Sherina Winton as part of her podcast project Mosaic Tales – Connecting in the CALD Community.

The podcast, funded by Northern Volunteering, features the stories of mature aged migrants and their experiences in volunteering and establishing community connections.

The volunteers at the Northern Area MRC were excited to share their stories and, for some, to have the opportunity to share their experiences tackling ageism.

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8 October 2021
Family Fun Day at the Murraylands MRC

These school holidays the Murraylands MRC hosted a Family Fun Day in partnership with Trees for Life and Animals Anonymous. It was an opportunity for families to interact with and learn about native wildlife, participate in craft activities and spend some time with the community. The children particularly enjoyed seeing the pythons, the wombat, the water monitor and the crocodile.

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6 October 2021
COVID-19 Information and Vaccination Day

COVID-19 Information and Vaccination Day was hosted by the NAMRC in partnership with the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN). More than 50 community members attended the session and were vaccinated by the Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions in a Q&A session with Clinical Expert Sally Stringer and interpreters were available as needed. Many had booked in for a vaccination on the day including Yasin Hassanyar (Afghan community), Ghayyas Al Mohamad (Syrian community) and Cikon Cikon (Sudanese student).

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27 September 2021
Afghan Community Consultations
Message from the CEO
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13 September 2021
Launch of the SA Refugee Week Youth Poster Awards at the Murray Bridge Regional Gallery

It was a pleasure to be part of the launch of the SA Refugee Week Youth Poster Awards at the Murray Bridge Regional Gallery. This followed the launch in Adelaide during Refugee Week. We were entertained by young performers and exhibitors as well as the new community performers from Vanuatu. Thank you to Murray Bridge Regional Gallery director Fulvia Mantelli, Manager at the Murraylands MRC Heather Muirhead, Mayor Brenton Lewis, Chair of the Murraylands Multicultural Network John Scarvelis and a host of other guests in attendance. Following the launch, I was privileged to present to the Murraylands Multicultural Network’s Annual General Meeting to elect its next management committee.

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10 September 2021
Afghan Community Service Hub

The NAMRC held one of a number of information sessions organised at various sites in metropolitan and regional SA to support Afghan clients with visa understanding and processing.

Click here for more details about the ACSH.

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10 September 2021
Wild support for fundraiser
Article by Charlotte Varcoe, the Border Watch
Photo credit: The Border Watch

Issued 3 September, 2021

RAGS have turned into riches following the ninth annual Recycled Runway event raising over $9000 for social welfare agency ac.care.

Over 300 guests and 31 contestants were transported into an African Safari Saturday night while enjoying both traditional African food and entertainment provided by the Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre.

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8 September 2021
Didar is losing his sight, so relies on the customers in his shop for their honesty
Article by Peta Doherty, SBS News

Didar Ali escaped the Taliban after his parents’ murder and now runs an Afghan grocery in the South Australian town of Naracoorte.

Read the full article here.

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1 September 2021
Community consultations and information sessions

Over the past 2 weeks the AMRC and Afghan United Association of SA conducted community consultations and information sessions in metropolitan and regional South Australia. It has been a time for the community to come together to mourn, to heal and to find out what they can do to help their loved ones.

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23 August 2021
Good news story
10 News First

The AMRC’s NDIS client, Ronnel Gonzales, shows how music therapy can positively impact those with an intellectual disability.

Watch the interview by Jodie Oddy from 10 News First here.

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20 August 2021
Faiza Adeel – Community Field Officer

The Bordertown MRC put the ABS in touch with Faiza to work as a bilingual Community Field Officer for Census 2021.

Faiza arrived with her husband six years ago as a skilled migrant, and became an Australian citizen in 2020.

She has been volunteering with the AMRC for six months, often as an interpreter and looking after children in the creche.

Faiza was very concerned when talking to the community about Census. She says there are a lot of people who are unaware that Census takes place every 5 years.

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18 August 2021
National Disability Insurance Scheme ‘too complex’ for people from diverse backgrounds, agencies warn
Article by Sara Tomevska, ABC News
Photo by Lincoln Rothall, ABC News

Key points:

  • Just 9.5 per cent of NDIS participants identify as culturally and linguistically diverse
  • That is less than half the projected participation rate
  • Disability support experts say the scheme is burdened by complexity

Read the full article here.

Improvements needed to NDIS to help diverse communities

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16 August 2021
Young Panda Warriors from the Murraylands

A group of Chinese children are becoming well-known in the Murraylands as ‘Panda Warriors’ for their remarkable kung fu skills.

The children, aged 6-10 years old, were introduced to kung fu by a volunteer instructor as part of the Murraylands MRC’s creche program.

The program has become very popular and has seen the children invited to perform at local council events.

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11 August 2021
Why doing the 2021 Census matters for migrants in regional Australia
Article by Peta Doherty
SBS News

Photo: Wajiha Batool. Source: Peta Doherty/SBS News

The last census showed just how diverse parts of regional Australia are, and services such as more English classes were provided as a result. Those living there now say it’s important everyone is counted again this time around.

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6 August 2021
Filling in Census forms at the NAMRC

More information about the Census workshops can be found here.

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3 August 2021
Empowering People with Disabilities

To view the presentation, Empowering People with Disabilities, please click here.

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23 July 2021
NDIS Achiever
Yodit Yeabiyo

My name is Yodit Yeabiyo and I’m an NDIS client of the AMRC.  I have a prosthetic leg and the AMRC is supporting me to regain some independence and work towards my goals. One of my goals is to learn how to drive a modified vehicle. The AMRC referred me to an OTMDI (occupational therapist motor driving instructor) and I have now completed my pre-driving assessment and will commence driving lessons. Another one of my goals is to study and to work towards a career. The AMRC has supported me to complete a Certificate II in Food Processing and has linked me to information about a Certificate III in Nail Technology which I wish to pursue.

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23 July 2021
NDIS Achiever
Aurora Garcia

My name is Aurora Garcia and I’m an NDIS client of the AMRC. The AMRC has helped me develop an NDIS plan to increase my functional capacity and manage my health and wellbeing. I attend physiotherapy and occupational therapy for exercises to help regain my independence in everyday tasks. I am assisted with household items and personal care and am taken grocery shopping by a Filipino support worker who speaks my language. I am also taken to community events and am encouraged to participate in activities and meet like-minded people. After several hospitalisations last year, the AMRC submitted an early NDIS review and I have now received various supports such as an electric bed, motorized scooter and recliner chair to assist me in everyday life.

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23 July 2021
NDIS UPDATE

NDIS Program Manager Dilky Wijeyekoon represented the AMRC on a panel to discuss the Department of Human Services’ Access and Inclusion Program. She shared the experiences of CALD clients with a disability and highlighted the challenges and unfair circumstances they face when accessing mainstream providers.

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13 July 2021
Training for young people and new volunteers

The Northern Area MRC facilitated a training for young people and new volunteers to prepare them for the Australian workplace. The training outlined the job application process and how to prepare a resume, police check and screening checks. With a better understanding of this process, many of the participants have decided to volunteer in childcare or a women’s group. They enjoyed the training and had fun networking and making friends.

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13 July 2021
Good news story

Khrih Thawng fled to Kuala Lumpur to escape the war in Myanmar. This is where he met his wife, Tuan Hnem Par. As a highly skilled cabinet maker, he worked for ten years using his skills to earn a living for his family. An Australian relative sponsored him and his family on a humanitarian visa and they were resettled in South Australia in 2019. He soon found a job as a cabinet maker for a private firm. He has been working for nine months. In February this year, he bought a three-bedroom house. “I have always wanted a house to call my own,” he said.

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25 June 2021
Refugee Employment Forum

A Refugee Employment Forum held by the Mount Gambier MRC resulted in several casual and 3 full-time jobs for migrants. Held to raise awareness of the employability of refugees, the forum attracted 170 people that included representatives from businesses that are interested in employing refugees. Among the speakers were businesses that respectively employ 17 and 41 refugees in Mount Gambier. They shared their positive experiences of employing refugees with businesses that are looking for workers. The event was funded by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment Local Jobs Program and the Lakes Rotary Club of Mount Gambier.

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24 June 2021
Launch of SA Refugee Week and Launch of Youth Poster Exhibition & Awards
Photos: Ray Caird

Congratulations to all winners and exhibitors in the Youth Poster Awards Exhibition. Thank you to the many schools, teachers, parents and young people that participated. Thank you to the many others, including the Hon Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier and Ms Pauline Carr, Chancellor of the University of South Australia, who participated in the Launch of SA Refugee Week and Launch of the Youth Poster Awards Exhibition. The young people’s poster exhibition was a humbling and inspiring insight into the views of our future generation.

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24 June 2021
AMRC celebrating SA Refugee Week with refugee achievers…
Rabie Melhem

Rabie Melhem, 25, was resettled in Australia in 2019 after fleeing war in Syria. Rabie studied a Bachelor of Dentistry in Syria, however, it is not recognised in Australia. He has made the most out of the opportunities available in Australia and has gained employment as a part-time care worker in Aged Care. Rabie completed a Certificate IV in English Proficiency before pursuing an Aged Care course to gain employment. He assists his family with paperwork and started volunteering with the AMRC in 2021. Rabie also enjoys modelling and has signed up with an agency.

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24 June 2021
Launch of World Refugee Day 2021
Photos: Ray Caird
Thank you to His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia and Mrs Lan Le for the very warm reception at Government House to acknowledge World Refugee Day and to start the Refugee Week calendar of activities.
The AMRC is privileged to have convened Refugee Week for over 21 years with more and more organisations and schools taking part, totalling over 150 organisations and 50 events.
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24 June 2021
AMRC celebrating SA Refugee Week with refugee achievers…
Joseph Ndjeka
Since Joseph Ndjeka arrived in Mount Gambier, he said that he wanted to become a nurse. That dream came true in recent months when he graduated from his nursing degree and began working as a nurse in Mount Gambier.
Joseph grew up and lived in a refugee camp in Malawi for 10 years before coming to Australia.
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17 June 2021
Women’s Governance Training

Congratulations to all the women who completed the Migrant and Refugee Women’s Governance Training on Monday 4 June. The training explored various topics, such as internal governance, the role of management committee members/ board members and equality for women in leadership positions. “This is a very useful training…we hope we can have more training about the procedures on financial funding/ support”.

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15 June 2021
Financial Literacy Workshop

The Financial Literacy Workshop in the NAMRC partnering with SCoA and ASIC provided clients with resources on financial literacy and encouraged them to develop their financial skills. As importantly the organisers received valuable feedback to inform future information/ communication initiatives with new migrants and refugees. Thank you to the volunteers who assisted with meal preparation, and to Sandra Wright, for facilitating the workshop and engaging clients with these important resources.

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4 June 2021
Update from the Limestone Coast
It was a pleasure to chair the Connecting Settlement and Community Services (CSCS) Forums with participatory government, services, community representatives and industry representatives in Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and Bordertown. At the same time, we met with schools to begin the mural project and also met with the Limestone Coast Multicultural Network to update each other on challenges and achievements. Congratulations to the communities that have welcomed new migrants to feel a sense of belonging in these regional towns.
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16 April 2021
Success Stories
Congratulations to these achievers!

Women’s Employment into Action – TTL

Dr Samira works in the Prostate Cancer Research group at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. This is the job Samira wanted and worked hard to persevere for in the program. Now your PhD in Science is working for you!

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15 April 2021
Awards Ceremony

Master Chef Cheong Liew visited the AMRC to present certificates of participation to youth who completed the Basic Skills in the Food Industry Training in January 2021. The training was initiated and sponsored by the United Nations Association of Australia SA Division in partnership with the Adelaide Institute of Hospitality and the AMRC.

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15 April 2021
Young Achievers
In February, Shikofa Anguri, 26, begun working in customer services at IKEA. She is very happy in this role and has said that it is the first step in achieving her goal: a degree in Business Administration.
Having fled Afghanistan with her family, Shikofa was sponsored by her family and arrived in Australia in 2018.
Shikofa has been inspired by her grandfather’s words: “An educated person can change the future, when they use pens as their weapons”.
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13 April 2021
Harmony Day 2021 Bordertown
Multicultural Soccer Carnival, Sunday 21st March
Bordertown Migrant Resource Centre and Tatiara District Council worked together with the Tatiara Multicultural Group to celebrate Harmony Day in sporting fashion. The sun shone down for the second Multicultural Soccer Carnival held in Bordertown for a round robin competition for both adults and under 14s. The day was also partnered with Naracoorte United Soccer Club who invited Football SA again to the district to host mini-roos training, inviting kids to try soccer for the first time.
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13 April 2021
Young Achievers

This month, Rashid Omar, 21, is set to achieve his dreams of working as a professional barber and completing a Certificate III in Barbering at TAFESA.

Rashid was introduced to barbering at a young age, in his uncle’s barber shop in Lebanon. He has continued working to expand his repertoire by learning from a barber friend after class and providing haircuts to his friends. He has become known as a barber with flair.

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8 April 2021
Social Participation
The AMRC and partners assisted with equipment, transport and facilities to support children, new arrivals and senior community members to participate in social activities.
AMRC Summer Sports for Young People:
The AMRC engaged young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in group sports this summer.
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6 April 2021
Policy Launch Event
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Child Placement Policy
On March 19, the Department of Child Protection launched the inaugural Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Child Placement Policy, in partnership with the Department of Education Services and Anglicare SA. The event was the first of its kind in Australia and involved fifty participants from Congolese, Tanzanian, Indian, Pakistani, Afghani and Kurdish backgrounds.
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24 February 2021
Launch of the Naracoorte MRC and Limestone Coast Multicultural Network

Wonderful launch of the Naracoorte MRC and Limestone Coast Multicultural Network by his Excellency Mr Hieu Van Le, Governor of SA and Mrs Le, assisted by AMRC Board members, Mayor Erika Vickery OAM, Hussain Razaiat and Chair Judge Rauf Soulio. A most welcoming town where the cultural diversity increases as more migrants discover the place they call home! The AMRC is proud to be part of this migrant history.

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17 February 2021
Family Day 2020

Family Day brought clients and their families together to celebrate the end of 2020, while still complying with COVID-19 restrictions. 199 people attended the four sessions at the AMRC offices in the City and Salisbury.

The NDIS team, with assistance from TTL students, decorated the venue with balloons and table décor. It was a great opportunity for students to gain work experience.

The children were gifted toys and families presented with gift vouchers.

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8 February 2021
Zoo Outing

On January 22 2021, sixteen families from the NDIS program went on a trip to the Adelaide Zoo.

The trip was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Campbelltown and provided families with the opportunity to attend a social activity.

To ensure their full participation, the NDIS clients were assisted by care workers to download the Zoo Navigating App.

“They really enjoyed and love it so much.  Everything was well organised”, NDSI Care Support Worker Sui said.

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6 January 2021
Young Achievers
Welcome to 2021!
We continue with our stories of young achievers...

Claude Kulimushi

When the flow-on effect of the Covid-19 pandemic caused many people to lose their jobs around Australia, the Mount Gambier City Council became proactive and created job opportunities to help soften the blow. Programmed Skilled Workforce – whom council engaged to recruit workers – contacted the MRC in May to hear if anyone from refugee background has lost their job due to Covid-19. The MRC was able to identify a number of clients and emailed their resumes to Programmed Skilled Workforce.

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17 December 2020
AMRC: NDIS
She wanted two birds, “two because they can speak each other’s language. I can’t speak their language”

San Maya Magar was born in Bhutan and fled to Nepal where she lived in a refugee camp from the age of 10. She arrived in Australia in 2017. She has an intellectual disability and lives in a rental property with her three children.

When San Maya was initially referred for services, she did not talk much. With the support of AMRC and workers who speak her language she receives NDIS and is able to participate more.

This year has been difficult in terms of increased risks for people with disabilities and isolation.

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10 December 2020
AMRC AGM and Board elections
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9 December 2020
UNHCR Regional Representative, Louise Aubin

“Privileged to be part of a South Australian team showing global leadership. Thank you Louise Aubin, UNHCR Regional Representative to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, for your generous acknowledgement.” Eugenia Tsoulis OAM, CEO AMRC

As discussed, I want to reciprocate with a few lines about my mission to South Australia, the success of which I have you to thank. Great things happen when we work together.

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4 December 2020
Re-building life after migration
Settlement experiences of refugee and migrant youth

Settlement experiences of refugee and migrant youth

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3 December 2020
Supporting families in quarantine and reconnecting after quarantine

Supporting families in quarantine and reconnecting after quarantine

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2 December 2020
Youth Roundtable
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3 November 2020
SA Refugee Week Youth Poster Awards Exhibition 2020

The SA Refugee Week Youth Poster Awards Exhibition for 2020 was finally launched at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery at The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre on Monday 2nd November 2020. Originally intended to be displayed during SA Refugee week in June, but put on hold due to restrictions on social gatherings, the exhibition features a curated selection of 88 works shortlisted from over 400 submissions from primary, high school and tertiary institutions across South Australia. The artworks celebrate the courage, resilience, strength and contributions of people of refugee background and will be on display in the gallery until Wednesday 25th November before touring throughout the following 12 months.

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2 October 2020
Women’s Health Session with Hepatitis SA

Women’s health session in partnership with Hepatitis SA empowering women from new and emerging communities with information on liver health.

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2 October 2020
Donations
Photo: Anna Cheung (middle), President of Tong De Association of SA, photographed with AMRC Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) and NDIS Manager Dilky Wijeyekoon (left).

Thank you to the Tong De Association of South Australia, one of many organisations who have kindly donated masks and hand sanitisers during this challenging time. These donations have assisted the AMRC to safe guard the wellbeing of its vulnerable clients and staff.

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1 October 2020
Stories of Achievement from New Australians of Refugee Background
Photo: Azizullah (right) involved in the filming of the COVID-19 pop up at the Wali-e-Asr Centre with SA Health in August 2020.

Azizullah Paigham was resettled in South Australia in 2019 and was hired as a casual journalist by Ghan TV. In Afghanistan, Azizullah worked as a journalist with the Nangarhar Journalists Council and as a FM radio manager. He also worked as a cultural advisor to the foreign forces and ran an ESL education centre for over 300 students. He is currently working with Amnesty International Human Rights and is studying a Human Resources degree at the University of South Australia. He is also studying a National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) course at TAFE SA.

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8 September 2020
Connecting Settlement and Community Services (CSCS) Roundtables
Photo: CSCS Women's Roundtable 21 August 2020

To comply with COVID-19 safety measures, the AMRC held three separate roundtables during August with over 60 participants attending. The roundtables concentrated on challenges, learnings, opportunities, initiatives and achievements during COVID-19, and were conducted with women, young people and ethnic leaders. Presentations were delivered by Mayor Glenn Docherty, City of Playford; Mayor Michael Coxon, City of West Torrens; and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Facilitators/speakers included Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children and Young People SA; Hussain Razaiat, Settlement Manager of the Middle Eastern Communities Council of SA (MECCSA); and Dr Annette Osei-Kumah, Settlement Manager of the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA); and Cynthia Caird, AMRC Community Services Manager.

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2 September 2020
Naracoorte meeting to introduce new workers
Photo: Yaseen Hakimi, Settlement Officer, Naracoorte MRC; The Honourable Nick McBride MP, Member for MacKillop; Eugenia Tsoulis OAM, Chief Executive Officer, AMRC; Frances Kirby, Multicultural Community Engagement Manager, Naracoorte MRC; and Mayor Erika Vickery OAM, Naracoorte Lucindale Council.
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31 August 2020
Changes to Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)

The AMRC congratulates Minister Tudge on the recent announcement regarding changes to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) including removing the cap on the maximum number of hours available and time limits for enrolment, and the program being available for participants to reach ‘vocational English’ level. The increased flexibility and access to the program will provide immense benefit to new arrival migrants and refugees.

Eugenia Tsoulis OAM
Chief Executive Officer

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31 August 2020
Settlement Council of Australia (SCoA) welcomes changes to Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
Media Release by the Settlement Council of Australia (SCoA)

Media Release, 28 August 2020

Download Media Release here or read it below.

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27 August 2020
Australian Communities Foundation – The Ripple Fund

Thank you to the Australian Communities Foundation for your donation through The Ripple Fund. We appreciate your support during this challenging time to assist vulnerable members awaiting their visa status.

Eugenia Tsoulis OAM
Chief Executive Officer

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25 August 2020
St Dominic’s Priory College Poetry Project
Photo: Front covers of poetry portfolios by students

Original poetry by Year 9 students from St Dominic’s Priory College on the theme of migration displayed at the AMRC.

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21 August 2020
Women’s Connect
Photo: Women participants with their tote bags.

Participants from the AMRC’s weekly women’s connect group participated in a project whereby they created tote bags. The women’s connect group meets for English acquisition, social support, Coronavirus education, and information workshops with resource speakers on financial education, employment, health and wellbeing and other priority areas identified by participants.

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19 August 2020
Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) Program
Photo: Women participants at the WEIA information session.

A great attendance at the Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) information session hosted by the AMRC in August 2020. The program provides training, qualifications and employment-related support to women of migrant and refugee background, and is supported by the Department of Social Services through Try, Test and Learn.

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19 August 2020
Bright Sparks – achieving through pathways to employment
Photo: Purna with AMRC staff member Tilak Ghaley.

Purna Bahadur Gurung, aged 32, arrived through the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) and is working full-time at a city hotel where his role includes housekeeping. Prior to commencing employment eight months ago, he completed his AMEP studies and a Certificate III in Hospitality. He was born in Bhutan and lived in a Nepal refugee camp for 28 years. He resettled in Australia in late 2018 with his wife and child. He was sponsored by a relative. Purna is grateful to the government and other services, as well as the AMRC for assisting to support his sponsor and to find a rental property.

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19 August 2020
Our Young Achievers
Photo: Job (right) with younger brother Marquis.

Job Zahinda, aged 20, is undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) at the University of South Australia. He is of Congolese background and resettled with his parents and siblings five years ago. Recently, Job and his younger brother Marquis participated in a project by Bagster Road Community Centre called ‘Cultural Jibe Job Soccer and life.’ The video captured Job’s settlement story and his passion for soccer, and can be viewed on YouTube.

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19 August 2020
Stories of Achievement from the Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) Program
Photo: Participants from the Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) Program.

The AMRC’s Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) program has supported 34 women from a diversity of backgrounds to study a Certificate III in Individual Support with TAFE SA. One group of women participants has nearly completed their vocational placement, whilst another group is studying part-time at the TAFE SA Salisbury Campus. These women with young children will complete their qualification at the end of the year and join 40 other women participants in the program, who have gained employment in Aged Care and NDIS.

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19 August 2020
Stories of Achievement from the Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) Program
Photo: Lu Dee proudly holding up her Certificate of Registration.

In February 2019, the AMRC’s WEIA program started and assisted participants to get their overseas skills and experience recognised, and to achieve a Certificate III in Individual Support. The AMRC worked with TAFE SA to develop the Fast Track program for these women. When the WEIA team first met Lu Dee in 2019, she had just arrived from Singapore and was unemployed. She had her overseas nursing career experience from Singapore, where she worked for 16 years as a nurse clinician in the medical and surgical department at Mount Alvernia Hospital in Singapore.

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19 August 2020
Meeting with Chief Public Health Officer for SA Health

Thank you to Associate Professor Nicola Spurrier and her team of health experts who joined AMRC staff yesterday to discuss ongoing collaboration in supporting migrant and refugee communities in South Australia. The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier and The Honourable Steven Marshall MP, Premier of South Australia, were acknowledged in speeches and AMRC youth workers thanked Professor Spurrier and her team for keeping us safe in SA.

Eugenia Tsoulis OAM
Chief Executive Officer

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10 August 2020
Heart-breaking stories of persecution shared
Picture: The Border Watch
As published in The Border Watch
Written by Todd Lewis.

Photo: Trauma Retold: Australian Migrant Resource Centre Mount Gambier manager Anelia Blackie and Yazidi Ahmed Murad share the harrowing story of Adolah Abbaso at yesterday’s commemoration at City Hall (credit: The Border Watch). 

The pain and trauma was etched on the faces of Mount Gambier’s Yazidi community when they came together at City Hall yesterday to commemorate the night they were attacked by Islamic State militants.

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4 August 2020
Stories of Achievement from New Australians of Refugee Background
Photo: Raghad Dib

Four years ago, Raghad Dib was resettled in South Australia with her family through the AMRC’s previous Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS). The 19-year-old studied at the Adelaide Secondary School of English and completed a Certificate III in Business through TAFE SA. She achieved an exceptional ATAR score and enrolled in a Bachelor of Optometry through the Flinders University. She is in her first year of university studies and is currently volunteering with the AMRC. “I had big dreams when I first arrived, but I found it was very hard to make an entry into the workplace or to get a job.

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4 August 2020
Stories of Achievement from New Australians of Refugee Background
Photo: Faidah Omar

Faidah Omar fled the Syrian war and resettled in South Australia in 2016. Following her resettlement, she past her learner’s test to obtain a learner’s permit. She now holds a South Australian driver’s licence. “I think I am the first woman in the Syrian community to get a driver’s licence. I need it to send my children to school, to their sporting activities and to do shopping.” Currently, she is volunteering at an ethnic school, whereby she teaches children of Syrian background from ages 9 to 10. “I am proud to see that 5 of the children can read and write in Arabic well.

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4 August 2020
Sister Act
Photo: Sister Act with Cathy Clemow from Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland SA.

Sister Act delivered by the Murraylands MRC commenced in late July and trains migrant and refugee women on alternative pathways to employment, including social enterprise, self-employment, tourism etc. Guest speakers included Cathy Clemow from Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland SA; Carolyn Jeffrey, Founder of BizNatal – Small Business Incubator; and Chioma Amaechi, lawyer, solicitor and migration agent at CA Legal and Migration. The project is funded by the Department of Human Services and supported by the AMRC and Rural City of Murray Bridge, Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland SA, Rotary Club of Murray Bridge and the Murraylands Multicultural Network.

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24 July 2020
Family Budgeting
Photo: Melissa Heywood (far left), Energy Efficiency Advisor, Uniting Communities with participants.

Family budgeting in partnership with Uniting Communities with new arrival families of Bhutanese, Syrian and Indian background. Participants were empowered with financial education including how to budget and navigate household utilities amid Coronavirus. Feedback from participants included: “This workshop was very useful and much needed during this time.”

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20 July 2020
Racism is not acceptable
Photo credit: Australian Government

Information and support is available at Help Stop Racism and in a range of community languages at Racism is Not Acceptable – Translations.

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13 July 2020
Bright Sparks – achieving through pathways to employment

“I wish to encourage more women from my community to become employed, independent and to contribute to the family income,” Lyly Zarchiwin Cinzah said. Lyly is of Karen background and is employed full-time as a packer at Seven Point Australian Pork in Port Wakefield. Previously, Lyly worked at Labour Solutions Australia before gaining full-time employment. Lyly and her husband Ngun Sang Cinzah were resettled in May 2015. “We were well-supported by the AMRC in obtaining casual and full-time employment after completing our TAFE SA courses.

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13 July 2020
Bright Sparks – achieving through pathways to employment

Six women from a diversity of backgrounds and from the AMRC Women’s Empowerment Program participated in a TAFE SA session to register for a Certificate II in Food Processing, and to tour the kitchen and campus facilities.

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7 July 2020
Bright Sparks – achieving through pathways to employment
Photo: Ameyo Elizabeth Ameganvi (second on the left) mentoring participants at an AMRC volunteer induction training session in February 2020.

Ameyo Elizabeth Ameganvi was born in Togo and at the age of five, she left Togo and moved to Ghana as a refugee. She arrived in Australia in 2007. She graduated with first class honours in her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of South Australia in 2019. She has launched her own social enterprise in fashion, with half of the profits going towards assisting orphans in rural areas of Togo. She volunteered at the AMRC and has recently started working as a case manager in the youth area at Anglicare SA.

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7 July 2020
Bright Sparks – achieving through pathways to employment
Photo: Ethan Trinh (middle) at the DriveAbout App Launch in 2019.

“My father volunteered with the AMRC and he inspired me with stories of how one person can make a difference. He was right. I also completed my Year 10 work placement at the AMRC. I helped people in reading and writing. I also learned leadership and teamwork.” Ethan, aged 17, was born in Australia. His father and grandparents were born in Vietnam. He completed his work placement with the AMRC. He was trained as a volunteer and participated in the AMRC’s Youth Leadership and Empowerment Program.

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7 July 2020
Bright Sparks – achieving through pathways to employment
Photo: Hari Chhetri (far right) and Damber Chhetri (next to Hari) with other AMRC volunteers at the South Australian Migrant Small Business Expo in 2018.

Hari Chhetri is working at Jack Young Centre in Salisbury and is a board member at the Morella Community Centre. Both Hari and his wife Damber Chhetri were resettled in South Australia in May 2018, after spending 26 years as refugees in Nepal. “We were prepared for our new life in Australia. We both speak English, and with the support of many services including the AMRC, we felt at home and welcomed,” Hari said. Hari worked as a diplomat for the Royal Government of Bhutan for 15 years at offshore posts including India, the United Nations in New York and Kuwait.

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6 July 2020
Bright Sparks – achieving through pathways to employment
Photo: Sam Seo presenting at the Youth Symposium by the AMRC and Commissioner for Children and Young People SA in 2018.

Recently, Sam Seo was promoted as a Program Coordinator (Computing & IT) of the Higher Education Program at the Eynesbury Senior College in Adelaide. Previously, he worked as a lecturer at the college and also coordinated pathways to tertiary education for migrants and international students from India, Pacific Islands, China and Nepal. He was born in Malaysia, and studied and worked in the Solomon Islands. Despite his skillset and being multilingual in lanaguges including Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese and Bahasa Malaysian, he found it challenging to get a job.

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30 June 2020
Novel Coronavirus Community Update – Department of Home Affairs

Dear Community Leaders
Thank you again for your level of engagement with us and the support you have offered to your communities through the immediate response and now into our recovery phase.

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24 June 2020
Stories of Achievement from Families of Migrant Background
Photo: Hebang Zhang and Baojiao Wu (credit: John Scarvelis Facebook Page 2020)

Three migrant families of Chinese background living in Murray Bridge were visited by the Chair of the Murraylands Multicultural Network John Scarvelis and Murraylands MRC Settlement Officer Bao Luo. The families come from Minqing County located in the eastern Fujian Province of China and have used agriculture to keep themselves busy amid Coronavirus by growing winter vegetables. Among the families visited were Hebang Zhang and his wife Baojiao Wu, who have resided in Murray Bridge for 15 years. Hebang worked for Thomas Foods International and now works at a mushroom farm alongside 80 other people of Chinese background from Murray Bridge.

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22 June 2020
UniSA leads community engagement with ARC Linkage Grants
Written by University of South Australia.

Media Release, 22 May 2020

The University of South Australia has been awarded almost $1.5 million in research grants through the ARC Linkage Grants Scheme, which will be matched with almost $3 million in cash and in-kind support from industry and stakeholder partners, to conduct research projects designed to improve sustainability and community wellbeing.

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22 June 2020
Stories of Achievement from New Australians of Refugee Background

Vannady is 31 years old and arrived in Australia with his family in 2019. He is of Cambodian background and received assistance from the AMRC’s Specialised and Intensive Services (SIS) Program. The SIS Program assisted Vannady to apply for NDIS which was successful. He was referred to the AMRC’s NDIS Program after receiving his NDIS plan. Through the NDIS Program, he receives support coordination and core supports with the assistance of an AMRC support worker of Cambodian background who speaks Khmer – Vannady’s language.

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22 June 2020
Stories of Achievement from New Australians of Refugee Background
Photo: Sadiki painting The Great Wall of Cultures mural.

Sadiki Kamuldele of Congolese background lived near the Congo/Rwanda border for 21 years. He was 21 years old when he fled to a refugee camp in Zambia in 2003. He lived in the camp for 13 years and arrived in Mount Gambier in 2015. When he arrived in Mount Gambier, Sadiki expressed an interest in developing his artistic skills. His desire was to paint murals after learning how to paint them while living in refugee camps. The Mount Gambier MRC linked Sadiki with various individuals and organisations to open opportunities for him. Sadiki started off by painting murals on a volunteer basis and quickly became well-respected and admired as a local artist.

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22 June 2020
World Refugee Day Video Launch 2020
Photo credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

World Refugee Day Video Launch by His Excellency The Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia, acknowledging and celebrating the strength, courage and perseverance of refugees globally.
Eugenia Tsoulis OAM
Convenor, SA Refugee Week Committee
Chief Executive Officer, AMRC

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19 June 2020
Stories of Achievement from New Australians of Refugee Background

Marwa Naji, aged 18, arrived in Australia with her family in 2016. Her family fled the Syrian war and sought refuge in Jordon until they were resettled in Australia. “The main thing I struggled with when I first came to Australia was the language and communicating with others.” She overcame this by attending school, making friends and participating in the AMRC’s Youth Empowerment and Leadership Program, which helped to further develop her confidence and leadership skills. She had an ATAR score of 89 and was accepted to study a Bachelor of Podiatry at the University of South Australia.

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19 June 2020
Stories of Achievement from New Australians of Refugee Background

Since a young age, Nyiel Kon Dhal has always wanted to become a news reader. “When I was young, I made up my mind to become a news reader and to report on inspiring people.” She is in her first year of studying a Bachelor of Communication and Professional Writing degree at the University of South Australia, while working part-time. She worked as a football umpire with the South Australian National Football League for a year and played for the Koala Netball team based in Elizabeth. She has produced videos for musical and cultural events in the South Sudanese community.

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16 June 2020
SA Refugee Week Video Launch 2020
Photo credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

Refugee Week 2020
Reflecting and acknowledging the courage, resilience, contribution and achievements of refugees globally and the many Australians of refugee background who have helped make our country a multicultural success!
Eugenia Tsoulis OAM
Convenor, SA Refugee Week Committee
Chief Executive Officer, AMRC

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12 June 2020
Launch of Youth Poster Exhibition and Awards, and Launch of SA Refugee Week
Photo credit: Manet Multimedia 2019

A year ago today was the Launch of Youth Poster Exhibition and Awards, and Launch of SA Refugee Week. Stay tuned for our SA Refugee Week Video Launch by The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier, happening today and the World Refugee Day Video Launch by His Excellency The Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia, happening next Friday 19 June 2020.

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2 June 2020
A message from the AMRC

AMRC Telephone and Emergency Services Contacts

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29 May 2020
Message from the Premier and Assistant Minister to the Premier

We have announced important changes to South Australia’s Roadmap for Easing COVID-19 Restrictions.

To fast-track our road to recovery in a safe and responsible way, step 2 has been brought forward to June 1.

Multicultural community centres and places of worship will now be permitted to have 20 people per room, up to a maximum of 80, on their premises as long as they comply with appropriate safeguards and honour the social distancing measures.

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28 May 2020
SA Employment Opportunities

Some current and near future employment opportunities in SA.

1. Harvest Workers – Port Augusta (135 positions)
Port Augusta | Casual position
We require between 80-135 people to assist in picking and packing Truss grown glasshouse tomatoes in Port Augusta. Work will commence June through to November 2020 and is expected to last for a period of 6 to 9…

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26 May 2020
Escaping ISIS: Terror and Survival
Picture: Sandra Morello
As published in The Border Watch
Written by Sandra Morello.

Photo: A story of survival: Ahmed Murad reflects on his life as he sits along Mount Gambier’s rail corridor.

Mount Gambier migrant reveals heart-breaking journey and fears for family in Iraq as he builds new life in Australia

Ahmed Murad is determined to share his harrowing story in a final act of resistance and hope.

Sitting motionless at the Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre, Ahmed struggles to articulate the horror unleashed on his family and homeland.

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15 May 2020
Coronavirus messaging translators step up in their communities to fight against misinformation
As published in ABC South East SA
Written by Bec Whetham.

Photo: Vincent Uwimana (right) has been translating coronavirus information for local Congolese (Credit: ABC South East SA, Bec Whetham).

Vincent Uwimana did not set out intending to be the go-to source of coronavirus health information for his Congolese community.

But when he discovered some people were relying on traditional medicines to prevent coronavirus — like inhaling onion, orange, and hot water — the 26-year-old knew he had to do something.

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14 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: English Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for the final part of the cultural video project.

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14 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: English Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video featured Mabok Deng Mabok Marial, Chairperson of the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA) and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and ACCSA, informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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14 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: Dinka Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video featured South Australia Police Community Constable Dr. Juma Abuyi speaking in the Dinka language and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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12 May 2020
Launch of Living and Working in Regional South Australia Report

The launch of the Living and Working in Regional South Australia: A Case Study of Three Towns report was launched on Friday 8th of May 2020 by The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier and hosted by the Rural City of Murray Bridge Mayor Brenton Lewis at the council chambers. The report was a collaboration between the AMRC and Hugo Research Centre for Migration, Population and Housing, University of Adelaide. To obtain a copy of the report, visit the publication section of the AMRC website.

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12 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service: Cultural Video Project Part 1
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

Part one of the cultural video project by the AMRC and African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for part two of the project.

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11 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: English Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video featured South Australia Police Community Constable Dr. Juma Abuyi and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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11 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: Dari Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video featured Yasin Hassanyar, Chairperson of Multicultural Youth Link SA, speaking in the Dari language and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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11 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: Arabic Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video featured AMRC staff Sara Al-Kufish speaking in the Arabic language and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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11 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: Kissi Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video featured George Fomba, Chairperson of Diompillor Kissia SA, speaking in the Kissi language and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

+ Read more
11 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: English Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video featured George Fomba, Chairperson of Diompillor Kissia SA and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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8 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: Liberian English Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video featured George Fomba, Chairperson of Diompillor Kissia SA, speaking in the Liberian English language and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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8 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: Punjabi Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video is in the Punjabi language and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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8 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: Hindi Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video is in the Hindi language and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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6 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: AMRC
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video featured Michelle Dieu, Manager of the Northern Area MRC and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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6 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: Krio Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video is in the Krio language and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

+ Read more
6 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: Igbo Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video is in the Igbo language and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

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5 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service: Settlement Council of Australia

A case study on the video collaboration between the AMRC and African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA) featured in the Settlement Council of Australia’s (SCoA) newsletter released in May 2020. View the case study below:

At a Glance:

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4 May 2020
Refugee Achievers
Photo: Biak and Soe Thet

Biak aged 24 and Soe Thet aged 34 are originally from Myanmar and worked in the tradie industry in Malaysia before being resettled in South Australia in 2018. Biak was an air conditioning technician and Soe Thet was a tiler. Biak worked at a winery in the Barossa Valley and is attending the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) at TAFE SA. Biak hopes to become a qualified air conditioning technician. Soe Thet is undertaking the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program at TAFE SA and is preparing for White Card Training. Both wish to become qualified tradies and have enlisted the help of the AMRC to achieve their employment pathways.

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4 May 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service Video: Swahili Language
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020

This video is in the Swahili language and is part of the collaboration between the AMRC and the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), informing on precautions to take and the multilingual telephone service implemented by the AMRC and ACCSA amid Coronavirus. Stay tuned for more videos to come in different languages.

+ Read more
29 April 2020
Coronavirus & Multilingual Telephone Service: AMRC and ACCSA Video Collaboration
Video credit: Manet Multimedia 2020
<
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28 April 2020
Launch of a New Report into Migrant Settlement in Regional Towns
Photo: Eugenia Tsoulis OAM, CEO, AMRC; The Hon. Nick McBride M.P. Member for MacKillop; and Erika Vickery OAM, Mayor, Naracoorte Lucindale Council April 2020.

Media Release, 23 April 2020

A new report which documents research into the experiences of migrants settling in the regional towns of Naracoorte, Murray Bridge and Bordertown has been launched by the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC).

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28 April 2020
Essential Care Packages

AMRC volunteers distributing essential care packages to migrant and refugee women and their children amid Coronavirus.

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21 April 2020
Refugee Achievers
Photo: Khual (far left) volunteering at the South Australia Migrant Small Business Expo in August 2019.

Khual was a teacher in Myanmar before fleeing to Thailand and then to Malaysia. Khual and his wife were resettled in South Australia in 2017.  He has completed both an Aged Care and Disability course through Equals International. He also undertook the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) at TAFE SA. He was trained by the AMRC as a bilingual volunteer in leadership, event management and interpreting. He speaks several languages well. “My volunteer placement has provided me with employable skills as a professional. The AMRC has provided me with an entry point in the Australian job market and it has given me an edge.

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20 April 2020
ABC Radio Breakfast Program
Credit: ABC Radio Breakfast Program 2020

Recently, the Mount Gambier MRC Manager Anelia Blackie featured on the ABC Radio Breakfast Program with presenter Selina Green. The interview explored the impact Coronavirus has had on migrant and refugee communities. To listen to the interview, visit the ABC Radio website.

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16 April 2020
Refugee Achievers
Photo: Khup Lam Tuang and Thang Sawn Lien fixing a door.

Khup Lam Tuang (aged 23) and Thang Sawn Lien (aged 21) were young when their mother passed away. They fled Myanmar and were reunited with their father in Kuala Lumpur where they sought refuge. Both brothers worked in restaurants and learned the local dialects. They were finally resettled in South Australia in late 2017 with their father. With support from the AMRC, Khup has completed the first term of his Stage 1 construction course at a training institute and Thang Sawn Lien is currently undertaking a Foundation course. Both brothers are quietly confident and independent, and are keen to become tradies.

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16 April 2020
Refugee Achievers
Photo: Mohammad Sattouf with daughter Rawan and AMRC staff member Hiba Alwani.

Mohammad Sattouf is a fine role model for new arrivals. He wished to contribute to the Australian community and the AMRC supported him to achieve his goals. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels in the north for a year and a half. “I made many Aussie friends at Meals on Wheels and my English has improved. I look forward to getting my Australian citizenship.” Having fled the war in Syria, he resettled in South Australia in 2016 with his wife and four children. He used to run a computer business, which he lost in the war. Recently, he bought a house with a loan from HomeStart Finance.

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8 April 2020
Link Disability Magazine
Photo: The AMRC provides essential support for migrants and refugees with disability (credit: Link Disability Magazine April 2020).

Link Disability Magazine recently published articles regarding the AMRC’s NDIS Program in its April 2020 edition. Read articles below:

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8 April 2020
Newly launched resource for young people – hub
Credit: hub 2020, Commissioner for Children and Young People SA

Introducing the ‘hub,’ a newly launched resource for young people living in South Australia by Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children and Young People SA. The ‘hub’ is an online public resource for young South Australians to visit, hang out, keep up to date, have a say and connect with other young South Australians. Click on the link to visit the ‘hub.’

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6 April 2020
AMRC Try, Test and Learn – Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) Program
Photo: MinLi (left)

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) newsletter released by TAFE SA featured an article regarding MinLi, a participant of the AMRC’s WEIA Program. Read MinLi’s article below:

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1 April 2020
Cancellation Notice: SA Refugee Week (14 June – 20 June 2020)
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1 April 2020
Services Australia – Coronavirus (COVID–19)

Please see link to the Services Australia – Affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) – access to the latest information via the Services Australia Website.

There are a number of different methods customers can choose to access their services or register an intention to claim a payment, some of which are covered below:

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25 March 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheets in Multiple Languages

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs has released COVID-19 fact sheets in a range of languages including:

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23 March 2020
Our Young Achievers
Photo: Ramuana on the job.

At the age of 21, Ramuana arrived in Australia as a humanitarian entrant from Myanmar with his sibling. Being shy and lacking confidence to speak English, he was encouraged to join youth training and leadership opportunities by the AMRC. He actively participated in the AMRC’s Youth Empowerment and Leadership Program, and encouraged other new arrival Matu youth members to join the program. Through the program, he was able to develop his confidence and leadership skills to complete a forklift certificate and undergo training in installing NBN cables.

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23 March 2020
Harmony Day Concerts

Here’s some photos of past Harmony Day concerts. We will regroup again to showcase migrant and refugee talent in 2021.

Eugenia Tsoulis OAM
Chief Executive Officer

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23 March 2020
Great Wall of Cultures Launch
Photo: Mount Gambier artist Sadiki Kamundele painting along the driveway of the Mount Gambier MRC.

Great Wall of Cultures Launch
Congratulations to the artists, young people and Mount Gambier MRC staff for an inspiring mural ‘Great Wall of Cultures’ to have been launched today.

Eugenia Tsoulis OAM
Chief Executive Officer

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23 March 2020
Harmony Day
Photo: Launch of In Our Own Voices Exhibition, Twenty Winters Book and Nowruz Festival 2019 (left), and Rumi In Our Own Voices Concert 2017 (right).

We wish our clients, colleagues, staff, volunteers and friends a happy Harmony Week and for those celebrating Nowruz, a happy New Year. We will be here to support you through these challenging times.

Eugenia Tsoulis OAM
Chief Executive Officer

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23 March 2020
Café Musica

To celebrate Harmony Week, enjoy photos from Café Musica supporting solo artists and groups to workshop their music. We are ready for a big celebration in 2021.

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20 March 2020
Our Young Achievers
Photo: Sushanta Chapagai

Sushanta Chapagai has always dreamed of becoming a Youth Parliamentarian and has applied to become one with the support of the AMRC. “I wish to be a role model for young women in leadership roles.” The 21-year-old is a sports consultant working with players from the Prince Alfred Organisation of Football Club. She has been recruited by the Australian Football League (AFL) as a trainee physiotherapist and holds a part-time job at a café, whilst volunteering with the AMRC as a youth leader. She holds a Diploma in Health Science from the South Australian Institute of Business and Technology, and is currently in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree at the University of South Australia with assistance from a study grant.

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20 March 2020
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) community update no. 3

Dear Community Leaders

We understand this afternoon the Prime Minister made a further announcement regarding travel restrictions. We have not yet received official advice on the details of this, however once we do we will send you a further update.

In addition, yesterday the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) raised Australia’s travel warning to “Do not travel overseas at this time.” DFAT further advises “If you wish to return home, do so as soon as possible.”

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16 March 2020
Cancellation Notice of the Great Wall of Cultures Launch

Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) regret to inform you that the launch of the Great Wall of Cultures (scheduled on Monday 23 March 2020) has been cancelled due to the state of emergency to minimise risk of the Coronavirus infection. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Sincerely,
Eugenia Tsoulis OAM
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC)

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16 March 2020
Cancellation Notice for Africa Oye Concert

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) and African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA) regret to inform you that the Africa Oye Concert (scheduled on Saturday 28 March 2020) has been cancelled due to the state of emergency to minimise risk of the Coronavirus infection. We have done this to safe guard the health of our client groups, performers and other participants. AMRC and ACCSA sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Sincerely,
Eugenia Tsoulis OAM
Chief Executive Officer
AMRC

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16 March 2020
Cancellation Notice for 20th Nowruz New Year Festival

The Middle Eastern Communities Council of SA (MECCSA) and the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) regret to inform you that this year’s Nowruz Festival (scheduled on Saturday 21 March 2020) has been cancelled due to the state of emergency to minimise risk of the Coronavirus infection. MECCSA and the AMRC sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your understanding, and hope you and your loved ones stay well and safe.

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10 March 2020
Bordertown MRC’s English Language Classes

English classes have started with gusto in the Bordertown MRC, with about 15 women students wanting more class days to learn and to take advantage of opportunities for engaging with the committed community volunteer teachers. Our recent consultations with the women have told us how much the women are enjoying engaging with technology, socialising in their new environment and meeting new community friends who are helping them to navigate the English language and systems. The women have voiced their needs and the Bordertown MRC will focus on trying to meet these during 2020.

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5 March 2020
International Women’s Day Forum – Sharing Our Achievements
Photo credit: Ray Caird

In case you missed it, 400 women of migrant and refugee background came together to celebrate their achievements and special occasion. Thank you to guest speakers and The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier, as well as participants and organisers. For more photos, visit the gallery section of the AMRC website. 

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21 February 2020
Connecting Settlement and Community Services Forum
Photo: Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children and Young People SA; Professor Colleen McLaughlin, Director of Educational Innovation, University of Cambridge; Dr Nina Maadad, Senior lecturer, University of Adelaide; Andrew Cummings, Youth Trainer and Consultant; Zahra Bayani, Student, Thebarton Senior College; Ackim Mulumba, Youth President, Congolese Community of SA; and Cynthia Caird, Community Services Manager, AMRC.

It was a terrific start to the first Connecting Settlement and Community Services (CSCS) Forum of the year in partnership with the Commissioner for Children and Young People. Participants listened to presentations focusing on Youth Education and Employment, followed by an open forum and networking. Thank you to guest speakers Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children and Young People SA; Professor Colleen McLaughlin, Director of Educational Innovation, University of Cambridge; Dr Nina Maadad, Senior lecturer, University of Adelaide; Andrew Cummings, Youth Trainer and Consultant; Zahra Bayani, Student, Thebarton Senior College; and Ackim Mulumba, Youth President, Congolese Community of SA.

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13 February 2020
First of many great donations to come
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by The Naracoorte Herald.

The Dollars 4 Doonas campaign is off to a booming start with a $15,720 donation from the Hazara community.

“As members of the Naracoorte community, we are very happy to be part of (the) efforts to raise funds for the Dollars 4 Doonas campaign,” the Hazara community said.

“Our families have been deeply touched by the images of fire that have scorched the lives of so many. We would also like to express our thanks to the firefighters who fought these blazes.”

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5 February 2020
Cultural art showcase
Picture: Anelia Blackie
As published in The Border Watch
Written by Sandra Morello.

Photo: Creativity: Mount Gambier artist Sadiki Kamundele paints a mural along the driveway of the Migrant Resource centre on Eleanor Street.

Public artwork captures city diversity with rail corridor installation

Mount Gambier’s rich tapestry of cultures will be captured in a new public art installation along the city’s rail corridor.

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4 February 2020
Stories of Achieving New Australians
Photo: Teresa (first row) photographed with her team members.

Teresa Dhuor Jiel was resettled in Australia in 2016 at the age of 13. She was resettled with her mother and four younger siblings from South Sudan. Now 16 years old and in Year 11, Teresa hopes to become a nurse in the future and was recently recruited as a player for the Adelaide University’s female soccer team. She has been playing soccer since a young age. “I have not stopped playing soccer since I arrived – it’s my passion. I watched my big brother play and I was inspired to play. I played for Croydon’s senior women’s team at the age of 14.

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4 February 2020
Stories of Achieving New Australians
Photo: Bawi Peng (left)

Bawi Peng aged 20 and younger sister Sui Ni aged 18 arrived in South Australia a year ago from Myanmar, after being sponsored by their mother. Bawi Peng studied at Thebarton Senior College and is passionate about sport. He actively participants in the soccer team of the Burmese Chin Community in South Australia, and plays table tennis and badminton. Last year, he defeated 14 contestants to win the championship title in the table tennis competition hosted by the Burmese Chin Community in SA. In the future, he hopes to become a physical education teacher or a sports coach.

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4 February 2020
Stories of Achieving New Australians
Photo: Atifa Moheba (right), Shikoba Moheba (left) and Mahbabu Zahidi (centre) with AMRC Settlement Officer Deng Manyuon

Atifa Moheba fled Afghanistan with her parents and four siblings. The family arrived in Iran as refugees and were resettled in Australia as humanitarian entrants in 2017. “I appreciate how it feels to be safe and free from fear. Young women have limited opportunities back home. When I was young, I missed out on early education. I want to get a good education,” Atifa said. She is studying a nursing degree at the University of South Australia and hopes to work in a hospital when she graduates. Atifa’s sister Shikoba Moheba aged 18 is in her first year of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia.

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4 February 2020
Stories of Achieving New Australians
Photo: Robin Thang (left) and Lian Thang (right)

Lian Thang and Robin Thang were resettled in South Australia as humanitarian entrants from Myanmar. Lian arrived in 2018 and Robin arrived in 2017 with his family. Robin is working at a food processing plant and Lian is working at an international hotel on North Terrace, Adelaide. Lian is the Deputy President of the Matu Community in South Australia and has coordinated community consultations with Northern Area MRC to assist members of the community to achieve full participation and opportunity in the South Australian community, and to provide training on good governance practices.

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4 February 2020
Great Wall of Cultures
Photo: Sadiki Kamundele, Artist, Great Wall of Cultures

The Great Wall of Cultures initiative by Mount Gambier MRC is attracting plenty of attention! Mount Gambier’s Fringe Facebook channel has published a video about the mural project, which brought together culturally diverse young people to input into the mural that represents different cultures in the Mount Gambier community.

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4 February 2020
Pay Our Respects
Photo: Community women photographed with Ms Carolyn Power MP, Assistant Minister for Domestic and Family Violence Prevention; and The Honourable Rachel Sanderson MP, Minister for Child Protection.

Recently, community women participated in the ‘Pay Our Respects’ event on the steps of Parliament House. Community women held place cards to represent the story and number of women who lost their lives to domestic violence in 2019.

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13 January 2020
Settlement Council of Australia (SCoA) – Chief Executive Officer Position

The Settlement Council of Australia (SCoA) is the national peak body representing more than 100 member organisations that deliver effective settlement services across Australia to migrants, especially those of refugee background. SCoA is seeking a CEO to work closely with the SCoA Board to oversee and deliver the work of the organisation.

For further information about the position, visit the SCoA website.

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13 January 2020
End of Year Event

Wrapping up 2019 was a lovely end of year event by the African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA) and the AMRC, celebrating achievements of ACCSA.

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2 January 2020
Young jet Mojtaba’s soccer career flying
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by Laura Sneath.

Naracoorte United Soccer Club’s young gun Mojtaba Ali has been impressing scouts all year.

The 14-year-old recently finished two back-to-back soccer competitions, one of which took him all the way to Singapore.

The first competition was Nationals, which saw South Australia’s best under 14s players grouped in two teams and travel to Coffs Harbour to represent their state.

“For that, we had training Saturday, Monday and Thursday in Adelaide. I (trained) for about two months.”

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27 November 2019
Community Constable Reedah Zaffar
Photo: Community Constable Reedah Zaffar photographed with The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier, and other participants during the Launch of the International Women's Day Forum Report 2019

Community Constable Reedah Zaffar joined the South Australian Police on the 6th of June 2019. At the age of 19, she arrived in Australia in 2006 from the Middle East. She completed her Year 12 studies and a Bachelor of International Development at the University of Adelaide.

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25 November 2019
AMRC 2019 Annual General Meeting
Photo: The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier and the Honourable Christopher Kourakis, Chief Justice of the South Australian Supreme Court, photographed with AMRC volunteers (credit: The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier, Facebook Page 2019).

The AMRC held its 2019 Annual General Meeting on the 20th of November 2019 at the Adelaide Town Hall. Over 40 volunteers were acknowledged for their volunteer services and 18 women were acknowledged for their outstanding participation in the Women’s Employment into Action Program – Try, Test and Learn, supported by the Department of Social Services. Youth Achievement Award recipients and finalists were presented with a certificate by Dr Evelyn Yap, Trustee and Secretary, Australian Chinese Medical Association SA, for their outstanding academic and civic achievement.

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22 November 2019
Christmas Parade

Photo: New arrival Yazidis enjoying their first Christmas Parade.

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21 November 2019
South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission Community Forum

Registrations closing soon – book your ticket now!

Hurry! Registrations for the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission Community Forum close at 5pm on Thursday 28 November 2019. Register online now to secure your ticket.

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21 November 2019
Student Poster Exhibition touring to Refugee Health Service
Photo: Best poster for secondary school by Jaeda Masefield, Sacred Heart College.

The Refugee Week 2019 Student Poster Exhibition is on display at the Refugee Health Service until early February 2020. If you are interested to display this exhibition and/or any other of the AMRC’s exhibition, please contact AMRC Arts Coordinator Keith Preston on T: (08) 8217 9503 or E: keith@amrc.org.au

+ Read more
18 November 2019
Limestone Coast Multicultural Soccer Carnival

Photo: Limestone Coast locals playing against Victorian teams.

The Limestone Coast Multicultural Soccer Carnival was a huge success, bringing together migrant and refugee communities through sport. The carnival was coordinated by the Naracoorte Lucindale Council, Naracoorte United Soccer Club, Football Federation South Australia, Football Victoria, Naracoorte United Soccer Club and Naracoorte MRC. The carnival featured in ABC South East SA.

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15 November 2019
Multicultural Soccer Carnival
Picture: Laura Sneath, The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by Laura Sneath.

Victorian soccer player Hakeem Al-Araibi inspired fellow soccer players at today’s Multicultural Soccer Carnival in Naracoorte.

Teams from across the Limestone Coast, Wimmera Mallee and Grampians went head-to-head in the 7-a-side round robin ‘All Nations Cup’.

With a range of players from beginners to avid soccer fans, the day united people from across the region.

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15 November 2019
Friendly faces granted citizenship
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by Laura Sneath.

Photo: New Citizens: Annette Cherrington, Martin Cherrington (New Zealand), Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Erika Vickery, Dong Chen, Pengyu Chen (China), Mohammad Jawad Hassani, Esmatullah Hassani, Jawaher Hassani, Mohammad Hanif Kohzad, Sharif Najafi (Afghanistan) and Anna Vanstone (United Kingdom).

A citizenship ceremony was held in the Naracoorte Council Chambers last Friday to welcome 10 new Australian citizens.

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8 November 2019
Stories of Achieving New Australians

Due to prosecution and discrimination in their hometown, a young Burmese family consisting of Joseph Mang, his wife MoeMoe and their 7-year-old daughter Alice Mangsen arrived in Australia in 2018. They arrived under the Community Support Program through sponsorship of their Australian supporter and the Approved Proposing Organisation AMRC. Joseph Mang has a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science from back home and after his arrival in Australia, he has been able to continue pursuing his career in Australia by enrolling to study a Diploma of Networking through TAFE SA.

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8 November 2019
Australian Service Excellence Standards

The AMRC was recently assessed against the Australian Service Excellence Standards. We are delighted that we have met the requirements to maintain our Certificate Accreditation and Award Level Accreditation as leaders in the sector. “The Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES) team congratulates you on your achievement. Your organisation’s commitment to quality and continuous system improvement is commended. We congratulate you on the tremendous effort by your organisation in achieving the Certificate and Award level in the Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES).

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7 November 2019
Visit by Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Adelaide

Privileged to have had an informal visit by the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Adelaide, Ms He Lanjing, who met with AMRC CEO Eugenia Tsoulis OAM, AMRC board member Tung Shen Chin and AMRC senior staff, to thank us for the support to the new Chinese communities, especially the Murraylands community.

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7 November 2019
Diompillor Kissia South Australia National Convention 2019

The convention brought together leaders across Australia wishing to strengthen and unite their small organisations to further their community’s transition to the South Australian society. Thank you for acknowledging and inviting Eugenia Tsoulis OAM, Chief Executive Officer, AMRC to facilitate governance training. Congratulations to Diompillor Kissia SA for their commitment to their vision and leadership.

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6 November 2019
CSCS Forum and Launch of the International Women’s Day Forum Report

Thank you to The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier, for launching the International Women’s Day Forum Report 2019 to a packed crowd of women and supportive men. Thank you to the Women’s Legal Service (SA), TAFE SA, Muslim Women’s Association of SA, Women’s Employment into Action Program supported by the Department of Social Services through Try, Test and Learn; and the AMRC presenting on regional community settlement and community services research in partnership with the University of Adelaide’s Hugo Centre for Migration and Population Research.

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25 October 2019
Gifts in a Shoebox

Participants of the Chinese women’s empowerment program in Murraylands MRC have packed over 51 shoeboxes with essential items for children, as part of the Operation Christmas Child project run by Samaritans Purse – an international aid organisation.

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25 October 2019
Australian Migration and Settlement Awards 2019

The AMRC and its partners were delighted to be selected as a finalist for the Business Inclusion category of the Australian Migration and Settlement Awards 2019, with Thomas Foods International (TFI) and the Rural City of Murray Bridge. Accepting the award was Morna Young, TFI Group Human Resources Manager, Florina Fernandes, AMRC Deputy Chairperson and Heather Muirhead, Murraylands MRC Community Services Coordinator.

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24 October 2019
Migrant Research Unearths History
Picture: Sandra Morello
As published in The Border Watch
Written by Sandra Morello.

Photo: Science Probe: Hser Eh Ku and Maung Kauk welcome the findings of the world first study with Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre manager Anelia Blackie.

University of Copenhagen study reveals Karen and Karenni origin stories have grounds for scientific base. 

Mount Gambier’s Karen and Karenni communities have been the focus of a world first genetic study of their ancient history to unearth whether oral history can be supported by science.

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15 October 2019
Afghan migrant visits Whyalla to praise ‘unique’ Australia
Picture: Whyalla News
As published in Whyalla News
Written by Greg Mayfield.

Photo: Hopes: Hussain Razaiat, left, Hanif Rahimi, Abdul Hussain Najafi and Yasin Hassanyar attended from the Afghan community.

A visitor to Whyalla paid a poignant tribute to his new homeland of Australia.

Hussain Razaiat was among a group with varying ethnic backgrounds who are being encouraged to consider moving to our city for jobs.

Mr Razaiat spent the past 18 years in Australia after migrating from war-torn Afghanistan.

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15 October 2019
Migrants welcomed to Whyalla
Picture: Whyalla News
As published in Whyalla News
Written by Louis Mayfield.

Photo: Welcome: From left, Middleback Arts Centre Manager Ryan Sutherland, Cielo Haghorne, Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin, Zeleka Habtegiorgis, Whyalla Tourism Focus Group President Barbara Derham, Cynthia Curd, Grace Chiang, Michele Hart and Michael Cresshull at the Whyalla Visitor Centre where a contingent of 50 migrants were welcomed with a special lunch.

The steel city welcomed over 50 skilled migrants from the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) with a special lunch at the Whyalla Visitor Centre on Sunday.

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15 October 2019
Whyalla Tour

The steel city welcomed over 50 migrants, many of refugee background, from the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) with a special lunch at the Whyalla Visitor Centre last weekend.

It marked the beginning of the two-day visit, with participants attending an employment seminar at the Middleback Arts Centre and enjoying a lunch prepared by students from the Edward John Eyre High School.

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11 October 2019
Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston Visit

Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, Minister for Families and Social Services, visited the AMRC today and met with participants of the Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) project, supported by the Department of Social Services through Try, Test and Learn. Participants of Hazara, Bangladeshi, Sudanese, Iranian, Chinese, Nepalese, Lebanese, Bhutanese, Chinese and Burmese background were thrilled to share their personal achievements since commencing the project, including finding employment and furthering their educational studies.

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8 October 2019
Regional Forums

Photo: Regional Forum in Murray Bridge.
 
Privileged to convene two forums, sharing our experiences in living and working in the Murraylands and Naracoorte, Lucindale. Thank you to all participants; very new arrivals from the Congo, Fiji and Samoa, Chinese families and more established communities – Afghanis, Maori, Laotian, Malaysian, Congolese, Sudanese and others. It was inspiring to convene this consultation with over 120 women, men and young people, who gave up their Sunday to share their experiences, challenges and aspirations.

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24 September 2019
Daily Moves Program

The City of Unley coordinates the Daily Moves Program for the councils within the Eastern Adelaide region. Daily Moves is a free supportive physical activity program for adults aged 65 years and above.

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24 September 2019
Governor’s Multicultural Awards 2019

Nominations for the Governor’s Multicultural Awards 2019 are open until Friday 11 October 2019, 5pm. Nominate an individual or organisation that is passionate about making a positive contribution and promoting the state’s cultural diversity. Visit the Multicultural Affairs website for guidelines.

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20 September 2019
Care Workers Training

Photo: Aged Care and NDIS Care Workers with SafeWork SA representative and AMRC staff.

The AMRC regularly provides training to upskill and professionally develop care workers in the Aged Care and NDIS programs to better assist clients in maintaining an active, healthy and independent lifestyle. Recently, care workers participated in a work, health and safety training delivered by the AMRC and SafeWork SA.

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20 September 2019
Multilingual phone app hopes to help cut Australia’s road toll
Report by Stephanie Corsetti, SBS World News Radio

Photo: Clinton Hoffmann, Managing Director, Ambrose Solutions, showing the DriveAbout App to young people during the launch in September 2019. 

The world-first app is a learning tool for motorists who speak Arabic, Spanish, Dari, Vietnamese and Mandarin.

Visit SBS World News Radio to hear about the DriveAbout App report.

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19 September 2019
Art highlights regional cultures
Picture: Sandra Morello, The Border Watch
As published in The Border Watch
Written by The Border Watch.

Cultural Ideas: St Martins Lutheran College students Tayla Doody and Mallory Whiting show their ideas for the cultural mural (Credit: Sandra Morello). 

Students inspired to help design mural in celebration South East diversity

A Blank Mount Gambier fence will be brought to life with a mural proposed to celebrate the city’s melting pot of cultures.

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17 September 2019
DriveAbout App Launch
Photo: The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier, with members from a diversity of communities.

It was a great success with young people, women and ethnic leaders at the DriveAbout App launch by the AMRC, State Government and Ambrose Solutions. To download the app, visit Google Play or the App Store. The app is available free on the App Store and Google Play until 13 October 2019.

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5 September 2019
Limestone Coast Multicultural Soccer Carnival

Media Release by the Naracoorte Lucindale Council

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4 September 2019
Visit by Race Commissioner

Photo: Mr Chin Tan, Race Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC); Ms Gillian Eshman, Senior Policy Adviser, AHRC; Ms Laura Adzanku, Board Member, CMRW; Mr Muhama Yotham, Amazing Northern Multicultural Services; Ms Eugenia Tsoulis OAM, CEO, AMRC; Dilky Wijeyekoon, HSP and SIS Manager, AMRC; Quyen Hoang, SRSS Manager, AMRC; Alex Parken, Corporate Services Manager and Legal Counsel, AMRC; and Michelle Dieu Northern Area MRC Manager.

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2 September 2019
Speak Out Against Family and Domestic Violence Forum

Photo: Ms Eugenia Tsoulis OAM, CEO, AMRC; Mr Hussain Razaiat, Chairperson, Afghan United Association of SA; Ms Stacey Nelan, Workplace Program Advisor, White Ribbon Australia; Ms Berivana Mohamed, Member, Bosnian-Syrian Community of SA; Mr George Fomba, Community Constable, South Australia Police; Ms Patience Odia Diessa, Project Officer, African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA); and Ms Alex Parken, Corporate Services Manager and Legal Counsel, AMRC.

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23 August 2019
Multicultural Cricket Advisory Committee of South Australia (MCACSA)

Congratulations to Hiba Alwani, AMRC representative, who was recently appointed to the Multicultural Cricket Advisory Committee of South Australia (MCACSA). The committee aims to enhance the engagement of people from a diversity of backgrounds, levels and ages in the cricket sport.

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23 August 2019
Ask Maria Project

Photo: Women of the Bordertown community photographed with WLSSA Paralegal Chloe Fragos.

Consultations were held in Bordertown with migrant and refugee women, as part of the Ask Maria project by Women’s Legal Service SA (WLSSA). Participants were empowered with knowledge on women’s rights, the Australian legal system and how to access support services. Consultation outcomes will be used in the online interactive resource being developed by WLSSA for women and their children in regional South Australia.

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19 August 2019
Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA)

Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) is one of several AMRC initiatives to encourage refugee and migrant women in Adelaide to pursue education and employment participation pathways.

The WEIA program aims to address issues hindering refugee and migrant women entering the workforce and to provide them with the opportunity to break cultural stereotypes, explore potential employment pathways and develop skills around networking, personal growth and engagement in the care industry.

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15 August 2019
Naracoorte community groups lend a hand to widowed migrant
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by The Naracoorte Herald.

Photo: Thanks: Thipphasone Xaysavanh thanks Lion Ian Davey (left) and Rotarian Ellis Roberts for the donations from their community groups.

Donations from two Naracoorte community groups have enabled a widowed single mum to gain a driver’s licence which was otherwise out of her reach.

Laos migrant Thipphasone Xaysavanh has lived in Australia for 12 years, the last few in Naracoorte, but her life took a turn for the worse last year when her husband died suddenly.

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15 August 2019
Connecting Settlement and Community Services (CSCS) Roundtable

A Families and Children themed roundtable was held as part of the Connecting Settlement and Community Services (CSCS). The roundtables identified priority issues and areas to be addressed for new arrival families. Guest speakers were Sophie Allouache, Senior Project Officer, Parenting and Family Support Programs, Department of Human Services; and Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children and Young People.

For roundtable photos, visit the gallery section of the AMRC website.

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15 August 2019
Mortal Kombat Casting Call

Heesom Casting are opening their doors to any and all Adelaide residents who wish to appear as Extras in the major blockbuster feature film, Mortal Kombat.

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14 August 2019
Community Support Program (CSP) Information Session

It was a great start to the morning with a welcome gathering for over 50 new arrivals from a diversity of backgrounds. The morning session focused on the Community Support Program (CSP), reuniting and settling refugees from overseas. Participants were enlightened about employment and educational opportunities including those in Whyalla from Andrea Genuth, Manager – SA, Chandler Macleod.

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8 August 2019
Connecting Women Health Workshop

A connecting women’s health workshop was held at the Adelaide Multicultural Centre with guest speaker Jacqueline Riviere, Culturally and Linguistic Diverse (CALD) Project Officer at SA Health.

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8 August 2019
Ethnic Leaders Consultation

Key community participants contributed their advice in a consultation regarding the Governance Toolkit for community organisations being developed by the Settlement Council of Australia (SCoA) and the AMRC. The toolkit aims to support small settlement organisations with information and training on good governance practices.

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7 August 2019
Limestone Coast Visit

The AMRC had a productive tour of Limestone Coast towns, working in partnership with local government, industry groups and service providers. The Settlement Council of Australia’s (SCoA) CEO Tammy Wolffs accompanied AMRC CEO Eugenia Tsoulis OAM on the visit. Some terrific highlights were the Bordertown Connecting Settlement and Community Services (CSCS) forum, the consultation and welcome lunch for new arrivals of Yazidi background in Mount Gambier and the consultation with members of the Chinese community in Naracoorte. Visit the + Read more

30 July 2019
ILC Ready
Transcript by the AMRC featured in the ILC Ready webinar presented by the Community Business Bureau.

Our first hot tip: when designing your project, identify your strengths, and build on them.

You don’t need to be an NDIS Provider, or even work in the disability sector.

You may have a special skill, that can make a difference through an ILC grant.

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre is a user-led organisation helping newly arrived migrants settle into life in Australia. They are governed by new and emerging migrant communities, and staffed by people from those communities.

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22 July 2019
Living and Working in Whyalla Expo
Photo: The Honourable Vicki Chapman MP, Deputy Premier; Mayor Clare McLaughlin, Whyalla City Council; Chris Cowley, Chief Executive Officer, Whyalla City Council; David Penfold, Economic Development Manager, Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula; Professor Carol Grech, University of South Australia; Robin O’Dea, Manager Regions Whyalla, TAFESA; Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children and Young People SA; Hanif Rahimi, Member, Afghan Community of SA; His Honour Judge Rauf Soulio, Chairperson, AMRC; and Ms Eugenia Tsoulis, OAM, CEO, AMRC.

It was a fantastic evening for community and ethnic leaders, prospective workers and their families, who were enlightened about the various educational and employment opportunities available in Whyalla.

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19 July 2019
Bordertown students enjoy agriculture excursion
Picture: The Border Chronicle
As published in The Border Chronicle
Written by Taylor Harvey.

Photo: New Pathway: Students from Bordertown High School had the opportunity to see what agricultural pathways they could choose to go down (Credit: The Border Chronicle 2019). 

Twenty-one students from Bordertown High School enjoyed a full day excursion visiting a number of agricultural based businesses and enterprises in Bordertown on July 4.

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18 July 2019
Stories of Achieving New Australians
Photo: Jamal photographed with AMRC Settlement Officer Firas Habib.

Jamal Ssaid Ahmad arrived in Australia in 2016 with his family. Jamal and his family are the first Syrian family to pass the citizenship test. The family were regular participants at the Understanding Civic Responsibilities and English Language classes held at the Northern Area MRC, involving citizenship preparation and learning about the Australian culture. A positive outcome has included 20 families approaching the AMRC to start their citizenship preparation. “I am so grateful – you helped me prepare and I passed the citizenship test.

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18 July 2019
Youth Parliament 2019
Photo: Standing tall are members of AMRC’s Youth Parliament team 2019 with AMRC Arts Coordinator and mentor Keith Preston.

It was a riveting start to this year’s Youth Parliament on Monday 15th of July 2019, with our young women leaders doing us proud at Parliament House.

Stay tuned on our website and Facebook channel for what’s to come from this amazing group of women in their quest to tackle issues of concern and interest to young people.

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15 July 2019
Ethnic fashion event showcases stories from across the world
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by The Naracoorte Herald.

The Ethnic Fashions event held on Sunday June 23 as part of Refugee Week had a diverse cross section of models and audience members as women and children from Laos, Thailand, China and Afghanistan.

The event was hosted by the Limestone Coast Ladies CWA, the Migrant Resource Centre, and the Department of Human Services at Gather on Gordon, with proprietor Tanya Ham and her crew working tirelessly to assist with the event.

Caroline Menzel, the Limestone Coast Volunteer Coordinator, was also of great assistance.

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15 July 2019
Youth Innovation – Bridging Agriculture Project
Photo: The Border Chronicle 2019.

Over 20 young people of migrant and refugee background from Bordertown High School enjoyed an excursion to various agricultural based businesses. The excursion was part of the Youth Innovation – Bridging Agriculture project delivered by Bordertown MRC, which aims to provide students with an opportunity to explore career pathways in the agricultural sector.

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15 July 2019
Stories of Achieving New Australians
Photo: Five Karen-speaking workers working hard on the job.

Five people of Karen background have been employed in the forestry and logging industry in Mount Gambier. Mount Gambier MRC in partnership with Badenoch Logging held numerous employment workshops last year and this year to assist people of migrant and refugee background in their pathway to employment. Another positive outcome of this partnership includes a migrant of Filipino background being linked to Badenoch Logging.

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12 July 2019
Community Services Coordinator Position

The AMRC is seeking applications from experienced multi-skilled professionals who have human services qualifications to provide community services and capacity building coordination to migrants and refugees in the Limestone Coast.

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2 July 2019
59th Independence Day Anniversary

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) Chief Executive Officer, Ms Eugenia Tsoulis OAM, was honoured to be invited as a guest speaker by the Congolese Community of South Australia at their 59th Independence Day Anniversary on Saturday 29th of June 2019. The Congolese community is one of the first African communities to be settled by the AMRC in South Australia.

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25 June 2019
Stories of Achieving New Australians
Photo: Vian's banner flying proudly in Victoria Square.

You may already recognise Vian Ammen’s face from her dazzling banner displayed in Victoria Square, but you might not be familiar with her story. Vian arrived in Australia from Iraq in 2017 as a humanitarian entrant, through the AMRC’s Community Proposal Pilot (CPP) Program. She is a graduate architect, who is now working as an architectural draftsperson. To read her full story, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

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25 June 2019
Launch of the Migrant and Refugee Women’s Banners
Photo: Andrew Hill AM

The stunning portraits of 23 migrant and refugee women were launched in Victoria Square to celebrate 125 Years of Women’s Suffrage in South Australia. Thank you to the Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier, for launching the banners and Ms Carolyn Power MP, Assistant Minister for Domestic and Family Violence Prevention, for her inspirational remarks. Don’t miss your opportunity to see these amazing banners on display until Sunday 30th of June 2019.

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20 June 2019
Launch of World Refugee Day 2019
Photo: Manet Multimedia 2019

It was a marvellous Launch of World Refugee Day 2019 at Government House by His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia and Mrs Lan Le. Thank you to all participating local government councils, organisations and individuals in South Australia for a spectacular Refugee Week, commemorating the bravery, determination and strength of refugees globally.

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18 June 2019
Launch of Youth Poster and SA Refugee Week 2019
Photo: Manet Multimedia 2019

It was an exciting start to SA Refugee Week 2019, with both the Launch of the Youth Poster Exhibition and Awards, and the Launch of SA Refugee Week 2019 on Monday 17 June 2019. The launches showcased the power of artwork to bring over 300 people together and provide young people with a voice to raise awareness about key themes and issues of human rights and refugees. Thank you to the Honourable John Gardner MP, Minister for Education; and the Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier, for launching this special occasion and to the 50 participating schools and tertiary institutions.

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12 June 2019
‘Come Together’ Multicultural Festival Grants Program

Applications for the ‘Come Together’ Multicultural Festival Grants close this Friday, 14 June 2019.

Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the 2019 Multicultural Festival – apply for funding through this Grant Program for a performance, activity or stall at this event.

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7 June 2019
Murray Bridge Visit
Recently, the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Adelaide, Ms He Lanjing, visited Murray Bridge and met with Mayor Brenton Lewis, Chair of the Murraylands Multicultural Network (MMN) John Scarvelis, Murraylands MRC staff and members of the Chinese Community Association Murraylands (CCAM).
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30 May 2019
Inaugural Awards Night
Photo: Erika Vickery OAM, Mayor, Naracoorte Lucindale Council; Shagofa Akbari, Student, Naracoorte High School; and Hafeezullah Haidari, Owner, Pearl Continental Australia.

A fantastic awards night was held at Pearl Continental Australia in Naracoorte, with students from the Independent Learning Centre, part of Naracoorte High School, receiving certificates for their work placement at the restaurant owned by Hafeezullah Haidari. Among them was Shagofa Akbari, who arrived in Australia with her family in 2017.

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30 May 2019
Mehdi off to Melbourne
Picture: Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League (KNTFL)
As published in KNTFL
Written by KNTFL.

Photo: Mehdi Ghulami in action in a local junior colts match.

The Bordertown Football Club is very pleased to announce junior colt Mehdi Ghulami has been selected in the World Team Program run by the AFL.

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23 May 2019
National Volunteer Week Celebration

It was a lovely celebration of National Volunteer Week with new arrivals from the Afghan community. Congratulations to Bordertown MRC volunteer Gwen Fisher for receiving a Volunteer of the Year Award. Gwen coordinates the English language classes at Bordertown MRC and has been assisting new arrivals in Bordertown since 2014.

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22 May 2019
Tax, Super + You Competition

The Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) Tax, Super + You competition will return on Monday 3 June 2019.

Students in Year 7–12 are invited to submit creative entries explaining the value tax and/or super brings to the community.

For more information about the competition, visit the ATO’s website.

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22 May 2019
125 Years of Women’s Suffrage in South Australia

Flying proudly in Victoria Square, Adelaide from Sunday 16 June 2019 will be the portraits of 23 women of migrant and refugee background, celebrating 125 Years of Women’s Suffrage in South Australia. Don’t miss your opportunity to see these amazing banners on display until Sunday 30 June 2019.

Visit the AMRC Facebook channel to view one of the banners to be displayed.

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21 May 2019
Launch of Youth Poster Exhibition and Presentation of Awards

What a better way to kick-start SA Refugee Week 2019 then the Launch of the Youth Poster Exhibition and Awards. Join us in seeing the power of artwork to bring people together and provide young people with a voice to raise awareness about important themes and issues surrounding refugees.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday 17 June 2019 at 1pm at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery.

RSVP your attendance to admin@amrc.org.au

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20 May 2019
SA Refugee Week Calendar of Events 2019

The SA Refugee Week Calendar of Events 2019 has just been released by the AMRC and the SA Refugee Week Committee. Here’s your chance to participate in over 30 different events, celebrating the valuable contribution of refugees to South Australia. Be the first to grab your copy of the calendar by visiting the events section on the AMRC website.

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16 May 2019
Bus Tour in Murray Bridge

A wonderful bus tour for 12 Chinese elders part of the Murraylands Multicultural Network (MMN) elders group.

The Chinese elders were welcomed at council chambers by the Rural City of Murray Bridge Mayor Brenton Lewis.

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15 May 2019
New Year celebrated by Lao community and friends
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by Jenny Stirling.

Photo: A Colourful Celebration: Members of the Lao and Thai community, with other invited guests at the New Year’s get together.

On April 20 the Naracoorte Lao community hosted approximately 80 Thai and Cambodian friends, some of whom travelled from Adelaide and Sydney, to celebrate their customary New Year celebrations.

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8 May 2019
Youth Poster Project

Students from Trinity Gardens School participated in the SA Refugee Week Youth Poster project 2019. Read about their art making experience published in the front page of the school’s newsletter.

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8 May 2019
Making Our Voices Heard

An open forum with the In Our Own Voices project initiators and storyteller participants was held on Saturday 4 May 2019 at the Migration Museum.

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6 May 2019
Connecting Settlement and Community Services (CSCS) Meeting

Photo: Sayed Masoud Fakhrizadeh, NDIS participant; Gouzel Valiff and Anna Amirkhanyan, Project Officers, Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA); Ralph Day, Disability Workforce Manager, Northern Futures; and Daniel Leighton, Branch Manager, Information, Linkages and Capacity Building, National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

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2 May 2019
Asif wins Lorry Humphreys Trade Scholarship
Picture: The Border Chronicle
As published in The Border Chronicle
Written by Taylor Harvey.

Photo: Award: Mohammad Asif Abdullahi (left) being presented his scholarship by Tatiara Councillor Robert Mock.

Bordertown’s Mohammad Asif Abdullahi has become the inaugural winner of the Lorry Humphreys Trades Scholarship, which is valued at $5000.

The scholarship is funded from the Lorry Humphreys Sub Fund of Stand Like Stone and has been established in memory of artist Lorraine Humphreys, who left a significant and lasting legacy to the Limestone Coast region.

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2 May 2019
Hafeez’s awards honour shines a light on Naracoorte
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by The Naracoorte Herald.

Photo: Gala: Murtaza, Steve Loe, Senator Michaelia Cash, Tammy Schinckel, Hafeezullah, Murray Burdett, Mayor Erika Vickery, Museen, Julie Burdett, Niamat, Haidari Smart, Saferali, Rhamat Mohebi, Medi.

The 2019 Australian Small Business Champion Awards Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Star Event Centre in Sydney was a big night for Pearl Continental Australia Indian restaurant, Hafeezullah ‘Hafeez’ Haidari, and Naracoorte.

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2 May 2019
Pasin gives support to a soccer carnival in Naracoorte
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by The Naracoorte Herald.

Photo: Kicking Goals: Club president Jon Thurlow, Member for Barker Tony Pasin, MRC coordinator Jenny Stirling, and Mayor Erika Vickery.

Limestone Coast Multicultural Soccer Carnival has received a funding boost of $40,000 from the Federal Government’s Fostering Integration Grant program.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin attended the Naracoorte United Soccer Club last Thursday night to announce the $40,000 in funding.

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17 April 2019
Stories of Achieving New Australians

Photo: Members of the young women’s soccer team with Firas, Settlement Officer, AMRC; and Muthana Al-Boufradi, Chairman, Iraqi Sports Association of SA.

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17 April 2019
Stories of Achieving New Australians

Photo: Cung enjoying his new career pathway.

At the age of 17, Cung of Burmese background, arrived in Australia four years ago. Initially wanting to become an engineer, he decided to switch career pathways to explore aviation. His interest in aviation was inspired when he resided near the Parafield Airport. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Aviation (Management) at the University of South Australia. “I love Wednesdays because that is when I do simulated flying, which is a highlight of my week.”

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15 April 2019
Governance Training Workshop
Some of the AMRC board members and representatives from member organisations at our governance training workshop. Thank you Allison for facilitating an insightful and productive workshop.
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15 April 2019
Chinese Community Consultation in Naracoorte
Privileged to have facilitated a workshop with Chinese community members working in Naracoorte.
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11 April 2019
Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA)

Photo: Some of the Women’s Employment into Action (WEIA) Participants.

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9 April 2019
State politics: migrant workers essential for region
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by Amy Maynard.

Photo: Diversity: Sarah McWaters from Teys Australia, Sandy Talbot from the NLBTA, Hafeezullah Haidari of Pearl Continental Australia, Member for MacKillop Nick McBride, MRC Coordinator Jenny Stirling, and Mayor Erika Vickery at a 2018 Refugee Week celebration.

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8 April 2019
Civic Participation and Citizenship Workshop

Over 30 women leaders from Afghan, Iranian, Eritrean, Sudanese and Filipino background were empowered with knowledge on voting rights during a Civic Participation and Citizenship Workshop delivered in partnership with the Council of Migrant and Refugee Women (CMRW) of SA, Harmony Alliance: Migrant and Refugee Women for Change and the Australian Electoral Commission.

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8 April 2019
Stories of Achieving New Australians

Photo: Njm using his hair stylist skills on a customer.

Njm fled Syria as a refugee with his parents and six other siblings. He resettled in Australia as a humanitarian entrant in 2016. “I remember seeing cockatoos in the gum trees for the first time and I knew my life would be so different. I tasted freedom for the first time. During this time, I wanted a bike more than anything and the AMRC found me a bike. I was so happy riding my bike everywhere,” he said.

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5 April 2019
Veggie Garden

Members of the Mount Gambier MRC Lifeskills Group recently learned from volunteers how to make soup the Australian way. In return, they showed volunteers how to make one of their traditional salads. The group used fresh veggies they harvested from the vegetable garden they developed in the MRC backyard with a grant from the Stand Like Stone Foundation.

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28 March 2019
Asia Mohebi awarded Soroptimist International Naracoorte Denise Grieve scholarship
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by The Naracoorte Herald.

Photo: Worthy Winner: Scholarship winner Asia Mohebi (right) with Soroptimists member Angela Willsmore.

For most school leavers, the thought of moving to the city to continue tertiary education at university is a daunting one. For Naracoorte High School year 12 graduate Asia Mohebi, it is something she has been working towards since she was a child growing up in Afghanistan.

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25 March 2019
Launch of In Our Own Voices Exhibition, Twenty Winters Book and Nowruz
Photo: Andrew Hill AM, Adjunct Professor, School of Art, Architecture and Design, UniSA; Judge Rauf Soulio, Chairperson, AMRC; Hon. Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier; His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia; Dr Hamoudi Aldyni, General Practitioner, Mannum Medical Centre; Elizabeth Ho OAM, Chair, History Trust of SA; Chair, Migration Museum Foundation and Deputy Chair, AMRC; Tarik Beden, Chairperson, Iraqi Community Cultural Association of SA; and Hon. Katrine Hildyard MP, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs (Credit: Fahim Hashimy, Farda Film).

It was a fantastic celebration of the launch of the In Our Own Voices Exhibition, Dr Hamoudi Aldyni’s book ‘Twenty Winters’ and the Middle Eastern New Year Festival Nowruz on Saturday 23 March 2019.

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20 March 2019
Gossip restaurant has opened its doors!
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by Amy Maynard.

Photo: Newest Restaurant in Town: Gossip got its name from being a place where people can eat, drink and talk (Credit: The Naracoorte Herald). 

After months of work Gossip has now opened, with the Malaysian restaurant serving an array of authentic Asian-fusion food.

The proprietor and chef is Eida, who is a former Masterchef contestant in her home country, and who grew up cooking Malay and Thai cuisine.

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19 March 2019
Supported Playgroup sessions at the Michelle DeGaris Memorial Kindergarten
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in The Naracoorte Herald
Written by The Naracoorte Herald.

A new and innovative program will be commencing at Michelle DeGaris Memorial Kindergarten in 2019.

The Centre has employed Sima Gul Muhammadi, a well-known and respected member of the Naracoorte community, to co-ordinate a “Supported Playgroup” session on Thursday mornings from 9.30am to 11.00am.

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19 March 2019
Federal Government backs public art project celebrating cultural diversity in Mount Gambier
Picture: The Border Watch
As published in The Border Watch
Written by The Border Watch.

Photo: Mural Funding: Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre manager Anelia Blackie and Member for Barker Tony Pasin
celebrate the Great Wall of Cultures mural funding announcement with South East migrants.

Large-Scale public mural concept highlighting the South East’s diverse cultural links has received $48,500 in Federal Government funding.

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19 March 2019
Migrant festival pushes ahead to ‘showcase how harmony works’ in wake of Christchurch attacks
Picture: Bec Whetham, ABC South East SA
As published in ABC South East SA
Written by Lucy Robinson and Bec Whetham.

Photo: The festival, called Jam’eh, celebrated Bordertown’s growing migrant population (Credit: Bec Whetham, ABC South East SA).

A small South Australian town has pushed ahead with a festival to celebrate its growing migrant population in the wake of the Christchurch attacks.

The event at Bordertown, in the state’s south east, was almost cancelled after 50 people were killed in shootings at two New Zealand mosques on Friday.

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18 March 2019
Christchurch Message

We, at the AMRC, are hurting for our sisters and brothers killed in Christchurch and send our love, hope and wishes for peace to their families and communities, wherever in the world they may live. We are more determined than ever to actively contribute to our multicultural society, so that love and peace can override hate and violence.

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7 March 2019
Happy International Women’s Day!
Photo: Ray Caird

A remarkable unity of 300 women of migrant and refugee background coming together to celebrate their social and economic achievements for International Women’s Day. The women voiced their challenges and opportunities in their pathway to education, training and employment. Thank you to guest speakers and the Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier, as well as service providers for your support and participation.

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6 March 2019
ABC Youth Innovation – Bridging Agriculture Project
Photo: Mohammad Asif Abdullahi, Year 12 Student, Bordertown High School; and Wayne Klitscher, Branch Manager, Wickham Flower.

As part of the ABC’s Youth Innovation – Bridging Agriculture project, Bordertown MRC in partnership with Bordertown High School provided young people of migrant and refugee background with an opportunity to explore career pathways in various businesses. Mohammad Asif Abdullahi of Afghan background participated in the project, undertaking work experience with Wickham Flower – a local car, farm and machinery dealership. The Year 12 student from Bordertown High School is now undertaking a school-based apprenticeship as a mechanic with Wickham Flower.

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6 March 2019
Hafeez – a national finalist representing Naracoorte
Picture: The Naracoorte Herald
As published in the Naracoorte Herald.
Written by Amy Maynard.

Photo: An Incredible Achievement: (from left) Sajjad, Sandy Talbot, Neville Vickery, Julie Burdett, Hafeezullah Haidari, Murray Burdett, Erika Vickery, Tammy Schinckel, Robyn Talbot, and Mehdi.

Hafeezullah “Hafeez” Haidari will once again be shining the spotlight on Naracoorte at an awards gala, this time at the 2019 Australian Small Business Champion Awards.

Pearl Continental Australia beat out 2000 other entrants to be selected as an Australian Small Business Champion Finalist.

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6 March 2019
Migrant driven to succeed
Picture: Sandra Morello
As published in the Border Watch.
Written by Sandra Morello.

Photo: Special Bond: Top Spot Auto Dismantlers company owner Peter Barrows and new arrival immigrant K’Bow Doh Htoo enjoy a casual chat.

New Mount Gambier arrival finds top spot to start life in Australia

Mount Gambier new arrival immigrant K’Bow Doh Htoo can be seen tinkering beneath cars at a city’s spare parts business.

With a wide smile and positive demeanour, K’Bow is an example how humanitarian immigrants are contributing to the city’s social and economic fabric.

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28 February 2019
Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN)

The Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) is an introductory leadership development program for young people, fully sponsored by Rotary.

For more information about the program, contact: Stephany Martin, District Chair, on E: rypen9520@gmail.com or M: 0439 572 495. To register for the program, visit the RYPEN website.

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25 February 2019
The Migration Museum is connecting hearts
Picture: Migration Museum
Written by Migration Museum.

Media Release, February 2019

The Migration Museum is partnering with artist Penny Ryan to present connecting hearts, a series of free workshops and public events which ask us to think about the question: “Who belongs?”. Current debates on migration often focus on the divide between those who are accepted as belonging and those who aren’t. It is easy to forget the hearts we have in common.

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