Join the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) and over 40,000 South Australians on Australia Day!

Meet us at the GPO Post Office on Franklin Street on Friday 26 January 2018 at 5pm to march to Elder Park, followed by a twilight concert and fireworks.

For further information, visit the AMRC events calendar.

Photo: Senior Social Worker Cory Allesa delivering a My Aged Care Information Workshop at the AMRC with the African community.

The elderly and people with special care needs and their families, of refugee background in new and emerging communities, are assisted by the Australian Migrant Resource Centre’s (AMRC) services to live independently in their own homes, and actively engage and participate in community and social activities, as part of the new Home Care Program.

Photo: ILC Steering Committee first inaugural meeting

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) has formed an ILC Steering Committee with community and ethnic leaders, people with a disability and carers, and other experts, who will assist the AMRC in developing programs and resources to ensure the inclusion of new and emerging communities.

Congratulations to our CEO Eugenia Tsoulis OAM who was named on the 2017 Women’s Honour Roll announced at Government House.

Earlier Eugenia was presented with the inaugural award for life long achievement in empowering migrant and refugee women by the Harmony Alliance: Migrant and Refugee Women for Change.

Her leadership and compassion has inspired all of us connected to the AMRC.

The AMRC received eight donated educational backpacks from the Rotary Club of Edwardstown.

The backpacks were distributed to new arrival children of Ethiopian, Afghan, Iranian and Sudanese backgrounds.

Fun times: Gay Lay Htoo and Ei Plu Soe get ready to try out surfing.

Migrants ‘step out of comfort zone’ to experience popular beach pastime

It was an experience of a lifetime for young South East refugees on Saturday as they took a dip in the ocean and tried the popular pastime of surfing.

The Karen, Karenni and Congolese members of the Migrant Resource Centre Youth Group soaked up the sunshine at Brown Beach.

The AMRC, Middle Eastern Communities Council of SA (MECCSA) and Adelaide Festival Centre present ‘In Our Own Voices,’ launching a powerful new book about Middle Eastern settlement in South Australia at the Dunstan Playhouse – Adelaide Festival Centre, featuring an exhibition of photos, followed by a concert of music, songs, dance, poetry and stories from people of Afghani, Iranian, Iraqi, Lebanese, Kurdish, Armenian and Syrian backgrounds.

The AMRC wishes to congratulate the Liberian United Women’s Association of SA on achieving their 11^th anniversary of establishment. The AMRC is proud to have supported their establishment.

The Unley Gardeners Plant Rescue donated proceeds to the AMRC following their sale of rescued plants, which will go towards the AMRC’s Educational Backpack project for new arrival children.

The AMRC received a generous donation of 29 Foodland gift vouchers from Australia Wide Recyclers to assist low income families of migrant and refugee background.

The AMRC received a generous donation of seven educational backpacks prepared by reception students from St Dominic’s Priory College for new arrival children of refugee background.

The backpacks contain essential items including stationery and lunch boxes. Students composed letters and drew pictures to welcome children to their new home in South Australia. They enjoyed being part of the project and assisting children just like them. The project also provided an opportunity for discussion about what a refugee is.

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre is a leading settlement service agency in South Australia. We are seeking applications from multi-skilled professionals with at least 5 years community program management experience to manage AMRC programs including service development, stakeholder and financial management functions and strategies within the AMRC. This position is part of the Executive Management Team and reports to the CEO.

Future looks bright: Noodle Sushi Bar owners Saw Myo and Saw Khain have expanded their business. The Karen refugees opened a second outlet in the Mount Gambier Marketplace last month.

For Karen refugees Saw Khain and Saw Myo, working nine hours a day, six days a week is easy compared to the grueling work they are accustomed to.

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) launched the Working with New and Emerging Communities to Prevent Family and Domestic Violence – Good Practice Resource by Mr Andrew O’Keefe AM, Founding Member of White Ribbon Australia and White Ribbon Ambassador, on Wednesday 22 November 2017 at the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. The good practice resource is focused on work with migrant and refugee communities through sharing an effective model to campaign against and prevent Family and Domestic Violence.

55 newly arrived primary school children from a diversity of cultures received an educational backpack kindly donated by the Tanunda Lutheran School. AMRC representatives Van Bawi Tinhlawng and Yazdan Jawshani were delighted to accept the 55 backpacks on behalf of the AMRC at the school on Friday 17 November 2017.

At the age of 11, Mohammad became an apprentice tailor in Afghanistan. With the Taliban arriving in his town of residence, Mohammad fled to Iran, continuing his profession as a tailor and dressmaker specialising in western and traditional attire for 18 years.

Community and ethnic leaders, people with a disability and carers, and services participated in an Information, Linkages and Capacity (ILC) Roundtable Discussion to identify issues and gaps, and pathways to participation in the NDIS.

AMRC representatives Van Bawi Tinhlawng and Yazdan Jawshani were delighted to accept 55 backpacks on behalf of the AMRC from the Tanunda Lutheran School for new arrival primary school children. The backpack initiative aims to assist the transitioning of new arrival children starting school in a new country and also educate students preparing the backpacks to understand their needs.

Accredited AMRC Child Safe Environments Trainers Cynthia Caird and Michelle Dieu conducted training on topics including values and attitudes, discounting child abuse, child safe environments – definitions and indicators, responding to the child and deciding to report.

Migration Agent Zeleka Habtegiorgis delivered an information workshop on Migration Services to women at the Northern Area Migrant Resource Centre (NAMRC).

Over 200 people including AMRC volunteers discovered how to start, grow and manage their own small business in South Australia at the ‘SA Migrant Small Business Expo’ hosted by City of Adelaide at the Adelaide Town Hall, and partnered by Access Community Services LTD, Settlement Services International (SSI), Community Corporate, Multicultural Youth SA (MYSA) and AMRC.

Great turn out for the ‘Conversation with Mr Thomas Albrecht,’ Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, with over 80 ethnic and community leaders.

A panel of women speakers from Office for Women – Women Information Services and Working Women’s Centre SA presented to a forum for refugee and migrant women on their services and provided time for a conversation.

Over 250 people participated in the AMRC 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Volunteer Acknowledgement Ceremony at the Adelaide Town Hall, recognising AMRC volunteers and partners, and featuring spectacular performances from the Agola Youth Dance Group and Burmese Chin Youth Choir. Thank you for making this occasion so special!

Recently, Meysam partnered with his friend, Aghil, to launch the cleaning and painting business AMAX Cleaning Group. “Our business is doing well, and we are trying to hire and develop new employees,” Meysam said. “No job is too big or too small, all are welcome. This business has provided us with a new focus in life,” Aghil added.

Interested prospective employees attended an information session on job opportunities at Thomas Foods International (TFI) at the AMRC, to learn about the project offering employment in the meat industry, including positions available, job and employee benefits, and skills and experience required.

Photo: Mr George Fomba, Mr Jemal Mussa and Mr Juma Abuyi 

Juma Abuyi hopes his own journey from a civil war zone, through a Kenyan refugee camp to policeman will inspire young African immigrants to follow him into policing.

The father-of-six, from South Sudan, is among 10 new SA Police Community Constables, who will work closely with migrant communities to help foster trust between those new to Australia and police.

The Liberian Australian Service Foundation Inc (LAS) in collaboration with the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC), African Communities Council of SA (ACCSA), Middle Eastern Communities Council of SA (MECCSA) and White Ribbon Australia invite your family, friends and community to Walk With Us Against Family Violence this Saturday.

Date: Saturday 4 November 2017
Time: 10am
Meeting area: Victoria Square, Adelaide

RSVP to Reagan Bledee on (08) 8256 5700 or email reagan@amrc.org.au or admin@amrc.org.au

Hosted by Catalyst Foundation

The AMRC participated in the Disability, Ageing and Lifestyle Expo, with Catalyst Foundation Chair Sarah Bartholomeusz, and NDIS Industry Development and Market Coordinator General Rob Di Monte.

The expo was Adelaide’s largest Disability and Ageing event, exploring practical ideas, research and initiatives under the ‘My Life, My Choice’ theme.

First Persian barber shop in the busy street of Salisbury

Mr Farhad Birgani has always been passionate about opening his own business in Australia. Back in Iran, he was a barber and professional soccer player. With the support of the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC), he resettled in South Australia in 2011 with his wife and child.

Women’s Connection Project

The AMRC Women’s Connection Project, developed for women of migrant and refugee background, involve citizenship preparation and learning about Australian culture. Ms Ros Wong facilitates the citizenship sessions.

Ms Lawuo Mama Pewee and Miss Rannie

Ms Lawuo Mama Pewee and her daughter Miss Rannie arrived in Australia in 2014 from Liberia. Ms Pewee has actively volunteered at the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC), assisting new arrival families with their settlement and participation in the South Australian community.

Syrian family has become the first to apply for a loan from Homestart

With over 20 years of experience in the business and investment area, Mr Khalid Abdulkarim’s ambitious career was lost with the eruption of war. Fleeing from war-torn Hamas in Syria with his wife and six children, the family arrived in Australia in May 2016.

Mr Sediqi

Before the onset of war, Mr Sediqi was a teacher specialising in the English language and Pashto literature at a high school in Afghanistan. Forced to search for other employment due to the conflict, he joined his father’s business in selling medical supplies and medicines to local chemists and doctors.

Miss Blu

Ever since a young age, Karen refugee Miss Blu knew her true calling was to become a nurse. The AMRC Employment Hub mentored and linked her to a job opportunity at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), working part-time as a Patient Support Services Assistant. She expressed that: “It feels very good and I am very pleased. My workplace is a great and safe environment.”

On the occasion of the launch of the Harmony Alliance in Adelaide yesterday, the Alliance Council has established the Harmony Alliance Award recognising a lifetime contribution to empowering migrant and refugee women.

The Settlement Council is delighted to report that South Australian State Representative and Secretary of the SCoA National Executive Committee, Eugenia Tsoulis OAM (CEO of the Australian Migrant Resource Centre) was today announced as the inaugural recipient of the award.

SCoA celebrates the launch of the Harmony Alliance for migrant and refugee women.

Launched in Adelaide on 11 October 2017 by Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Women, the Alliance seeks to provide a national inclusive voice for migrant and refugee women.

Hosted by the AMRC

Over 30 young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds participated in a conversation with Adelaide City Councilor, Mr Houssam Abiad.

Picture: Sahima Hassani has taken part in a new scheme run by Unley Council and the Australian Migrant Resource Centre to help refugees into employment.

A state-first program is providing refugees such as Sahima Hassani the chance at a better life.

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre has partnered with Unley Council to offer part-time work experience to young refugees who might otherwise have trouble finding employment.

Ms Hassani was one of the first to take part in the pilot program.

AMRC staff in consultation with Dr Hendrika Meyer, Executive Director Medical Services Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN).

Strong Presence: Former Mount Gambier actor Rashidi Edward on stage at Adelaide’s Dunstan Playhouse as part of the State Theatre Company’s production of Macbeth.

State Theatre Company ends season in style

A detailed set, intricate lighting and eerie sounds complemented the powerful story of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth performed by the State Theatre Company.

Class Act: Former Mount Gambier resident Rashidi Edward could hardly speak English when he first performed Shakespeare at Mount Gambier High School in 2011. Now as a member of the State Theatre Company’s creative ensemble, he has just completed a season performing in Macbeth at the Dunstan Playhouse.

Congolese-born arts college graduate shares journey to theatre success

Picture: Happy in Mount Gambier: Thoo Lay Paw Eh (SBS)

A decade after the first Karen families arrived, the South Australian city of Mount Gambier is now home to a thriving population of former refugees from Myanmar formerly known as Burma.

When Thoo Lay Paw Eh was told she would be moving with her family to Mount Gambier, in south-east South Australia in 2007, her first reaction was one of fear.

Hosted by the AMRC

Enhancing public speaking skills for women of the Young Arabic Women’s Voices Project, with guest speaker Lyn Bermudez, YMCA Junior Youth Parliament Organiser and Manager of the Holdfast Bay Community Centre.

Hosted by the AMRC in partnership with Office for Youth

8 young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds shared their experiences to inform the development of the Youth Safety Strategy by the South Australian Government. This session focused on addressing issues for young people who may experience relationship, family or sexual violence, and proposed solutions on keeping them safe.

Arriving in Australia on a humanitarian visa at the age of 17, Mr Mohammad Reza Hassani was supported by the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) during his settlement journey. With a desire to give back, Mr Hassani joined the AMRC Volunteer Program, assisting over 400 families with their settlement experience.

Mentor: Hafeezullah Haidari with some of his culinary students at Monday night’s function where SBS did filming for a documentary.

Around town everyone knows Hafeezullah Haidari, but soon the work of the selfless philanthropist will be splashed across televisions around the country.

Naracoorte resident Hafeezullah hosted an event at his restaurant Pearl Indian Cuisine, on Monday, as a ‘side dish’ to his interview with SBS reporter, Rhiannon Elston.

Mr Cena Ali Zada has over 10 years of experience working in different roles as a director, a cameraman and a producer in Afghanistan. His passion involves creating movies, dramas and documentaries tailored for television and even theatre. But when war erupted, Mr Ali Zada had to relinquish his passion to pursue another role as a Cultural Advisor to the American, Canadian and Australian Defence force for over four years. In 2016, he obtained a humanitarian visa to be resettled in Australia.

Creative: Mount Gambier artist Sadiki Kamuldele is creating a unique mural reflecting the values of Mount Gambier North School.

Artist commissioned to create large-scale school mural.

With a grin as broad as his palette, artist Sadiki Kamuldele paints the face of a woman whose eyes have seen days darker than the city’s wintry skies.

On Stage: Chanceline Kakule and Emily Williams with Reilly Muller and Toby Maddern will perform Xanadu on the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre stage this Friday.

St Martins performers prepare to showcase cult classic rendition

Skate to the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre this Friday for a colourful rendition of the cult classic Xanadu. Performed by secondary students from St Martins Lutheran College, a young Xanadu cast will hit the stage at 7.30pm.

Common Ground: Kelvin Smibert was introduced to Sadiki at the Mount Gambier Men’s Shed and has since taken him under his wing. Mr Smibert holds a detailed redgum sculpture Sadiki carved for him as a gift.

Creative outlet helps refugee carve out new life in Mount Gambier

With one harrowing statement, Sadiki Kamuldele paints a picture of life in war-torn Congo.

Education is at the heart of one Bhutanese family’s new life in Adelaide.

Mother Bee Maya Tamang and father Mangal Singh Gurung arrived in the city with their three children, Karma Dorji Tamang, 15, Nabin Tamang,13 and Jenisha Gurung, 5, this month.

In Bhutan, a country in south Asia, the family felt forced to do “many unfair things” under government control, including learn a new language.

When Joseph Masika arrived in Australia in 1996, the words drop punt, torpedo and centre-half forward may as well have been gibberish to him.

But now the Tanzanian migrant knows them all too well as part of the game he loves, Aussie rules football.

Dr Masika is West Adelaide Football Club’s newest board member after he was appointed in April.

His journey with the game began when son Peter came home from school one day with an unfamiliar ball.

“I said ‘what is this’,” he says.

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) provides individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds with an opportunity to conduct work experience placement. Settlement, Volunteer and Crèche Programs Manager at the AMRC, Ms Michelle Dieu, explained that: “The work experience program assists participants to establish networks, further refine and develop their diverse skill set including social, leadership and team-building skills, with the aim of creating employment opportunities.” The work experience program educates participants on the Australian workplace culture, work health and safety, duty of care, working cooperatively and productively within a team, performing customer service and how to meet the needs of humanitarian new arrivals.

Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) Youth Leaders presented on the Senior Drivers Bill at this year’s YMCA SA Youth Parliament. The purpose of the bill was to improve the safety of senior drivers and South Australian road users by implementing new driver licences for drivers over the age of 75, with requirements including undertaking a number of assessments to determine whether they are fit to drive and aware of the current road rules. The bill also aimed to introduce ‘S-plates’ for senior drivers to promote awareness and understanding amongst other drivers.

Karenni refugees mark 10 years in region with community event

Ten years ago, a great leap of faith was taken by two Karen families as they made the frightening move to Mount Gambier to escape the terrifying war raging in their home country of Burma.

Living in Thailand refugee camps for many years, the families were given the great opportunity to start a new life in Mount Gambier, becoming the first refugees to settle in the Blue Lake city.

St Martins students selected to address range of issues through state program

Congolese refugee Chanceline Kakule will discuss some of Australia’s biggest challenges next month as she takes part in YMCA SA Youth Parliament.

Moving to Australia in 2010, Ms Kakule is passionate about the rights of refugees and helping them, like her, secure a better future.

Students hear from migrants about struggles

World Refugee Day was celebrated yesterday at Tenison Woods College as two women shared their stories of freedom with students.

Handing over the first two ragdolls created as part of the I Made It sewing enterprise program at the Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre, Wah Ree Paw and Jolie Hirwa spoke to students about their journey to Mount Gambier and their Karenni and Congolese cultures.

As Rebel forces destroyed his hometown in the early 1990s, Farid Drokhshan had no choice but to flee Afghanistan.

“Everything was gone, day by day,” Mr Drokhshan says of life in Kabul at the time.

“It got bad because they fight and would position themselves behind a mountain and would shoot the rockets, which killed a lot of people.

“But the last decision why I decided (to move) was because my brother was injured because of the rocket …. I knew it was a warning and I would have to leave soon.

Refugees reflect on first 10 years in Blue Lake city

It was a chilly winters day when Karen refugee Ray Min and his family made the terrifying move to Mount Gambier in 2007.

Filled with fear and uncertainty for what the future would hold, Ray held his toddler tight on his lap in the plane as it descended into the city they would now call home.

Next to him was his wife Pa Lae Sein, who trusted him unconditionally to provide the family with a better future.

Community band need tailor-made for Congolese refugee

Congolese refugee Alpha Shonda is quickly making his mark on the Blue Lake city as he uses his impressive sewing skills to integrate into the community.

Working as a tailor in the Congo for many years, Shondo is no stranger to sewing, with his skills shining through in the Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre’s (MRC) I Made It sewing enterprise program.

Refugees reflect on horror life prior to Mount Gambier settlement

The deafening sound of gunfire still haunts Karen refugee Thoo Lay Paw Eh as she remembers her life before finding freedom in Mount Gambier 10 years ago.

On a full moon night, approaching so quietly the dogs in the village did not even wake up, Burmese soldiers let off a sudden spray of bullets that pierced the thin bamboo house in which she lay fast asleep with her husband Po Khin Wah.

Refugees explain cultural differences at 10-year settlement celebration

Life in Australia is a world away from a childhood spent in Thailand camps for Karen refugees Nerr Soe Kapan and Lizar Lee. Never setting foot in their own country of Burma for fear of being killed, the two grew up restricted, never leaving the boundaries of the camp.

One of the key events organised to coincide with SA Refugee Week was the In Our Own Voices Forum held at the Adelaide Town Hall, a special project telling the stories of individuals from countries in the Middle East, including their migration journey, settlement, challenges, accomplishments and contribution to our South Australian society.

The official launch of SA Refugee Week 2017 (18-24 June) by His Excellency Mr Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia at the Government House, commemorated UNHCR World Refugee Day on 20th of June and was attended by over 200 guests. The Governor highlighted the vital role of the SA Refugee Week program enhancing public awareness of issues impacting refugees on a local and global scale, and celebrates, acknowledges and promotes the positive and valuable contribution of refugees to South Australia’s cultural, social and economic development.

The 7th SA Refugee Week Student Poster Exhibition and Awards coordinated by the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) and presented at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, in partnership with the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and the University of South Australia, School of Art, Architecture and Design.

When the Sunday Mail visited Murray Bridge, Mr Mansor, a 34-year-old father, whose wife works at Thomas Foods abattoirs, has just finished prayer. “I am a Muslim, so every Friday we pray at the small mosque,” he says.

Mr Mansor, who was an environmental health inspector in Malaysia, used to worry about the perceptions of his religion and feared that people associated it with terrorism. But, in Murray Bridge, he has found not only a lack of prejudice but a familiarity that has made calling the town home much easier.

The simple art of weaving has helped to bridge a cultural divide in Naracoorte.

The Naracoorte Spinners and Weavers invited a group of migrants to their latest gathering – and the results were revealing for both parties.

The women from the Migrant Resource Centre’s conversational English class loved the interaction with the weavers and spinners, while the club members were surprised at the skill and quick learning of their visitors.

In partnership with Lifeline SA, the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) has delivered a series of Domestic Violence Response Training across seven workshops in Western Australia and South Australia – Port Pirie, Murray Bridge and Munno Parra. The training delivered as part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022, aims to raise awareness of the intervention measures and preventative actions against domestic violence, women’s rights under the Australian law and the range of support services available for women to access.

The Bhutanese Australian Association of SA (BAASA) hosted the ‘9th Annual Settlement Day Celebration.’ The association is a non-for profit and inclusive organisation, aiming to assist the Bhutanese community to resettle in the state. The association was established in 2009 with the purpose of supporting community members to build valuable connections with the broader Australian community and providing them with an array of services. Settlement Day has become a vital component of the Bhutanese community, which has allowed the broader Australian community to learn about their significant role in fostering multiculturalism by sharing their culture, customs and skills with fellow South Australians, and promoting the traditional Bhutanese language.

Join over 100 organisations in celebrating SA Refugee Week 2017 (18-24 June). The event promotes the positive and valuable contribution of refugees to South Australia’s cultural, social and economic development, and encourages understanding, cultural harmony and community engagement.

The AMRC hosted the National Settlement Services Outcomes Standards (NSSOS) Workshop, designed to address the National Standards and explore the different avenues they can be incorporated into work practices across the settlement sector. The National Standards have been established in collaboration with Government and informed by best practice approaches delivered in the work of settlement services across Australia.

Each year Channel 9 hosts the ‘Young Achiever Awards’ to recognise and celebrate the inspiring work and accomplishments of young people across the state. This year, the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) was incredibly proud to have its young people taking part in the Gala Presentation Dinner. They were nominated for different award categories including the Multicultural Youth South Australia Spirit of Resilience Award, as well as the Leadership Award.

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) and the Migrant and Refugee Women’s Health Partnership auspiced by the Migration Council Australia (MCA) partnered to host two consultation sessions featuring women from Arabic speaking and refugee backgrounds, in addition to a practitioner roundtable.

During the school holidays, 50 young people from the AMRC, Northern Area MRC and Mount Gambier MRC embarked on a learning journey to Camp Coorong. The purpose of the experience was to reinforce positive and accurate representation of Aboriginal People, and provide young people with an enhanced understanding of the Aboriginal heritage and traditions, including its history, arts, crafts, as well as the past and present day culture of the Ngarrindjeri people.

Arriving in Mount Gambier 10 years ago with one of the first refugee families under a regional settlement scheme, Lizar Lee is now doing her part to help new arrivals. Born and raised in a Thailand camp, Ms Lee adjusted to life in Australia with the help of the Limestone Coast Migrant Resource Centre.

The first refugees arrived in Mount Gambier 10 years ago in search of a life of freedom and possibilities.

Coming from places of war and turmoil they were given hope of a better and happier life thanks to the dedication of many caring and thoughtful people including local resident Ann Pick.

As a teacher and a friend, the caring and supportive Ms Pick has helped to educate and guide families with little to no knowledge of the Australian culture and way of life.

Adelaide has a new arts celebrity – Shedrick Yarkpai.

Few people have had a play written about them – let alone had this play produced by a major theatre company in America. But that’s indeed the case with former refugee Shedrick Yarkpai.

On 9 March 2017, the inaugural Migrant and Refugee Health Forum was held at the Playford Civic Centre. The event was convened by The Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN), Adelaide PHN (APHN) and Northern Health Network (NHN), in association with the Migrant Health Service (South Australia’s specialist refugee health service); and Australian Migrant Resource Centre (settlement service for humanitarian refugees in South Australia). The Forum was administered by the South Australian Post Graduate Medical Education Association (sapmea)

The aim of the forum was to better map and understand the journey of new arrival refugees within the Adelaide metropolitan health care system in order to provide best practice health care.

In a joint partnership, the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) and the English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) Program in the Department of Education and Child Development (DECD) hosted the forum: ‘The role of the Department of Education and Child Development in effective Humanitarian Settlement.’ AMRC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Eugenia Tsoulis OAM, expressed that: “The forum aimed to explore the services and achievements of the DECD in the settlement of humanitarian arrivals and identify areas in need of further strengthening.

Three participants from the Youth Leadership and Volunteer program at the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) presented to the Year 12 Classes at the Tatachilla Lutheran College. Youth leaders and volunteers shared their personal accounts of migration, settlement and accomplishments including studying at tertiary level. The annual presentation, which the AMRC has contributed to for the past three years, “aims to eliminate the negative stereotypes surrounding refugees and reinforce accurate and positive representation through educating students on their success, and willingness to contribute and participate in the society,” AMRC Youth Coordinator Keith Preston said.

The Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre has assisted young people aged 15 to 25 to source employment during the school holidays.Young people have engaged in various forms of work including ironing laundry, assisting an individual with their house moving process, preparing a rural site for paving, and cleaning and arranging a shed and storeroom.

After graduating Year 12 at Marden Senior College, Jemal Mussa secured a 12 month traineeship with SAPOL in July 2015. The opportunity presented itself when the 24-year-old was experiencing homelessness and the St John’s Youth Services linked him to the Ladder St Vincent Street facility providing accommodation for young people and employment opportunities. Following the completion of his traineeship, Jemal was offered a permanent role with SAPOL and is currently studying Public Management at the Flinders University.

For Hazara brothers Hafeezullah and Asmat Ullah Haidari, volunteering is second nature.

The duo have taken on a number of volunteering roles in Naracoorte and around the state to support the communities that have embraced them since arriving in Australia.

Naracoorte resident and Pearl Indian Cuisine restaurant owner Hafeezullah Haidari believes volunteering is one small way he can give back to the local community.

The Middle Eastern Communities Council of South Australia (MECCSA) and the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) presented ‘Rumi In Our Own Voices’ at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Soon after Matthew Chimu arrived in Adelaide, he saw something that would change his life – and potentially that of many others.

“I saw a documentary that said 45 per cent of drowning people (in Australia) were from overseas,” said Mr Chimu, who fled war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo in 2009.

“I could not swim one metre … but I wanted to do something to help those people.

“I wanted to do that one step that allowed others to follow – I wanted to pave the way.”

To celebrate cultural diversity, inclusiveness and a sense of belonging during this year’s Harmony Day, the Bordertown Migrant Resource Centre and the Tatiara District Council hosted ‘A Taste of Harmony’ at the Mundulla Show. The day encompassed an array of activities including wood chopping, horse events and an exhibition soccer match featuring the newly formed Tatiara United FC team.

The Middle Eastern Communities Council of South Australia (MECCSA) and the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) partnered to host the 2017 Middle Eastern New Year Festival ‘Nowruz’ at Bonython Park in the Adelaide City Parklands.

Starting with just 20 members, the Chin youth choir has tremendously grown since its establishment in 2011. Now functioning with more than 90 members, Adelaide Chin Christian Church Pastor, Cung Hnin, shares how the choir’s formation was an avenue to guide young people. “In Australia, everyone is free to do as they choose; individualism is the feature of the Australian society. So, if we left our young people as individuals in Australia, there was no way that we could counsel them and guide them to become a contributing citizen, community member and church member.

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) is supporting the reception of new arrival primary school children through issuing them with an Educational Welcome Backpack. The project initiated and coordinated by AMRC community volunteer and former teacher, Ms Meredith Scottney-Turbill, is now auspiced by the SA Department for Education and Child Development as part of the New Arrivals Program. Settlement, Volunteer and Crèche Programs Manager at the AMRC, Ms Michelle Dieu, expressed that the project aims to ease the transitioning period for children starting school in a new country and also “equips students with practical learning to understand their needs through preparing a backpack containing essential items such as a water bottle, workbook, stationery, lunch box and soft toy.

The Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) and the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club provided a water safety session for young people aged 15 to 25. The project was designed to educate young people from new and emerging communities about basic water safety including swimming between the flags, after their participation in a pre-water safety lesson which covered aspects on appropriate water behaviour and safety regarding sharks. 45 young people of Syrian, Afghan, Burmese, African and Iranian backgrounds attended.

In Partnership with the City of Murraylands and Thomas Foods International, the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) is piloting a work entry project. 23 job seekers from Syrian, Afghan and Burmese backgrounds attended a tour of Murray Bridge Thomas Foods.

AMRC Works Manager, Prue Hemming, explained the purpose of the tour. “We wanted to introduce 16 new arrival families to jobs in the town of Murray Bridge and for most, this was their first time travelling to rural South Australia,” she said.