Magician Hamid Ariento and his assistant at Claire Aarabella Parliament House.

The final evaluation report of Ignite by UTS Business School Professor Jock Collins – From Refugee to Entrepreneur in Three Years – was launched by Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science the Hon Craig Laundy MP on Thursday, March 23.

The night before, at the Australian Migration Settlement Awards, SSI won the Settlement Innovation category, with Ignite being a significant component of the nomination.

Ignite facilitates business creation for people from refugee backgrounds who are keen to establish a small business or expand an existing one.

The study found that 68% of refugee graduates of Ignite Small Business Start-ups had moved off Centrelink payments, with some also paying company tax and generating jobs for others.

Ignite evaluation report key findings

• In-depth interviews with 35 of the refugee entrepreneurs identified savings of $880,000 a year in Centrelink benefits – or a potential $4.4 million over five years – among this group alone. 
• More than 60 new refugee enterprises emerged from the program, generating company tax revenue for the government. 
• At the time of the study, 20 staff had been taken on by the program’s entrepreneurs. 
• The entrepreneurs were also contributing to innovation in Australia.

Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Craig Laundy MP, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis and SSI General Manager Peter Zographakis.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said it was not because of a lack of passion, a business idea or commitment and ability that other Ignite clients had not set up a business.

“Rather, the constraint was the time of the enterprise facilitators. With more resources for the program to hire additional enterprise facilitators the success rate would have been much higher,” she said.

Although the launch was about the success that the Ignite model has proven to be, Ms Roumeliotis said it was also about celebrating the determination and passion of a special group of people who began a new life in this country, and today call themselves entrepreneurs.

“The Ignite initiative has always been close to my heart because it demonstrates what many of us in the settlement sector know first-hand – that humanitarian refugees bring a wealth of skill and experience in entrepreneurship to Australia, and that with support they can contribute their know-how and skills, paying dividends to the economy.”

Overall, of the 240 SSI refugee clients accepted into the Ignite program, 25 per cent were now running their own enterprise, the study found – an admirable success rate considering the substantial barriers refugees faced, Professor Collins said.

“At first glance refugees are the most unlikely entrepreneurs. They lack capital to start up a business, they have no credit history, no assets or security. In many instances their educational qualifications are not recognised and they have no social networks,” he said.

The event commenced with a magic and illusion performance by Hamid Ariento, one of Ignites most recent entrepreneurs.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis speaking about Ignite at Parliament House. 

Mr Ariento came to Australia in 2013, seeking refuge rom Iran, and was supported by SSI on arrival.

At 15 years of age, Mr Ariento was allowed to start learning how to do magic tricks as long as he kept up with his studies.

Within two years he was a professional, doing shows for television and performing in Iran, Malaysia, Singapore and for the Queen of Belgium.

“What I like the most about being a magician is the expression of surprise in the faces of the people attending my shows when a trick impresses them,” He said.

Ignite has assisted Mr Ariento with a business and marketing plan, logo design, business cards and exposure for more shows.

“Magic is like an international language, an international art – basic magic tricks are the same here and in Iran,” Mr Ariento said.

Magician’s assistant Claire Aarabella, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis, Ariento the Magician, and Innes Willox, CEO of the Australian Industry Group.

Most of the participants that took part in the evaluation came from Iran (87), Iraq (34) and Syria (23), though refugees from 30 countries and 27 different first languages have been supported by Ignite.

Professor Collins said there was international interest in the Ignite program, given the unprecedented movement of refugees in the past few years.

“New innovative solutions to the challenges of refugee economic engagement and settlement need to be made,” he said. “The Ignite start-ups initiative is evidence-based policy innovation that can be applied across Australia and refugee resettlement nations across the world.”

Given the success of Ignite, Ms Roumeliotis announced at the launch that SSI will be tailoring the model to address barriers and meet the specific needs of entrepreneurs with disability through the new IgniteAbility Small Business Start-ups initiative.

“Through a new program called Ignite Ability, Ignite facilitators will provide an ecosystem of support for aspiring entrepreneurs with disability, their families and their carers,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

Browse Ignite Business Directory

        SSI staff, clients and friends elebrateda Harmony Day and Nowruz 

SSI’s combined celebration highlighted the value and respect for all cultures that enrich the Australian community and make it one of the most diverse countries in the world. This positive conception of diversity is a core part of SSI’s values and was also reflected in this year’s Harmony Day theme – ‘Everyone Belongs’.

Nowruz, also known as the Iranian New Year, is a festivity observed by 14 ethno-religious groups living in the areas of Iran, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan, among several others. It traditionally marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and it symbolises the new beginnings that come with the New Year.

“I remember how exciting Nowruz was for us as kids in Iran,” SSI Case Manager, Intake, Shoreh Lawless said.

“Everything started a few weeks before with cleaning, scrubbing and washing every corner of the house. We would even buy new clothes and underwear, everything had to be new to symbolise a true fresh start to the year.”

But the renewal didn’t’ only affect the superficial aspects of life. Nowruz also involved getting past all the hatred and troubles you had the previous year and leave them in the past, Ms Lawless said.

Chair of SSI’s Board Elisabeth Shaw said it was fortuitous that this celebration of new beginnings coincided with the same day that Australians gather to show their commitment to a country where everyone belongs.

“Today’s celebration epitomises the true spirit of Harmony Day, which coincides with SSI’s vision and goals of achieving a society where diversity is valued and respected”, she said.

“We’re aware that many of the people here today have escaped dangerous situations and came to our shores seeking safety. I’d like them to know that they belong here now and this is their new beginning like the Nowruz we are celebrating today.”

Besides a strong Persian component that included music performances, dancing and food, the dual Nowruz/Harmony Day celebration also highlighted many other cultures that make up the SSI community.

The event opened up with an engaging Welcome to Country ceremony by Darug woman Jacinta Tobin, who spoke about the main issues currently affecting the Aboriginal community and taught attendees the meaning of some popular Aboriginal names of places in Sydney, such as Coogee or Parramatta.

The celebration also featured talented Iranian dancer Azadeh, who invited everyone to join her on stage and follow the rhythm despite the sudden scorching afternoon. Other music performances followed until volunteers called for lunch to be served and everyone rushed to enjoy a delicious traditional Persian meal.

In front of an audience of 400 people, SSI case manager Adam Bujairami accepted the Case Worker of the Year award, which acknowledges the outstanding work of an individual who performs beyond expectations in the settlement of newly arrived refugees or migrants.

Mr Bujairami arrived in Australia in 2011 as a refugee and has been employed at SSI since 2012, where he is a key part of the team that oversees refugees upon their immediate arrival to Australia.

Up to five times a day, Mr Bujairami and his team of case managers head to the airport to meet new arrivals, who they support during their first few months in Australia, providing them with essential case management and access to Medicare, schools and English classes. This early support is critical in helping new arrivals to feel at home in Australia and take the first steps towards independence.

Later in the evening SSI’s leadership and excellence in its employment services were acknowledged with the Settlement Innovation award in recognition of the innovative approach used in supporting refugees, migrants and members of the community in finding employment.

SSI Employment and Enterprises provides employment support to newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers living in the community. It also offers the possibility to undertake work experience in one of its social enterprises, where job seekers can learn new skills in a retail environment.

Further, SSI has developed the Ignite Small Business Start-ups initiative, which helps entrepreneurs of refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to set up their own small businesses or expand an existing one.

The nomination also included SSI’s partnership with Allianz, which has so far placed seven cadets in full-time employment with the insurance company and has committed to offering permanent career placements for up to 20 cadets who came to Australia as refugees.

“This award is a testament to the initiatives that SSI has put in place to support migrants and refugees, who we know, have the resilience and passion to fulfil their hopes and dreams for their new lives here in Australia,” SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said.

The Friendly Nation Initiative (FNI) is a business-led strategy that seeks to increase employment, mentoring, training and internship opportunities for refugees and humanitarian migrants. It builds partnerships between corporate Australia and leaders in the settlement space like SSI, with the aim of linking business needs with refugee skills.

Finding employment helps refugees to become economically independent, forge links in the broader community and, ultimately, feel at home in Australia – something close to the heart of Harmony Day, an annual celebration designed to foster a sense of belonging for all.

At the event on Tuesday, attendees enjoyed the African beats and dancing of Karifi Ensemble, along with a diverse spread of canapés from SSI Catering – a social enterprise that gives job seekers work experience in a commercial kitchen environment.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said in addition to supporting refugees through its own employment initiatives, SSI was also working with employers as part of FNI to help new arrivals find stable and meaningful employment.

“Research and SSI’s anecdotal experience tells us that although the motivation to work is high among refugees who settle in Australia, this does not necessarily lead to employment. They face unique barriers to finding employment, including a lack of local work experience and difficulty getting prior qualifications recognised,” she said.

“There is huge untapped potential within the refugee community, which is why it is so wonderful to see businesses in NSW taking a leading role in creating employment opportunities for some of the newest members of our society. This has the potential to change so many lives for the better.”

Ms Roumeliotis said hiring refugees also had benefits for employers as it added to the diversity of their workplaces.

“Diversity helps us to value new perspectives; to celebrate our differences and share what we have in common,” she said.

“At SSI, diversity is one of our greatest strengths. We employ more than 150 bilingual and bicultural workers who speak 83 languages between them. That diversity helps us to work more collaboratively, it leads to more innovative outcomes and solutions, and makes us stronger as an organisation.”

Ms Roumeliotis said she hoped more employers would take the lead from those businesses involved with FNI and open up employment opportunities for some of Australia’s newest community members.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said: “As a leading humanitarian settlement provider, we know from countless individual stories of migration and displacement since post WWII, including many victims of terrorism, these new members of the Australian community would strongly agree that the Australian Government should place the highest priority on security and safety. 

“We understand that the people we work with value a free, diverse and harmonious society and embrace the opportunities offered to them to make a fresh start here. The higher than average entrepreneurial spirit of our refugee population is well documented.

“At a time when there are continuing calls for radical change in our immigration and multicultural policies, we welcome the confirmation that the Australian Government is committed to harnessing the advantages of our cultural diversity as an asset which sparks innovation and creativity and which contributes to the economic and social prosperity of all Australians.

“We’re also pleased to note the statement acknowledges that the Australian settlement framework is widely considered best practice, an approach that is the envy of many comparable countries.”

SSI has sponsored Ms Dhillon’s attendance at the 61st session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) at UN headquarters in New York, from March 13 to 24, where she will participate in events, develop her leadership skills, and represent both young women of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds and the youth of Australia.

Ms Dhillon will join two other young women who are a part of the New Year for Women roundtable and also represent the NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) and the National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC) at the UN event, which brings together an international network of women’s organisations to focus on women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work.

Ms Dhillon, who has been volunteering since age 12, said her interest in social justice developed after witnessing poverty during a family trip to India at age 10.

“Ever since then, I became passionate about the world around me,” she said. “While other girls were playing sports, I’d watch documentaries on racial discrimination, human trafficking and child marriages, as well as volunteering wherever I could.

“It was at the age of 16 when I could truly make a difference by becoming a Girl Guides NSW and ACT representative, which led to my involvement with NCOSS, where I joined its panel of women who come from all over the state representing different kinds of organisations.

“It’s still surreal that CSW61 is happening for me, but I’m looking forward to learning about female empowerment and hearing from the other participants. Although we come from a variety of different places and experiences, we share a similar passion for both gender and intergenerational equity.”

In addition to her work with NCOSS, Ms Dhillon is an ambassador for Girl Guides Australia and is currently completing her HSC. Next year, she plans to attend university to extend her knowledge so she can continue with her work in areas including domestic abuse, sexual assault and the economic empowerment of women and girls, particularly those from developing countries or male-dominated cultures.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said supporting young women like Ms Dhillon to participate in events like CSW61 was in keeping with the vision of SSI’s Youth Collective initiative, which aims to empower multicultural youth to take on leadership roles and become a voice for other young people.

“Today’s young women are tomorrow’s leaders, which is why organisations like NCOSS and SSI must give them opportunities to foster their abilities and make contacts that will assist them in their future careers,” she said.

“The participation of young women also ensures that their perspectives shape the outcomes of events like CSW61. Through their participation, Ms Dhillon and her fellow NCOSS representatives are giving other young women a voice.”

SSI works with several CALD communities, including newly arrived migrants and refugees, and has a particular focus on supporting youth and women. It does this through initiatives including Youth Collective, Youth@Work and its Women at Risk Committee, which supports the well-being of refugee women in particularly vulnerable situations.

Iman and her family (left) were among more than 200 people who attended the event.

Auburn locals, community groups, individuals and families who are new to Australia gathered on March 8 to enjoy performances, gardening workshops and art demonstrations, along with craft, henna designs and a pampering corner with nail art, hair styling and make-up.

One attendee, Iman, displayed artworks that she developed in the five years she has lived in Australia.

“I used to just paint animals, now I just paint women. In my country, women are oppressed, so now I paint women enjoying freedom,” Iman said. “Freedom is dancing. Freedom is wearing what you want.”

Held at the Auburn Centre for Community, the event activities were suitable for people of all ages and genders, with the aim of encouraging attendance from both men and women.

SSI Community Engagement Manager Trina Soulos said gender equality was an issue affecting the whole community, so it was important for all community members to be involved in celebrating International Women’s Day.

“Gender equality is not just an issue for women. Including fathers, husbands and sons in community celebrations like this is just one of the ways we can fight stereotypes and create more positive change for women,” she said.

“We wanted to capture the inclusive spirit of International Women’s Day and create a space where everyone was welcome to celebrate unity, gender equality, resilience and hope.”

More than 200 people attended the event, where lunch was prepared by sisters Sharon and Carol Salloum and supported by SSI staff and volunteers. The culinary duo run Sydney restaurant Almond Bar and have been regular contributors at SSI events for refugees and people seeking asylum.

SSI’s Ignite Small Business Start-ups initiative also put forward Yarrie Bangura to share her experience as a female entrepreneur running her own business, Aunty’s Ginger Tonic.

The event was a great example of community coming together, with contributions from Cumberland Council, the House of Welcome and the Women’s Creative Hub, Community Migrant Resource Centre, Auburn Diversity Services Inc, Olivetree Women’s Network, Australian Asian Cultural Association, Playgroup NSW, Reverse Garbage, Cumberland Women’s Health Centre and Parramatta Holroyd Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Committee.

SSI Board member Elfa Moraitakis, centre, is Blacktown City women of the Year 2017. Photo source: Blacktown Sun.

She has over 25 years of experience in community services and an extensive background in developing services for linguistically disadvantaged communities.

The announcement was made during Blacktown City Council’s 12th International Women’s Day event and recognised the outstanding achievement of women within the local community.

Nominees for Woman of the Year were required to reflect the principles of International Women’s Day which:

• celebrate the achievements of local women in paid or unpaid work
• support women’s work in promoting equality, justice, peace and social development across the community
• support the full participation of women in political, economic and social life
• promote and encourage diversity
• promote gender equality and the empowerment of women

Mayor Stephen Bali said Ms Moraitakis, selected from six finalists, embodied the IWD motto of “be bold for change”.

Ms Moraitakis’ message as she accepted the award was: “Believe in yourself – empowered women lead the world.”

As the leader of one of western Sydney’s largest community organisations, she said she considered it her responsibility to identify gaps in the community.

“The two major areas affecting women are domestic violence and employment, and we are working with council and the police to address those issues.

“Before we can talk about better pay and equality, we need to work on educating and empowering women.

“We need to do it together with men; we can’t do it alone.”

“I feel honoured to win such an award among so many successful, talented women in the community,” she said.

Ms Moraitakis said her aim was to continue her community work tirelessly to ensure that vulnerable and disadvantaged members of Western Sydney had a voice.

“A huge thank you to my colleagues at SydWest and to all those that supported me throughout the years. Thank you to Blacktown City Council for organising such an important event.”

My memories of her and my aunts are of astute women who ran their own businesses, learned to drive and were actively engaged in the community. They were also the primary carers for their children and looked after the bulk of chores around the house.

That’s not to say the men in my family weren’t also busy and working hard. But what was different with the women was the additional family and community responsibilities they took on and the extra pressures they faced; the expectations placed on them because of their gender.

Looking back today, I can see the huge strides we’ve made towards gender equality. And yet we’re still seeing widespread challenges to the fundamental principles of equality. Things such as a woman’s right to her body – the right to make decisions about contraception and abortion or her right to wear what she chooses.

In supposedly advanced countries in the west, we’re seeing these rights challenged and undermined. Young women are being shouted down because they have an opinion and choose to express it.

When we hear about these things happening around the world, it must act as a reminder for every one of us to be vigilant about the preservation of equality.

Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we need to remind ourselves of everything that has been achieved in the fight for women’s rights and gender equality. Only by remembering the work of suffragettes like Emmeline Pankhurst and feminist activists like Gloria Steinem can we hope to preserve their legacy and build on it.

And I do feel positive about this. I feel very optimistic for my daughter and the young women in my life. The challenge for them is to find a way to stand up for what they believe; to chase their aspirations, in career and life. And like my mother and aunts, they too must learn to be bold and courageous even when the world tells them not to be.

On International Women’s Day, I hope you take the time to reflect on the theme – Be Bold for Change – and to celebrate all the wonderful women you know. Together, we can preserve and build on the progress we’ve already made towards a more inclusive and gender equal world.

Violet Roumeliotis
SSI CEO

Most of the claims relate to the Fairfield LGA, one of eight areas where SSI delivers the Humanitarian Settlement Program in the Sydney metropolitan area. The HSS is funded by the Federal Government.

SSI is keen to clarify several key points being repeated in the media, often without substantiation or citing of sources. In some cases where sources are offered, correct data has been used to extrapolate incorrect conclusions.

This is an attempt to sort fact from fiction.

Syrian refugee arrivals claim 1:

More than 6,000 refugees from the Federal Government’s special Syrian humanitarian intake have been settled in Fairfield.

Facts:

• As at February 3, 2017, 9,382 refugees of the 12,000 have arrived Australia-wide. (Department of Social Services website)
• NSW expects to take a total of 6,000 people; just over 5,000 have arrived to date (precise numbers are not publicly available). The figure for the entire state is substantially less than the 6,000 claimed in a number of recent media stories in relation to the Fairfield LGA
• During 2016, a total of about 4,700 refugees arrived in Fairfield (a mix of special and regular intake – DSS website’s Settlement Reporting Facility). Arriving in Fairfield does not equate to living in Fairfield on an ongoing basis, an important distinction
• In January 2017, SSI was supporting a total 3,700 clients in Fairfield (a mix of special and regular intake).

Syrian refugee arrivals claim 2

The Fairfield property market has become unaffordable, with demand outpacing supply. The median rent for a unit is about $500 a week.

Facts:

• Median rent for a two bedroom unit in Fairfield LGA is $330 p.w. and $360 p.w. for a house according to NSW Rent & Sales Report September Quarter 2016 (latest Issue 117), well under the $500 cited in media stories
• Median rent for two bedroom unit in Fairfield suburb is $350 p.w. based on aggregated data from property listings on RealEstate.com.au
• The majority of arrivals are families of three to four people who prefer to rent two bedroom properties
• SSI sources properties in the Fairfield LGA on a regular basis – our experience is that property availability is no different to the rest of the Sydney market which remains tight. However, we continue to find properties for clients wishing to live in this area
• Of the top 10 Sydney settlement LGAs for refugees, Fairfield LGA remains the cheapest place to rent
• If we compare the top 10 Sydney settlement locations or suburbs for refugees, Fairfield remains the second cheapest suburb to rent (Mt Druitt is the cheapest).

Syrian refugee arrivals claim 3

Fairfield is struggling to settle refugees after a huge influx of new arrivals

Facts:

• In the three months from November 2016 to January 2017, there were 737 arrivals in Fairfield. Fairfield LGA has a population of almost 200,000
• Funding of $146 million over four years was set aside by the NSW State Government in last year’s Budget to help Syrian and Iraqi refugees start a new life in NSW
• Services that received extra funding include: specialist health care and access to education and pathways to work. Other critical areas that received funding include specialist torture and trauma services, employment and community integration programs
• In relation to extra Federal funding, SSI recently received additional Settlement Services Program funding from DSS to provide support for additional clients resulting from the increased intake of refugees
• Allocations to NSW Settlement Partnership partners in Fairfield and Liverpool will fund additional services for the larger number of refugees settling in these areas.

About SSI

SSI is a community-based, not-for-profit humanitarian organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, housing, asylum seeker assistance, multicultural foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW.

Media enquiries

SSI Corporate Communications Manager, Angela Calabrese 0401 284 828

SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell, 0488 680 287