In the collaborative project, Jenny Papalexandris focuses on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex (LGBTI) community in Australia and Damon Ambs investigates the life of the LGBTI community in Iran.
An exhibition about LGBTI people would not be possible in Iran, which is partly why Mr Amb left Iran to seek asylum in Australia.
Mr Amb said he felt a sense of freedom to truly express himself in Australia. He recounted his first Mardi Gras parade, saying how shocked he was that two countries could be so different in their policies and attitudes.
“Here in Australia, I can be the voice for my friends in the LGBTI community in Iran and through my art bring attention to these and many other social issues,” he said.
The SWITCH exhibition is part of the Head On Photo Festival, which promotes the work of photographers at all stages of their careers, encouraging excellence and innovation.
Mr Amb’s sequence of symbolic switches, which lend their name to the exhibition, represent the prohibited sexualities in Iran.
In Iran, Mr Amb worked as a photographer for an advertising agency but that didn’t satisfy his desire to express his own artistic concepts.
In Sydney, he is being supported by SSI and its Ignite Small Business Start-ups initiative to establish himself as a freelance photographer. His friendship and collaboration with Ms Papalexandris, have been a blessing.
“I am crazy for her work and her ideas, and she has been a great friend and help to me with my photography work in Australia.”
Ms Papalexandris’ work focuses on eight narratives of the experience of the LGBTI community in Australia.
“We felt that if the audience could understand what it means to be an LGBTI person living in a restrictive culture like Iran, and compare that to the different issues faced in a more open culture like Australia, then that would be a step in the right direction toward equal representation,” Ms Papalexandris said.
SWITCH is showing at the Stirrup Gallery, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville, until Friday, May 20.
The opening night of SWITCH will be from 6 pm to 8 pm on Friday, May 13.
This week marks National Volunteer Week, which provides a chance for the wider Australian community to reflect on the efforts of volunteers and celebrate their contributions.
Dozens of volunteers give up their time each week to help Settlement Services International (SSI) support refugees, humanitarian entrants and people seeking asylum. These volunteers provide practical support to assist individuals to engage with the community, achieve independence and realise their full potential in Australia.
Some of the activities volunteers engage in include one-to-one mentoring, community orientation, language support, and social events.
According to volunteer Natalie Tsirimokos, no day is exactly alike.
A media and advertising professional by trade, Natalie has been using her marketing and digital expertise to help budding refugee entrepreneurs establish or expand their own businesses through SSI’s Ignite Small Business Start-ups.
“We work directly with talented new arrivals, supporting them to achieve meaningful economic and social participation,” she says. “Working in media and advertising, I used to say, ‘Every day is so different’, but here, every hour looks different. As soon as a client comes in, I’m focused and immersed in a new story, new culture, and new challenges and ideas. It’s humbling.”
For volunteers like Naila Yousid, volunteering is a way to give back to the community. A former refugee herself, Naila now helps to introduce other new arrivals to life in Australia and uses her experience to encourage refugees to pursue their goals here.
“When I sit with them and ask, ‘How are you?’, if I see that they are not feeling good, I tell them, ‘No – look at me!’ I tell them about my story and that I am new like them but I was encouraged by other people to do something good for myself,” she says.
Some volunteers enjoy the experience so much they decide to pursue a full-time career in related fields.
One such volunteer is Charlotte Mullens, who has spent more than a year volunteering with SSI’s Community Engagement program, which runs events and activities designed to help refugees and people seeking asylum to connect with their peers and others in the community.
Charlotte has helped to mentor young refugees and is a regular supporter of SSI’s Community Kitchen. However, the highlight of her volunteering experience has been assisting at Playtime multicultural playgroup, which gives young mothers the opportunity to bond and learn English in a relaxed environment.
“One of my fondest memories is helping the mothers to crotchet and finger knit. They really loved it and I realised that sharing such simple things really does make a difference,” says Charlotte, who is now studying community services and hopes to work in the field of community engagement.
Volunteers are one of SSI’s greatest assets, and National Volunteer Week, which runs from May 9–15, is a great opportunity to say thank you for everything they contribute.
Addressing over 600 delegates on the second day of the SCOA conference, Ms Roumeliotis discussed the benefits of collaborating with colleagues in the settlement sector, including shared resources, talent and knowledge, and more innovative solutions to support vulnerable communities in Australia.
Ms Roumeliotis said partnerships were a way to create new opportunities and she emphasised the importance of partners sharing similar values.
“Understanding each other’s values becomes a foundation upon which to build collaborative endeavours, even with unlikely allies,” she said, adding that trust was also crucial to successful partnerships.
“One of the most successful ways of building trust is through building relationships, listening to and learning about each other,” she said. “Clear lines of communication and accountability are also a vital element of success for partnerships.”
Ms Roumeliotis acknowledged that collaborative partnerships were “not without their challenges”, but used SSI’s partnership with the financial services company Allianz as a successful example of how unlikely allies could identify common goals and achieve mutual benefits.
“This is an innovative partnership for SSI and Allianz — unlikely partners combining to find solutions for what can be quite an intractable problem: finding meaningful long term employment for refugees,” she said. “I am happy to say that this partnership is now in action, with five new recruits starting on the job with Allianz in March.”
Ms Roumeliotis drew on the success of the Ignite Small Business Start-Ups initiative — developed in collaboration with the Sirolli Institute — and the NSW Settlement Partnership, a consortium of 22 organisations led by SSI, to illustrate the significance of trust and communication.
“Learning more about each other, and what each party can bring to the table can help us all build stronger relationships grounded in our desire to build the best programs and provide better services for our clients and, ultimately, change lives,” she said.
“By leveraging our joint resources and expertise, I believe that we can quickly and effectively come up with novel solutions for age-old problems.”
Held at Federation Square in Melbourne, the three-day conference will see dozens of presenters tackle the theme ‘Settlement and Citizenship in Civil Society’ and discuss the impact of the global domain on communities, societies and active citizenship.
Starting with an opening address from SCoA Chair Dewani Bakkum, the first round of speakers discussed the need to support vulnerable communities including over 60 million people – 20 million refugees and 40 million displaced people – who are currently displaced worldwide.
UNHCR Regional Representative Thomas Albrecht described the current state of play as the “largest displacement on record”, while United Nations Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees Dr Volker Turk said that the global crisis presented opportunities for improvement.
“Many people are referring to [the current number of displaced people] as a crisis, but I encourage you to think of it as a call for action with many opportunities,” he said in a video message.
“There are opportunities to refine and expand integration support, which is the foundation of settlement in Australia.”
Speakers discussed Australia’s role in supporting the “unprecedented” number of displaced people and agreed that a more collaborative approach would deliver the best settlement outcomes.
“The needs of displaced people far outweigh that of available resources,” David Wilden from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection said. “Resettlement requires cooperation and collaboration, and we need to look closely at how we use places for resettlement.”
Special mention was also given to the need to consider integration more broadly, with Department of Justice Canada Attorney Afsoon Donna Houshidari making a heartfelt address about her own experiences as a former refugee from Iran.
“Integration is an ongoing journey, but the process of integration begins before we have stepped foot in a new country,” she said, adding that integration begins in the “hearts and minds” of communities.
Australian Human Rights Commission Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Tim Soutphommasane also raised questions about perceptions of citizenship in Australia and the role of the media in shaping the settlement discussion.
“If you don’t have a society that says everyone belongs, the formal mechanisms we do have [in place] will remain incomplete,” he said.
Day two of the conference will cover a range of topics by renowned speakers, including SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis who will discuss the role of partnership building and collaboration in the settlement sector.
Recently, I had the honour of representing SSI at the committee of the International Metropolis Conference, where I heard from numerous colleagues in Europe, the UK and the US about how they are approaching the challenges of the massive movement of people across their borders.
What struck me is that even in a country such as Turkey, where Syrian refugees now account for 3–4% of the total population, people are still focusing on problem-solving and solutions. The approach of both refugees and their hosts is one of finding a solution to a very dire situation.
In Australia, we certainly don’t have these critical numbers or imperatives but we are able to find innovative solutions to other longstanding issues, such as employment.
Employment is a critical area that ensures people can live a life of dignity with a sense of achievement. Over the past month, SSI has been awarded two new programs in this area that will be of great benefit to their participants and the broader community.
Innovation is at the heart of the first new service – a youth mentoring project that will support young refugees and migrants to retain their jobs. Under this project, SSI will link volunteer mentors with young workers to improve their confidence and understanding of workplace culture.
SSI will also support employers to expand their understanding of cultural issues and to help them engage and retain young migrants and refugees in their workforces. We’ve just recruited a coordinator for this project and are in the process of developing referral pathways, job descriptions and training for mentors.
SSI is already receiving client referrals for the second new program, ParentsNext, which operates in the Bankstown area. The shared partnership with Metro Assist prepares parents with children under six to return to or enter the workforce. So far, the majority of clients have been women, of which 50 per cent are single mothers.
Both new programs will improve the employment outcomes of two vulnerable groups in our community, and I look forward to updating you as the initiatives get up and running.
Something else new and exciting that SSI is working on is the National Multicultural Women’s Conference, which will take place from 3–4 November at the ParkRoyal Parramatta.
SSI and the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) will host the conference, which aims to support women’s economic independence, leadership and safety by providing a high-profile platform to highlight innovative strategies, services, programs and models for supporting and empowering migrant and refugee women.
At this year’s inaugural conference, we’ll cover important themes including family violence; homelessness and housing; child marriage; health and wellbeing; mental health; education; leadership; and employment and enterprise.
Looking ahead, next month I’ll be attending a UNHCR-hosted NGO consultation focused on refugee youth. I’m pleased to be coordinating a workshop on youth and integration that will involve young people from around the world to identify ways we can better assist young people during the settlement process.
I will also be meeting with UNHCR staff to report back on the experiences of our clients, along with representatives from other resettlement countries to discuss and learn from each other’s practices.
This will be a good opportunity to share the success SSI has found with its solutions-focused approach, while also learning about what is working in other countries. I look forward to updating you all on my return.
The impressive effort saw the students of Bethlehem College host a refugee and asylum seeker awareness evening in April that raised $1,225 for Settlement Services International (SSI).
The funds will go towards SSI’s Community Engagement program, which creates opportunities for refugees and people seeking asylum to connect with members of the broader community and people who are in similar circumstances to themselves.
The students organised an evening that featured cultural music and dance, henna artists, and presentations from well-known author Benjamin Law and SSI’s own Mohammad Omary and Youth Projects Coordinator Dor Akech Achiek, who are both former refugees.
One of the student organisers, Naome Rusera, said Bethlehem College had participated in social justice events for many years and had found out about SSI through a teacher, who encouraged the students to get involved with Community Kitchen.
“First it was helping out in the kitchen, then face painting for the kids and henna. The visits grew with more girls wanting to volunteer. SSI provided us with an opportunity to involve ourselves in a real community with a real cause. However, we wanted to do more,” she said.
“It was here that our vision for hosting a large event grew in the hopes of sharing experiences and stories of what it is really like to be of refugee origin. We were lucky to have the support of our school, parents, friends and SSI.”
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the Bethlehem College students had been incredibly dedicated in their support for refugees and people seeking asylum.
“The enthusiasm and resourcefulness these students displayed in planning and coordinating the logistical challenge of a large fundraising event deserve acknowledgement,” she said.
“If these young women are any indication of the broader Australian youth, the future looks bright for refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. I applaud their commitment to human rights.”
Ms Roumeliotis thanked the school for hosting the event, along with all the friends and family who participated in the fundraiser.
“The generosity of the entire Bethlehem College community has been astounding, and SSI is lucky to count them among our supporters,” she said.
Anyone who was unable to attend the event but would like to donate can visit Bethlehem College’s fundraising page.
Bethlehem College is one of a number of supporters using new SSI’s Everyday Hero platform, which enables members of the public to fundraise for SSI’s support programs and initiatives for vulnerable families and individuals. People can now fundraise using the platform by participating in organised events, such as fun runs, or by hosting their own events, such as trivia nights, morning teas or sausage sizzles.
Held at Fairfield Youth and Community Centre as part of National Youth Week, April 8-17, the Young Leaders Forum brought together almost 50 people from refugee backgrounds aged 15-25 to share their ideas and have their say on issues affecting their lives.
Led by Settlement Services International (SSI) with the support of the Youth Collective and organisations in the NSW Settlement Partnership (NSP), participants took part in workshops, activities and consultations with the aim of connecting young people and helping them to further develop their leadership skills.
Participants discussed barriers to employment, education and health, and offered suggestions to help young people integrate with their local community and access the support they need.
Former refugees from Syria and Afghanistan also took to the stage with musical performances and inspirational speeches, highlighting the vitality young people bring to their local communities.
SSI Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) Service Delivery Manager Yamamah Agha said National Youth Week was a timely reminder of the valuable skills young people from refugee backgrounds contribute to Australia.
“Young people from refugee backgrounds are incredibly resilient, but they also bring a wealth of unique skills and talents to Australia that we can all learn from,” she said.
Ms Agha also stressed that today’s youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and made a special mention of the importance of supporting young people to realise their potential in Australia.
“The benefits of bringing young people together to share their talents and skills is remarkable; it helps to improve their confidence, encourages young people to engage with others, and it helps them to realise and appreciate their strengths,” she said.
“This has a major role to play in helping to shape the future of young people in Australia, which is why National Youth Week is such a major SSI celebration.”
SSI, with other partners and organisations in the NSP, delivered a series of events during Youth Week, including the MY-LIFE Youth Camp, hosted by the Community Migrant Resource Centre.
The camp gave young people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds the chance to learn new skills and build on their strengths.
With adventure sports and activities over three days, the camp allowed young people to make new connections in a relaxed environment, which helps to improve social connectedness and sense of belonging.
For information on upcoming youth projects and events, visit the Youth Collective website.
HFHA recruits corporate volunteers for the Backyard Blitz style activity that is a home maintenance and repair program working in partnership with disadvantaged and low-income members of the community and non-government organisations (NGO).
On Thursday April 28, 10 volunteers ‘blitzed’ two properties in Mt Druitt whose tenants are newly arrived refugees.
In fact, one of the families arrived just two days prior, and with an elderly grandmother in a wheelchair, they have a lot to contend with in these early days.
HFHA CEO Martin Thomas said maintaining a property can be a challenging task and many people don’t know where to start.
“People of refugee background have a lot on their minds when they arrive here,” said Mr Thomas.
“Property maintenance is not likely to be a priority when you have to learn a new language, enrol your kids in school and find a job.”
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said property maintenance and tenancy is included as part of the orientation SSI provides to the newly arrived people it supports, which ensures they have the information and support to get off to the best start possible.
“But many are dealing with trauma and separation from family, as well as the practical logistics of settling into a new country, so we really value and appreciate the work that Habitat for Humanity does and the way they are supporting vulnerable people in our community.”
Ms Roumeliotis went on to say that like HFHA, SSI also believes a home goes a long way to providing security, stability and a better community.
“Obviously housing is a key priority for new arrivals to Australia and it is wonderful to know that there is support for them in the local community,” said Ms Roumeliotis.
The 10 volunteers taking part in HFHA Brush with Kindness, all from Arup engineering firm, enjoyed getting their hands dirty and the opportunity to spend a day out of the office. They remarked that it was ‘rewarding’ and ‘satisfying’, and that they enjoyed the opportunity to help someone in need.
Ammar has become a big fan of cooking TV shows such as Master Chef since he arrived in Australia in 2013, where he learned about the cuisines of many different cultures.
The avid home cook drew inspiration from these TV chefs to develop his culturally diverse menu, which combined Italian and Australian cuisine.
“I cook these dishes at home sometimes for friends. I really enjoy being in the kitchen and cooking,” he said.
Ammar, who is seeking asylum in Australia, has enjoyed cooking from an early age, when he would watch his mother prepare meals in his native country of Iraq.
“She made different food from the Australian and Italian meals I have here. We had rice, smoked fish and chicken. Before I came to Australia, I sometimes cooked for my mum too,” he said.
Chicken and mushroom risotto
Serves 4–6
Ingredients:
300g chicken breast, diced
Two cups of mushrooms, chopped
¼ cup of cream
Bunch of shallots/spring onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 ½ cups Arborio rice
Three cups of stock or water
Olive oil to taste
Method:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add chicken and mushrooms until cooked through.
- Add the cream, shallots and garlic, and continue stirring.
- Add the rice and stir.
- Add stock or water one ladle at a time. Stir until rice has absorbed the liquid, then add another ladleful until the rice is cooked.
Tomato vegetarian pasta
Serves 4–6
Ingredients:
500g penne pasta
1 red capsicum, chopped
1 green capsicum, chopped
200g mushrooms
1 Spanish onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
½ tablespoon of butter
½ cup pitted black olives
1 jar whole peeled Italian tomatoes
A handful of basil leaves
A pinch of white pepper
A pinch of salt
Method:
- Heat butter in a fry pan until melted.
- Add garlic, onion, mushrooms, olives and both capsicums, and fry.
- Add the tinned tomato, basil and white pepper, and sauté until heated through.
- Meanwhile, cook penne pasta in boiling water with a pinch of salt until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and stir the sauce through.
Naila and her husband arrived in Australia in 2013, after the couple was forced to flee their native country of Iraq.
“Initially, I was happy that I was now in a safe country, but after that, I had many things I couldn’t do because my language wasn’t good and everything here was not like our country. I was alone with my husband,” she said.
Settlement Services International (SSI) helped Naila to overcome barriers in the early days of settlement, such as navigating the unfamiliar transport system, banking and medical systems, and accessing essential services like Centrelink and Medicare.
“My case manager was helpful and she encouraged me always,” Naila said. “When I saw how hard case managers worked for the refugees and how they are patient with them, I said ‘Okay, I’d like to do this’.”
An accountant by trade, Naila is now retraining to work in community services and, having completed two TAFE qualifications, she is volunteering at SSI while finishing a third.
“I visit homes, I also take refugees to register with Centrelink and Medicare, and I show them how to get transport around. I also sometimes help when they want to go to the doctor or they want to enrol in TAFE,” she said.
“When I sit with them and ask, ‘How are you?’, if I see that they are not feeling good, I tell them, ‘No – look at me!’ I tell them about my story and that I am new like them but I was encouraged by other people to do something good for myself.”
For Naila, her six months as a volunteer has changed her life.
“My volunteering encourages me to get to know people and it has helped me not to be shy,” she said. “I’ve become less shy because I realise I have, to know what the client needs.”
In addition to improving her confidence, volunteering has also helped Naila become more patient.
“Sometimes the clients are nervous, sometimes they’re not like you culturally and don’t think similarly,” she said. “The volunteering also showed me not to judge anyone, even if their culture or religion is different because we are all human.
“For me, volunteering is a way to give back to Australia and say thank you for giving me a place where I belong.”