Cupcakes were popular at Banksia Road Public School on International Women’s Day.
Stakeholders at the March 8 event included Breast Screen NSW, Baptist Care, Bankstown Women’s Health Centre, TAFE South West Sydney Institute, Legal Aid NSW, the Older Women’s Network, the Multicultural Network, Metro Assist, Navitas, Bankstown Community Resource Group, Ability Links, Greenacre Area Community Centre and the Melkite Catholic Welfare Association.
Noelene Holten provided local Aboriginal women’s stories, Cheeki Jean the clown painted children’s hands and faces, and a female constable from Bankstown Police spoke about opportunities for women in the police force as well the role of police in addressing domestic violence.
Information was provided about diabetes, including assessment tools and diabetes prevention, and South West Sydney Legal Centre provided information about legal services available in the region.
Juliette Kirkwood from Bankstown Women’s Health Centre gave a workshop on belly dance therapy (which certainly seemed therapeutic for those who participated).
Ms Kirkwood said by focusing on holistic women’s health, the health centre was taking care of women’s bodies, minds and hearts.
Break Thru People Solutions gave a drumming workshop, Pat Wilcock from Cowboy Cha Cha taught some line dances and Mountaha’s Helping Hand, a non-profit organisation assisting local families in need, contributed to lunch.
Breast cancer survivor Kerrie Newcombe spoke on a number of women’s issues, including gender equality, violence in marriage, family breakdown and responsibility for parenting.
She said smiling and conversation was important for connection with other women and emphasised how much support for women there was available in the community.
The day attracted nearly 200 women and 50 children. Mothers were laughing, smiling and having a good time while their children were entertained in the kids’ activities area.
Many women in attendance were pampered by a Henna tattoo artist and some were lucky enough to win a mini facial.
Volunteers helped at the event in many ways. Banksia Road Community Hub was busy baking and decorating cupcakes days before the event. Sales from the cupcake stall raised $257 for the hub.
Ms Boutros said, “The vibe was positive throughout the day, with the involvement of many warm, lovely women from all walks of life.”
She said, “The event was a sure way to empower women, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.”
The feedback received from participants was rewarding, she said.
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“My experiences have helped me understand the meaning of humanity,” Mr Adut said. “What it means to be given opportunity in life.”
Mr Adut practices in the areas of criminal, family, employment and international law. He has not only worked at three reputable Sydney law firms but has also demonstrated a remarkable commitment to social justice.
He has worked at Blacktown Local Court as a liaison officer to the local Sudanese community and at Parramatta Community Justice Clinic, which operates to provide disadvantaged members of the community access to the legal justice system.
“I can empathise with people who are vulnerable and underprivileged,” he said. “I’m one of them; my life is not separate from theirs because we have been through the same experiences.”
Mr Adut is committed to making a positive difference and in doing so, devotes many hours of his personal time every week to activities such as mentoring, advising and supporting members of the community.
According to Mr Adut, the main issues affecting refugees at the moment are integration, discrimination and economic deprivation. Additionally, he believes they are likely to get caught up in the justice system.
“They are entering a society where everything has already been established,” Mr Adut said. “My advice is to them is that they need to be patient, it is the most necessary skill if you are a refugee. It’s not a quick fix, it’s a marathon.”
As a result of his own experience, Mr Adut defends Australian and believes it is a welcoming nation and this is a concept that should be protected by all of us.
“I think that being Australian is a beautiful thing,” Mr Adut said. “Being Australian means continuing the history of helping and accepting people who need a hand up.”
“I always tell them, accept help from those who are willing and are able to help. “Don’t worry about those who aren’t”.
Mr Adut has been nationally recognised for his achievements and NSW Premier Mike Baird invited him to give the 2016 Australia Day Address, which drew critical acclaim home and abroad. The 2016 Australia Day Address can be read here.
See Mr Adut tell his story in person at SSI Speakers’ Series:
Speakers’ Series: Inspiring stories of former refugees
When: Tuesday, March 29
Time: 6-7.30pm
Where: SSI Head office, Level 2, 158 Liverpool Road Ashfield, NSW 2131 Australia
Tickets: $15 donation available through Eventbrite
The Kaky family meeting with NSW Premier Mike Baird and Federal Minister for Social Services Christian Porter.
Mr Ayad Kaky, his wife Iptesam, and their children Mark and Rita arrived in Australia last week as part of the extra cohort of 12,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees to be resettled in Australia.
Premier Baird welcomed a ‘beautiful family’ and said that NSW was proud to be able to help them.
“They have a story that many of us could never in any way relate to, but they find themselves here to start a new life and we’re proud to help them over the coming weeks and months and years,” Mr Baird said.
“This family represents the human face, the human story of what this refugee intake is all about.”
Mr Porter said that welcoming another family was a pleasant task for him and that others will arrive in the coming months and years.
“There have been around 90 arrivals in NSW and we acknowledge that NSW is an enormous contributor to the way we settle this 12,000 cohort,” Mr Porter said.
“We have an art teacher who saw his first Sidney Nolan today,” Mr Porter said.
Through an interpreter, Mr Kaky bravely fronted a press conference after his meeting with the Premier and Minister to make a statement and answer questions.
Mr Kaky said that he and his family were looking forward to a successful future in Australia.
“As an experienced and passionate art teacher it is my wish to continue in this career but I know there will be challenges in a new country,” Mr Kaky said.
“The most important thing for us now is learn the language and understand the Australian culture and we want to settle our son into school as soon as possible.”
Having been in Australia for just six days, the Kaky family have been supported by their case manager to enrol in English classes, sign up to Medicare and Centrelink, find accommodation, enrol their eldest child into school and to answer their questions about the Australian culture.
“Miller Intensive Language Centre is a special school that attends to the needs of newly arrived students aged 12 to 18,” she explained. “They stay with us for one year until they feel confident enough to move on to mainstream high schools.”
Ms Sadiq runs information groups for parents and is deeply dedicated to the families she works with as she understands how important it is to obtain the assistance and support they require in their community language.
Ms Sadiq is a former refugee who arrived in Australia from Iraq and so, she said, she understands the needs and struggles of these families and uses her personal story to gives them hope.
“We deliver culture transition programs for parents,” she said. “We cover topics such as schooling in Australia, housing, managing finances or health.”
“The biggest shocks these families usually encounter are related to Australian law, which is very different from the law in their countries of origin. Many of them are struggling financially as they mainly rely on Centrelink, which is not something they are used to – it makes them feel dependant and affects their self-esteem.”
Additionally, this is aggravated by the cultural shock resulting from not knowing the language and the local customs, Ms Sadiq said.
“I always tell them that here they can do anything they can dream of – study, work, build their children’s future,” Ms Sadiq said. “But the main thing I make sure they understand is that their children are safe now. The rest will come slowly.”
“I’m so happy when I see them to adapt to the country. I tell them that here they can have an Australian future.”
Ms Sadiq’s commitment to the students and parents she supports has made her a recipient of the 2013
Hear Ms Sadiq tell her story at SSI Speakers’ Series.
Speakers’ Series: Inspiring stories of former refugees
When: Tuesday, March 29
Time: 6-7.30pm
Where: SSI Head office, Level 2, 158 Liverpool Road Ashfield, NSW 2131 Australia
Tickets: $15 donation available through Eventbrite
SSI volunteer Natalie Tsirimokos.
Ms Tsirimokos, who has spent the past 11 years in media and advertising, decided to trade in her job as the Head of Yahoo7 Studio: Branded Content & Special Projects for a volunteering role with Settlement Services International (SSI).
“I made the bold decision to hit pause on my career and spend the summer contributing my skills to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum in my community,” she said.
Ms Tsirimokos’ interest was piqued when she heard about the Ignite Small Business Start-up program – an SSI-funded initiative that helps entrepreneurs from refugee backgrounds create and grow small businesses.
She now spends two days a week using her marketing and digital expertise to help budding entrepreneurs find new ways to market and promote their products.
“Identifying and growing entrepreneurial spirit in new arrivals was a wild concept to me,” Ms Tsirimokos said. “I had no idea that such a program existed, and I’m so glad it does. We work directly with talented new arrivals, supporting them to achieve meaningful economic and social participation.”
One Ignite entrepreneur with a flooring business has received a stream of enquiries since Ms Tsirimokos helped him set up Google Ads, while another entrepreneur who owns a café has found targeted Facebook advertising much more effective than a local letterbox drop.
“Working on marketing strategies and a digital identity for a cafe in Merrylands, for example, is incredibly different to working on a big digital project for a My Kitchen Rules major sponsor. I’ve had to really change gears,” Ms Tsirimokos said.
The thing Ms Tsirimokos has enjoyed the most about working with Ignite is the diversity that each day brings.
“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,” she said.
“If it’s not an existing business, sometimes it can feel a bit like the entrepreneurship TV show Shark Tank in here, because people are pitching their ideas to you. It’s incredibly diverse and crazy sometimes, but also very inspiring.”
One of Ms Tsirimokos’ big tips for other volunteers is to do their research before deciding which organisation they will dedicate their time to.
“I did a lot of research into different organisations and specific projects that were aiding refugees and asylum seekers, and SSI really stood out to me because it was doing the most grass roots, hands on work,” she said.
Hosted by the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) as part of a three-week program, the travelling exhibition showcased the work of artists who took part in a 10-week skills workshop delivered as part of SSI’s Arts & Culture Program in 2015.
Supported by mentor Abbas Makrab, artists explored the notion of home through visual art, with the resulting eight artworks representing the homeland left behind and the unfinished journey to a new place to call home.
A number of the participating artists – who receive support through SSI’s Status Resolution Support Service (SRSS) program – travelled to Canberra to showcase their artworks, with over 100 people attending the exhibition on the opening night.
Local performers from the Chorus of Women also gave a special performance of Home Away from Home.
Hayder, who is continuing to develop his art in Australia while his claim for asylum is assessed, was proud to showcase his artwork Memories to Canberra locals.
“My artwork is about the memories of my home. Memories keep you connected to your past and what you left behind. They are the only things we’re left with, and they give us hope for the future,” he said.
In a special address, ACC&C Executive Director, Reverend Professor Stephen Pickard congratulated the artists for sharing their talents and inviting the broader community to gain an insight into their work.
“This art has the potential to help us reset our moral compass in this country,” he said.
SSI Board Director Om Dhungel added that the exhibition showcased how SSI’s Arts & Culture Program was helping people to further develop their skills and realise their full potential in Australia.
“This exhibition has given people seeking asylum a chance to tell their stories in their own voices, and their stories add a crucial component to the dialogue which is currently underway in the Australian community,” he said.
“It is an honour to have the unique opportunity to discover and appreciate the phenomenal skills and talents these artists bring to Australia, and we are grateful to be able to bring this exhibition to Canberra with the ACC&C’s support.”
Twenty women and children travelled from Blacktown, Fairfield and Auburn with SSI staff and volunteers to catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Watson’s Bay in Sydney’s east.
Many of the women and children had not been on a ferry before, so the trip was a good chance for them to find out how to navigate some of Sydney’s public transport.
Starting with a picnic lunch and a short stroll along the South Head Heritage Trail, the group learned about early settlement in Sydney and had the chance to meet new friends over a relaxed afternoon.
This kind of informal socialising helps women in vulnerable situations to become more independent and confident, and to integrate into their communities more easily.
The women weren’t the only ones making new social connections, though; their children also used the excursion to give their social skills a boost and enjoy a paddle in the harbour-side beach with new friends.
SSI’s HSS Service Delivery Manager, Yamamah Agha, said unaccompanied female refugees were often at risk of isolation, and it was important for them to connect with other women.
“These excursions give women and their children an opportunity to meet other people who can relate to their experiences and help them to develop a sense of identity in Australia,” Ms Agha said.
“This helps vulnerable women to better adapt to life in Australia by building social connections that help to improve their confidence and their capacity to engage with the broader community.”
One participant, Sima, said these excursions help her to find out about parts of Sydney she would otherwise not have explored.
“If we use these activities, we can learn about Australia and Sydney,” she said. “We can help our family and friends to learn how to come here, too.”
Razia echoed those comments, saying she enjoyed a previous excursion to the Botanic Gardens so much that she stayed behind when the group went home and later repeated the trip with her children.
“I didn’t know this place, but now I know how to come by myself,” she said. “Next time, maybe I can take my children and my friends, and swim.”
ORAM — the Organisation for Refuge, Asylum & Migration — is the world leader in working with Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Refugees.
SSI is privileged to be able to host ORAM’s training for the second time since 2014, and will welcome ORAM Executive Director Neil Grungras as the key facilitator of the event.
ORAM training programs sharpen refugee professionals’ skills to accurately assess refugee claims, guarantee consistent reception and care, and ensure that all refugees are treated fairly and professionally.
The ORAM training program is built on years of experience with refugees, rigorous research, and culling of best practices. Participants are surveyed anonymously before, during and after each training to assess learning needs and training impact.
Training covers:
- Identification & Sensitization
- Protection in the Field
- Working Effectively with SGM refugees
- Credibility Assessment; and
- Resettlement and Integration
The training will be hosted by SSI at its head office:
level 2, 158 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield
Thursday & Friday 14-15 April, 2016
9am – 4.30pm
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit our Eventbrite page.
You are also welcome to promote this event by forwarding it to your colleagues.
Tickets sales are open now and close on April 8.
SSI, in partnership with Event Cinemas and Transmission Films, held a charity screening of acclaimed Tamil film The Crow’s Egg at Event Cinemas Parramatta.
The Crow’s Egg tells a life-affirming story of two Chennai slum kids and their efforts to taste the exotic and seemingly unattainable pizza sold at a flashy new eatery.
Speaking before the screening, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis pointed out the affinities between The Crows Egg and SSI.
She said themes the film touched on were the themes, issues and experiences of people SSI encountered every day.
These people also experienced setbacks and grim circumstances, yet proceeded with optimism. They are people whose ambitions have been thwarted by a world in which global concepts,
modern media, technology and commerce too often win out over traditional ideals, such as justice.
“In its work with these people, SSI, like the film, highlights the values of dignity and respect and the importance of being independent and self-reliant,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
Funds raised from the charity screening will support programs that help refugees and people seeking asylum integrate into the community; programs that sustain their health and wellbeing.
Left to right: SSI General Manager, Peter Zographakis; Sera Kebabjian; Ruby Tran; Souad Boutros; Maxeem Georges; Abdelraheem Altabaibeh; Allianz Australia Managing Director, Niran Peiris.
This innovative partnership between Allianz and SSI will deliver new career opportunities and support for refugees and migrants who have settled in Australia. I am happy to say that this partnership is now in action, with five new recruits starting their first days on the job with Allianz this week.
The first group of new employees includes three women and two men from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Vietnam, who came to Australia as refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. Like most new arrivals to Australia, they come with qualifications and experience that can be put to use. This particular group has skills and qualifications in the areas of accounting, business management, community services, legal, and banking and insurance.
Increasing access to education and employment opportunities ultimately increases social participation, independence, and economic and personal well-being for those from a refugee background. Large corporations like Allianz have enormous potential to create jobs, open access to education and basic services, and deliver innovative solutions.
Research and our professional experience in humanitarian settlement work has shown that refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum come to Australia highly motivated to work and build prosperity, while contributing to the society that has accepted them. But this motivation does not necessarily lead to employment.
There are many challenges for these people as they try to attain gainful, sustainable employment in Australia. Most have no Australian work experience, no affordable options for the recognition of their skills and qualifications, and limited access to English language tuition.
That is why innovative schemes like the Allianz-SSI partnership are so important. We feel we are now creating new solutions that support people to overcome challenges, while they focus their drive and skill towards a new career.
Over the next two years Allianz will offer permanent placements for up to 10 people per year who in turn are supported by SSI programs. Our staff will identify potential recruits and provide ongoing support to the new starters.
The scheme is designed to mirror the first year of Allianz’s successful graduate program and will include two job rotations in the company within the 12 months that align to the employees’ background, skills and experience. After the two rotations, Allianz will work with participants to identify a suitable permanent role.
A second component of the partnership, will provide educational scholarships funded by Allianz to assist recently arrived refugees and asylum seekers to integrate successfully into their new communities. The scholarships aim to minimise the impact of structural disadvantage that refugees often experience during the early settlement phase by increasing access to education.
In announcing the partnership, Allianz Australia Managing Director Niran Peiris said Allianz was proud to support diverse communities in Australia and to give an opportunity to some of those who have come to this country as a result of misfortune and instability in their homeland.
The company’s initiative should be applauded and shown as an example of how such schemes that are a win-win for businesses and communities, can affect significant social outcomes for vulnerable people.
Violet Roumeliotis
SSI CEO