The program also aims to promote the social connectedness of vulnerable individuals by allowing them to meet new people and learn new skills in a welcoming environment.
An avid swimmer who trains with the Bondi Penguins and Pelicans, Mr Wise became interested in the SSI initiative after seeing media about participants enjoying the surf last year when the program officially launched.
“Like a lot of Sydney-siders, watching this video really struck a chord,” Mr Wise said. “I think that we can all agree that sometimes we take our lifestyle for granted; so being able to share this experience, especially with those less fortunate and who have been caught up in such difficult situations, is pretty special.
“What I love about this initiative is that it’s really based around inclusiveness – a central part of our Australian values. Sometimes I feel that this may be lost on new migrants, who might sometimes feel like an outsider when first coming to our country and learning our way of life.”
Mr Wise was also inspired by the enthusiasm of a group of first generation Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who swim at the local pool where he trains.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said it was encouraging to see Mr Wise’s efforts to help vulnerable people.
“David’s support will enable the Surfing Without Borders program to continue into the future and to increase the community involvement of more people who are seeking asylum in Australia,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
“This inaugural program last year was a resounding success. Participants developed a strong sense of comradery, made important community connections, and improved their confidence and English skills — all while learning to surf.
“We applaud David’s efforts, and he has set a fabulous example for others to follow.”
The Surfing Without Borders initiative also helps people seeking asylum to take their minds off the challenges they face, which has a positive effect on their mental health and wellbeing, Ms Roumeliotis added.
Mr Wise is the first official fund-raiser to use SSI’s new Everyday Hero platform, which enables members of the public to fund-raise for SSI’s support programs and initiatives for vulnerable families and individuals. People can now fund-raise using the platform by participating in events like fun runs and ocean races, or by creating their own events, such as trivia nights, morning teas or sausage sizzles.
Mr Wise ended up taking out eighth place in the event and exceeded his original fund-raising goal of $1,800.
“It was really nice to get such strong support from my family and friends for an organisation that I’m really passionate about and that is doing great things for our community,” he said.
“I was a bit nervous beforehand as I had only ever swum only half that distance and I come from a sprinting background. But I was lucky to have a good run early, and although I fell apart in the last kilometre, I managed to come in eighth, which was surprising and gratifying for all the training that I was doing.”
You can still donate to support Mr Wise’s fund-raising efforts. Click here for more information or to donate.
Oscar Al-kinani: “Once you have a goal, you work for it and you work hard for it.”
Mr Al-kinani’s big piece of advice for other refugees is to prioritise education and goals.
“Everyone here should have a goal,” he said. “Once you have a goal, you work for it and you work hard for it!”
Mr Al-kinani said he drew courage from his mother, who is studying a diploma in childcare services at TAFE, at age 59.
“No matter what your age, you have to look for what you really want,” he said. “For example, my mum, when she chose to do childcare, chose the path of education and work because she told me, ‘I don’t want to stay at home, I just want to keep busy’.”
Mr Al-kinani is also working part-time and volunteering with Settlement Services International (SSI) two days a week, where he provides new arrivals with social support, such as transport and orientation.
“The reason I chose to be a volunteer with SSI in April last year was to give back what I received,” Mr Al-kinani said. “SSI helped me a lot. No matter what I’m going to do, it’s not enough because SSI has done a lot for me and that’s changed my life.”
When Al-kinani arrived in Australia in July 2014, with his mother, he initially found it difficult to adjust to the new language and way of communicating.
“SSI helped us a lot to understand this world better, but I found it hard,” he said. “With time, things have changed. I started to learn more stuff, I found more people around me were really friendly – if I say something wrong, they even correct my mistakes – and I started to save a lot of information. People here are really lovely.”
SSI helped Mr Al-kinani to find his first house and to start high school as part of its Humanitarian Support Services (HSS) program, which gives refugees and humanitarian entrants essential support and information to help them settle successfully in Australia.
Andria Vezzas and Ian Beasley at a Humble Creatives Shibori workshop.
Mr Beasley is a job seeker taking part in a Shibori workshop organised by the SSI employment program.
“It is nice to be taught such a cool technique that offers so many possibilities,” he said. “Anything can be created; it’s just up to you and your imagination.”
Mr Beasley’s excitement was shared by other participants, who bustled around the Campsie warehouse carrying soaked pieces of fabric with their indigo-stained disposable gloves. They are taking part in the Shibori workshop organised by Humble Creatives, one of the initiatives created by the CoAct/SSI Work for the Dole (WFD) program.
Shibori is an ancient Japanese tie-dying technique. This workshop was taught by Karen David of Shibori Stanmore, who has more than 10 years’ experience in the industry through the boutique textile agency she co-owns.
“I have delivered Shibori workshops to more than 5,000 people, and I can tell you that this is such a creative group, they came up with very good ideas,” Ms David said.
The idea of teaching Shibori as part of the Work for the Dole program came from the program’s Arts & Crafts supervisor, Sarah Webber and Cynara Moorhouse, SSI’s Employment Project Officer. After developing a successful project making and selling a range of hand-poured soy candles, they decided to increase the Humble Creatives product line as a way to provide job-seekers with a larger variety of workshops and skills to learn.
“We are getting more and more job-seekers interested in our Work for the Dole activities, so we are trying to expand Humble Creatives into a broader range of homewares,” Ms Webber explained. “Shibori offers the possibility to create different visually impressive products for sale, such as pillow cushions, tablecloths, curtains or napkins.”
“We are currently selling Humble Creative products at different markets, including the Entertainment Quarter Village Markets, as well as in pop-up stores and soon also through our website.
“Workshops like the one today help jobseekers build their confidence, feel proud of their creations and also feel part of a team,’ Ms Webber said.
The two sessions of Shibori workshops attracted about 30 attendees and the Arts & Crafts supervisor said they would develop the Humble Creatives Shibori product line over the coming weeks.
Joyce, a long-term job-seeker, found the activities organised by the SSI Humble Creative group so engagingshe has continued attending as a volunteer even though she completed her placement program in October last year.
“I get up at 6am to come here three days a week and learn new things,” she said. “I like coming here because it gets me out of the house, plus we do something different every time.”
To find out more about Humble Creatives please check out our Facebook page or contact Sarah Webber at swebber@ssi.org.au.
Four special guests will tell their inspiring stories at Speakers’ Series.
Date: Tuesday 29 March 2016
Time: 6:00-7:30pm
Venue: Auditorium SSI Head Office Level 2, 158 Liverpool Road, Ashfield
General admission: $15.00
Collected funds will go to support SSI’s Arts & Culture program.
Bookings at ssispeakersseries-march-2016.eventbrite.com.au
Guest speakers:
Mr Deng Adut
Solicitor, AC Law Group
Deng Adut is a prominent community leader and internationally renowned lawyer. He has been nationally recognised for his achievements, including by NSW Premier Mike Baird, who invited Deng to give the 2016 Australia Day Address, which drew critical acclaim both at home and abroad. Having come to Australia as a refugee, following life as a child soldier in Sudan, Deng put himself through law school and has become a formidable advocate. Deng practices in the areas of criminal, family, employment and international law. He has also demonstrated a remarkable commitment to social justice, having worked at Blacktown Local Court as a liaison officer to the local Sudanese community and at Parramatta Community Justice Clinic, which provides disadvantaged community members with access to the legal justice system. Deng’s life story recently featured in a viral advertisement for Western Sydney University.
Ms Aminata Conteh-Biger
Founder & CEO of The Aminata Maternal Foundation
In 1999, rebel forces captured Aminata Conteh-Biger during a civil war in her native Sierra Leone and held her captive for several months. When Aminata was released as part of a negotiated exchange, one of her captors still posed a serious threat to her safety and, with the UNHCR’s help, she came to Australia as a refugee. On her arrival, Aminata was alone, confused and homesick but with support from community networks and friends, she has made a home for herself in Australia. Aminata is now a UNHCR ambassador and the CEO and founder of The Aminata Maternal Foundation – an organisation established to stem maternal and newborn deaths in Sierra Leone.
Ms Hana Sadiq
Educator at Miller Intensive Language Centre
Hana Sadiq has worked at Miller Intensive Language Centre for more than 13 years, most recently as the School Support Liaison Officer (SLSO). Hana fulfils a range of responsibilities supporting students who are having problems at school and families who are experiencing difficulties with language and settlement. Hana runs information groups for parents and is deeply dedicated to the parents and students she works with as she understands how important it is to obtain the assistance and support they require in their community language, as they navigate the requirements of the schooling system. Hana’s commitment was recognised when she received the 2013 Humanitarian Award in Education from STARTTS.
Mr Huy Truong
CEO and co-owner of the Australian Life Insurance Group
Huy Truong fled Vietnam for Australia in 1978, and he has since developed a diverse business career as a management consultant, venture capitalist, corporate executive and entrepreneur. Huy is a pioneer in the Australian e-commerce industry, where he founded the online retailer, Wishlist.com.au. He is currently the CEO and co-owner of the Australian Life Insurance Group. Huy has an Economic Honours Degree from Monash University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He has a particular interest in supporting refugee and educational causes.
About the SSI Speakers’ Series
In 2016, Settlement Services International (SSI) is hosting a series of talks and panel discussions on current refugee and asylum seeker issues and related topics. The SSI Speakers’ Series aims to inform, connect and challenge SSI staff, stakeholders and the wider community by providing opportunities for discussion that enhance knowledge and awareness about relevant issues impacting the organisation’s clients and their communities.
Left to right: Community Hubs leaders: Zeinab Musseme, Eva Hanna, Lina Mourad, Maria Skotoris, Marina Boutros and Liza Moscatelli.
Community Hubs is a national program funded by the Scanlon Foundation through Community Hubs Australia (formerly Refuge of Hope), the Federal government through the Settlement Services Program and contributions from state governments, corporations and participating schools and community centres.
The Hubs play a pivotal role in supporting migrant and refugee parents and children to navigate the education system, building parenting and family capacity, and promoting links between families and local services and networks.
Hubs operate across three states — NSW, Victoria and Queensland — and aim to strengthen social cohesion and inclusion within local communities, and deliver outcomes for children, families, schools and the wider community.
SSI is the designated Support Agency for NSW, where Hubs are located across three local government areas.
In the Bankstown LGA the Hubs are at Banksia Road Public in Greenacre, Chester Hill Public, Georges Hall Public, St Brendan’s Catholic Primary in Bankstown and Yagoona Public.
In Parramatta LGA the Hubs are at Rydalmere Public School, Westmead Public School and Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) at Parramatta.
In the Blacktown LGA there are Hubs at Blacktown North Public, Bert Oldfield Public in Seven Hills, Colyton Public at Mt Druitt and All Saints of Africa in Blacktown.
Located within easy reach of their communities, the Hubs use a place-based community engagement approach to address the needs of families and children at a local level.
Hub activities focus on migrant and refugee families and children, linking them to early years and other community services and offer services such as skills training, English classes, sewing and breakfast clubs, as well as volunteering opportunities and community events.
Being part of a Hub can help families create friendships and support networks, and give a sense of belonging.
Services within Community Hubs are delivered by part-time Hub leaders.
Last month seven out of 12 NSW Hub leaders officially commenced as employees of SSI.
Their first week was an opportunity for leaders to be familiarised with SSI teams, programs and procedures. It was also a time to review Hubs activities and programs and share success stories and challenges.
After spending a week in various SSI locations the team felt well connected to SSI and to each other.
Community Hub programs will operate during school terms. During school holidays the teams will come together to evaluate their work and to plan for the terms ahead.
“Another issue that is often overlooked is the lack of mentoring; just someone who can assist them with basic information about how the Australian job market works,” Mr Rose said, “And this is not something they can learn in one session – it needs to be followed up.”
To help overcome this challenge, and help refugees and asylum seekers with work rights to breakt into the workforce, the SSI Community Engagement team started job search workshops in April 2015 as a part of the fortnightly Community Kitchen.
The workshops took place at Auburn Centre for Community for job seekers with Peter Rose, a retired businessman, as one of the facilitators. They covered various aspects of the job-hunting process, from resume writing to tips to succeed at a job interview.
In the sessions, participants had access to computers and the help of SSI case managers, who supported them and acted as translators.
Mr Rose said that the participants learned how to use the main job search websites in Australia and one session included the opportunity to take part in a mock job interview.
“The thing they repeat the most is ‘we want to work’,” said Mr Rose. “They are not even that conscious of the money. They just want to contribute and be part of the society. It is very touching.”
The workshops have resumed for 2016 as one-on-one consultations where job-seekers can receive tailored advice depending on their needs, current situation, and employment background.
“Many of them have an arts and crafts professional background, like working with leather or making jewellery, but others have worked in the construction industry,” Mr Rose said. “Some of them will have to do something different to what they used to do back home as the job market is very different here in Australia.”
“I’m doing my bit in helping them to become Australians,” Mr Rose said. “Lately, the terms refugee and asylum seekers have acquired a bad connotation in our society. We should go back to the terminology we used before and just call them ‘New Australians’. Because that’s what they are.”
“It gives me a great satisfaction to be able to do this,” he added.
Italian Penne alla Bolognese
Ingredients (Serves 4)
400 gm minced beef
400gm penne or spaghetti
1 tsp tomato paste
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 small onion
1 small carrot
1 stick celery
Basil
Olive oil
White wine (optional)
Method
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan and cook the onion, carrot and celery previously chopped or minced with a grinder. Stir for 5 minutes, until softened.
Add the meat and mix well, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Then season with salt, white pepper and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Once the meat is browned, add the tomato paste, the chopped tomatoes from the tin and a generous glass of white wine. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Add half glass of water and simmer, uncovered for one hour or until thick.
When the sauce is almost ready, add the chopped basil. You can now cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water, until tender. It should be ready just about the same time as the sauce. Drain the pasta and mix everything together in the saucepan. Finish it with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top.
Mostafa with a dish he prepared at SSI Community Kitchen.
At Community Kitchen, people seeking asylum, and recently arrived refugees, share their skills in the kitchen or learn to prepare a nutritious meal that up to 250 people then enjoy together.
On one occasion Mostafa took the reins as head chef, sharing recipes from his native country of Iran.
“I love working in the kitchen with other people,” Mostafa said.
“Community Kitchen was a great place where people gather together and eat as a family. You meet a lot of people there. You can find a lot of friends and new people. I made a lot of new friends there and I still catch up with them today.”
An SSI staff member Mostafa met through Community Kitchen introduced him last year to the owner of a Rose Bay Italian restaurant, where he now works on weekends as a kitchen hand.
“When the opportunity came up to work in a restaurant, I was so excited. I loved the Community Kitchen, and now I am learning many new skills in a busy restaurant,” he said.
“I am very thankful to SSI for helping me to find work – I keep learning, meeting new people, and I’m learning about different cuisine.”
Mostafa, who arrived in Australia in 2013, is living in the community while his application for refugee status is assessed, so paid employment is important.
He recently graduated with a certificate in aged care study from St George & Sutherland Community College and hopes to use his newfound skills to help more people.
“I like working with elderly people – anything to help other people. It has been such a good opportunity to work part time and study part time to get my certificate,” he said.
“SSI helped me right from the beginning, and now I have found my way.”
Community Kitchen, which SSI began in August 2013, also provides an opportunity for SSI clients to interact with each other by getting involved in soccer, cricket, or table tennis; playing chess and other games; and watching and participating in music activities.
Yaser, in red, wrestling at a recent competition.
Yaser, who is living in the community while his claim for refugee status is assessed, attributes his ongoing motivation to both his family and his Settlement Services International (SSI) case manager, Eman Elfoul.
“Wrestling is close to my personality, as I have always been very active,” Yaser said. “My family always push and motivate me, so really I have them to thank.”
“My SSI case manager Eman always helps me. She really helps me to contribute to the community by sharing my skills with others, joining in the national championships, and joining in the wrestling community. She has also helped to motivate me to go to the gym and meet new friends.”
Yaser competed in his firstevent in Australia in 2013, where he won gold, and he has gone on to place in a number of other state and national competitions since.
Eman said Yaser’s communication and confidence had also benefited from his return to wrestling.
“He is much more willing to socialise with others and his discipline and control is really inspiring. He’s now much more focused than when he first came to Australia,” she said.
“He is a model community member and is contributing so much. He is such a hard worker, and he has so much to share. He is such a talented individual!”
Yaser became hooked on wrestling at age 11 after watching the sport on TV in Iran.
“I started going to a gym near my house and training a lot,” he said “I have a lot of wrestling friends and got really into it. I was training two times a week in the beginning, and when I started to improve I trained more and more.
“It makes me so happy, I love the feeling of being so focused on wrestling and my opponent.”
With a raft of local wins under his belt, Yaser now has his sights set further afield.
“I would love to win an Olympic gold medal, but in the meantime I am still learning so much,” he said. “I am so grateful. Thank you to SSI for helping me to find my way.”
Before the civil war in Syria reached his home, Simon studied engineering. Despite being in Australia for less than six months, he has passed pre-screening tests and was accepted to continue his studies at Western Sydney University.
In the lead-up to Australia Day, Simon told SSI staff he wanted to use his studies to build a career as a renewable energy engineer. Just what we need.
Simon told us: “I have lots of plans and ideas I’d like to innovate and invest in, and when I graduate, I hope to start building these projects which will contribute, in my opinion, immensely to this country.”
Simon’s story made many of us proud that SSI is able to support him, in any small way, as he establishes a safe, positive and successful life in Australia. But his story wasn’t the only one that inspired recently.
Again as Australia Day approached, Australians heard more about the incredible story of former child soldier and refugee Deng Thiak Adut. Deng’s story is now well known. He was born in a small village in Sudan. Before he was a teenager, he was abducted and forced to join an army.
Deng’s own accounts of this time leave no doubt that he experienced and witnessed horrors most of us could never fully appreciate. The inspiration is what he has done with his life since. Deng is now a lawyer, who dedicates significant time and expertise to disadvantaged communities in western Sydney.
These were the stories I imagine NSW Premier Mike Baird wanted Australia to hear more of, when, in the lead up to Australia Day 2015, he said Australia could do more to help refugees. Mr Baird said at the time: Australia should “open our arms to those around the world who are much less fortunate than us”.
Mr Baird’s words shone through an atmosphere of fear and suspicion of refugees and migrants around the world, Australia included. He acknowledged that refugees are not to be feared. These are people who are often scared. They are fleeing violence and persecution. Not looking to perpetrate it.
In his speech this Australia Day, the Premier again echoed those thoughts. He warned that Australia should not, out of fear, turn its back on the immigration and multiculturalism policies that had made the country so great. He said:
“We are one of the most successful and multicultural nations in the world.
“But I believe we are potentially at risk of losing what makes Australia the best place in the world to live, because some want to shut our doors and avert their eyes.
“To shut our doors to refugees, as many here and around the world are calling for, is to deny our history, to deny our character.”
Mr Baird said Australia owed a large part of its character to the success of people like Deng Thiak Adut. He could have included in that statement Simon Shahin and thousands of other names of former refugees now in Australia.
Note that the Premier chose Australia Day to make such speeches. It was equally telling that the stories of people like Mr Shahin and Mr Adut resonated so strongly with the Australian public at this time of year.
In January 2015, Australia’s collective fear seemed focused on terrorism perpetrated by outsiders. Yet the Australian of the Year Award was presented to Rosie Batty, who fought to protect Australian women from domestic violence.
Over the 12 months between January 26, 2015 and 2016, debate about refugees, multiculturalism and threats from outside Australia stayed in the headlines. This was a year when statistics showed 28,780 women in NSW (alone) were victims of domestic violence. More than 78 a day. Almost half those acts were committed by partners and ex-partners (source).
Nationalist, anti-Islam and anti-immigration campaigners stole much of the attention, while advocates like Ms Batty tried to highlight the violence many Australians face in their own homes.
So it was telling again that as discrimination against people not born in Australia or who follow a particular religion continued, an Australian of the Year who stands against discrimination was named.
Accepting the award, former Army chief David Morrison said:
“. . . too many of our fellow Australians are denied the opportunity to reach their potential. It happens because of their gender, because of the god they believe in, because of their racial heritage, because they’re not able-bodied, because of their sexual orientation, and we as a nation … should be able to give them the chance to reach their potential.”
Perhaps this year, if more Australians follow the lead of our Australian of the Year, we will hear more inspiring stories from people like Mr Shahin and Mr Adut.
Violet Roumeliotis
SSI CEO