“Our delegation was made of women of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and disciplines of music. But we had one thing in common: we are passionate about what we do and we’ve all have been fighting to do it,” Marina said.
“Every other woman had been going through the same struggles, we’ve been fighting to come out with our voices. The delegation was not about competition, it was about sisterhood. We are still in touch to this day.”
Marina was part of a ground-breaking initiative where SSI, BEMAC and AWMA joined forces to invite female artists from diverse backgrounds across NSW and Queensland to take part in a carefully curated program. The program included workshops and industry talks, and culminated in attendance at the AWMA ceremony and concert.
As the applications open today to form this year’s delegation, Marina encouraged emerging artists to apply.
“I would tell all female musicians from all ages and cultural backgrounds that just by applying you are supporting all of us,” she said.
“Apply and if you get chosen that’s a gift. You will connect with a wonderful family of women supporting each other. You will connect with people who understand your journey and struggles. It’s an experience I find hard to put into words because it’s profound on so many levels.”
The aim of the delegation is to promote diversity and equality in the Australian music industry by empowering diverse emerging artists to develop their artistic practice, connect with each other, and network with Australia’s most established female musicians.
Marina noted that although she has sometimes felt alone as a musician from a diverse background, the experience left her feeling a renewed sense of empowerment, ready to build her next show that is ‘all about women’.
“I come from a Croatian background, I grew up in New Zealand, then migrated to Australia, then the UK, and Italy. In each of these places, I learned about their customs and language. My whole life has been adapting to different cultures and listening to different languages, trying to fit in,” Marina said.
“Being part of the delegation and AWMA gave me an opportunity to be acknowledged by representing myself and women like me by being a delegate. It was also empowering for younger women to see an older female artist being showcased and uplifted in this way.”
“Women like us, diverse women from every background, shouldn’t be invisible.”
How to apply
Applications to be part of the next delegation are now open and close at midnight on 2 June. We welcome applications from emerging, female-identifying, or non-binary artists from diverse cultural backgrounds in NSW and Queensland.
The world we live in today has greater connection between countries, cultures, and economies than our parents or grandparents could have ever imagined. This has led to greater mobility, but so too has it created disruptive migration trends such as the record levels of forced displacement due to conflicts and persecution.
Refugee resettlement providers must not only focus on providing essential services to refugees but also prioritise engaging in international dialogue and participating in forums that bring together organisations from around the world to share knowledge, experiences and best practices, as well as to advocate for the rights of refugees globally.
SSI is a regular participant at forums, such as the UNHR NGO Consultations, so it was a great honour last month to be able to play our part locally in hosting UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, on his trip to Australia.
During a visit to SSI’s new Fairfield office, we had the opportunity to elevate the experience of people who come to Australia as refugees, opening the door to a greater understanding of settlement in Australia and the experiences of those who come to our shores seeking safety.
The following week, our Fairfield office was once again honoured to play host to our international colleagues, this time holding a forum for Amnesty International Secretary General Dr. Agnes Callamard to hear from people with lived experience.
Whether working internationally or on a local level, SSI places a big emphasis on ensuring our work is both driven and informed by people with lived experience
We employ over 1,000 staff – more than half of whom were born outside of Australia. Many of these staff also have experiences of forced displacement, and it was wonderful to add their voices to the forum, sharing their nuanced experiences as people who have both been refugees and now support refugees.
SSI delivers local services, but we are committed to contributing to the sector globally through policy, advocacy, capacity building and the development of strong partnerships internationally.
Last week, I was privileged to speak at the Metropolis International Seminar at Georgetown University in Washington about the evolution of migration in the post-pandemic world and the lasting legal, political, and social implications of “temporariness” in all its forms.
It was fascinating to share insights of SSI’s experience in this area, while also hearing from other countries – and particularly relevant given last week’s announcement from the Federal Government on a big shift towards a more permanent-focused migration program in Australia.
As I absorbed information over the two-day seminar, it struck me again the value of collaboration between those of us in the migration space – whether refugees or others – to share resources, knowledge and expertise.
Through collaboration with international bodies such as Amnesty International, we have advocated to bring innovative initiatives to Australia, such as the Community Sponsorship Program.
Working with our international colleagues at the UNHCR NGO Consultations, we have identified challenges and barriers that refugees face in their new host countries. We have been able to advocate for better policies and support, and share experiences and best practices to improve resettlement outcomes for refugees.
Refugee issues are not limited to one country or region – they are a global concern – and require all of us to work collaboratively to shift the dial.
When Waseemunnisa Syed was invited to an SSI organised Community Voice consultation session for Urdu speaking people, she was initially reluctant.
(more…)Many young adults struggle to define their career aspirations and educational goals, but Ellen Brant has found guidance and support in a new pilot program by SSI’s Local Area Coordination (LAC) program.
(more…)Olga and her daughters.
Valeriia’s journey began on the morning of February 24, 2022, when her family were woken by bombing at Kiev airport, a short distance from their home. In that moment, they made the decision to pack up their lives and flee in search of safety.
The family arrived in Sydney on March 12, 2022, and were supported by SSI to access the essentials needed to navigate their new home.
“I was surprised someone was caring about us. Then they provided us with a case manager who was very supportive because we were like blind kittens—we didn’t know anything [about Australia],” said Valeriia.
Now, almost 12 months since they left Ukraine, they have found stable accommodation and are determined to contribute to the community that has welcomed them with open arms.
Valeriia is studying English working towards re-building her family’s successful landscaping business in Australia.
They are thrilled that their nine-year-old son, who was homeschooled in Ukraine due to his anxiety, is attending local school and making friends with his classmates for the first time ever.
“The teachers at the school are so supportive, they try so hard and are very creative. For example, the principal brought in dogs just to make him comfortable,” she said.
Olga and her two daughters also found refuge in Sydney in March after fleeing their home in Odessa.
Like many Ukrainians who have left the country, Olga’s friends have been a core support for her and her girls. Having migrated to Australia 20 years ago, they encouraged her to seek asylum and allowed her family to live with them for the first six months in Sydney.
Olga’s SSI case manager Muniera, who has supported the family to register for Medicare, translated documents, organised medical support, provided them with technology, and more, has also been key in their settlement journey.
“I did not imagine that this could happen. She was organised at such a level and so professional; I did not have time to come to my senses. I burst into tears of happiness,” said Olga.
With a 20-year career in Ukraine as an Accountant, Olga quickly found part-time employment as a finance administrator. She is working towards acquiring the English language skills needed to get her overseas qualification and experience recognised.
And like many Sydney locals, on her days off work Olga has been getting out to explore the region’s beautiful scenery and walking tracks.
“My friends gifted me a book of harbour and coastal walks because I enjoy beaches. And I have done maybe six or seven walks now, Bondi, Manly, Coogee, Bundeena,” she said.
Both Valeriia and Olga never imagined they would be forced into the situation they have experienced over the past 12 months. But despite the challenges, they are both determined to make the most out of their lives in Australia and feel positive about the future.
“When I feel bad I look around at my surroundings and see happy people and beauty,” says Valeriia. “A lot of good things have already happened, and I think they will continue to happen.”
While modern Australia celebrates multiculturalism, this appreciation of our rich, diverse communities is a recent advent. Up until the 1960s, Australia sought to achieve a homogenous culture through assimilation policies.
This was particularly devastating for First Nations communities, who lost culture, identity and connection to country through forced assimilation. These policies also affected new migrants and refugees – who were forced to abandon their culture in order to try to belong in their new home.
This treatment has had lasting effects on individuals and communities, which we must continue to acknowledge, even while celebrating the progress we have made towards creating a more cohesive, diverse nation.
There is still much work to be done to achieve true inclusion and appreciation for all cultures, but it is with the benefit of hindsight – and in reflecting on our nation’s complex history – that we can understand and appreciate the true value of celebrations like Harmony Week. This is doubly so in light of Harmony Week’s origin as a local celebration aligned with International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
By embracing our diversity and fostering understanding and respect between cultures, we can create a society where everyone feels valued and respected.
At SSI, we work every day to support migrants and refugees in settling into their new lives in Australia. We know firsthand the challenges that newcomers face, and we are committed to helping them integrate into our society and feel a sense of belonging.
But we cannot do this alone. It takes a collective effort to create a society where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their background. We must all work together to build a community where diversity is celebrated, and differences are seen as strengths, not weaknesses.
This Harmony Week, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the importance of multiculturalism and the role we each play in creating a harmonious and inclusive society. Together, we can commit to working collaboratively to create a future where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
“They’re now my new home, they’re my family,” said Amreena about her group members, all mothers of children with disability.
After migrating to Australia, Amreena found it difficult to access information, resources and support because she did not know where to look and who to ask for help. Through the MPN program, she has found a supportive group with a shared cultural background that faces the same day-to-day challenges she does.
Amreena’s group of mothers is one of nearly a hundred groups part of the MPN program, which started three years ago with funding from the Department of Social Services (DSS).
Over the years, the MPN program grew to become a collection of impactful, peer-led support groups promoting independence among people from multicultural communities with lived experience of disability, as well as their carers and families.
Throughout the program, SSI trained 71 emerging community leaders to become peer group facilitators and supported over 1,000 participants with disability across NSW. MPN groups have been instrumental in giving participants and facilitators alike a space to hold relatable conversations, build confidence, and connect with other members.
Free resources available
As the program is soon coming to an end, SSI is launching two new web pages to ensure individuals and partner organisations can learn from our experiences and access resources so that the work continues.
- MPN resources for individuals: How to connect with your community
Contains fact sheets on how people with lived experience of disability can stay informed and where and how to seek out a community group.
- MPN resources for partners: How to start your own peer-to-peer support group
Contains a summary of successes and learnings from the MPN program as well as free resources on how to start a community group.
Continuing the work
The resources we have developed outline a step-by-step process for potential facilitators, program managers, and participants to create peer support groups of their own. They aim to empower others to create awareness around disability, understand disability tools, and the services available for the community.
SSI also offers free facilitator training for community organisations and individuals interested in starting their own community peer groups to deepen their facilitator skills.
You can find out more about the Multicultural Peer Network here or explore fact sheets to help people with a lived experience of disability stay informed here.
We look forward to seeing community groups use these resources to continue running peer groups to empower communities to connect and build capacity.
To learn more about the resources on this webpage, facilitator training or other ways SSI supports community organisations, email community@ssi.org.au.
International Women’s Day is a global celebration that has become a focal point in the women’s rights movement. It offers an opportunity to reflect on successes that have helped to advance gender equality. Here’s what we’ve been doing at SSI to progress women’s rights over the last 12 months.
SSI’s brand – our image and visual identity – traces its roots back to where we began in 2000, as a small settlement agency supporting refugees in Sydney. Fast forward to today, we are a national not-for-profit organisation that offers a diverse range of human services and promotes equal opportunities for all.
Some 19,000 refugees on temporary visas will be able to apply for permanent visas under new changes announced by the Federal Government today.