Annual Report

Annual Report
2015
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Contents
Funding and Support ......................................................................................................... 2
Management Committee .................................................................................................. 3
Organisation Objectives .................................................................................................... 3
Chairperson’s Report......................................................................................................... 4
Acting Director’s Report .................................................................................................... 5
Employees, Contractors, Casuals, Students and Volunteers ............................................... 7
Programs ........................................................................................................................... 10
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Humanitarian Settlement Services............................................................................... 10
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Settlement Grant Program (SGP) ................................................................................. 13
- Generalist .............................................................................................................. 13
- Youth Program ...................................................................................................... 14
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Settlement Services Activity ........................................................................................ 17
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Sharing Stories ............................................................................................................ 17
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Migration Assistance Program – SSA............................................................................ 19
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Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS) ................................. 19
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Family and Community Support .................................................................................. 19
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Counselling .................................................................................................................. 19
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Parenting Service ......................................................................................................... 19
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Community Group Work ............................................................................................. 20
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Multicultural Support - Community Services Sector ..................................................... 21
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Cultural Awareness Training ........................................................................................ 22
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Multicultural Parent and Children English Program (MPAC)......................................... 22
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Casuals, bilinguals and volunteers ............................................................................... 23
Auditor’s Report ................................................................................................................ 24
Financial Statements ......................................................................................................... 27
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
- Mentoring and Employment Pathways .................................................................. 17
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Funding and Support Provided by:
Australian Red Cross
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Community Detention Program
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
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Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme
Department of Social Services
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Generalist Settlement Grants Program
SGP Family Reunion Migration
SSA – Employment Services
Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS)
Youth Leadership Development Program
Lotterywest
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Emergency Relief Grant
NGALA/SWAN Alliance
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Conversational English Program
Office of Multicultural Interests
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Community Grants Program
WA Department of Health
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Sharing Stories
WA Department of Local Government and Communities
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Multicultural Support – Community Services Sector
Family Support Grant
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Cross Cultural Training Program
Work Ready Program
Miscellaneous small grants
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In support of the above programs
Membership
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Individuals and community groups with a commitment to settling refugees
Volunteers
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Individuals, community groups, church groups and organisations assisting families in a
practical way
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
MMRC
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Management Committee:
Iqbal Samnakay
Chairperson, appointed February 2014
Errol James
Vice Chair, elected October 2012
Christine Ockenfels
Secretary, elected October 2013, resigned February 2015
Henrietta Fernandes
Treasurer, appointed October 2014
Ahmed Yassin
Appointed October 2013
Foreman Foto
Appointed 2012, resigned June 2015
Lenda Oshalem
Appointed December 2014
Philippa Maczkowiak
Elected October 2014
Umile Gwakuba
Elected 2012, resigned November 2014
Our Vision
An inclusive and harmonious community that accepts and values migrants and their
contributions, and in which migrants are active participants in Australian community life.
Our Purpose
To facilitate the settlement and participation of migrants, especially humanitarian entrants
and their communities in Western Australia.
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Providing services to individuals
 To provide high quality settlement and other services to migrants, particularly
refugees and humanitarian entrants, and to develop new services based on
their needs.
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Providing services to communities
 To support migrant communities, especially new and emerging communities, to
develop their skills, knowledge, independence and capacity.
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Advocacy and training services
 To expand our influence with non-government organisations, government,
industry and the community to promote more responsive, inclusive and
appropriate mainstream services.
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Strengthening our organisation
 To develop the skills, knowledge and leadership within our organisation to
improve the financial sustainability, quality and responsiveness of our services.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Our Strategic Objectives
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Chairperson’s Report
The past twelve months has been somewhat of a roller coaster for the
MMRC with a number of grants coming our way to serve the
community, but at the same time, requiring a substantial degree of
belt-tightening so that we can keep within our resource constraints.
The Centre employed 37 staff and a pool of 71 bilingual and 45 volunteers to offer the
following services:
 Provided advice and assistance to over 16 community groups
 Settled 1038 Humanitarian Entrants (refugees)
 Assisted 477 newly arrived clients with casework services
 Provided activities for over 560 young people to encourage participation
The contribution to the migrant community can only be made by people who are dedicated to
the work they perform. On behalf of the MMRC Management Committee and our members, I
thank our great staff who worked tirelessly over the past year with humanitarian entrants and
new migrant communities helping them settle in our community. I would like to single out
the staff in the HSS program who have been exceptional in meeting the settlement demands
in a tight financial environment.
As you are aware, the MMRC Management Committee has new members joining as well as
others leaving the Committee at the end of their three year term. This year we see the
departure of highly committed Committee Members in Errol James, whose term has come to
an end, and resignations from Christine Ockenfels, Foreman Foto and Umile Gwakuba; we will
miss their wisdom and input. I express my thanks to my colleagues on the Management
Committee for their commitment and dedication to the Centre over the past year.
Finally, at the beginning of this year, Michael O’Hara resigned as the Director of the Centre
and sought to pursue his literary passions. On behalf of the staff and the Management
Committee, I pass on our thanks and appreciation for his time in guiding the organisation,
who served the MMRC for the past eight years. I also thank Eric Imani for taking on the role of
A/Director over the past few months and guiding the Centre through our transition to being a
resilient and progressive organisation.
Iqbal Samnakay
Chairperson
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
In addition to our key responsibilities, the MMRC also organised, ran or participated in a
number of community events that ensured that the migrants that we helped also got involved
in the broader community by partaking. Some of these events include:
 Star Search
 Cooking classes for newly arrived single men
 Computer literacy courses for newly arrived people
 Refugee day celebration
 The Multicultural indoor football tournament
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Acting Director’s Report
I was delighted to take on the role as Acting Director of the
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre since the departure of
Michael O’Hara in February 2015.
I am pleased to present the Annual Report of the Metropolitan
Migrant Resource Centre 2014-2015.
The past year has been a challenging one for both management
and staff. Under restrained financial circumstances we reviewed our
current service delivery and adapted solutions to increase our
capacity and capability to provide the best quality services to our
client groups.
Throughout the year, we provided following services:
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Humanitarian Settlement Services
Settlement Grants Program including; Generalist, Youth, and Immigration Assistance
Family and Community Support Program
Multicultural Support and Community Sector Program
Community Detention (ceased)
Sharing Stories
Swan Alliances, Communities for Children (ceased)
Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS)
Emergency Relief
Mentoring and Employment Pathways
Cultural Diversity Training
African Home and Community Care
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Providing quality settlement assistance to newly arrived Humanitarian Entrants in a
culturally appropriate manner.
Supporting migrant and refugee individuals and families in their transition to the new
environment through the provision of Settlements Grants project. The maturity and
growth of the community development work undertaken in the youth area resulting in
the successful outcome of our submission to Department of Social Services.
Improved service delivery and case management through the consolidation and review
of the services.
Supporting community centres and mainstream agencies through “Cultural Diversity
Trainings” to increase their capacity and knowledge to provide culturally and
linguistically responsive services.
MMRC is funded through the Department of Social Services to provide Settlement
Services Activity programs for the next 3 years.
A new program “Mentoring and Employment Pathways” funded by the Department of
Social Services will provide more opportunities to our clients who are seeking to
source employment and become positive role models for their respected community
members.
MMRC was the winner of the Australian Migration and Settlement Innovation Award
for 2015 for the best initiative Sharing Stories project.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
The most notable outcomes that have been achieved this year include:
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The ongoing support, commitment and motivation of the following group of people has
enabled us to realise and establish a collective vision to service our CaLD client groups and
their communities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank:
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The staff of MMRC, a highly committed, professional and client focussed team. All
staff and volunteers are to be congratulated for their achievements in managing
change while always striving for the best possible standards for our client groups.
The ethnic communities and their members for working in partnership with the Centre
and supporting MMRC.
The funding bodies; Department of Social Services, Department of Local Government
and Communities, Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and Lotterywest
for their financial support.
The Volunteers and Bilingual Facilitators for their dedication to serve our needy client
groups.
MMRC Management Committee, a very dedicated group of volunteers. I am grateful
to Iqbal Samnakay the Chairperson and Members of the Management Committee for
their faith and support provided to me and to the staff. The Committee’s vision and
courage has enabled us all to forge ahead and to break a new ground in our collective
quest to improve our service delivery to our client groups and their respected
communities.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Enayatollah (Eric) Imani
Acting Director
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Employees
Agnes Appudurai
Ahmad Cheaib
Ahmed Fadlalla
Ali Jan Khandad
Ali Reza Hussaini
Anne Sorenson
Catherine Chakulunta
Celeste Dzvangah
Celestin Ngoga
Daffodil Ahwha
Darryll Stephens
Eh Soe Kyat Oo
Elaine Atkins
Elizabeth Scully
Eric Imani
Farah Zeitoon
Federica Zammuto
Fleur Noonan
Flora Longinous
Florence Muvandi
Gabriele Wiedemann
Hailemeskel Ghebremichael
Hanan Abu-Laban
Isabella Mandungu
Jasna Hodzic
Linda Cook
Marie Christelle Barrere Collet
Marie Hayes
M Marlene Cunningham
Masiha Minhaj
Michael O'Hara
Mzingisi Mqhum
Nadia Farooq
Nasrin Naseri
Olwyn Heredi
Paul Rafferty
Rasha Saweris
Runyararo Marimo
Say Paw Hay
Sein Aung Moe
Shahnaz Kazemi
Suhair Mustafa
Tao Annie Neleman
Terese Micallef
Tsige Gebremeskel
Yvonne Johnson
Senior Admin Officer
HSS - Case Coordinator
SGP Generalist Officer
CDP Case Worker
CDP Case Worker
Sharing Stories Coordinator
SGP Youth Community Development Officer
Youth and Parent Engagement Officer
SGP Generalist Officer
Volunteer and Bilingual Coordinator/ Reception & Info Officer
Work Ready Project Officer
HSS Case Coordinator
HSS Housing Officer
HSS Admin Officer
Executive Manager/Acting Director
Finance Officer
CDP Case Worker
Sharing Stories Training Support Worker
CDP Case Worker
SGP Coordinator
Family and Community Support Worker
Cleaner
Multicultural Support Community Services Development and
Cultural Diversity Coordinator
Peer Youth Educator Sharing Stories
CDP Coordinator and HSS Coordinator
CDP Admin Officer and Finance Officer
Volunteer and Bilingual Coordinator
HSS Orientation Coordinator
HSS Accommodation Support Officer
SGP Generalist Officer
Director
SGP Youth Project Officer
SGP Generalist Officer
HSS Case Coordinator
HSS Case Coordinator
HSS Manager
SGP Generalist Officer
HSS Housing Admin Officer
SGP Generalist Officer
SGP Generalist Officer
Reception and Information Officer
SGP Generalist Officer
SGP and IAAAS Migration Agent
Sharing Stories Community Educator
Cleaner
Sharing Stories Community Educator
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Staff
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Contractor
Judi Kellond
Senior Finance Officer
A LainZar Ngun Tual
Ainas Abdalhafeez
Amani Divanian
Athy Tun
Brigitte Tha Heh
David Hang
Eh Thaw Han
Fatme Awada
Frishta Akbary
Golda Signal
Heather Whewell
Ihsan Khalil
Josephine Doe
Kathy Al-Oyoun
Kylie Htike
Luwam Araya
Mariam Shalemie
Melissa Pakirisamy
Mohammad Shapoor
Mu Lay Songsaeng
Natalina Juma
Nemat Ibrahim Mossa
Norma Cordero
Parvin Mostafavi
Rahila Haidary
Rasha Al-Hanbali
Roda Warsame Dirie
Safiya Ahmed Essa
Samara Assafiri
Spogmai Walizada
Terese Micallef
Thi Truc Linh Phan
Tsegay Teweldemedan Hadgat
Yahye Sheikh-Abdi
Yong Sang Leng
Zeina Alardah
Abdulkarim Alherz
Alina Maria Cuza
Assumpta Kale Juan
Ayo Christine George
Chuol Pajok Bil
Eh Myat Tun
Eh Yout May Htoo
Flora Longinous
Ghazal Attar
Hassan Sayed Ahmad
Hodae Zeben
Jamileh Heidari
Joujou Dogbe-Tsogbe
Kibret Haile Woldeyes
Labiba Divanian
Mahboubeh Seydalzadeh
Mashair Fadlalla
MiNge Chit
Monica Adut Jok
Myint Tan
Nawroz Ali Yusufi
Noorulhaq Ahmadi
Padamya
Pauline Ariyaratnam
Ram Lian San Tin Thei
Razia Jaffari
Sadia Saleh
Sahra Ahmed Hassan
Sayeda Maria Aziz
Sumaira Nasim
Theresa Sharp
Tine Mirmotalebi Sohi
Yaccob Russom Mesmmer
Yonas Tesfamariam
Zainab Abbas
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Casuals
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Volunteers
Abalhafeez Ainas (Nora)
Abdalhafeex Noorhan
Alfonson Caroline
Ahmadi Noorulhaq
Ahmed Abdi
Cunai Helen
Cho pay Swa Wah
Cuza Alina
Djordjevic Ljiljana
Dollar Gewargis
Essa Kauther
Hamamura Takeshi
Harris Lynette
Htike Kylie
Hassan Zeyneba
Ahmed Saade
Almansour Hasnaa
Araya Luwam
Awan Afzala
Al-Oyoun Kawther
Htoo Eh Yout May
Htike Kylie
Jok Adut
Kebede Zinabu
Kellond Judith
Lozano Maria
Hassan Zeyneba
Loong Chloe
Mundele Pergoleze
McMahon Matthew
Aung Cho Cho
Broadbent James
Cox Angela
Chiyaka Dorothy
Cho Pay Swan Wah
Piers Michelle
Shalemie Mariam
Sheikh Abdullahi
Tha Brigitte
Zeben Hodae (Hoda)
Wheeler Linda
Win Kyaw (Francis)
Musa Arnold
Nowbakht Gholam
Mpere Isaac
Students on Field Placement
Kim Mai Ngoc Dang
Pil-Rye Coffey
Selma Adam
Juihua Hsiung (Ruby)
Chris Elsa D’Souza
Simon Materu
Phun Tial
Daniel Moroney
Clive Lawrence
Aimee Robinson
Natalie McWhinney
Edith Cowan University
Polytechnic West
Midland TAFE
Central Institute of Technocolgy
Tabor College Perth
Edith Cowan University
Polytechnic West Midland
UWA
UWA
Edith Cowan University
Leederville TAFE
Roger Jewell
Ibrahim Kakay
Gabrielle Lim
Marlene Marcus
Andrew McAuley
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Migration Agents Pro Bono
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Programs
Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS)
The Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre (MMRC) contracted through the Australian Government
Department of Social Services, successfully completed the first year of its three year agreement in the
delivery of a range of services under the Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) programme.
MMRC aims to operate a holistic model of service delivery, with the core goal being to provide client
specific, individualised and tailored pathways that assist newly arrived humanitarian entrants to settle
into the Western Australian community, become self-sufficient and participate fully in all aspects of
Australian life. A key focus is on equipping new arrivals with knowledge and life skills, to effectively link
into local networks, access services and resources and to support them in gaining economic
independence and social cohesion.
Three broad types of services are combined to deliver the HSS programme. These include:
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Case Management – under which entrants receive many of their early and critical services
including on arrival reception, referrals to Centrelink, AMEP and Humanitarian Entrant Health
Service. Case management extends to individual planning and provision of other services
including orientation.
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Accommodation Services – which assists entrants to secure stable and affordable short
term and long term accommodation that is appropriate to their needs along with providing
entrants with a basic package of Household Goods to assist them to establish their new place of
residence in Australia.
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Local Area Coordination – which plays a leading role in promoting collaborative working
relationships with other settlement and community organisations and key government agencies
to achieve sustainable settlement outcomes for clients in key areas such as; employment and
training, English language proficiency and improving outcomes for refugee and humanitarian
youth.
While MMRC’s HSS program has only just past the first year of its establishment , a number of
additional, innovative , value added services have already been implemented including:
men referred to the Centre could not cook and as a result their health and nutrition were
unsatisfactory. Following discussions with ASeTTS, a joint partnership initiative has now
resulted in program of healthy cooking classes for single men. More recently newly arrived
families are also being delivered the same program with an immediate benefit and
associated increase in nutrition and wellbeing for clients.
 Basic Computer Literacy Classes.
There is an increasing ‘digital’ divide amongst
HSS clients and the broader community which is adversely impacting on HSS clients. The
lack of knowledge and skill in computer literacy is exacerbated by the rapid increase in
government agencies adoption of self-serve or online servicing. To fill this urgent need
MMRC have successfully negotiated with a local not-for-profit provider Mercycare to utilise
their facilities to conduct basic computer classes for HSS clients who have no computer
knowledge or skills.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
 Cooking Classes for Single Men. It was identified that a large proportion of single
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 Tailored Client Workshops.
In response to specific needs of refugees and
humanitarian entrants, the MMRC – HSS program has coordinated tailored workshops for:
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Orientation of young refugees and humanitarian entrants on weekends as students
most often can’t attend HSS orientation due to school commitments during the
week,
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A specialist workshop for HSS clients on health matters, including sexual health,
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Consumer and Legal rights workshop on practical issues such as mobile telephone
contracts, hire purchase, vehicle, credit cards and other loans.
 Parenting Services.
MMRC’s trained and qualified Parenting Counsellor visits all HSS
families and provides assessment, support, parenting and childcare advice. This is an
important value added service given the large number of HSS families referred to the Centre
and the considerable challenges facing refugee parents particularly with large families.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Country of Birth – HSS Clients 30 June 2015
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HSS Clients: Language Spoken 30 June 2015
Dinka Nuer Somali
Amharic
2%
2%
2%
Oromo
3%
3%
Swahili
3%
Karen S'gaw
14%
Burmese
3%
Pashto
5%
Dari
13%
Other
8%
Chin
13%
Farsi
7%
Arabic
12%
HSS Team: Ahmad Cheaib, Nasrin Naseri, Elaine Atkins, Marlene Cunningham, Runya Marimo, Liz Scully, Marie Hayes,
Eh Soe Kyat Oo, Olwyn Heredi, Paul Rafferty and Jasna Hodzic
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Tigrinya
10%
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Generalist Program- Settlement Services Activity
The SSA Generalist program is funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The program provides
settlement services, case work, referrals, and advocacy. The SSA program links clients with life skills
workshops and information sessions on a wide range of topics.
MMRC provides this service from our main office in Mirrabooka and has outreach services in Clarkson,
Ellenbrook, Banksia Grove, Ballajura and Lockridge.
The program aims to facilitate the access to mainstream services and support smooth settlement in
Australia for clients from refugee and humanitarian backgrounds who have lived in Australia for less
than 5 years.
During the year, SGP/ SSA generalist program has run information sessions on the following topics:
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Employment law matters
Consumer protection issues
Fraud and identity theft
Various health topics such as, skin cancer, hepatitis, obesity etc.
Parenting children in Australia
Job Ready training
Mental health
Learner drivers
Computer classes
Tenancy law
Dental hygiene
Insurance
Utility bills and finance
Employment and redundancy
The support groups that were offered are:
 Seniors’ Activities
 Women support groups
Women Support Workshop
At Perth Zoo
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Overall, in this financial year, 280 clients participated in information sessions and workshops and over
500 clients were provided case work assistance. The SGP team would like to thank our partners: Ishar,
Northern Suburbs Legal Community Centre, City of Stirling, Headspace Midland, Cancer Council,
Relationships Australia, Ngala, City of Wanneroo, City of Swan, Franklyn Scholar, Stanley College, PVS,
LearnEd, WA Police, Department of Social Services, Department of Health, Department of Human
Services, Office of Multicultural Interest, Multicultural Housing Services, Centrelink Mirrabooka, ASeTTS,
Edmund Rice Centre, Employment Law Centre, Women’s Health and Family Services and those who
have worked closely with us to offer these services.
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SGP /SSA Youth
The SGP/SSA Youth program is funded by the Department for Social Services and provides services to
young people aged 12-25 years from migrant and humanitarian backgrounds. The service assists all
eligible SGP/SSA clients to integrate, participate in mainstream activities, contribute positively into
society and reduce isolation. This is achieved through a range of sports and arts activities - to engage,
mentor and build leadership skills in the young people. Some of the activities include:
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Homework Hut - After School Homework Assistance (Community Libraries and Schools);
Annual Mentoring and Leadership Camps;
On-going programs and tournaments in various sporting codes (AFL, Soccer, Basketball, Tennis,
Volleyball, Netball etc.);
Art programs in schools and community groups;
School holiday programs – sports and arts;
Creating opportunities for young people to show their talents through sport and arts;
KIDSPORT Referral Agent - Assisting youth to join sporting clubs and getting involved in
recreational activities in their local areas. SGP/SSA Youth sports program works with the Cities
of Wanneroo, Swan and Stirling to facilitate the increase in sport and active recreation
participation by CaLD youth;
Assisting youth groups to find funding sources to fund their projects;
Encouraging cultural harmony - identifying common goals and interests between young people
from Indigenous/mainstream backgrounds and newly arrived communities;
Youth Advocacy - partnering with a range of community organisations, groups, agencies and
government departments to organise and facilitate some of the projects.
Arts
The CaLD Newsletter project is an arts/media project focused on creating a bi-annual Newsletter by
young people from CaLD backgrounds. It aims at informing the public on many aspects and differences
of culture among new and emerging communities in Western Australia. The project comprised a team
of 5 participants from refugee, humanitarian and CaLD backgrounds, who met regularly to discuss topics
based on issues affecting old and newly arrived migrants. Participants learnt how to plan, document
ideas and create their own Newsletter. The diversity of the group built a stronger sense of respect and
sensitivity towards other cultures. They created two newsletters with information on community
updates, nutrition, fashion, business, food and recipes.
Star Search is a growing performing arts annual project, which creates an opportunity for young people
from refugee, humanitarian and CaLD backgrounds to show case their talent. Project is for talents
consisting of singers, dancers, actors, musicians, or any performing arts. Participants are mentored,
coached and counselled by professional musicians, choreographers and dancers over a period of three
months leading up to the Grand Finale. The program is structured such that there are mini competitions
within this overall competition. Certain achievements during the rehearsal and coaching stages are
awarded to give incentives to work harder.
Star Search 2015 kicked off with 63 young people auditioning from North and South Metropolitan
Schools and Community Centres. This year engaged 17 professional artists/mentors/ volunteers, as well
as 18 sponsors as contributors towards the mini awards. Professional artists as well as previous
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
The School Art / Life skills project is a 5 weeks school-based project where primary and high school
students from CaLD backgrounds engage in various art activities. The project is aimed at addressing
issues of social isolation and marginalisation within school premises. The youth team liaises with
different schools and tailor the art activities to school values and participant needs. The project is
delivered by using leadership and mentoring principles as tools to engage participants. Each week
explores a different leadership principle using different forms of artistic activities such as; paper dart
collage, thumb print artwork, 3D snowflakes, rotational peer reflection drawing; to name a few.
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participants came in as mentors and coached the participants in groups and individually on the
following topics: health and personal hygiene, stage presence, costumes, originality, dance and vocal
techniques. This year’s event also saw many young volunteers, guest speakers including representatives
from Headspace, the WA Police Community Engagement, professional artists as well as peers who have
made great achievements such as the new recipient of the 2014 WA Youth Awards; to name a few.
The grand finale was a huge success with an audience of over 200 supporters and exceptional
performances from the top ten finalists. Congratulations to all participants and prize winners. The top
three finalists also got an interview with the West Australian Newspaper for the Ed Magazine section.
This competition will be bigger and better in 2016.
Homework Hut is a FREE after school support program which offers help with homework, assignments
and assessments to young people from refugee, humanitarian and CaLD backgrounds. It runs in selected
library and school locations. Homework hut runs by volunteers at the following locations; Greenwood
Senior High School; Aranmore College (IEC); Aranmore College (EAL/D); Mirrabooka Senior high school;
Clarkson Library; Mirrabooka Library. Our next new locations are yet to be confirmed but will most likely
open at Balga Senior High School and the Ellenbrook Library.
Mentoring and Leadership Camp is a three day camp, held during school holidays. MMRC’s annual
camps are themed to encourage attendees, audience and the presenters alike to exchange ideas and
information on issues affecting youth. The 2015 camp theme will continue from 2014’s Choose Respect
and cyber bullying /safety in addressing issues of Safety! This year’s theme will be Road safety, among
other topics to prompt dialogues on impacts and laws of road safety. The 2015 camp will identify
potential ambassadors in empowering communities and schools on road safety. There will also be
presentations focused on fostering the culture of Choose Respect amongst youth and others.
Dance Workshops: This activity is an initiative to give a chance to young people who would like to learn
to dance while having discussions around Youth Issues. The activity ran during the September-October
2014 and January and April 2015 school holidays. This was a good platform for young people as well as
their parents from CaLD backgrounds to interact.
The Multicultural Indoor Soccer Tournament is a five-a-side soccer championship held annually
engaging approximately twelve teams. This year’s five-a-side soccer was planned to coincide with the
final of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. The tournament was spiced up when the ten
participating teams adopted names of the Asian nationals. Prior to the commencement of the games on
the day, an Edith Cowan University (ECU) ambassador, Tanya Oxtoby, addressed the players about the
importance of education and hard work. As such, she encouraged players to plan their lives outside of
the sport they love. She also observed that this was often an easier task for female athletes as there
were not enough financial rewards offered to women in sport. At the tournament, expectations were
high and the defending champions, the Sword Boys, did not disappoint. The Afghan team exuded
confidence as well as displayed polished skills before being crowned champions for the third
consecutive year. The championship match was played between the defending champions, Sword Boys
and the Dream Team. The Sword Boys defeated the Dream Team by the score of 8 - 6, winning their
third Multicultural Indoor Soccer Cup in as many years. The event was held at Edith Cowan University,
Joondalup. Overall, this event was a successful community engagement outcome for the supporting
organisations.
The Multisport Program has been running at different venues with great success. This program is aimed
at engaging migrant youth in sport and active recreation. It does so through a number of ways including,
but not limited to: (i) working with local teams from various sporting codes to create sustainable sport
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Sports
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development pathways, (ii) identifying and eliminating cultural barriers that impact the retention levels
of migrant youth who join local clubs; (iii) encouraging representatives from local teams to MMRC
organised sporting sessions. As a result of the success of this program, two opportunities have since
presented themselves;
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Introduce life skills and employment skills workshops. This means that the workshops will
piggyback, on the multisport program which is already attracting dozens of young people each
week.
Commence an identical multisport program at Quinns Rocks.
School Holiday Programs (SHP) is designed to engage eligible participants in sports during school
breaks. The program provides free activities for 13-17 year olds. Activities include physical recreation
and modified adventure sports that are facilitated by qualified coaches. Young people learn new skills,
meet new people, and have fun during these engaging and stimulating activities. Children with limited
English have benefited from this program because it provides an opportunity to build friendship and
support. MMRC continues to liaise with different sporting codes to run modified sessions and/or clinics
during these periods. During the 2014 term 4 school break we offered the following activities; soccer
clinic, tennis, badminton and AFL clinic. On average, twelve young people attended each activity.
As a Referral Agent for KIDSPORT Scheme, we continue to liaise with local sporting clubs to create
opportunities for migrant youth to participate in sport. This is an important government scheme that
enables children to participate in community sport and recreation by offering financial assistance
towards club fees. Since the beginning of this year, we have been able to refer 35 young people.
SSA Team: Florence Muvandi, Suhair Mustafa, Catherine Chakulunta, Say Paw Hay, Ali Reza Hussaini and
Rasha Saweris. Celestin Ngoga (absent during team photo)
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Indoor soccer tournament
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Mentoring and Employment Pathways
Mentoring and Employment Pathways is a new project funded by the Department of Social Services that
aims to assist eligible Settlement Service Clients in Perth SD to gain employment by providing; support,
accessible training opportunities, overcoming cultural barriers in gaining employment, enhancing selfesteem and confidence to apply for jobs and retain employment.
This new initiative has already attracted 44 eligible clients from a variety of ethnic communities.
13 individuals have finalised their assessment and connected to employers.
Lynn Koehler with clients at Pemberton Strawberry Farm
Sharing Stories
Sharing Stories is an innovative health promotion and support program in sexual health and blood
borne viruses (BBV) funded by the state Department for Health and works with new and emerging
migrant communities in Perth, WA. It uses theatre, film making, art and drama to empower members
of mobile populations to become peer educators, who break through cultural barriers to communicate
sexual health and BBV education, offer support and referral pathways as well as reducing stigma and
discrimination often associated with sexually transmitted infections. Since its inception in 2008, the
project has received continual funding to investigate different ways to effectively equip the young
people, parents and other community members to gain skills and knowledge to become peer educators
to empower their own communities.
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Provide culturally sensitive sexual health education and information sessions using multiple
strategies through community events, Youth Drama and It’s a Girl Thing (a girls after school
drop in program).
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Raise awareness and enhance knowledge of sexual health issues amongst different populations
within migrant, new and emerging communities in Perth through delivery of training sessions,
specialised sessions and workshops, camps and information stalls at community events.
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Increase the skills of our Community and Youth Peer Educators to deliver sexual health
awareness raising programs to CaLD groups.
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Work towards the goal of developing a sustainable project for promoting sexual health
awareness and education run by local CaLD communities by assisting in growing knowledgeable
Community Educators throughout the HIV Awareness training program.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
The Sharing Stories project continues to:
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The above objectives have been realised through a holistic and community development approach,
which utilises community members and establishes community groups in collaboration with other
service providers and teams within MMRC.
Community Education and Peer Education
Sharing Stories has been working in partnership with the Western Australian AIDS Council (WAAC) to
promote sexual health awareness through the creation of educational materials which empower
communities and family members to take control of their sexual health. This year the collaboration led
to the development of a short film which aimed to empower migrant community members in raising
awareness for sexual health and blood borne viruses (BBVs), the short film led to also partnering with
the Western Australia Student Television team.
The Sharing Stories Community and
Peer Educators attended the 2014 20th
International HIV/AIDS Conference in Melbourne,
the peer educators also performed at the 2015
FRINGE WORLD festival in Perth. Sharing Stories
was also involved with the Australian Hepatitis
Conference, the HIV and Mobility Forum and have
since continued to represent WA through monthly
teleconferences with the Australian Federation of
AIDS Organisation (AFAO).
2014 World AIDS Conference Performance
Terese Micallef, Isabella Mandungu, Golda Signal and
Anne Sorenson
Professional and Sector Development
With the completion of the ‘Your Cultural Lens’ online training, the focus shifted to the professional and
sector development area, to further promote and evaluate the training. A number of managers
indicated they have facilitated staff to complete the training as teams, to add to this, many
professionals have accessed the training online, whilst training sessions are also being delivered within
the workplace. Sharing Stories has also united with SiREN to disseminate a report on the evaluation of
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Sharing Stories Youth Educators have created an after school girls only program which facilitates in
educating the girls about sexual health, healthy relationships and leadership. The Sharing Stories
Community Educator has also been supporting youth led initiative From Nothing to Something (FNTS) to
secure funding for Hepatitis Week 2015. The money was used to host one day Hepatitis training for
young leaders involved in FNTS and a ‘feed the homeless’ event that involved cooking and distributing
food plus opportunities for informal hepatitis and other BBV education.
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the youth drama project as a way of encouraging culturally and linguistically diverse young people in the
friendly practice in sexual health and BBV education.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre was the winner of the 2015 Australian Migration and Settlement
Innovations Award for Sharing Stories Program.
Migration Assistance Program - SSA
This program is funded by the Department of Social Services
and provides advice and assistance with preparation of application
to eligible clients on sponsorship for their family members.
Migration Agent, Annie Neleman, conducted 141 individual sessions
to assess their request. 54 applications were prepared and clients
assisted to lodge their applications, 6 group information sessions
were conducted and 127 people attended.
Annie Neleman
Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS)
This program is funded by the Department of Immigration and Border protection to assist eligible clients
from CaLD backgrounds to prepare applications for their family members overseas to migrate to
Australia.
During the year 295 individual consultations and 8 community information sessions were conducted by
Annie Neleman.
Family and Community Support
This service is funded by the state Department of Local Government
and Communities and provide following service:
The counselling service offers support to families and individuals
from CaLD background enabling them to identify their capacities
and build on their strengths to overcome difficulties they may face
Gabi Wiedemann
during their settlement process. Services are provided on a
universal basis in response to diverse and varied needs of the clients. Service recipients
receive relevant information and knowledge to enhance their network and skills in order to have better
access to available services in the community. Issues that were most commonly dealt within this
section are; family relationships, parenting in new environments, parent and child conflict, teenager
issues, conflict resolution and communication, decision making process, anger management, domestic
violence, family separation and divorce, postnatal depression, anxiety and depression through social
isolation, financial and legal matters, grief and loss, and physical health.
During the year 242 counselling sessions were provided to the clients.
Parenting service
MMRC is very aware that being an affective parent does not come automatically and that parenting
young children and teenagers is very demanding. We believe parenting is like any other skill; comes with
plenty of practice and experience. There is no simple guidebook on how to become a good parent.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Counselling
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The service empowers parents with effective child management skills so that both parent and children
can develop good relationships during their settlement in Australia. Teaching parents how to
communicate positively within the family and particularly with their children.
Variety of information and orientation sessions were conducted with families from CaLD backgrounds to
inform them how to communicate positively, tips to find appropriate ways of managing children in a
new country, experiencing skills to guide children’s behaviour, information on child development and
children’s needs of different ages.
All newly arrived Humanitarian Entrants are visited at their residence and receive a welcome to the
country. They are all provided information and advice about raising children in Australia, schooling for
children, parenting in a new country, their legal rights and obligations, child care services,
communication within the family, disciplining children, play grounds, health and hygiene and health
nutrition.
Parenting Advice Sessions
Community Group Work
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Playground safety (Burmese and Afghan Communities)
What is a healthy relationship and how to maintain it? (Afghan, African, Burmese, Iraqi,
Iranian communities)
Mindful Parenting (Afghan, African, Burmese, Iraqi communities)
Parenting in a new culture (Afghan Community)
Healthy Living in Australia (Afghan, African, Burmese, Iraqi communities)
Adolescent Conflict Resolution (Afghan, African, Burmese, Iraqi communities)
Women Health, Birthing experience (Burmese and Afghan group)
Anger Management (Afghan, African, Burmese, Iraqi communities)
Gabi Wiedemann with clients at ‘Dianella Open Space’
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Community group work provides a range of different psycho educational group activities to enhance
knowledge, confidence and life skills. Participants are exercising practical solutions to respond to dayto-day difficulties that they may face and developing new skills on building relationships,
communication, and personal development. Following community groups are currently running:
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Multicultural Support – Community Services Sector
The Multicultural Support – Community Services Sector Service
operates with the financial support of the Department of
Local Government and Communities to enhance the capacity
of eligible organisations to engage and work with clients
from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in a
competent and appropriate manner.
Multicultural support is offered through a range of activities
that are flexible to change in order to respond to the unique
needs of the diverse range of community services.
Hanan Abu Laban
The service provides:
Formal half day or one day Cultural Awareness training, generic or specialised that can be tailored to the
organisation’s needs:
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One on one consultations, coaching or agency information sessions
Workplace training to provide service providers hands on experience with (CaLD)
communities through outings, and fun activities. Service Providers can interact with
individuals in an informal and friendly environment whilst gaining firsthand knowledge and
skills to be able to work in a culturally sensitive manner.
Workplace based workshops
During the year, the program provided several different activities ranging from whole day formal
cultural awareness trainings to individual coaching to over twenty different services including school
volunteers program, Centre Care, City of Swan, City of Stirling, Derrick Ernst Neighbourhood Centre,
Edmund Rice Centre, City of Bayswater, and Youth Focus.
The Multicultural Support Service partnered with Youth Focus and settlement grant officers from the
metropolitan migrant resource centre to run the PACTS training to a group of CaLD mothers. The aim of
this project is to showcase how to adapt a main stream training package to be used with CaLD people to
get optimum results.
The service partnered with the City of Stirling Multicultural Officer to run a training day for service
providers to enhance their knowledge on working with Arabic speaking communities.
MS-CSS Coordinator endeavours to keep up to date with new services, changes and other trends that
might have an effect on community services through actively participating in networks, meeting and
working groups including Social Inclusion, celebrating diversity, CaLD youth engagement in education,
East Metro CaLD network, African learning circle, Department of Human Services consultative forum,
supporting multicultural families in Mirrabooka region and others. MS-CSS Coordinator represented
MMRC on the harmony committee to celebrate the diversity in Mirrabooka.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Service Coordinator conducted a series of community consultations focusing on parenting challenges
through the eyes of CaLD parents and the gaps that exists in the parenting systems. The outcome of
consultations and needs analysis is forwarded to the Department and other relevant services in an
effort to better address the community needs.
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Cultural Awareness Training
Australia is a culturally diverse society and MMRC’s Cross Cultural Training is designed to provide
interested organisations and individuals with an increased knowledge and awareness of the issues
facing people from the new and emerging communities.
Cultural Diversity Training provides:


Current information and education around the contemporary cultural diversity landscape in
Australia.
Baseline skills in working in a culturally competent
manner with both colleagues and clients.
The Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre employs several
methods of training to suit the organisation and/or industry of
choice. The following are the training methods utilised:
 Formal training
 Informal training
 Work in-situ training
Our sessions are customised to suit the requirements of individual organisations starting with a friendly
discussion to understand what your agency is seeking to achieve. Training sessions vary in duration
according to the needs, from 2 hours to a full day.
During the inception of the program, MMRC has provided training to wide variety of organisations and
groups in this financial year including Medicare Local, City of Stirling, Youth Care, Netball WA, Anglicare,
Perth Modern School and other educational institutes.
Multicultural Parents and Children English Program (MPAC)
In conjunction with NGALA Community Services on behalf of the Swan Alliance, the Conversational
English Activity was developed to provide CaLD families and particularly mothers who did not have
access to formal English courses with practical English skills for facilitation of their day to day
communication in the Beechboro area.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
The project commenced on 23rd January 2012 and extended until June 2015. During this period,
isolated CaLD mothers were engaged in variety of activities to improve their English communication
skills while their children were at nearby schools.
The project brought many CaLD families together and connected them to various services in the area.
Program was finalised on the 30th June 2015.
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Casuals, bilinguals and volunteers
The work of dedicated and professional bilingual workers and volunteers is integral to the success of a
variety of programs run by the Centre including Humanitarian Settlement Services, Settlement Services
Activity and Family Support.
All bilingual workers and volunteers have an approved Working with Children Check and Police
Clearances. They receive regular training in centre practices and policies and work closely with staff in a
strong support network.
MMRC continues to provide crèche workers to Perth Family Relationship Centre (FRC).
The Centre currently has 76 bilingual workers, 47 volunteers and 23 crèche workers. MMRC extends its
thanks for their invaluable work and contribution.
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Admin and Finance Team – Daffodil Ahwha, Linda Cook,
Judi Kellond, Shahnaz Kazemi and Agnes Appudurai
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Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Auditor’s Report
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Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
Financial Statements
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Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
2/17 CHESTERFIELD ROAD MIRRABOOKA WA 6061
Phone (08) 9344 6788 Fax (08) 9344 3008
MIRRABOOKA
1/14 CHESTERFIELD
ROAD MIRRABOOKA WA 6061
Email admin@mmrcwa.org.au
Web www.mmrcwa.org.au
Phone (08) 9345 5755 Fax (08) 9345 5036
2/17 CHESTERFIELD ROAD MIRRABOOKA WA 6061
Phone (08) 9344 6788 Fax (08) 9344 3008
metropolitan MIGRANT resource centre inc
Email admin@mmrcwa.org.au Web www.mmrcwa.org.au
Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Annual Report 2015
MIRRABOOKA
1/14 CHESTERFIELD ROAD MIRRABOOKA WA 6061
Phone (08) 9345 5755 Fax (08) 9345 5036
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