MFO August Newsletter 2022 |
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Multicultural Queensland Month our state's largest multicultural celebration – is held in August each year. As Queenslanders, we speak an incredible number of languages and dialects, and practice a broad range of faiths. This year, the theme 'Inclusion in action' acknowledging the incredible skills of multilingual Queenslanders, exploring practical ways to break down language barriers and consider the role we all play by choosing to use language that connects rather than divides us. Our communities thrive when we all work together to ensure everyone can connect, contribute and belong. MFO was delighted to host Placemakers GC and Opera Queensland (pictured above) for a get together and rehearsal session for the Home Grown Opera shows that will be a part of the Bleach Festival this year. It is a great opportunity for all of us to join together to celebrate our diversity and put inclusion into action through music.
You are in for a BIG treat with this amazing opera that will transport you around the world and that is inspired by stories from our multicultural community. This free event will be held at Botanic Gardens in August. For more information and tickets please visit the bleach Festival website.
https://bleachfestival.com.au/events/home-grown-opera/ |
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MFO is so proud to partner with one of the biggest Gold Coast arts festivals, the Bleach Festival for another year to help bring new diverse voices to the arts stage. Don't miss these 3 fabulous events. By attending you will also be directly supporting our multicultural community, promoting CALD Arts in our region. CROSSING BORDERS is a women’s empowerment project that has supported a diverse group of women to tell their stories of migration in a beautifully curated performance. There will also be beautiful food to sample. Tickets are $25 each and available at https://bleachfestival.com.au/events/crossing-borders/ LOVE, ALWAYS LOVE will take you through the life of renowned Lebanese singer Samira El Koussa through mesmerising music and story telling. This is a free ticketed show just click on this link: https://bleachfestival.com.au/events/love-always-love/ HOME GROWN OPERA - Opera Queensland have been inspired by stories from our multicultural community and have developed an incredible opera that will feature music from around the world. These are songs from significant events in our cultures that have been transformed into an opera. This is a not to be missed event. Tickets are free and available here https://bleachfestival.com.au/events/home-grown-opera/ Please visit the https://bleachfestival.com.au/ website for bookings. |
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MFO wishes ALL the Commonwealth athletes representing their countries the best! Indeed it is 'Inclusion in action' Vision and Mission The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will bring people together, be they athletes from countries far and wide, or communities from across the city and region. As we prepare for this iconic celebration of sport, we embrace the Commonwealth values of humanity, equality and destiny in everything we do. |
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Thank you to We Are Gold Coast for sharing the heartbreaking yet inspirational story of Achati and Emmanuel that is featured in our book Finding Home - Journeys of Hope. If you would like to learn more or purchase the book please visit www.MFO.org.au or pop into our op-shop or office at 79B Scarborough St, Southport. Click above for article. |
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MFO will be showcasing traditional cultural mannequins at each Community Centre event promoting Journeys Of Hope - FINDING HOME booklet (available to borrow in Gold Coast libraries). City of Gold Coast Community Centres Team invites you to an intimate networking evening to showcase their Community centres during Queensland Multicultural Month, an excellent opportunity for community groups to network and find out about incredible local facilities. • Meet and Greet & Networking opportunity • “Behind the scenes” tour • Cultural performance • Light refreshment will be served Find an event near you and join us for a night of cultural celebration and connection. (re)connect events Friday 5 August Upper Coomera Community Centre 5-7PM https://reconnect_uppercoomera.eventbrite.com.au Friday 12 August Pimpama Community Centre 5 - 7PM https://reconnect_pimpama.eventbrite.com.au Friday 19 August Kirra Hill Community Centre 5 - 7PM https://reconnect_kirrahill.eventbrite.com.au/ Thursday 25 August Mudgeeraba Community Centre 5 - 7PM https://reconnect_mudgeeraba.eventbrite.com.au Limited spaces available, RSVP today. |
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MFO invites you to attend the Gold Coast Multicultural Women's Health Expo, an event that will bring together many of the local health and wellbeing providers on the Gold Coast in one place. This event is targeted at the newly arrived migrant community of the Gold Coast who may want to connect with local services and find out about programs that can support them and their families. For more information please contact rana@mfo.org.au |
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Support for Women on Temporary Visas The SARA program has been working collaboratively with other services to provide support for the Sara clients who hold a temporary visa (including a bridging visa, student, working visa…). Due to the visa limitations, women are facing several barriers such as not be eligible for Centrelink benefits, financial instability, lack of support and others. However, with the support from other services we are helping women to minimize their barriers. In the past months, the SARA Program Advocates have been supporting clients to obtain financial assistance from Red Cross - The DFV Program, which provides emergency financial assistance for women on temporary visas who are escaping, experiencing or at risk of domestic or family violence and facing financial hardship. www.redcross.org.au/migration/family-and-domestic-violence-financial-assistance-program/ Red Cross is providing one off payment to cover costs of things like emergency accommodation, food, and medicine and more. We are also very pleased with the support provided by RizeUp. The service is helping cover medical expenses for women who are not eligible to access Medicare. Thank you, Red Cross and RizeUp! Your support truly makes a massive difference to these women’s lives. |
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Iconic Gold Coast Multicultural Festival returns LIVE in 2022!
Multicultural Families Organisation invites you bring your friends and families to enjoy a day on the beautiful Broadwater Parklands with wonderful performances from around the globe, right here on the Gold Coast. With three interactive areas for cultural entertainment, children activities and drumming circle, MFO - GLOBAL VILLAGE FESTIVAL will also have food trucks and stalls for everyone to enjoy. Limited opportunities for food trucks and community stalls contact cassie@mfo.org.au and performers contact kevin@mfo.org.au by Sept 2. Thanks to Queensland Government for support.
Looking forward to seeing you there! |
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Multicultural Families Organisation has recently received some ‘Safer Communities’ funding to establish the ‘Youth At Promise’ advocacy & support service for young people aged between 12 & 24 years. We are happy to welcome Steve Hackett as our Manager of Mental Health & Wellbeing to help set up this exciting new service for our young people. Steve’s extensive positive partnership work across the Gold Coast over the past 7 years whilst with the local headspace Centre (Youth Mental Health Service) ensures that our MFO Team, programs & families will have improved access to & education about important mental health and wellbeing opportunities. Please feel free to contact Steve anytime on 0488 579 517 or email steve@mfo.org.au and he will follow up your enquiry. |
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MFO recently attended an inspiring Graduation ceremony for 6 students from E Suarve in Ormeau. E Suarve is a not-for-profit community service organisation whose core focus is to provide opportunities, guidance & pathways to success for disengaged young people aged between 16 & 25. E Suarve is run by a passionate Team lead by Joseph Tepuni-Fromont & is an alternative learning program delivering bespoke (unique) approaches to curriculum & responds to each students individual learning, behavioural, social & wellbeing needs in a supportive environment outside the student’s regular classroom setting. MFO looks forward to working closely with E Suarve as we begin to establish our Youth At Promise program. For more info on E Suarve’s great programs go to www.esuarve.com.au |
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The Multicultural Women’s Friendship Group has been getting very crafty thanks to our volunteer art teacher Esmeralda Maximo. We love sharing our skills with each other and getting together for a cuppa and a chat every Wednesday from 10.30 – 12.30. All women welcome to join us. However please note that due to preparations for the Bleach* Festival the group will not be held on Wednesday 3 August and Wednesday 17th August. For more information please contact rana@mfo.org.au. |
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SARA’s Multicultural women’s group: Our Multicultural women’s group is back to our weekly group meetings after school holidays. The Multicultural Women’s group has been empowering women through the education and information since 2010. The Multicultural Women’s group is a safe space for women to connect, heal, share experiences, and to be able to develop strategies to keep themselves and their children safe and cope with everyday challenges. This group has changed the lives of more than 120 women. The SARA facilitators are working with survivors in psychoeducational sessions such as talking about healthy relationships and how to identify signs of an abusive relationship. We bring guest speaker to help woken gain greater awareness about their rights and about available services. Women enjoy participating in various activities which help them to increase confidence and self-esteem. The SARA facilitators provide a warm, safe, supportive, and confidential environment for multicultural women to create sense of safety and belonging. We meet every Friday from 10:00 to 12:00 in a confidential location. If you are a service provider who would like to refer a women to our Multicultural Women’s group, for more information contact SARA on 0405 065 544. |
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Pacific Pines welcome! The Youth and Community Development team is so proud to share in a new partnership at Pacific Pines High School! MFO started work at Pacific Pines, developing activities with the help of the wonderful youth support coordinators from the school. Our visits will be on Mondays and we are so excited to share time with the students and develop engagement with their multicultural families. We would like to say thanks to Ness, Guidance Officer at Pacific Pines, for her support. For more information about the Youth Team at MFO, email Wai Yin Naidoo, Manager, Youth & Community Development at homework@mfo.org.au |
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Homework Club is back! Welcome to all our students to our Homework Club! This term we will be at Labrador and Southport State School and on Tuesdays at the Southport Library, where our students can find all the information at the fingertips to excel in their assessments, complete projects and grow their hobbies. Last week some of our students (who love soccer/football) read about the history of one of the world's most famous Football Clubs, Manchester United. Homework Club is a part of the Youth Team at MFO, for more information about us, email Wai Yin Naidoo, Manager, Youth & Community Development at homework@mfo.org.au |
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He’s back!!! The NDIS team would like to give a warm welcome back to Sebastian and his family after their trip away. We all hope they enjoyed their well-deserved holiday abroad. Disability Discussion: Last Wednesday, our MFO NDIS/Disability team members had the opportunity to attend the Disability Discussion event facilitated by The Plan Managers which focussed on Support Worker Options, Independent Living Options, Supported Independent Living and Specialist Disability Accommodation for people living with disabilities. The discussion also covered support options for carers that are seeking further guidance and support around their experiences as a carer whilst also introducing carer pathways to access employment and education. If you would like further information regarding these topics, please see the links below or feel free to contact us. HireUp Empowered Liveability Wellways - Carer Gateway Your Caring Way program from Carers QLD Feedback The MFO NDIS and Disability space is continually expanding, and we have received great feedback from our participants. “Thank you all for the support your team provide, I really feel like I am part of a family” “I love having the flexibility with my support workers who assist me with my unpredictable schedule”, “Finally, we have met someone who listens to our needs” (MFO NDIS Participants, 2022) If you or someone you know requires assistance accessing the NDIS or utilising a NDIS plan, contact our trained team members. |
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MFO would like to introduce the newest member of the MFO family "T" who will be travelling with our team members on their adventures with multicultural communities across local, national, and international destinations spreading positivity and inclusion. If you have the opportunity to meet "T", please feel free to come have a selfie and say hello. | | |
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Griffith University Logan campus, hosted a kōrero (discussion) with the Honourable Kelvin Davis, Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, Minister for Children with responsibility for Oranga Tamariki, Minister of Corrections and Associate Minister of Education in the New Zealand government. Topic discussed: ‘’Sharing lessons on engagement and partnership between First Peoples, Community and Government.’’ Thanking the Hon Minister Davis for his time and presented his copy of Finding Home - Journeys of Hope on behalf of MFO. |
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- What are the most pressing priorities for Pasifika people on the Gold Coast in terms of accessing public health care? - What barriers are there to accessing public health services on the Gold Coast? - What services do Pasifika people access and what services do you need to access but cannot? - What has been your experience when accessing healthcare? - What could be improved about how Pasifika people access healthcare? Phillips Group on behalf of Gold Coast Health are conducting a needs assessment to identify opportunities to continue improving the community’s access to public healthcare and will hold a focus group on Thursday 18th August from 5.30 -7.30pm with dinner provided for attendees at MCCGC Ashmore office: 1 Dominions Road, Ashmore. Please RSVP by Friday 12th of August with any dietary requirements cams@mccgc.com.au |
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More Fantastic Opportunities |
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Traineeship: The Cert I Construction students are 13 weeks into their traineeship and have been doing some amazing work at the Musgrave Football club. Spending time on the tools, painting interior and exterior surfaces of the club and creating master pieces. Upcoming courses: MFO offer FREE courses in Cert II Hospitality and Cert II Supply Chain Operations. Our next intake is in August 25th, please contact Nicole on 0426636904 or nicole@mfo.org.au for more information. |
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Each year the Australian Government publishes a discussion paper to inform and seek the views of the Australian public on the management and composition of the Humanitarian Program. This process acknowledges the importance of engaging with the community to ensure continued support for the Program and we appreciate your input. The 2022-23 Program Discussion Paper: Australia’s Humanitarian Program 2022-23 is now available on the Department of Home Affairs’ website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/reports-and-publications/submissions-and-discussion-papers. For interested people and organisations to make a written submission to humanitarian.policy@homeaffairs.gov.au by 12 August 2022. |
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Thank you from everyone at MFO to our local sports teams, GC SUNS (AFL) and GC Titans (NRL) both mens and womens teams for your continued support for our multicultural families through orgainsing community events, player appearances and tickets for matches. Fly your colours high into 2022 and 2023. Become a member today! www.goldcoastfc.com.au - Welcome Mac, great debut! www.titans.com.au |
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Latin Community and Moon Valley Events invites you to the Gold Coast Latin Festival - LA FIESTA 2022, next Saturday 13th August at Broadwater Parklands, Broadbeach from 1-8pm. Taste the most sizzling flavours of South American food including countries such as Peru, Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil and much more! Forget about the chilly weather; come over and warm up with Cuban and Central American rhythms, and colourful performance. (PUBLIC EVENT – FREE ENTRY) |
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Jack Beasley FoundationJack was always the life of the party, the energy in the room and was loved by everyone. He was a talented footballer and had just started an apprenticeship and had his whole life in front of him. Tragically On Friday 13th December Jack's life was cut short in a senseless act of violence at the young age of only 17. |
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Trivia night on Saturday 20th August at 6.30pm at the The Club Parkwood Village. Tables of 10, Tickets are $10 per person. Theme: Wear your craziest, brightest, biggest and most outrageous wig. Prizes for the best along with Raffles & Auctions. www.jackbeasleyfoundation.org/pages/events-functions |
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WORK TOWARDS program, assists students, refugees, all migrants in general with their resumes, cover letter, interview preparation, career planning and much more. This program is funded by Queensland Government and it is FREE for all participates and employers. Our aim is to be inclusive, ensure access and delivery quality services. Location: MCCGC Southport Office – Level 2, 9 Bay Street. Contact KYZZY ROMANO WORK TOWARDS PROGRAM COORDINATOR T. 07 5527 8011 M. 0484 361 811 E. kyzzyr@mccgc.com.au |
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News & alertsScamwatch radar alerts, media releases, and other scam related news. |
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Gold Coast Cultural Celebrations & Multicultural events guide. This event guide aims to promote our multicultural groups and showcase our diversity. It is a great tool for members of the Gold Coast Multicultural Network and community organisations to plan for upcoming events in the future. www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Doing-business/Community-group-hub | | |
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Multicultural Families Organisation office in Southport is OPEN. - Ring 5571-0381 for in person or phone appointment.
- Please do not attend office if unwell, close contact or COVID positive.
- Global Village Op shop open Monday to Thursday 10am - 3pm.
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MFO acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Kombumerri People of the Yugambeh Language Region, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging on this land we work and provide services. We extend respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture, community and country. | | |
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Crisis support In case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) for Police, Fire or Ambulance. |
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