We are now half way through 2024, the year has gone by so fast. MFO joined in with many events and community services celebrating Refugee Week with inspirational stories of (re)connecting with family, struggles in a new country, resilience through education and overcoming obstacles with friendship. The beautiful empowering project ZAWADI with Big City Lights, upcoming "Wayfinders - choral project" for BLEACH festival and Gold Coast Multicultural Festival in September on the horizon allows us to share our diversity with community. Enjoy some of the MFO highlights so far in this July newsletter and exciting things approaching. Keep warm over these winter months, enjoy the school holidays and all the best to all the 2024 Olympics athletes competing in Paris. Safe travels. |
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SO AMAZING! Some of the MFO crew enjoyed MFO’s Zawadi Project at Big City Lights over the weekend including some of the project participants and their family and friends. It was a very proud moment for us seeing our collaborative project on the big screen promoting the positive impact and gifts that migrant women bring to our community. Thank you to the amazing Jude Kalman of Little Drum Pictures and Destination Gold Coast for their partnership and support. |
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‘Zawadi’ is a Swahili word meaning gift and is a collaborative, cinematic and photographic screen-based project highlighting the unique gifts of local migrant women and celebrating the wealth and vibrancy that diversity brings to our community. https://bigcitylightsfestival.com.au/events/zawadi/ |
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August 1st First Light at Ed Hardy Park, The Esplanade, North Burleigh The 13th BLEACH* Festival officially opens with the rising sun on the shores of North Burleigh. Opening with a soul stirring solo by the remarkable William Barton, First Light is an experience like no other in the festival. Be moved by songs from the Pacific performed by the Wayfinders Choir led by Rubina Kimiia before losing yourself in warm, soulful vocals, reminiscent of Nina Simone, performed by Mohini Cox and the Sunrises. Sounds of the ocean, the smell of a fire, sea mist and salty air, music and the moment; there’s no better way to start your day. |
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August 2nd WAYFINDERS concert Broadbeach Cultural Precinct Throw a picnic rug down on the banks of Nerang River and let the soulful voices and enchanting sounds of the Pacific transport you on a musical journey across the water. Featuring a vibrant community choir composed of Pasifika members, converging together for the first time, BLEACH* presents a unique performance on a custom-built floating stage. This talented group includes participants from Samoa, the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Māori communities from across the Gold Coast and South East Queensland. Led by their gifted music leaders and featuring some of the most beloved and significant songs of their culture, this 60-minute concert will also showcase new works by Rubina Kimiia. Her compositions intricately weave contemporary and traditional language and sounds, paying homage to the rich culture and enduring belief systems of Pacific peoples. Support Partner: Multicultural Families Organisation (MFO) Inc |
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MFO would like to extend to Claire Carlin Lead Producer BLEACH* and BIG CITY LIGHTS Festival from PLACEMAKERS all the best in your new exciting venture and thank you for your support, friendship, creativity and warmth over the years that MFO has been involved with BLEACH. |
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Thank you to our local AFL team GC Suns and NRL team GC Titans for your continued support for MFO. Check out these community events over the school holidays. NAIDOC Week, which first began in 1975, provides an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. |
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MFO attending EAL Mid Year student 2024 June celebration at TAFE QLD campus in Southport. Congratulations to you all. Making GREAT happen! https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/ |
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The NDIS team have an exciting month with the introduction of MFO’s Month Big Night Out Activities. This night time activity has been created as a social opportunity for clients to engage and connect in a fun and friendly social setting with other individuals. Many of our client stated they are at home every evening and wished they had the opportunity or activity to go out. Our first Big Night Out offered a night out at the Outback Spectacular where clients were able to socialise and engage with other like-minded participants and enjoy an evening out. Everyone who attended had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the show and are looking forward to our next nighttime outing. |
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If you or anyone you know would like to receive MFO’s NDIS supports or are receiving NDIS supports and would like to attend one of our activities, please feel free to contact us anytime on 07 5571 0381 or 0402 257 118 or reception@mfo.org.au |
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SQW update: This month we celebrate the achievements of our students across all our current courses, Certificate II Business, Certificate III Individual Support, Certificate III in Driver Operations and Certificate I in Construction. CONGRATULATIONS! |
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Our Cert I Construction Traineeship students began their 18-week project to renovate the Southport Crosslife Baptist Church. We are excited to see the transformations they achieve! |
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Kevin was honoured to MC the 3rd annual QPS & Community Collab Touch Footy Youth engagement Tournament at North Gold Coast Touch in Coomera. Huge thanks to Zoe (QPS), all service providers and especially all the youth involved. The playing field brought all ages and backgrounds together from disengage to engaging, disconnect to connecting, joy and respect by all to all. Great initiative to be part of. Till next time, congrats to all teams and 2024 champs MI Best Life see you in 2025! Queensland Police Service North Gold Coast Touch Westfield Security PCYC Gold Coast Youth Service Happy Mindful Souls Life Without Barriers MI BEST LIFE Transition to Success Pimpama College Bullongin Bulldogs Anglicare Men of Business Mission Australia Multicultural Families Organisation Inc |
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Expression of Interest for multicultural stalls, community information stall and food stalls click on MFO website in "Events" Huge THANK YOU to Cassie for your tireless work over the last few years with GCMF and many other MFO events This event is supported by Queensland Government |
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THANK YOU OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS from MFO AMAZING! |
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Honoured to attend on behalf of MFO the “ Mikoshi” arrival ceremony to Robina State High School. Invited guests representing the diversity of our Gold Coast community witnessed the journey from Japan and hear in person from those responsible for this very generous and significant cultural gift, built and donated by Mr Haraoka, deepening camaraderie and friendship with the school, local neighbourhoods, community and stakeholders. |
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In Japanese culture “Mikoshi” is a portable shrine that protects and brings harmony. Congrats to all involved and thank you for the warm Welcome, locally (and internationally) by the caretakers of the “Mikoshi” Robina State High School teaching faculty and students with their longstanding relationship with Japanese Society of the Gold Coast and Yokohama Minami Rotary Club. |
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15 years for PINN (Pacific and Indigenous Nations Network) Nerang Neighbourhood centre Gold Coast Multicultural Network June gathering chaired by MCCGC |
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MFO team attending annual lunch fundraiser in tackling Homelessness by Mr Rob Molhoek MP (Southport) along with Ms Angie Bell MP and Mr Oberoi |
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More Fantastic Opportunities |
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After School Soccer Program on Mondays The Team at MFO’s Youth At Promise program have been excited to see the development of the free After School Soccer Program on Mondays during School Term. The program is run collaboratively by MFO, MCCGC & Ashmore PCYC and has had up to a dozen young people between 12 to 18 years of age from 3 different schools come along and play soccer between 3.30 & 5pm on Monday afternoons. For more information scan the QR code on the attached flyer. |
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Gold Coast Youth Network Meetings The Youth At Promise Team were pleased to attend the recent Gold Coast Youth Network meetings in both May & June. Steve co-chaired the monthly meeting with Justine in May & then solo in June. It is inspiring to connect with so many other collaborative partners doing such great work to support young people in our area. Anyone wishing to learn more about the GCYN or attend the meeting can contact Bel via rads@gcys.org.au |
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July 3 at MFO office 5pm with Epa from QPS with his clippers and Jarrod Harbrow from GC SUNS will join us August 7 at GC SUNS in Carrara 5pm tour & BBQ |
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Youth Homelessness Matters Day MFO’s Youth At Promise team was honoured to attend the GCYS Youth Homelessness Matters Day at HOTA, back in April. Young people who have been homeless sat on a panel and spoke openly about their experiences of what made things tough and what helped make things better. The young people participated in the creation of a documentary video, which was played on the day and soon a version of this documentary will be released. |
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Each year, Connect2Home brings together Council, State Government, Gold Coast Suns, community groups and volunteers to provide free services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in our community. The event will take place at People First Stadium on Wednesday 7 August. It's a "one-stop-shop" giving those in need access to community support, while providing services in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. If you're interested in volunteering, www.gchn.org.au/connect-2-home Thank you to the Gold Coast Homelessness Network for 15 years of supporting our community. Every donation makes a difference. |
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ESuarve Graduation #12 MFO was delighted to be on hand at ESuarve’s most recent Graduation (number 12), and the first in their fantastic new location next to the Pimpama Sports Hub & Aquatic Centre on Rifle Range Road. Graduating students spoke passionately about the impact that Joey, Camille & Steve & the ESuarve Team and their Big Brother program has had on their lives. The young people have all been involved in the regular 10-week program including the transformation of the GCCC site that is the new home of this great family/community service. For more information or to support this work visit the website or check out the flyers attached to this newsletter. |
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Ready to make a difference in the lives of refugees? Here are 4 impactful ways to show your support: Open your home: Consider hosting a refugee in your home, providing them with a safe and welcoming environment. Volunteer your skills: Offer language classes or introduce refugees to new hobbies to help them integrate into their new community. Facilitate integration: Extend a friendly hand by inviting refugees to dinner or to watch a game of footy, helping them feel at home in their new surroundings. Advocate for opportunities: Encourage your workplace to employ refugees or universities to offer scholarships for refugees. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of those seeking refuge. #RefugeeWeekAU #RefugeeWeek2024 |
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Protection visas are for genuine asylum seekers Australia welcomes genuine asylum seekers, an asylum seeker being a person who has fled their own country and applied for protection as a refugee. The Australian Government is implementing changes to ensure people who genuinely need asylum are quickly granted protection, and to prevent ineligible people from applying for protection. If you are thinking about applying for a Protection visa (subclass 866), we strongly encourage you to get free legal advice and confirm eligibility from a specialist refugee and immigration legal provider in your state or territory. In Queensland, contact Refugee and Immigration Legal Service and Refugee Legal in the Northern Territory. For more information on protection visas, visit Protection visas are for genuine asylum seekers (homeaffairs.gov.au). For more information on Australia’s protection obligations, visit Australia protection obligations (homeaffairs.gov.au). |
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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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