The theme for #RefugeeWeek2022 is Healing.

MFO had a wonderful day with students, staff and volunteers at TAFE Queensland Southport celebrating Refugee Week High Tea in style with music, stories and amazing food marking a special day of healing despite the pandemic and reconnect. Starting with Acknowledgment of Country by Indigenous Student Support Officer for TAFE Sarah Johns and opening address by Educational Team Leader Michelle Levy. The program started with Manager of SETS (Settlement Engagement and Transitions Support) Renata Jones sharing an inspiring speech and welcoming MFO staff to share in language some inclusive sayings. Cornelia Babbage OAM shared her own story arriving to Australia as a refugee and showed off her multi skills playing guitar and dedicating a special song Ukraine and to all refugees. Thank you to our wonderful MFO - SETS team for organising such a great event, ongoing support from Department of Home Affairs, Refugee Council of Australia and huge thank you to all who joined us. 

Excerpt from InQueensland article (click above) about MFO Finding Home - Journeys of Hope book, many thanks to We Are Gold Coast.

MFO Multicultural Women’s manager Rana Al-Mekarry said the book aimed to share the stories of strength and survival of local residents to help people understand that being a refugee was not a mark of shame or disgrace.

One of the first orders of business of the newly-elected Australian government was to allow the Tamil asylum-seeking Murugappan family to return to the Queensland town of Biloela. 

The government has also promised new policies on expanding Australia’s humanitarian intake. However, migrants settling in Australia, even as they became Australian citizens, still faced difficulties as Australia wrestled with attitudes to immigration and refugees, meaning families who had arrived needed support and understanding, Al-Mekarry said.

Al-Mekarry said the Gold Coast, with 28 per cent of the population identifying as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), aimed to be an example of how refugees could contribute to the life of a city. MFO, founded and helmed by Bosnian migrant Cornelia Babbage more than 25 years ago, worked to deliver support and links between migrant communities and the larger Gold Coast population, she said.

“When you understand someone’s journey, you can’t hate them. It builds an invisible bridge between you and them that connects and builds empathy. When you have empathy, people can relate more to one another,” Al-Mekarry said.

“The word refugee has been so misrepresented over many years and we just want to show the human effect of these journeys and these labels.”

The first results from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) 2021 Census of Population and Housing were released on 28 June 2022. The ABS has scheduled a progressive release of census results, with further data to become available in October 2022. Click above for link.

BIG CITY LIGHTS at MFO

Our friends at Placemakers* Gold Coast are launching a brand new festival that will light up the Southport CBD and MFO will be one of the sites where you can view an amazing artwork called Big City Eyes by artist Kirsten Baade. You can view this artwork as well as all the other art from 7 – 10 July between 6pm and 10pm nightly. For more information about the festival please visit https://bigcitylightsfestival.com.au/ and follow them on socials.

Lina - Student placement with MFO (Master of Social Work)

Why did you choose MFO for your placement? 

I have always been passionate about human rights and working with refugees and migrant people. So, I saw MFO as a great opportunity to learn and explore my interest and develop my skills as a student of Master of Social Work.

I am so grateful to be part of this fantastic organization that always works as a family and particularly the SARA team which made me feel included, and welcomed, and helped me build my knowledge and confidence as a future social worker.

What have you gained from MFO?

I have learned so much in many ways.

First, at all, I have improved my skills in engaging with clients, being more empathetic about the needs of others but also being kind to myself, and learning to support others in the same way that I can support myself through strategies such as self-care and setting professional boundaries between my personal and professional life.

I am now more aware and able to accept cultural differences, values, and beliefs and how those can play an important role in our way to respond to traumas, crises, and other circumstances in life. It was a huge learning for me because I am also aware of my values and culture and how those can be reflected in my professional practice. Having this experience in MFO and SARA program allowed me to acknowledge my privilege of having the opportunity of being educated and use this knowledge as a tool to empower and advocate for those in need seeking their independence auto-determination, and freedom.  

How will this experience assist you in the future?

Based on the skills and approaches that I have learned from this experience

I will continue to develop my emerging framework to be able to support women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who experienced domestic and family violence and who face challenges such as visa status and gender stereotypes, cultural barriers, and lack of resources. This experience has influenced my own vision, professional interests, and expectations in a way that whatever future pathway I choose I will consider the acquired knowledge from the lens of Domestic Violence. Furthermore, will help me to explore other services in the welfare sector and learn how they work together to respond to the need of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Finally, having been part of the SARA Team and MFO will motivate me to continue exploring my own values ad the importance of using those to develop my ethical practice as a human service worker.

What has MFO been up to?

MFO was delighted to host the Ukrainian Community of the Gold Coast and provide them with a space to share, connect and support each other. We would also like to say a HUGE welcome all those who have recently arrived and offer them our support during this difficult time.

2022 National Wheel Chair Rugby Championship – Australia

On Friday, 24th June 2022, Cassie and Sharee attended the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby National Championships held at Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre played over a period of three days. Wheelchair rugby is an intense, contact team sport for male and female athletes with a disability. Wheelchair rugby is played in over twenty-five countries around the world, and we were fortunate enough to watch Australian State Teams and the New Zealand National team compete against each other to win the Championship title. Photos include Ryley Batt NSW/Australia Paralympic Captain, ranked one of the best in the world, Ben Newton QLD coach/player and Zac Madeline from Canada also ranked one of the best in the world.

NSW Gladiators (Div. 1) won the gold medal against the QLD Cyclones (Div. 1) who came second winning the silver medal.

Congratulations to all the team players and staff members that attended and took part, and acknowledgements to the event organisers for hosting and facilitating the championship games.

This year for Refugee Week ,the SETS team took a long road trip, more than 2 hours drive to a Camel farm to get some Camel milk for our Refugee week event at TAFE Qld Southport. The theme for this Refugee week was ‘Healing’ and Camel milk is used in many countries to heal different health problems. 

GRATEFUL - HOPE - INSPIRATION

MFO would like to thank all who were involved over two Fridays in June with WAVES FORWARD Pasifika and Māori Mentors and Careers Expo for years 10-12. MC Kevin Dando led the day with guest speakers from diverse backgrounds, inspiring and encouraging, many were former Keebra students like young Kobe Tararo and Leah Pue, both very inspirational. All the community services who attended opened up on their journeys with amazing interactive stalls. Appreciate our host school Keebra Park State High staff and students for your participation again and for opening up to students from First Nation, multicultural and Australian heritage. We all had the chance to farewell on retirement Senior Constable Brenda Lee, nga mihi for all you have done. After delicious lunches, the afternoon sessions highlighted the beautiful cultures of Samoa (Fa’avae Nomani) and Tonga (Stanley Haukinima) through song and dance. 

Thanks to our awesome Stalls holders:

Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast

Gold Coast Cross Cultural Liaison Unit

Queensland Police Service

Nerang Neighbourhood Centre

Good Start

Griffith University

Good Money

QUT (Queensland University of Technology)

Gold Coast Titans Netball

Queensland Department of Education

Study Gold Coast

PCYC Nerang

PCYC Ashmore

Youth Justice - Street Cred

Gold Coast Youth Service GCYS

(Thank you for your financial contribution)

Paiti Entertainment

Polyfest 2023

Multicultural Families Organisation

Thank you VASA SAMOA and G.U L.E.A.D program and to all who have supported and contributed in the past, present and in the future. Wishing Amani from GCYS all the best in his future plans and thank you for your support.

For more info on WAVES FORWARD contact Kevin Dando at kevin@mfo.org.au

So excited to say goodbye and thank you to term 2!

Lot of learnings and fun through this term, now we are welcoming the holiday session with open arms. We finished our sessions with a yummy BBQ and looking forward to enjoy the holidays activities!

Thanks to QPS Cross Cultural Liaison Officer Nao for letting us snap this great picture in the Police Buggy!

Lawn bowls with the Youths! Sun! Finally, the sun is here!

Our young people had a great time at Southport Bowls Club!

We enjoyed these outdoor games, encouraging physical activities and reinforcing the bond with our group. We have so much talent in our group.. the pictures talk for themselves! Filimon threw that amazing bowl… yes, he won!

WeConnectYouth group 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

Multicultural Women’s Friendship Group

Our group had a great month with a visit from Francine from BeHive speaking to us about how we can all be just 1% better with our recycling and that will have a huge contribution to our environment. We also had a fabulous all abilities Zumba Gold Session with our lovely Ace, Yoko and Naomi and had fun with watercolour painting. . Our group meets every Wednesday from 10.30 – 12.30 at MFO. Next week we will be celebrating NAIDOC Week. All women welcome.

Ree from ADAAustralia Aged Care Advocacy came in to speak with MFO staff about her role and their support for our multicultural community to navigate through the Aged and Disability system. Find more on www.adaaustralia.com.au or call 07 36376000 

MFO out supporting 2022 Youth Co-Responder Touch Footy Coomera tournament for youth in collaboration with QPS, PCYC and other local services.

MFO team attending EOFY lunch by host Rob Molhoek MP, raising much needed funds for Angel’s Kitchen providing weekly meals for the most vulnerable in our community for over 30 years on the GC.

More Fantastic Opportunities

Our next intake for the Women’s Economic Empowerment And Resilience Network (WE EARN) is open. Women are invited to apply to participate in our weekly workshops held every Tuesday for 6 weeks from 19 July – 23 August. Women will also have individualised assistance with our employment support officer and can access support with English and computer skills. For more information and registration please contact rana@mfo.org.au.

MFO is offering Free courses in these exciting industries. Pls send through your expression of interest, see flyers for details. For more information and registration please contact nicole@mfo.org.au 0426636904

Gold Coast Multicultural Women’s Health Expo

This Expo is a partnership between MFO and TAFE QLD Southport campus to empower newly arrived multicultural women by providing them with an opportunity to learn about health and wellbeing services and meet with local service providers. Exhibitors will be provided with a free exhibition space to promote their services and engage directly with community members. Expressions of Interest are currently open to services provides who wish to participate. For more information please contact rana@mfo.org.au.

More FUN 

Outings

MFO’s Crossing Borders at the Bleach* Festival in August

We are very excited that MFO’s production of Crossing Borders will be featured as part of the Bleach* Festival this year. Crossing Borders is a women’s empowerment story telling project that was developed in partnership with Placemakers* Gold Coast and presented at HOTA in November last year during the 16 Days Of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. The Crossing Borders performance will be held on Saturday 20 August at Miami Marketta. Tickets are $25 each and are available for booking through the Bleach* website at https://bleachfestival.com.au/

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

www.naidoc.org.au/resources/educational

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is 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. MFO will be out supporting our GC Titans Coomera event July 6, come along bring the family, say Hi/Jingeri and find out more about the MFO programs for community. Come see our good friend Glenn Barry with GCMAGIC on 9th July. 

Work Towards Program extended Free English classes until August.

Every Tuesday:

Intermediate Level from 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Advanced Level from 5pm to 7pm

Location: MCCGC Southport Office – Level 2, 9 Bay Street.

KYZZY ROMANO

WORK TOWARDS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

T. 07 5527 8011 M. 0484 361 811 E. kyzzyr@mccgc.com.au