Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast -October 2020 Newsletter 

MCCGC strategy planning survey for 2021-2024

MCCGC & CÜRA are currently working on our strategic plan for the next few years and we would love to have your feedback. We are seeking input from our staff, customers, community, members and stakeholders to ensure that we get a full picture of our current position and how we can improve and continue to grow in order to best support our multicultural communities and seniors into the future. We value your honest responses and appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey. All responses are anonymous. 

Do you know anyone who speaks these languages and needs a friendly chat?  

We are still looking to support more people across Queensland in all the languages listed above with our free I Speak Your Language Program. COVID-19 has been particularly isolating for many of our multicultural and senior community members, and we know there are many Queenslanders who would benefit from some more connection. We have over 100 friendly volunteers who are happy to make a weekly phone call for some engaging conversation.

If you would like to refer someone, click here to download our referral form. You can also call 1800 95 40 40 or email ispeak@mccgc.com.au to join the program. 

Supporting multicultural communities to access NDIS

We're excited to introduce two new NDIS Community Connector roles to our CÜRA team - Helen Wilkinson (Sunshine Coast) and Carla Carneiro (Gold Coast). Their role is to reach out to multicultural communities and suppor them in accessing information and education around NDIS funding, access and capacity building. 

Services will include:

a. providing Assertive Outreach to CALD communities

b. providing education and awareness about disability to CALD communities

c. linking potential Participants to existing NDIS offices including using online platforms and resources

d. supporting potential Participants and their representatives to attend relevant appointments

e. building connections between potential Participants and PITC or NDIS

f. providing information and support to help potential Participants understand, access, and utilise the NDIS services

g. providing advice to the NDIA staff and PITC regarding culturally sensitive approaches and culturally specific barriers

The aim is that we reduce the barriers for our multicultural communities and increase their participation in the scheme.

To learn a little bit more about NDIA’s commitment to the CALD Strategy, please check out this link https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/strategies/cultural-and-linguistic-diversity-strategy and to learn more about this specific program check out this link to FECCA http://fecca.org.au/ndis/.

2020 Gold Coast Multicultural Festival Rescheduled 

Queensland Cultural Events Association Inc.'s 2020 Gold Coast Multicultural Festival has been re-scheduled to Sunday 13th December 2020 from 10am to 4pm at the Broadwater Parklands.

Applications for Stalls (Food, Art, Craft and Information) and Multicultural Performers are now open again. Application Closing Date: 30th October 2020

For Application Forms please see: https://www.goldcoastculturalfestival.org/forms

Let's recognise and celebrate carers 11th-17th October 2020! 

National Carers Week is a time to recognise the 2.65 million Australians who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend with disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.

National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.

For more support and information on carers you can visit the Carer Gateway https://www.carergateway.gov.au/ and Carers QLD https://carersqld.com.au/.

Food Aid Working Group 

The Food Aid Working Party is an activity of the Gold Coast Homelessness Network that commenced in response to COVID challenges. It is well recognised that food is one of the basic needs and that meeting this is critical.

The Gold Coast Homelessness Network has a wide ranging membership but is also inclusive of all who are willing to join to address homelessness on the Gold Coast.  The GCHN Food Aid Working Group thereby consists of a range of voluntary and not-for-profit organisations that provide food assistance (essential services) to vulnerable residents (those who are at-risk of homelessness or who are experiencing homelessness). 

When the Food Aid Working Group first commenced there was a lot of focus on people who were sleeping rough as many of the welfare, community as well as commercial food outlets had to limit their service delivery due to COVID restrictions. As time has gone on it became obvious that a broad range of community citizens across the Gold Coast were experiencing food supply issues. Included in their working group are services that focus on New Zealanders and international students as many people from these communities have been hit hard financially due to COVID-19 due to their lack of ability to obtain government income support. 

One of the first pieces of work that the Food Aid Working Group conducted was to coordinate where food could be sourced from.  They created a special list in the 7Care Connect website that listed where and when food would be available. https://www.7careconnect.com/home/foodsupport

The Food Aid Working Group also works to support its member services to make sure we can meet the gaps in food security across the Gold Coast.  We have supported a range of members to be able to receive Dignity First Funds to expand their service delivery.   In the process they are also starting to collect data on what is needed to make sure that we can continue to meet the need where possible.

The Food Aid Working Group is assisted by the Regional Care Coordinator Facilitator (a funded position within the GCHN) and recently they have been able to support our members with personal protective equipment so that they can continue to service our community.   

If you are interested in participating in the Food Aid Working Group, please contact Ryan O’Leary on 0422 846 067.

Don’t get caught out this storm season

You can help to protect your family, property and pets by simply understanding the risks in your area and preparing as best you can.

To get ready, you should:

Prepare your home

• tie down things that could blow away
• cut any branches that are hanging over your house
• clean your gutters and drain pipes.

Make an emergency plan (This is a plan about what you will do if there is an emergency).

• Practice the plan
• Make sure everyone in your house knows the plan.

Make an emergency kit (This is a box of things you might need if there is an emergency).

For example:

• a first aid kit – this should have things that could  be used if someone is hurt, for example bandages  and scissors
•  food that can last a long time, for example food in  a can and a can opener
• a torch
• three days’ worth of water in a bottle with a lid – you should have ten litres for each person in your house
• a radio that works with batteries and some  extra batteries
• a mobile phone and charger.

Get to know your neighbours

You should think about ways you could help each other if there is an emergency.

Find out more about preparing for natural disasters and emergency events by visiting cityofgoldcoast.com.au/getready

Social Work Service available at Gold Coast Community Legal Centre

A social worker can assist a client to be able to better comprehend the legal issues the person is wanting addressed. Social work students are available to meet the socio-economical and psychological needs of the clients who is seeking assistance at the Gold Coast Community Legal Centre. A three-tier approach is used which involves: client engagement, building warm referral networks and building community awareness.

Our dedicated Social Work students can provide:

*Crises Intervention 

*Brief Counselling Support

*Court Support

*Client Advocacy

*Information and Referrals

* Community Engagement

For assistance please call 5532 9611 Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm

Email: socialwork.student@gcclc.org.au

Gold Coast Volunteer Awards Nominations Close Soon

Do you know of a volunteer or a local community organisation that has gone above and beyond to provide support the community? Now is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve and nominate them for the 2020 Gold Coast Volunteer Awards!

Proudly hosted by Volunteering Gold Coast, The Gold Coast Volunteer Awards are a special recognition to organisations and members of the community who are generously contributing their time and resources to creating social impact in the community.

To find out more about the Gold Coast Volunteer Awards, and to nominate, visit www.volunteeringgc.org.au/goldcoastvolunteerawards. Get in quick, nominations close Friday 23 October.  

Thank you for all your dedication to the community! 

Last week MCCGC & CÜRA said farewell to Troy Nicholls, who has played an integral role in our organisation over the last four years. He started as our Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program Coordinator and then became our Senior Development Manager to support the Community Development Team, Operations Team and whole of team. Troy will be missed greatly by our team, community and customers for his calm leadership, support, knowledge and his ability to initiate creative solutions across programs and training. We wish him all the best on his next adventure!

Members of the Month 

Latinmania Dance School 

Classes on Monday @ Mt Tamborine Zamia theater, 22 Main Street, North Tamborine - 6:30pm Salsa & 7:30pm Tango.

Classes on Friday @ Senior Citizens Hall, 42 Matilda Street, Burleigh Heads 6:30pm Salsa & 7:30pm Bachata.

As a Colombian, dancing is a very important part of my life. Since my early years I have enjoyed dancing with my family and friends. Latin dancing is a key element in our culture where it enables us to express our feelings and emotions through music. In South America and other Hispanic communities dancing has been present in our history dating back to our ancestors. The Native Indians as well as the slaves that were brought out from Africa to Latin America, leave us with this legacy full of colour, rhythm and passion. I have been teaching Street Latin Dancing in the Gold Coast since establishing the school back in 2001. During this period of time I’ve participated in multiple displays and demonstrations for private and corporate functions. Our Latin Dance Classes run several days a week throughout different Gold Coast locations.

My fellow instructors and I teach Colombian style Salsa, Cuban style Salsa, Argentine Tango, Cumbia, Cha Cha Cha, Bachata, Merengue, Rueda De Casino. We aim to pass on our knowledge of dancing, introduce the basics steps and rhythm and teach you with authentic Latin style and spirit. We want you to have fun, be able to express yourself by dancing freely and naturally in the same way people dance in Latin America, by feeling the music and transforming it with your own expression.

Act for Kids - SafeCare 

Act for Kids’ SafeCare in home parenting Programme’s funding  has been extended for a further 11 months.

We are working with a range of parents across the Gold Coast who have children aged 0-5.

This is an extremely practical and supportive programme for parents targeting issues related to health, safety and parent child interaction.

We welcome referrals from professionals or self-referrals.  For further information please contact safecaregc@actforkids.com.au or check out our animated clip below. 

MCCGC Membership Program

Join the family and be part of the peak multicultural organisation of the Gold Coast, support us to continue to make the community more inclusive and enjoy the Membership Program benefits.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Good story of the month

October 1st marked the 30th anniversary of 'International Day of Older Persons', a day to reflect and show appreciation for the valuable contribution of older people in our communities.

What an amazing morning we had with our Wellness Centre group, sharing stories and learning more about their incredible lives! Many of them lived through war and overcame significant challenges before starting new lives in Australia. They were born in Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia and Morocco, range in age from 75 to 94 and arrived in Australia as early as 1961 up to 2002. They've all lived unique lives and worked in a number of occupations - tradesman, dressmaker, craftsman, bus conductor, chemistry technician, economist, librarian, housewife, painter, fitter and turner, and locksmith!

We asked what advice they had for the younger generation and they all agreed that some of the most important things are to be grateful, loving and appreciate your family.

Have a look through the photos to see some lovely traditional dress and items, and to find out a bit more about our wonderful customers (name, birthplace, age, occupation, and when they arrived in Australia).

Thank you to our beautiful customers for sharing their stories with us! Please take some time to reach out to the older people in your lives and communities, they undoubtedly have amazing knowledge and stories to share with you too.

Click here to see all the pictures!

CÜRA is a branch of MCCGC (Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast Ltd) and specialises in providing tailored care services including CÜRA Kitchen, CÜRA Active Living, CÜRA Health & Well-being and CÜRA In-Home Support.   Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast  Ltd trading as CÜRA Community Services.