A message from WA's FUSE delegates

WA's four FUSE Summit delegates have arrived back from Melbourne inspired and motivated. The summit, organised by MYAN Australia brought multicultural young people from around the country together to build on their leadership and advocacy skills along side other like minded individuals. 

Here are a few words from two of the FUSE delegates sharing what they got out of the summit:

"The FUSE Summit for me was one of the most valuable experiences I have lived. Flying to Melbourne and coming together with a plethora of cultural backgrounds and young people from different regions of Australia really opened my eyes. My roommate was an amazing person and it even brought us WA delegates closer together. We shared memorable moments listening to inspirational speakers, sharing many laughs with fellow delegates, strategising our topic pitch and of course executing it. I felt an instant connection with my group members in the small time we had to plan about health. Just by watching the performances, notable audience members could tell how passionate we were to tackle the big issues facing young diverse Australians." - Fatema Shalemie

"What I got out of it was the importance of solidarity amongst CaLD young people, no one can discuss our struggles comprehensively without including our voices. The summit gave us the opportunity to acknowledge our hardships but also to look into the future positively. In a short amount of time, I was able to get a panoramic view of the issues impacting multicultural young people and solutions thought of my multicultural young people, I left the summit feeling energised and excited for times ahead." - Golda Signal

We would like to thank Anne Aly MP, Margaret Quirk MLA, Hon Terry Waldron, Sebastian Tudor, Michelle Bui and Ahmed Wais for supporting the young people's registration costs.

MYAN WA members survey 2017

It's been over two years since the re-launch of the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network of Western Australia (MYAN WA) and in this time our membership has grown significantly. We are keen to find out how we can continue to provide both quality support to our members and to advocate for the unique needs of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

The survey will only take five minutes to complete and will help us ensure the direction of MYAN WA continues to be of value to you and the young people you work with.

We know surveys can drop down everyone's priority list, so as a bit of an extra incentive for you, if you leave a contact at the end of the survey, you will go in the draw to win a $50 Kmart gift voucher.

The survey will close 5pm, Friday, 27th January

Click here to complete the survey.

Save the dates - MYAN WA 2017 forums

MYAN WA holds four sector forums a year, where youth and community sector organisations that work with multicultural young people can come together to discuss issues and share experiences faced by the sector. Please put the following dates in your calendar so that you don't miss out. 

Friday 3rd March, 9.30am

Friday 9th June, 9.30am

Friday 8th September, 9.30am

Friday 1st December, 9.30am

Venues and topics will be announced closer to the time.

Meeting notes from the last MYAN WA meeting for 2016 will be distributed in the February newsletter. 

Inquiry into Migrant Settlement Outcomes

On 17 November, the Australian Federal Parliament announced it would be conducting an inquiry into migrant settlement outcomes through a committee. The inquiry will have a particular focus on young people. Submissions are currently being sought and are open until January 31, 2017.

MYAN WA is partnering with YACWA to create a joint submission that captures both organisations members’ experiences on this matter.

If you want federal politicians to know about your thoughts on settlement outcomes for migrants, how they can be improved, what is still required, and any other feedback, then we want to hear from you.

We encourage young people, their families, communities and organisations to make submissions to this inquiry through MYAN WA and YACWA, or directly to the committee themselves. If you would like to respond through us, please email or phone by Friday 27th January on 9227 5440 or josh@yacwa.org.au

If you intend to make your own submission, please follow this link to the Inquiry website. In addition, MYAN Australia have put together tips for writing your own submission, located and also a template to get you started, located here.

A link to the briefing note is contained in the button below.

Multicultural get togethers

Relationships Australia are now holding monthly get togethers for women whose second language is English and are finding it hard to make new friends. The women will engage in craft activities and share food. These get togethers give the the women a chance to meet other people and families who are still settling in. 

When: First Monday of the month (6th February), 11am to 2pm

Where: Level 1, Relationships Australia Office, Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre, Kwinana

Call Anne or Allison on 6160 4200 or Sherryl on 9265 5584 for more information.

Multicultural BeachSafe Program 

Exploring all aspects of the beach including wave types, rip currents, sea creatures and lifesavers, the Multicultural BeachSAFE Program is an ideal introduction to the Australian beach lifestyle.

When: 25th January, 9am to 2pm

Where: Clarkson Youth Centre, 59 Key Largo Drive, Clarkson

Cost: FREE for City of Wanneroo residents

What to bring: Bathers, hat, towel, water bottle and a spare change of clothes.

Lunch and sunscreen provided.

Registration is essential. Click here to book. In the payment method, select Approved SLSWA only for the free course

Contact Keta Lemmon, Surf Life Saving WA on 9207 6666 or email for more information.

Commonwealth free interpreting service

The Department of Social Services (DSS) provides a free interpreting service primarily to non-English speaking Australian citizens and permanent residents communicating with approved community organisations and individual service providers.

The free interpreting service policy is designed to provide equitable access to key services (that are not government funded) for eligible Australians who do not speak English.

Information about the service, including eligibility criteria and a list of groups and individuals that are eligible to access the service can be accessed here. 

The free interpreting service is not available for assistance with accessing immigration advice.

Immigration advice is offered to eligible clients through other government programs such as Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (for eligible protection visa applicants) and also through Settlement Grants Providers (for new permanent arrivals).

Chinese New Year in Western Australia

Dancing lions, astrological roosters and firecrackers converge to make Chinese New Year 2017 in Perth the most spectacular ever.

This year, the State Government is supporting a $1million expanded Chinese New Year program, with a focus on tourism, education and cultural exchange across Perth and regional WA.

Click here to check out the calendar of events on offer. There really is something for everyone!

Youth talent quest 2017!

The Western Australian Multicultural Association along with the Office of Multicultral Interests and Healthway are excited to present the multicultural youth talent quest which will showcase talented Western Australian youth performing dances, music and songs from around the world. 

When: Sunday 14 May 2017, 1pm to 5pm

Where: Perth Modern School, Beazley Audotoriam Roberts Rd, Subiaco

For more information or to register your interest fill out the expression of interest form and email secretary@wamainc.org.au

Arts and culture festival

Are you interested in connecting and learning about diverse African cultures whilst enjoying food & entertainment? Then come along to this event run by the Sierra Leone Community of WA, featuring a range of African music, art, food, dance & more!

When: Saturday 4 February, 12pm to 12midnight

Venue: Stirling Community Centre, Tuart HIll Cnr Cape & Stoneham Streets

RSVP: 0405 091 426

Young people, social capital and transitioning to employment

Young people from migrant and refugee background’s access to bridging social capital is often a missing link in the step to employment.

CMY’s most recent policy paper, The Missing Link? Young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, social capital and the transition to employment, explores the role of social capital in young people’s transitions to skilled employment.

Click here to download the policy paper. 

Life in Australia podcast

The Red Cross has developed a podcast called Connect, Learn, Share: Life in Australia.

This podcast is for young people from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds as well as newly arrived migrants. It aims to provide more information about settling in to the Australian community. The contributers share exepriences and offer advice to help with settling into a new community and home. The podcast is now being offered in Farsi language.

Click here to find out more information and listen online.

Multicultural Advisory Group

The City of Wanneroo is establishing a Multicultural Advisory Group to support, provide advice and implement actions, where appropriate, on issues pertaining to the culturally and linguistically diverse community (CaLD).

To nominate your interest you will need to be a CaLD community leader representing individuals who differ according to religion, race, language and ethnicity, except those whose ancestry is Anglo Saxon, Anglo Celtic, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; or an agency / organisations who support community members within the CaLD community.

Nomination forms can be accessed here. They must be completed and returned by 5pm, Monday 30 January. The group will be finalised in early February 2017 for a first meeting in late February.

Completed nomination forms and all enquiries should be directed to Alina Hobson, Diversity Officer - Inclusion and CaLD, by email: alina.hobson@wanneroo.wa.gov.au  or mail: Locked Bag 1, Wanneroo WA 6946 or phone: 9405 5918.

Red Cross volunteer opportunity

Do you want to become a part of helping your community better understand the real situation faced by people seeking asylum in Australia? In search of safety program volunteers will help Red Cross deliver educational workshops to schools and community groups in Western Australia teaching students about the asylum seeker journey and why people seek protection in Australia. Opportunities are available in a range of roles with flexible time commitment or approximately three hours per workshop.

The Red Cross are holding volunteer training this weekend.

When: Saturday 21st January, 10am to 3pm

Where: Red Cross Office, 110 Goderich Street, East Perth

To get involved or for furtherinformation, contact Claire or Natasha call 08 9225 8830 or email wainsearchofsafety@redcross.org.au

Australia-ASEAN emerging leaders program 2017

Applications are now open for the Australian-ASEAN Emerging Leaders Program (A2ELP). The program brings together ten social entrepreneurs from South-East Asia and five from Australia to incubate new projects and professional connections across the region. Participation is fully funded, including travel and accommodation in Australia for an eight-day learning and development intensive in March 2017 delivered by Asialink and the Carlton Connect Initiative.

The program was announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during the ASEAN-Australia Summit earlier this year. It was initiated by the Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC) and is supported by the AAC, the Australia Global Alumni (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and the University of Melbourne. 

To find out more click here

Impact of migration on people from Chinese background

Researchers at Curtin University are conducting a survey to understand how people with Chinese background can achieve better wellbeing in the Western context. The survey takes 20 minutes. Respondees can enter a draw to win one of five Coles/Myer vouchers. 

To complete the survey, click here