Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast Newsletter 

IN THIS EDITION OF OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER:

Harmony Week - VIdeo competition and local events

Information on the flood crisis in Northern NSW and South-East Queensland

Conflict in Ukraine - What it is about and how to donate to humanitarian efforts

Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan

International Women's Day 2022 

Community Development Updates

Our Digital Health Agency Project 

Our first addition of MCCGC 'Cultural Atlas' 

and so much more!

Message from MCCGC Board of Directors 

Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast is pleased to announce the appointment of Shane Klintworth as our new CEO.

“We are confident that Shane’s innovative thinking and clear strategic vision will support our organisation’s next level of development as a Peak Body for Gold Coast multicultural communities.” Lyn Dasey – Chair of the Board of Directors

Shane has a depth of experience as a leader in the non-profit services sector and has worked with a diverse range of stakeholders and funders across housing, disability, mental health, homelessness and family support services.

“I feel honoured to have been appointed to this role, and genuinely look forward to working with the broader multicultural sector to deliver upon our shared vision of creating a truly inclusive society where cultural diversity is celebrated." - Shane Klintworth

Shane will start as CEO on 28^th March 2022, and we look forward to welcoming him to the MCCGC team.

We want to hear from you! 

Do you come from a culture that does not have a community group on the Gold Coast?

Are you part of a new cultural community group that needs support?

We would love to grow some of our group programs and identify new and emerging cultural groups that we can support within the community. 

Please email advocacy@mccgc.com.au to find out how we can support you!

What's Harmony Week? 

Harmony Week is a week to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, based on the successful integration of migrants into our community. It is an opportunity for all Australians to embrace cultural diversity and to share what we have in common.

Harmony Week is a community celebration. Since 1999, more than 80,000 Harmony Week events have been held in childcare centres, schools, community groups, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies across Australia.

Multiculturalism is in Australia's national interest. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it.

Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. An integrated multicultural Australia is an integral part of our nation's history and character.

Visit https://www.harmony.gov.au/ for more information.

What's on for Harmony Week 2022? 

Video Contest - Celebrate and win!

This Harmony Week, we encourage you to learn about other cultures and share your own through a video competition! Thanks to Bahia Alegria Dance School, community and our staff for starting us off with the lovely video above.

How to submit your video

1) Film a short Harmony Week video to show us how you're celebrating! Not sure what to film? You can:

• Do the Bahia Alegria dance (from the video above) or a dance of your own
• Share something from your culture (song, food, clothing, traditions...anything!)
• Tell us your story and what Harmony means to you 

2) Share your video online and tag us on Facebook (@mccgc) or Instagram (@mccgc). VIdeos must be shared by 25th March to enter the contest. 

$500 in prizes!

We have 4 prizes for best video in different categories. Winners will be announced on our website and Facebook page. 

• $200 - Overall winner 
• $100 - Business
• $100 - Youths
• $100 - Individuals 

*Please note all videos submitted will be shared online and must have permission from everyone in the video to post publicly. Do not submit videos to the contest without permission of all participants.*

Questions? Email marketing@mccgc.com.au.

Stories are a wonderful way to communicate, connect, and find inspiration. In MFO's ‘Living Book’ series, you’ll hear real-life stories from a fascinating range of local community members. This special event also celebrates Harmony Week, with a spotlight on some of those who have journeyed from afar, overcome many challenges, then found hope and built friendships in their new home on the Gold Coast.

• Helensvale Library, Wednesday 16 March, 4pm – 5.30pm
• Southport Library, Friday 18 March, 6pm – 7.30pm
• Nerang Library, Saturday 19 March, 10am – 11.30am

Celebrate Harmony Day with Kusuma Indonesia Community Australia -KICA – it's all about “Everyone Belongs”. Everyone welcome, bring your picnic chairs or picnic blankets and enjoy some Free Multicultural shows.

Free kids activities, Free balloon twisting, Free jumping castles, Free instrumental workshops, Delicious international food to purchased and much more!

Or just relax and grab your picnic blanket, enjoy the sunshine, enjoy multicultural performances from different countries.

There's something for everyone at this FREE event.

For more information, visit the event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1071292310330296 

In partnership with Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) and Federation of Ethnic Communities' Council of Australia, we are conducting research about how user friendly My Health Record, COVID Dashboard, Electronic Prescriptions are for people from Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Italian, and Greek speaking backgrounds. 

Each participant will receive a $100 gift voucher! 

If you are interested in learning more, contact Emily at emilyc@mccgc.com.au or on 0452233646.

City of Gold Coast Community Recovery Hubs are now open 9am- 5pm at:

Ormeau Community Centre, 3 Cuthbert Drive, Ormeau

Palm Beach 11th Ave Community Space, 26 Eleventh Ave, Palm Beach

There are a number of supports available including counselling, financial and practical assistance, housing support and access to community services.

You can also contact the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or contact your local emergency relief provider or counselling service if you are experiencing emotional stress or personal financial hardship from the recent rainfall and flooding event.

Anyone wishing to donate should visit https://www.givit.org.au/storms-and-flooding

Anyone wishing to volunteer should visit https://volunteeringqld.org.au/

Eligible individuals and families who have been impacted by the floods can claim financial assistance through:

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment here: https://bit.ly/360jlN5

Personal Hardship Finance Assistance here: https://bit.ly/3Cn9ME5 or 1800 173 349

Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants - South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding here: https://bit.ly/3sQ2KEP

In October 2021, Russia began moving troops and military equipment near the border with Ukraine, reigniting concerns over a potential invasion. Commercial satellite imagery and social media posts from November and December 2021 showed armor, missiles, and other heavy weaponry moving toward Ukraine with no official explanation. By December, more than one hundred thousand troops were in place near the border and U.S. intelligence officials warned that Russia may be planning an invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

In mid-December 2021, the Russian foreign ministry issued a set of demands which included a ban on Ukraine entering the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and a reduction of NATO troops and military equipment in eastern Europe in order for its military forces to be withdrawn. The United States and other NATO allies rejected these demands and have warned Russia of retaliation if Ukraine is invaded, including economic sanctions, and other assistance has been deployed to Ukraine, including small arms and other defensive weaponry.

In early February, Biden ordered nearly three thousand U.S. troops to bordering NATO countries Poland and Romania. The Biden administration has said the deployment is intended to be temporary and that U.S. troops will not enter Ukraine. Satellite imagery showed the largest deployment of Russian troops to its border with Belarus since the end of the Cold War. 

As of the 24th of February 2022, Russia began the invasion of Ukraine. 

To learn more, visit the rest of the Council on Foreign Relations article here.

How can you help? 

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has a emergency response for when violence erupts and disaster strikes. Having support from donors allows UNHCR to go straight into action. UNHCR is often first in and last out in a refugee crisis, able to have staff and supplies on the ground within 72 hours.

The UNHCR emergency response mechanisms include contingency planning, mobilising global stockpiles of relief items and the immediate deployment of teams and trained personnel.

Ukraine Crisis Appeal are a Nor-For-Profit that are a collaboration between the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO), Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) and Caritas Ukraine - is the largest Australian tax-deductible fundraising effort for Ukraine. 

If it is an option for you, follow the link below to make a donation. 

We are excited to announce that our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has been endorsed and accredited by Reconciliation Australia and we are now recognised as a member of the RAP network. 

MCCGC & CÜRA are proud to make a formal commitment to reconciliation and begin our journey with this Reflect RAP.

Our vision is an inclusive community that values cultural diversity, and our values include unity, compassion, integrity, respect and joie de vivre (joy of life).

We believe our mission aligns with the five dimensions of reconciliation and will help us uphold them within the communities we serve across South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

As a peak multicultural body, we are in a unique position to promote reconciliation across a diverse range of community members who are often left out of mainstream initiatives and conversations. It is important that people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities have the opportunity to learn about and participate in reconciliation.

We commit to increasing awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge, and leadership amongst our staff, volunteers, customers, members, networks and fellow service providers.

We look forward to embarking upon this journey and helping to strengthen relationships, respect and trust between the communities we serve and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We recognise that reconciliation is an ongoing journey and we are committed to fighting for meaningful change towards a just, equitable and reconciled Australia.

RESTRICTIONS ARE EASING IN QUEENSLAND

From 6pm, 4 March 2022 masks are no longer required indoors, except in hospitals, residential aged care, disability accommodation, prisons, public transport, airports and on planes.

There is no limit on the number of household visitors.

There is no limit on the number of people at businesses or venues.

Wearing a mask, washing your hands and social distancing are all proven, effective ways to protect yourself and others.

While many restrictions are easing as the wave of COVID-19 slows in Queensland, we still encourage you to protect yourself and others by wearing a mask where you see fit.

For more information, visit the Queensland Health website here: https://bit.ly/3vbIKOB

Below is the lates Public Health & Social Measures plan

Translated resources

Queensland Health has developed resources about COVID-19 in other languages.

You can also find translated resources on: 

• Who is a Close contact
• What to do if you test positive
• Medical Care

Click the button below to see the COVID-19 resources in your language. 

Meet Brendan - NDIS Support Coordinator 

Brendan is our NDIS Support Coordinator. If an NDIS plan has funds allocated towards Support Coordination, Brendan can help you put your plan into action and make sure people are getting the most out of their funding. Brendan will help you understand what services and funds are available to you and connect you with your community and appropriate providers. 

Brendan was born in Perth and speaks basic Spanish. He studied Community Services Work, Disability Services, Mental Health Peer Support, and NDIS Support Coordination.

What Brendan loves most about his job is witnessing positive outcomes for people that have come from places of significant disadvantage and with little or no connections to community and meaningful support.

NDIS Support Coordination is for anyone needing help to understand how to spend their NDIS funding, what services or products they can purchase, how to find and connect to services or products, ask for more funding, help to understand the information within their NDIS plan, who to speak if any problems arise – the list goes on.

The NDIS can be a confusing space, particularly if English is not your main language, you are too busy caring for a family member, or you simply do not understand the information that the NDIS is giving you.

If you would like to know more about how we could assist you or a loved one with your NDIS plan, contact Brendan at brendanm@curacares.com  or contact the office on 07 5527 8011.

Act for Kids is a for-purpose organisation that delivers evidence-led professional therapy and support services to children and families who have experienced or are at risk of harm. Through prevention, treatment, research, education and advocacy, Act for Kids are committed to supporting thousands of children, young people and their families.

What is SafeCare? 

SafeCare is a free, evidence-based parent education program offered by Act of Kids. The program is designed for parents of children 0-5 years. It is a structured curriculum delivered in the home over a period of 4-6 months. The curriculum covers three modules: Health, Home Safety, and Parent Child Interactions/Parent Infant Interactions.

What’s New in SafeCare World? 

SafeCare is very excited to announce SafeCare Group program. SafeCare Group is a hybrid delivery of the SafeCare program (traditionally delivered in the home). The group-based format is developed through qualitative research using focus groups and interviews with parents, providers, and stakeholders. The parenting curriculum remains entirely intact to preserve the evidence-base of SafeCare, only modifying the mode of delivering  the curriculum to families in a group setting.

What do we do in SafeCare?

Our team of professional and dedicated SafeCare Educators provide parenting support to parents of 0-5, in an extremely practical and structured format educating families in three targeted areas.

These are:

• Parent Child/Infant Interaction module – working with parents on their bonding and attachment with children, focusing on the importance of play. 
• Health module - teaching how to keep good health records and making structured and informed health related decisions.
• Home Safety module - teaching about household hazards, strategies to minimize or remove them and importance of supervision.

Want to know More:

If you are interested in knowing more about SafeCare, we are happy to come to you, do a program presentation and meet with your team either in person or virtually.

If you would like to discuss a potential referral  or collaboration for SafeCare Group program, please do not hesitate to drop an email at safecaregc@actforkids.com.au, call us on (07) 55 083 800. 

Our Community Development team does some amazing things in and around our community so we thought we'd share their adventures with you each month.

Here are some highlights from February and early March!

Our Community Pathway Connector Maria and our CAMS Officer Candice attended Gold Coast Multicultural Arts International Woman's Day event where there was an array of incredible art. 

Did you know there are 100,000 paid temporary jobs that need to be filled before the next federal election?

The Australian Electoral Commission Engagement Team paid a visit to our Southport office earlier this morning to discuss matters relating to electoral participation and pathways to employment.

AEC presented what positions are available, what they offer, the selection process and supported our participants in applying for their available jobs.

On Sunday the 6 March some of our lovely ladies from MCCGC/CÜRA enjoyed High Tea and celebrated International Women’s Day at Greendays Restaurant and Bar with Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin GOPIO Gold Coast Inc.

Together with GOPIO we celebrated Women’s achievements and raised awareness against the biases women endure everyday. Collectively, we can #BreakTheBias. 

Applications for the Interpreter Training Boost Program are now open.

2M Language Services and TAFE SA have partnered to deliver the newly launched Queensland Government Interpreter Training Boost Program to Queensland participants over the next three years (2022-2024). The Queensland Government will grant scholarships for up to 120 Queensland participants to undergo interpreter training endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). The course aims to prepare participants to become certified interpreters in priority and in-demand languages, supported by subsidised NAATI certification testing fees.

The Interpreter Training Boost Program is an initiative to provide more employment opportunities within the interpreting industry, while helping multicultural and multilingual Australians access essential interpreting services.

Courses will run over 12 weeks through online and face-to-face sessions conducted in several QLD regional locations, with intensive preparation and pre-testing support sessions run by NAATI, followed by 2-3 work experience placements provided by 2M.

Who’s eligible?

Applicants must:

• Speak English fluently
• Speak any one of the following in-demand languages:

Arabic, Chin languages, Farsi, Hmong, Karenni, Kinyarwanda/Rwanda, Kirundi/ Nyarwandwa/Rundi, Kiswahili, Kurdish languages (including Kurdish Kurmanji), Oromo, Swahili, Thai, Tigrinya/Tigrinian and Vietnamese, or any other language from New and Emerging Communities which are in demand in Qld.

•  Reside in Queensland (including refugees and people seeking asylum)
• Be compatible with visa conditions if subject to a visa (e.g., allowed to attend training and work)

Please note: 500-590 Student visas are not eligible

•  Expect to remain in Queensland and work as an interpreter
•  Provide a financial contribution of $100 towards the ITB Program

Interested in a career in interpreting?

Visit this link to submit an Expression of Interest.

Eligible participants will be invited to apply.

More information

Read the Frequently Asked Questions here.

Can’t find the answer to your question? Email interpreterboost@2m.com.au

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world on the 8th of March.

What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when all women are recognised for their achievements.

International Women’s Day was first born out of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

Since those early days, International Women’s Day has grown in prominence and reach, touching women in every corner of the world. The growing international women’s movement has helped make International Women’s Day a central point for action, to build support for women’s rights and their full participation in the economy, politics, community and in everyday life.

History of International Women’s Day
In 1910, Clara Zetkin, the leader of the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day at the second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. The proposal received unanimous support from over one hundred women representing 17 countries.

The very first International Women’s Day was held the following year on March 19th. Meetings and protests were held across Europe, with the largest street demonstration attracting 30,000 women. In 1913, IWD was moved to March 8th and has been held on this day ever since.

Queensland Women's Week (QWW) is an expansion of International Women’s Day, providing for a weeklong, statewide celebration of the achievements of Queensland women and girls.

The week will run from Saturday 5 March to Sunday 13 March 2022. This year’s theme is Keep Making Noise, encouraging us to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women and girls while recognising there is still more to be done.

For more information on the week, including accessing the event calendar, visit www.qld.gov.au/womensweek. 

Nominate local heroes in your community who deserve to be recognised and celebrated

As a former Westfield Local Hero participant, we are inviting you to be involved in the 2022 program once again - as a nominator and/or nominee.

Nominations to Westfield Local Heroes are now open, with more than $1.2 million in grants to be awarded.

Nominate local heroes in your community who deserve to be recognised and celebrated

As a former Westfield Local Hero participant, we are inviting you to be involved in the 2022 program once again - as a nominator and/or nominee.

Nominations to Westfield Local Heroes are now open, with more than $1.2 million in grants to be awarded.

Each year we receive valuable feedback from our program participants, and we have listened. We have changed a few things to further improve the program in response to your feedback.

In 2022, we will select three finalists to go through to the community vote for each of our 42 Westfield Centres. We will then award one successful hero per centre a $20,000 grant for the organisation or group they represent. Each finalist will also receive a $5,000 grant for their organisation or group.

Now in its fifth year, the program has contributed $4.88 million to the community.

Our Westfield Local Heroes alumni include community volunteers and leaders, welfare service providers, first responders, essential workers, health and medical experts, educators, environmentalists, innovators, business people, social entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs.

It’s easy to recognise your hero. Nominate today.

If you have any questions, please contact us at westfieldlocalheroes@scentregroup.com.

Our Bay Street office has officially opened a new Community Hub! We will be offering free weekly drop-in sessions with friendly support, translators and interpreters. 

Monday 2-4pm: Tax information- Understanding tax and superannuation, applying for TFN and ABN.

Tuesday 2-5pm: Form Filling Support - Helping filling out rental applications, Centrelink forms, identification documents (currently excluding immigration forms).

Friday 2:30 - 5pm: Job Club - Help searching an applying for jobs, updating resume and cover letter + interview skills.

Address: 9 Bay Street Suite 204 Southport - Take the elevator to the second floor and go left until you see the MCCGC sign!

The BreastScreen Queensland mobile unit is at Elanora!

BreastScreen Queensland are operating with COVID-safe measures. If you are well, it is important you continue your regular health checks.

The mobile will be next to the Elanora Library at The Pines Shopping Centre 1 March – 21 April offering free breast cancer screening to women, 40 and over, without current breast cancer symptoms.

Women aged 50 – 74 are strongly encouraged to attend. Book a free breast screen by calling 132 050 or visiting www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au 

Headspace Southport and Headspace Upper Coomera recently witnessed the cultural strength and resilience of our First Nations young people taking lead on January 26^th as future leaders for their mob, communities, and culture.

As allies, Headspace are dedicated to walking along side Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to help build upon their cultural resilience, particularly when it comes to tackling mental health issues so the next generation proposers for their families, communities and for the ongoing survival of their cultural practices.

To keep the fire burning, Headspace want to continue to encourage young mob living on the Gold Coast to Take a Step  towards forming their strong identities by connection to their purpose, and culture.

Headspace Southport and Upper Coomera is hosting a FREE online virtual market called Platform With Purpose for First Nations young creatives age 12-25 to showcase their art, designs, fashion and crafts. 

欢迎喜欢打羽毛球的朋友们加入我们大家庭一起打球

Australian Chinese Women's Federation welcomes all to come along to their weekly  Badminton Family social games

They encourage their members to gain a greater sense of self in an Australian cultural context, with a strategy of social engagement and joyful interaction with team members of all ages, all nationalities and cultures.

Location

Tallebudgera Leisure Centre

1525 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Sessions

Tuesday 6:30pm-8:30pm, Wednesday 11:00am-1:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am-12:00pm

Pay correct cash before play

$10 members or $12 for non-members. 

Contact

0423 167 450 Gai

0434 128 923 Simon

Proof of vaccination must be presented.

Here at MCCGC we get the honor of working with many diverse languages and cultures. We thought it was about time that we introduced some of our amazing community through MCCGC Cultural Atlas. The aim of this is for an educational resource on the cultural background of some of the Gold Coast's diverse cultures.

The 2016 Census recorded 73,213 Indonesia-born people in Australia and Queensland holds over 10% of Australia's Indonesian born population. 

Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world. It is also the biggest archipelago, consisting of over 17,500 islands. The dispersion of the islands means that distinct microcultures have developed to be regionally specific. Furthermore, over 300 ethnic groups are spread across Indonesia.

The largest is the Javanese population (41%) that mostly occupies the island of Java. Others include, but are not limited to, the Sundanese, Malay, Batak, Madurese and Betawi people.

Most ethnicities have languages, histories and cultures that pertain specifically to them. Hence, Indonesians tend to identify themselves locally foremost (according to their ethnicity, family or birthplace) before defining themselves nationally.

Greetings

• People may greet close relatives by shaking hands and kissing one another on both cheeks.

• Younger people do not call those older than them by their first name, but rather call them “Bapak” (Mr.), “Ibu” (Mrs.) or “Kakak” (elder).

• Always greet people in order of their age (from eldest to youngest) in informal and family settings. 

Religion

At the time of the 2010 Indonesian Census, 87.2% of Indonesia was Muslim, 6.9% was Protestant-Christian, 2.9% was Catholic-Christian and 1.7% was Hindu. A further 0.7% was Buddhist and 0.05% was Confucian.

Dates of Significance in Indonesia

• Kartini Day (21st of April)
• Indonesian National Day (17th of August)
• Youth Declaration Day (28th of October)
• Hero Day (10th of November)

Interested in learning more? Visit here for more on Indonesian culture. 

Interested in learning Indonesian here on the Coast? 

Kusuma Indonesia Community Australia -KICA has launched a free Indonesian language learning program last year, in collaboration with Indonesian Consulate General Sydney & the Indonesian Embassy.

KICA's conversation class are designed for beginners, all welcome! Classes are held every Wednesday from 6PM to 7:15PM at the Southport Community Centre.

For more information please call Astri 0466 969 375 or Bambang 0413 834 738.

ON THE SAME WAVE PROGRAM

The On the Same Wave program is delivered to migrants, refugees and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

The program aims to help reduce beach fatalities and incidents amongst the growing migrant and refugee population across Queensland by educating them on beach and water safety.

Each year the program educates more than 15,000 people on how to stay safe on Queensland beaches.

Surf Life Saving Queensland has a COVID-19 Safe Industry Plan in place for all our programs.

PRESENTATION

The 15 – 20-minute presentation educates multicultural community members on beach safety in a clear and easy to understand way.

Presentation is delivered in a room with computer access for a PowerPoint presentation.

We're excited to be expanding our team across South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales and are looking for dedicated individuals to join us. 

As part of our 2021-2024 Strategic Plan, we are recruiting a range of new positions and increasing service delivery across several areas to support more community members in the regions we serve. 

• Team Leader - Gold Coast - Full Time - Apply here
• Care Advisor - Sunshine Coast - Full Time - Apply here
• Home Care Worker Gold Coast – Casual - Apply here 
• Home Care Worker Tweed Shire – Casual - Apply here  
• Home Care Worker Sunshine Coast – Casual - Apply here 
• Home Care Worker Moreton – Casual - Apply here 

We look forward to your application! 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we operate, the Kombumerri people, the Gubbi Gubbi people, the Jinibara people, the Turrbal people, the Quandamooka people and the Bundjalung people. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging and extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their ongoing connection to land, sea, culture and community.