Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast Newsletter 

IN THIS EDITION OF OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER:

Being COVID-ready - What you need to have in your 'COVID KIT'

Members of the month feature: Afrekete Australia

National NAIDOC Week theme announcement 

Isolation activity ideas to keep you moving

Domestic and International border reopening 

…and so much more!

Farewell Sue Graham!

We want to wish a warm farewell to Sue, whose last day with MCCGC & CÜRA was 3rd January 2022! Sue led the organisation for 9 years as CEO leaving an incredible mark on our staff, customers and communities, and helping shape MCCGC & CÜRA into what we are today. 

Sue will be greatly missed, but we are happy for her to spend more time focusing on her health, her family, and enjoying the beach! 

Thank you Sue for your dedication to the organisation, we appreciate all of the amazing work that you've done and wish you all the best on your new journey. 

We would like to wish you a Happy New Year and we hope this year brings with it memorable moments, joy, and resilience. 

With COVID now active in our communities we have made some temporary changes to our services in line with government recommendations to ensure the safest delivery of services to our customers and communities.

The community programs run out of or Southport Office are currently being run via telephone and virtual meetings, with any urgent needs being assessed on a case by case basis. All group programs, community events and face to face client visits are suspended until 7th February 2022.

Our CURA Wellness Centre, group programs, and accompanied shopping trips have also been temporarily suspended until 7th February 2022.

We are in contact with all of our customers to ensure they remain supported throughout this time.

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 December 2021!

Our Work Towards Support Worker, Antonella, worked with Thrive Refugee Enterprise to deliver a workshop focusing on employment pathway options. The program was delivered at our Southport office and most of participants had a refugee background and were clients of our Settlement (SETS) Program.

For more information about our Work Towards program visit: https://www.mccgc.com.au/mccgc-services/employment-training/work-towards

Walk With Us Gifts 

Walk With Us delivered presents to our Southport office for our clients to support vulnerable families during the holidays. What a lovely gesture that really made a difference for our clients and is much appreciated!  

Some of our community development team accompanied  some of our awesome MCCGC Youth and Reclink Australia for some beach volleyball, curtsy of Beach Volleyball Coolangatta

December saw us wrap up our Ready, Set, Goal soccer program with a small award ceremony followed by a swim and splash at the Southport Aquatic Centre. 

From August to December, we saw students from Keebra Park State High School participate and focus on improving football abilities, work on teamwork skills and develop leadership qualities by participating in sport. 

The students also had the opportunity to compete in interschool matches and received sporting advice from Gold Coast Suns personnel.   

In addition to our current Keebra High students, we would like to the note the incredible support given to participants by Keebra High graduates Khensa and Majid Kerar.  Majid has taken on the role of coach and Khensa supports the program by acting as a role model for young women. 

We look forward to recommencing the program when school resumes.

The SETS program supported students from Keebra Park SHS to attend the Ethni sisters retreat during the school holidays. The young women met other peers from Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich. They had fun playing games, exploring Currumbin beach and eating lunch together. Ethni facilitated a workshop about healthy relationships with the young women aged 12-17 years.

From 1am Saturday 15 January, all domestic Queensland border restrictions will be removed.

Travellers will be able to move freely into and out of the state. Restrictions are being removed because we expect 90% of Queensland to be fully vaccinated by next week.

This means interstate travellers can enter Queensland without needing a:

• Border Pass
• Negative COVID-19 test result
• Proof of vaccination status

Once in Queensland, you will still need your proof of vaccination to visit events and venues.

Border restrictions for international travellers will remain in place for now.

Being COVID-ready

In the coming months, it's likely that you may become infected with COVID-19. Most fully vaccinated people will only experience a mild illness, but if you do test positive, both you and members of your household will need to isolate for a minimum of 7 days after you receive a positive test result .

Most COVID-positive people can isolate at home . To help you prepare, we've got a COVID-Ready Kit of some essentials that are good to have on hand .

What you need will depend on your situation which is why you can find more information here below. 

If you've tested positive on a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)

If you haven't done so, report your positive RAT result to Queensland Health.

You do not need to take a PCR test to confirm a positive RAT result.

If you've tested positive on a PCR test

You do not need to report a positive PCR result to Queensland Health. The testing clinic where you got tested will do that for you.

1. Immediately isolate for 7 days

If you get COVID-19, you need to immediately isolate yourself at your home, or other accommodation for 7 days from the date you had your test. Isolate means you need to stay away from other people as much as possible so you don’t give the virus to someone else.

Find out how to isolate, including what support is available to you. For help because you don’t have somewhere suitable to isolate, call 134 COVID (134 268).

2. Tell your household contacts to isolate and get tested if they have symptoms

Tell the people that live with you. They need to quarantine at home with you. They need to get tested on Day 6 of their quarantine period, or earlier if they develop COVID-19 symptoms. Read more about testing and quarantine for close contacts.

Household close contacts

The following are considered to be household close contacts or household-like close contacts and must quarantine and get tested.

A diagnosed person is someone who has tested positive to COVID-19, either through a PCR or a rapid antigen test (RAT).

You are a close contact if you are a household member or a household-like contact of a diagnosed person:

• A household member is a person who ordinarily resides at the same premises or place of accommodation as the diagnosed person, and who are residing at the premises or place of accommodation at the time the diagnosed person receives their positive COVID-19 test result. You do not have to be related to the diagnosed person to be considered a household member.
• A household-like contact is a person who has spent more than four hours with the diagnosed person in a house or other place of accommodation, care facility or similar.
  Note: a person is not a household-like contact if they are in a separate part of the house, accommodation or care facility that has a separate point of entry and no shared common areas, and if they do not have contact or interaction for more than four hours.

See quarantine and testing requirements for close contacts.

3. Tell your social, work and education contacts to get tested if they have symptoms

It’s likely you will have been in contact with other people while you were infectious. You are deemed infectious two days before your symptoms started. If you didn’t have any noticeable symptoms, you are deemed infectious two days before you had your COVID-19 test that was positive.

If you have been in contact with anyone during that period, you need to tell them you have COVID-19 so they can monitor their symptoms and get tested if they feel unwell.

This might include your workplace or the place you study, or if you have children, the school or childcare they go to.

4. Get the things you need delivered like food and medication

You will be in isolation for a minimum of 7 days. It’s important you have everything you need for staying home.

Any deliveries must be no contact.

Ask friends or family members you don’t live with to get food and medication for you and leave it at your door.

Arrange a food delivery service. Have all food left outside your house. Do not let any delivery person into your home or accommodation.

If you need a prescription filled, arrange this with your usual pharmacist or GP. They can deliver it to your home or accommodation, or you can let your friend or family member know where to collect the medication.

Home care workers and other providers of essential services like nurses are exempt from restrictions to enter your home. However, if you receive these services it is important that you let the service providers know that you have COVID-19 and are in isolation.

If you can’t get family or friends to help you, contact the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

5. Look after yourself. Focus on your health, and get help if you need it

Most people with COVID-19 will have mild symptoms. Keep a COVID-19 symptom diary (PDF, 2 MB), so you can track if your symptoms get worse and take action.

If you are well or only have mild symptoms, you will be cared for at home. For health advice, please call your GP. If you don’t have a GP, you can call 13 HEALTH (134 325).

Only call Triple Zero (000) or go to an emergency department if you have severe symptoms. Read more about symptoms and medical care for COVID-19 in Queensland.

While you are staying home, use Queensland Health's tips on looking after your mental wellbeing and keeping healthy and active at home.

If you are worried about your mental health, read about when to seek help and the mental health services available to support you.

If you need any other support while you’re in isolation, read Queensland Health's guide on where to get help.

COVID Financial Assistance

With COVID-19 case numbers increasing across Queensland it is anticipated that more individuals may find themselves having to serve a period of quarantine as a result of being a close or casual contact.

For Queensland:

Services Australia customers should contact the agency if in severe financial hardship as a result of being directed into quarantine:

• subject to eligibility criteria customers may able to receive a Crisis Payment: National Health Emergency payment
• for more information visit: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/getting-help-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

Non–customers can apply for a Pandemic Leave Disaster payment if they meet the eligibility criteria (see below).

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is support for people who can’t go to work and earn an income because either they:

• have been personally directed to self-isolate or quarantine by a health official
• are caring for someone who has COVID-19.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is now available as a lump sum payment of $750 for a 7-day period. The payment was previously available for a 14-day period (at a rate of $1500).

 The changes to the payment align Australian Government support to recent changes to state and territory quarantine and isolation requirements for vaccinated people. 

 If you are required to quarantine, self-isolate, or care for someone for a period longer than 7 days, you can claim the payment again.

Who’s eligible?

• The person must be personally directed to isolate or quarantine by a health official, or is caring for someone who has to self-isolate or quarantine.
• People can’t get this payment if they decide to self-isolate without a health official directing them to.
• The person must have no suitable leave entitlements and is not getting an income support payment or Queensland Hardship Payment.

Check the Services Australia website for the full eligibility rules before claiming.

How can people claim?

• Claim by calling 180 22 66.
• This line is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
• For more information visit: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/getting-help-during-coronavirus-covid-19

For more information please visit www.health.qld.gov.au or www.covid19.qld.gov.au.

Looking after your Mental Health

It can feel stressful and overwhelming during an event like the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and we can all be affected differently. You might feel overwhelmed by the information, conversations and the increased levels of stress in your community.

It can be hard to know what information to trust especially in a situation where things are changing so quickly. It can be helpful to keep up-to-date but it’s also okay to switch off from the 24 hour media cycle if this is getting too much.

A gentle reminder to look after your mental health and make sure you're taking care of yourself. We understand the latest wave of COVID is bringing with it a lot of uncertainty and stress for many people and sometimes we can forget to look after ourselves.

Please make sure you're taking time for yourself, whether that's getting outside, chatting with friends, meditating, exercising, reading, watching Netflix, journaling, cooking or whatever makes you feel good!  

Bored in Insolation? We got you!

Take a dance class for free. At home. Anytime. Just follow this link: https://www.together.vic.gov.au/dance/chunky-move-free-online-dance-classes

Get downward-dogging and stretch yourself into bliss here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1H3xO3x_Js

Do trivia anytime by following this link: https://lovattspuzzles.com/online-puzzles-competitions/ultimate-online-trivia-quiz/  

Feel like getting crafty? Try a virtual paint and sip at home! Link here: https://bit.ly/3KaGFYb 

and tag us @mccgc on Instagram or Facebook if you get up to any of these awesome activities! 

Do you know any migrants, refugees or international students on the Gold Coast who are ready to work but need some help to get a job?

Our new Work Towards Employment Hub can support them to find employment opportunities! It is free for eligible participants and we work with them to create an individual plan to reach their career goals. We can help in many different ways whether they need support with writing a CV,  building confidence, getting interview-appropriate clothing, or anything else. It's a very flexible program designed to help each person on their unique journey.

If you know anyone - friends, family, neighbours, or other connections who could benefit from some support to get into the workforce, please refer them to our Work Towards team by emailing worktowards@mccgc.com.au or calling 07 5527 8011.

For some more details on the Work Towards program check out:

Website: https://www.mccgc.com.au/mccgc-services/employment-training/work-towards/

Flyer: https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/os-data-2/mccgc-com-au/documents/work_towards_a5_web.pdf

Afrekete is a community organisation promoting authentic Cuban culture in Australia via Cuban Dance, Music & Art.

Afrekete comes from the word for the Ocean Mother energy of the Arara Tradition originally from Dahomey region in present-day Benin and came to Cuba with the slaves. Afrekete in Arara/ Dahomey is the Yemaya (Yemoja) of Yoruba culture of Nigeria, Iemanja of Brazil & Uruguay, Mamiwata of many African Nations.

Afrekete invites you to Cuban dance & music camp by the sea at the Tugun Village Community Centre and Southern Beaches Community Garden on January 26th-30th. 

Afrekete invites you to come & experience a slice of authentic Cuba with on the southern Gold Coast from Australia Day Wednesday 26th January and continuing through all weekend 28-30 January at the annual Afrekete – Afro-Cuban Dance & Music Camp by the Sea! 

This unique 'Afro-Cuban Roots Festival by the Sea’ celebrates its 10th event in 2022 and will offer not only offer its usual Opening ‘Night in Cuba’ Friday night followed by 2 days of authentic Cuban dance, drumming & music workshops facilitated by Australian Cuban masters, but the launch will be on Australia Day. 

PLUS an extra Hotter than Havana Night dance party with live 10-piece Cuban Band El Timbon, & Cuban DJs to practice your moves is on the Saturday night at the Tom Atkin Hall, 433 Golden Four Drive Tugun.

Not to mention the "Feria Cubana" - Cuban Marketplace OPEN TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY on Sunday with arts & crafts, food, live percussion “Rhythm Revolution” from different drumming cultures, and Cuban BBQ at Southern Beaches Community Garden, at the back of the Tugun Village Community Centre.

EVERYONE of all ages and abilities is catered for to come and experience this authentic piece of Cuba via an historical journey from the earthy African Tribal roots to the ever-popular and seductive Salsa and everything else in between.

For more information and bookings, please call the event coordinator Christina on 0432 509 519 or email afreketeaustralia@gmail.com. Pre-bookings are highly recommended to guarantee your space. More details can be found on the website www.afrekete.com or Facebook under www.facebook.com/AfreketeAustralia or Instagram @afreketeaustralia. 

As cases rise throughout the state and the country, its easy to feel anxious about the current situation. 

Coronacast is a podcast that answers your questions about coronavirus. Dr. Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor break down the latest news and research to help you understand how Australia and the world is living through a pandemic.

Listen for free on ABC listen app, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts via RSS.

Listen to their latest podcast, 'When will the outbreak peak?' here. 

See Facebook event here: https://bit.ly/31U23jh

Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! This is the National NAIDOC Week theme for this year. 

We have a proud history of getting up, standing up, and showing up. From the frontier wars and our earliest resistance fighters to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities fighting for change today—we continue to show up. Now is our time. We cannot afford to lose momentum for change. We all must continue to Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! for systemic change and keep rallying around our mob, our Elders, our communities. It must be a genuine commitment by all of us to and support and secure institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative reforms. It’s also time to celebrate the many who have driven and led change in our communities over generations—they have been the heroes and champions of change, of equal rights and even basic human rights. Getting Up, Standing Up, and Showing Up can take many forms. We need to move beyond just acknowledgement, good intentions, empty words and promises, and hollow commitments. 

- National NAIDOC Week 2022 Announcement 

For more info on the theme, click the button below. 

The Interpreter Training Boost program has been established to provide new job opportunities for Queensland interpreters in priority languages and better communication outcomes for multicultural communities.

Scholarship opportunities for up to 120 Queenslanders will soon be available to complete the nationally accredited training and pursue careers as interpreters through the Program.

Qualified interpreters are a lifeline for Queenslanders who are not proficient in English across a wide range of languages, particularly new and emerging languages.

Registrations are now open! 

For more information please visit 2m.com.au/interpreter-boost

6th of January - Feast of Epiphany

A Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. The feast commemorates the visit of the wise men or noble pilgrims, known as the Magi, who followed a miraculous guiding star to Bethlehem, where they paid homage to the infant Jesus and his baptism in the River Jordan.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

7th of January- Eastern Orthodox Christmas 

Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians all celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th, but the Eastern Orthodox use the Julian Calendar and the Western churches use the Gregorian Calendar. Because of the thirteen-day difference between the two calendars, the Eastern Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7 in the Gregorian (Western) calendar.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

14th of January- Sankranti 

Sankranti is the passage of the sun from one zodiac constellation to the next in Indian astronomy and marks the change from one month to the next. Makar Sankranti celebrates the winter solstice, when the sun enters Makar rashi (Capricorn), starting its southern journey, and marking the beginning of longer days.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

Multicultural Queensland Awards 2021

Queensland Cultural Events Association Inc is holding a multicultural celebration of Australia Day at Couran Cove Resort on South Stradbroke Island, with the theme of the day is, 'Reflect. Respect. Celebrate'. 

The day will involve music and dance performances by Indigenous and multicultural community artists. A 'Welcome to Country' will start the day off involving community elders, and is part of the national Australia Day festivities organised by Queensland Cultural events on behalf of the national Australia Day Committee.

Secure your FREE tickets here: https://bit.ly/3zPudrY

Wanting to learn a new skill this year? Dante Alighieri Society Gold Coast have opened spots for their semester one intake. 

For more information and to secure your spot call (07) 55270797! 

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. 

• Finance Officer – Gold Coast -  Apply here 
• Registered Nurse (Community) – Moreton – Part Time – Apply here  
• Registered Nurse (Community) – Gold Coast – Part 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.