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Welcome to our first edition of Cultura Connect, our new monthly e-newsletter, which replaces the former MACS News and Diversitat News.
I am very excited to finally share with you our new name and new brand which was unveiled at a special event held at The Pier, Geelong. One of the highlights of the event was the unfurling of a sail by the Geelong Yacht Club with the new logo shimmering on the bay under a blanket of stars.
Cultura is a Latin term relating to ‘cultivation’, ‘to tend to’ for ‘improvement’ and reflects the diverse nature of the people the organisation works alongside. “The term ‘cultures’ can reflect diverse sub-cultures within a whole, including people of all ages and stages, genders, and abilities.
The actual logo itself has been well received by the community due to its striking, bold, progressive, and colourful brandmark and the story behind it.
The design is representative of the four corners of the globe coming together, particularly relevant as our client’s hail from all over the world. The sphere indicating inclusivity and community while the plus sign indicates us going above and beyond.
The colours used in the design are strong, vibrant, and earthy, from red dusty plains, to striking sunsets and turquoise tropical seas. Two of the five colours used (midnight blue and orange) also combine to create a legacy piece for MACS and Diversitat.
The name and brand were developed following an extensive consultation process. We wanted to ensure we had ‘buy in’ from as many sectors and touchpoints in our community as possible. We wanted to hear from all voices including youth representatives, clients, community groups, stakeholders, volunteers, and staff.
Over the past eight months we have been running workshops, countless zooms, voting cards, suggestion boxes and even a naming competition. The result has been overwhelming support in favour of the vibrant, progressive new look and brand.
I am thrilled to start this new journey as CEO of Cultura with an exciting new brand that reflects who we are and our vision and goals as Geelong’s largest multicultural voice and support network.
With the launch now completed, the critical community support work continues for the Cultura team.
We have an ambitious intent to connect, inspire and embrace culturally diverse individuals throughout their entire life journey, and after 70 years, I think we’re just getting started.
I am pleased to advise that Cultura has been successful in achieving registration as a registered training organisation. This is a significant achievement and congratulations go to our Skills and Development team on having their application accepted. A Skills First compliance audit has also recently been undertaken and the team achieved an impressive 99% result.
With warm regards
Joy Leggo
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International Women's Day
What a brilliant day celebrating women at Cultura.
A special Welcome to Country by Kristi Watts and Tahlia Dempsey from Wathaurong Aboriginal Co Op.
Empowering speeches from our CEO Joy Leggo and Hiba Murtadha and beautiful performances from our English students and the Geelong Indian community. This was followed by a special planting session at the Northern Community Hub.
A HUGE thank you to the Settlement Services & Community Programs team for organising this brilliant event.
Imagine a gender equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Together we can forge women's equality.
Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias
Click here to view a touching tribute to International Women's Day. |
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Tomato & Chili Competition
Recently we held our annual 2022 Tomato & Chili Competition!
A record was broken this year with the largest chili coming in at 36cm, beating the previous record of 35cm. Just imagine… a 36cm chili…WOW!
A big thank you to everyone that came along, including our judges and especially those that made the day happen.
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Cultura Home Services
Our Home services Highton House Support program celebrates its first birthday this month.
Over the past 12 months our participants have made Highton House their own, decorating our colourful rooms with newly discovered talents in art and crafts.
Our participants enjoy getting together each week to share a meal, exercise, musical interests, learn new skills and revisit old ones.
We always look forward to seeing new faces at the program. Find out more by speaking to your Wellbeing Coordinator at Home Services on 4210 0000.
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Respected, Connected and Thriving
Last month, eight of our social support groups hosted a community conversation about Positive Ageing giving their ideas to assist City of Greater Geelong in making our communities age friendly places. Questions were based around three themes – 1) what does it take for people as they age to live in a safe, welcoming and connected communities, 2) how can people as they age feel respected, supported and encouraged to participate as active citizens, and 3) what would improve access to places, spaces and services.
They were also asked how ageing impacts them individually with feedback given around the many restrictions that occur when you age e.g. mobility challenges which can lead to social isolation, loss of friendship. There was also recognition of the challenges to a change of their role from partner to carer.
In summary, feedback given was to feel safe and be surrounded by friendly, helpful and understanding people and to be shown that people are happy to see them.
There were also some suggested actions such as improved lighting on streets, rectifying uneven footpaths, increased signage in public areas to access facilities, safe road crossings with audible cues but to also have a place where old movies are played and parks specifically for older people.
One of the key feedback themes was the need for better transport options, such as free transport to venues, a buddy system so people can access activities and more options with bus services, particularly for places further than 10 km and also more consideration as where bus stops are located.
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Pathway to production course
We are pleased to introduce you to a new ACFE class starting 28 April, 2022.
Production English, sponsored by Diversitat’s ACFE Funding, Cultura's Employment Pathways Group and Catholic Care is for people with low functioning English (can read basic words and use basic phrases) who want to work in factories, but do not feel confident with their level of English.
This class will give students the skills needed to start an entry-level job in a factory with confidence. They will learn basic OHS phrases; how to communicate with supervisors and colleagues. They will also learn about worker's rights, Australian work culture and how to get a TFN if they need it.
Students will also visit various factories as well as given help to apply for jobs and practise job interviews.
This is a very practical class running for 8 weeks, 2 days a week, 5 hours a day, during school hours.
To learn more, please download the flyer here or contact Amy Rashap, Employment Mentor - Cultura Settlement and Community Services
M: 0436 614 409
E: [email protected]
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Residential currently has 52 active volunteers representing 21 diverse backgrounds and offer over 20 volunteer opportunities.
They are all actively involved in Cultura's residents' lives. We are all extremely appreciative of the brilliant, kind-hearted volunteers who have volunteered their time to help our community.
This year, volunteering Cultura began hiring young people with disabilities, and we are so honored to have them all on our team, as we provide a welcoming and supportive environment for our new members to gain experience and get their feet wet as they embark on their adulthood journey.
In 2022, we formed a partnership with several businesses; they send us their employees to volunteer on a monthly basis, and we host guest volunteers at various events, creating unforgettable memories with our guests.
Our volunteers worked on a collaborative project with Residential well-being staff and residents knitting an amazing and monumental woolly soldier which will be unveiled on ANZAC Day and kept as a permanent memorial. |
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The Pulse is excited to be a festival partner at this year’s Surround Sounds Music Festival. As part of this partnership, we will be welcoming artists on air from next week to showcase their music and we will be doing a 2 hour outside broadcast from Jazz Day on the 7 May at Pistol Pete’s (1pm – 3pm).
As the federal election approaches The Pulse is busy coordinating our traditional election candidate forums. Two forums (Corangamite and Corio) will run at The Pulse (in our foyer) from 10am-11.30am on Monday 16 May and Tuesday 17 May. We encourage as many people as possible to register and come a long and have a say! We will be sending out more information in the lead up. |
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Refugee Week - Sunday 19 June to Saturday 25 June, 2022
Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. Originally celebrated in 1986, Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day (20 June).
For more information about Refugee Week and how it’s celebrated across Australia, visit the Refugee Week website
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Have you checked out our awesome new Cultura website yet? Jump on and explore the services we offer…everything from settlement, community services, aged care, training and education…and so much more.
cultura.org.au
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