Dear friends,
A new financial year, gives us an opportunity to refocus, reflect on how far we have come along the merger journey and set ourselves new financial targets for the 2023/24 financial year. There is no doubt that the not for profit sector across the breadth of all service delivery in Geelong has struggled financially post COVID. Last year was a chance for us to continue to improve our processes, implement new financial efficiencies and place Cultura on a sound financial foundation for coming years. It will take us some time  to recover, but with a skills based Board overseeing the operations of Cultura we are well on the way to making this happen.
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge our Directors, who give many hours of their time voluntarily. Like all of our volunteers they have a passion for what we do and for ensuring that we fulfil our vision, purpose and values. As Directors though they have the responsibility of overseeing a $42M budget and all the compliance requirements that are attached to that. It is not simply attending a meeting once a month, there are Committee meetings that need to be Chaired and attended, time required to connect with the community we service and hours of reading that must be undertaken to prepare for board meetings. I would say on average each Director is committing at least 20 hours per month to attend to their duties.
We are at the moment as a result of a number of Royal Commissions, seeing significant regulatory change being implemented especially in aged care and disability. This requires close scrutiny to ensure we are compliant in all areas. Cultura is fortunate to have such a diverse range of Directors. In many ways they are the quiet achievers behind the scenes that drive the strategy, oversee the finances and remain focused on our vision. I am appreciative of all that they do, the support they give to me and the passion they bring to the Board table.
Kind regards,
Joy Leggo OAM
Chaman Qasimi and Musa Khan Sharifi faced heartbreak in 2018 when their family was torn apart. Based on a personal assessment by the Case Officer, on sight only, and no scientific testing, authorities determined that their older children were older than claimed, and therefore not young enough to be dependents, and removed them out of Chaman’s visa application.
Musa Khan had arrived years ago by boat and fought for a visa to bring his wife and kids. Finally, after seven years, the split family humanitarian visa was granted, but only for his wife and two younger children.
This separation took a toll on his wife’s mental health who struggled after being forced apart from her four older children.
But recently we received some very good news. The four older children have been granted a visa through the Community Support Program (CSP)! Chaman and Musa Khan received the letter with tears of joy.
Their story is one of struggle and love. Despite the pain, they never gave up hope. Now, their family can be together again. Their tears speak of the strength of their love and the relief they feel after a long and difficult journey.
At Cultura CSP team, we believe that stories like this serve as a reminder of the power of hope and the joy that comes after enduring the darkest times.
Non-for-profit organisations couldn’t survive without many hours that their multi-talented volunteers put into the programs across different services. But did you know that volunteering can be a transformative path to employment? We talked to Bryan Wu, the dedicated coordinator of our recent Multicultural Connect Job Fair. With over 200 attendees, the event was a resounding success, and Bryan’s invaluable contributions made it possible. Through his volunteer experience, Bryan gained unique insights and familiarity with the Australian workforce, unlocking numerous benefits along the way.
‘As many skilled immigrants, I have experienced difficulties finding employment in Australia. I am an engineer and it is nearly impossible for me to secure a job in this sector. I got many interviews, but none of them had successful outcome. The reason usually being ‘no work experience’ in Australia’, explains Bryan.
Bryan’s involvement as a coordinator allowed him to immerse himself in the event’s intricacies and operations. He honed his outstanding organisational and leadership skills, coordinating various aspects of the fair, including participant registration, employer engagement, and logistics. Playing the vital role in the event coordination, Bryan was able to familiarise himself with the Australian workforce. By engaging with employers from diverse industries, he also gained firsthand knowledge of industry trends, job requirements, and workplace culture. This exposure empowered Bryan to align his skills, experiences, and aspirations with the expectations of Australian employers, ultimately enhancing his employability.
As we celebrate Bryan’s success, we encourage others to consider the profound impact that volunteering can have on one’s career trajectory. Volunteering provides a unique avenue to acquire skills, expand networks, and gain firsthand experience, all of which are invaluable assets in today’s competitive job market. By embracing volunteering opportunities, individuals can chart a path towards fulfilling employment, just like Bryan did at the Multicultural Connect Job Fair.
Are you passionate about making a positive impact in your community? Take the first step towards a rewarding career with our comprehensive diploma program.
This qualification reflects the role of community services workers involved in the delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities.
At this level, workers have specialised skills in community services and work autonomously within their scope of practice under broad directions from senior management.
Workers support people to make change in their lives to improve personal and social wellbeing and may also have responsibility for the supervision of other workers and volunteers. They may also undertake case management and program coordination.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 200 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of units of competency.
Are you ready to embark on a fulfilling journey?
Join us in earning the CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services and be part of a community that creates lasting positive change. Enroll today and become an agent of transformation! Call (03) 5246 9600 or email [email protected] .
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Cultura and we could not have achieved the success we have without them.
We are happy to announce that Amanda Natai has been appointed as our new Volunteer Coordinator. Amanda has been working with Cultura volunteers for the last 15 months and will now expand her role to include volunteers across all areas of Cultura. We look forward to expanding our volunteer program and enhancing our engagement with the community.
Stay tuned for exciting volunteering opportunities with Cultura across our diverse services.
Should you wish to learn more about Cultura Volunteering, please contact Amanda.
Email – [email protected]
Call – 03 4210 0000
Current Job Opportunities with Cultura
We have some exciting vacancies available at Cultura:
For more information, please visit our ‘Careers’ page https://www.cultura.org.au/careers
Our Wellness programs provide opportunities to engage with others and to enhance physical and mental wellbeing with active programs to suit individual’s capacity and abilities.
New Program– Friday Strength and Balance –Â Progressive physiotherapist-led strengthening program for adults over 65 to improve mobility, balance, quality of life and reduce pain from osteoarthritic symptoms in a group-based sessions.
An initial and ongoing physiotherapist assessment is included with the program.
Every Friday 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Mind-Body-Moves- Group program focusing on gentle chair-based exercises to increase strength and mental/physical wellbeing.
An initial physiotherapist assessment is included with the program before starting.
Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Our Wellness Programs are for older community members who are eligible to receive support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
Please contact My Aged Care for a referral to our programs on 1800 200 422 or contact Cultura Healthy Living Centre for more information: (03) 5222 7275 or email [email protected] .
For many new arrivals, the settlement process wouldn’t be possible without engagement with Cultura Adult, Community and Further Education program!
At our ACFE program, we believe in the power of education to empower individuals and open doors to new opportunities. Our diverse range of short courses, carefully structured as part of the Adult, Community, and Further Education (ACFE) programs, cater to the unique needs of learners from all walks of life.
Supported by the Victorian Government ACFE Board, our pre-accredited programs are designed to reignite the passion for learning and equip individuals with the skills they need to thrive in today’s dynamic world. Whether our students looking to enter the workforce, pursue accredited training, or develop essential life skills, we tailor the courses to meet their needs.
We proudly serve multicultural communities, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Our aim is to provide a nurturing platform where our students gain a deeper understanding of the vibrant Geelong community and the expectations placed upon them as residents in a new country.
TAC have partnered up with 94.7 The Pulse to present the Community Noticeboard – a place for Geelong community organisations to submit their event and have it announced on-air and appearing in our events section online!
TAC Community Noticeboard – 94.7 The Pulse (947thepulse.com)
Brrr! With the dreary weather of late, the last month has been all about embracing the indoors and keeping our residents cosy and warm this winter.
Last month we spent time at our garden, where we engaged in an epic battle against slugs, fighting to protect our tender lettuce. And guess what? The gardenias are on the brink of an awe-inspiring explosion of blooms, ready to captivate our senses.
Our thirst for artistic inspiration led us on yet another amazing bus journey to the Geelong Art Gallery. The Clarice Beckett exhibition left us spellbound, craving more of her remarkable work. Our residents adore immersing in the world of art! Meanwhile, in our kitchen, we whipped up a decadent Italian lemon cake, accompanied by delicious pizzas. To honour Italian National Day, we hosted a fun-filled happy hour, featuring the incredible Joe Serra. It was a joyous celebration of Italy, complete with wine, cake, singing, and dancing—a true feast for the senses!
Our boutique overflows with a collection of cosy, hand-knit beanies. Embrace the winter with open arms and snag a fantastic winter deal on these stylish headwarmers.
In the midst of our bustling days, something truly special unfolded last month. Mary’s little Lamb paid us a visit—a heartwarming surprise from one of our remarkable staff members who raises orphan lambs on a nearby farm. Our hearts melted as we witnessed this adorable creature roaming our halls. So, we embarked on a delightful sightseeing bus trip, venturing out to the picturesque pasture where the fine lamb and its friends dwell. Such precious moments that will stay forever in our memories.
Another highlight of last month, was our celebration of NAIDOC Week with many conversations about the rich heritage of the local Indigenous people. In our cooking group, we embarked on a flavourful adventure, experimenting with various Aboriginal seasonings. As we embrace winter, we eagerly anticipate the joy of all fun activities that we do in cold weather. All the upcoming events while gathering together, sharing delectable treats and warm drinks by the crackling fireplace.
Check the range of courses available on scope:
For more information, visit Courses – Cultura Training
Cultura emerged as the vibrant new organisation from the merger of Diversitat and Multicultural Aged Care Services (MACS) in 2022.Â
ABN: 71 355 229 834
Multicultural Community Services Geelong Inc. trading as Cultura
Cultura acknowledges Aboriginal traditional owners of country throughout Victoria and pays respect to their cultures and elders past, present and emerging.
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