Dear friends,
May is the month when we take a moment to honour and appreciate the remarkable contributions and boundless love of mothers. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we acknowledge the incredible strength and resilience mothers possess. They embody the essence of adaptability and nurture the seeds of positive change within their families and communities.
In this edition of our newsletter, we delve into the importance of embracing change, both individually and as a community, and the exciting opportunities it presents. At Cultura, we remain firm in our commitment to serving the diverse communities here in Geelong, striving to break down barriers and create an inclusive society where every individual can thrive.
Within this edition, you will discover stories of empowerment, compassion, and unity. We highlight the progress we have made in our efforts to create a brighter future for all, thanks to the support of our dedicated team, volunteers, and partners.
I hope that this newsletter serves as a source of inspiration, fostering a sense of togetherness as we work towards a more supportive and inclusive society.
Kind regards,
Joy Leggo OAM
May’s figures speak volumes: 346 refugees arrived in Australia through our Cultura CSP program. Anmol Nabil Jameel’s story is just one of many stories of refugees who have arrived in Australia, facing significant challenges in finding employment and integrating into a new society.
Anmol Nabil Jameel is a Syriac Catholic from Iraq who fled persecution in 2016 and found a safe haven in Australia in November 2019, just as the pandemic began. Anmol is a skilled barber who graduated from University in 2010, but he struggled to find work due to COVID-19 restrictions. Despite the challenges, Anmol persevered and opened his own barbershop in the Corio Village shopping centre, which has been thriving for six months. Anmol not only employs several other barbers who have a shared refugee background, but he is also sponsoring a new Community Support Program (CSP) application in the latest round of expression of interest.
Anmol’s story is a testament to the resilience and determination of refugees, who often face significant challenges in finding employment and integrating into a new society. Despite the odds, Anmol’s success demonstrates the valuable contributions that refugees can make to the Australian economy through their entrepreneurial spirit and business initiatives. By providing skilled refugees with English language skills a permanent visa pathway through the CSP, Australia can continue to benefit from the skills, experience, and innovation that refugees like Anmol bring to the country.
The last six months have been nothing short of amazing for the Netball and Futsal Academy programs, as a diverse group of young individuals have found a sense of belonging and thrived in this empowering environment. Not only has the program provided a safe space for them to learn new life skills and make friends, but it has also bolstered their confidence and helped them grow as individuals.
Besides our standard program, we have also been busy with a series of entertaining and enriching holiday programs that have enabled participants to grow their skills and form meaningful connections with one another. These programs have ranged from the empowering Young Women’s workshops to exciting school holiday activities, not to mention the delightful brunches with the girls and invigorating rounds of bowling.
One particular event that stands out is camp at Licola, where participants got to take part in a range of activities and challenge themselves in new ways. This unforgettable experience not only facilitated personal growth and development, but it also created a deep sense of connection among all the young people in the community.
As we reflect on the amazing progress and achievements of our young people, we feel a sense of pride. We are excited to keep providing opportunities for multicultural youth to learn, connect, and thrive in the months and years ahead.
The Cultura Training Open Day was a great success, with a fantastic turnout of enthusiastic students eager to enrol in our Early Childhood Education courses and Diploma of Counselling course. As a training organisation that specialises in providing education for multicultural communities, we were thrilled to see such a diverse range of individuals interested in pursuing a career in these fields.
The atmosphere was electric, with attendees buzzing with excitement as they participated in informative sessions and tours around our facility.
One of the highlights of the day was the launch of our Cultura Training new website. Offering a wealth of information about our Accredited courses and ACFE short courses, the website is the perfect resource for those looking to learn more about the courses we provide. Visitors can easily connect with our team of experts, ask questions, and start their journey towards a meaningful career in the ‘caring industry’.
At Cultura Training, we are passionate about providing education that makes a real difference in people’s lives. And we are thrilled to have welcomed so many new students into our community, ready to embark on their own impactful journeys. So if you are looking for a rewarding career in a ‘caring industry’, look no further than Cultura Training – the perfect place to learn, grow, and achieve your goals. For more information about our courses, please visit training.cultura.org.au
We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation for all our amazing Cultura volunteers. You are the heart and soul of our organisation, and we could not do what we do without your unwavering commitment and selfless service.
Your contributions are immeasurable. From your generous help in the garden to helping to facilitate social support groups, your dedication to our mission is truly inspiring. You have become an integral part of our team, and we are grateful for every hour you have given.
Your kindness and compassion are a beacon of hope for those in our community who need it most. You have touched the lives of so many with your smiles, your encouragement, and your willingness to lend a helping hand. You have brought comfort to those who are lonely and hope to those who are struggling.
We cannot thank you enough for your generosity and your hard work. You are the heart of our organisation, and we are grateful for your continued support.
Thank you for making a difference in our community and for being a shining example of what it means to give back.
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
Do you feel like you need a boost of energy? Look no further than our Cultura Healthy Living Centre!
Our Centre-based groups are the perfect place to meet new friends who share love of socialising, trying new activities, and staying active. Whether you prefer half or full-day programs, we have got you covered with our weekday schedule. And don’t worry about packing your own lunch, because we will provide a healthy morning tea and lunch for you!
Our Social Support and Respite Club programs are for older community members that are eligible to receive support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program(CHSP), Home Care Packages (HCP) and Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP)
Looking to enhance your physical and mental wellbeing? Our Club Wellness Allied Health programs are perfect for you! Designed to suit individual capacity and abilities, this program is catered to our older community members who are eligible to receive support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) only.
If you’re interested in joining one of our fun-filled programs, simply contact My Aged Care at 1800 200 422 to get a referral. Alternatively, you can reach out to us directly at the Healthy Living Centre for more information at 5222 7275 or email us at [email protected]. We are located at 25-41 Arunga Ave in Norlane, so come on down and say ‘hello’!
The Eid celebration at Cultura this year was a moment of pure happiness and joy for our ACFE learners. During the busy month of Ramadan, they practiced self-discipline, fasting, and praying to demonstrate their devotion to their religion. However, Eid is a time for celebration, and they gathered together to share in the happiness of this special occasion.
It was truly a beautiful sight to see our learners, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, come together to celebrate Eid. They adorned themselves in their traditional clothing, shared scrumptious food, and exchanged warm hugs and greetings filled with blessings. The chanting of “EID MUBAREK” (Happy Ramadan) to one another was a particularly touching moment that captured the true essence of Eid.
This celebration helped our learners not only experience the beauty of another culture and religion but also learn empathy, respect, and understanding for one another. It was a moment where they truly felt a sense of belonging to a new home while taking pride in their unique identities.
Such celebrations promote gratitude for the opportunity to share cultural traditions within our learners’ community. We hope that our students have not only strengthened their personal connections but also established a long-lasting bond within the ACFE community that will continue to bring them together for many years to come.
Are you passionate about radio broadcasting? Do you want to learn the basics of this exciting industry? If so, then you should definitely consider taking the Intro to Radio Broadcasting Course at 94.7 The Pulse.
The six-week course is designed to equip prospective radio broadcasters with the necessary skills to perform a live-to-air program. The course covers a range of topics including studio operations, interviewing techniques, and basic broadcast law regulations. By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of radio broadcasting.
Classes are held for one night a week from 6-9 pm, which makes it convenient for those who work regular daytime hours. The course offers hands-on training in a supportive and friendly environment, with experienced instructors who are passionate about radio.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in radio broadcasting, this course is an excellent place to start. By registering for the course, you will be taking the first step towards a career in this exciting field. To learn more about the course and to register your interest, visit https://947thepulse.com .
Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Sign up for the Intro to Radio Broadcasting Course today!
Despite the bitter and cold weather, we had a cozy time indoors at Cultura Residential. We decorated and baked some delicious cupcakes and scones made with savory pumpkin and sweet dates. We even tried our hand at the traditional Ukrainian egg painting, which involves intricate designs made with hot wax and dyes. Our eggs turned out beautifully, and we cracked them together during Orthodox Easter.
We took some fun bus trips, visiting Daniels donuts and the beautiful Barwon River. We enjoyed an afternoon tea picnic in Little River and went for a lovely walk through the Botanical Gardens. One of the highlights of our month was a spectacular performance by Hetty Kate and her band through the ‘Music Always’ program.
As the seasons changed, we cleaned out our summer veggies from the garden and planted some tasty winter herbs. On ANZAC day, we held a service in the chapel to remember our loved ones who lost their lives. We also celebrated Dutch national day with a “lekker” party filled with singing, eating, and dancing.
To top it all off, on one of the rare sunny days, while soaking up the vitamin D, we had a surprise visit from Muddy Gum Boots farm! We got to cuddle with adorable baby animals, from chicks to lambs and goat kids! Spending time with animals can help reduce stress and anxiety, promote feelings of happiness and relaxation, and even lower blood pressure. Whether it is cuddling with a kitten, playing with a puppy, or feeding a flock of chickens, spending time with animals always brings so much joy to our residents!
Cultura is joining with Catholic Care Victoria Job Readiness Program, Northern Futures and Jobs Victoria to support our local multicultural job seekers. Multicultural Connect Job Fair will have employers, training organisations and specialist employment-related support programs.
Job seekers will have access to language support as they consider career pathways, job opportunities and training options.
Workshops will focus on:
and many other topics that will improve opportunities to find work in industries of choice. Further updates and information on our socials or on the Telegram Cultura Job Hub channel.
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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