“Working Together” Forum

“Working Together” Forum

The “Working Together” Forum brought together over 70 delegates from migrant, refugee, ethno-specific, mainstream and government agencies to explore challenges and opportunities for collaboration.

The program of panel speakers, Q &A session, and roundtable discussions addressed the challenges and strategies for collaboration between organisations, particularly, between smaller and larger ones. The panel speakers include Lisa Woodland, Acting Manager Multicultural Health, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District;  Jenny Grey, Migrant Service Manager of Gymea Community Aid; Amanda Smithers, Senior Policy Officer, Council of Social Service of NSW; Rosemary Bishop, Chief Executive Officer, 3 Bridges Community; and Violet Roumeliotis, Chief Executive Officer, Settlement Service International.

The forum was held on Tuesday, 26 May 2015 at St George TAFE. Jointly organised by St George Multicultural Network and Sutherland Shire Multicultural Network, and funded by Kogarah City Council and Sydney TAFE, the forum highlighted the importance of relationship, partnership and collaboration in delivering sustainable outcomes for the multicultural community.

The forum was a resounding success with the overwhelming majority of participants describing it as both a great networking event and a professional development exercise. They expressed a desire to see more of this kind in the future.

 

Advance Diversity Services & the 1st Annual Al-MABARRAT Conference

Advance Diversity Services & the 1st Annual Al-MABARRAT Conference

The Arabic Community Development  Worker from Settlement Grant Program at  Advance Diversity Services(ADS), was invited to speak  in the Islamic Al-Mabarrat’s  1st Annual Conference organised  titled ‘Education and Schooling: Experiences and Reflections’ at Arrahman Islamic Centre, Kingsgrove Sydney on the 16th of  May 2015. The conference was to address, the key issues and challenges of education in bi -cultural, bilingual settings and reflected on curriculum matters. The Arabic Development worker from ADS addressed the challenges faced by the Arabic speaking students and parents with the Australian educational system through her experience as she closely work with  Arabic Community. She also shared her ideas and initiatives with the aim of empowering the community to contribute towards high quality learning. Debate and discussion with various speakers have helped the success of the conference. Participating in this conference has opened further participation of ADS in such conferences and developed strong relationship and partnership with the conference participants.

ADS Nepalese Dance Group & Children’s Talent  Night

ADS Nepalese Dance Group & Children’s Talent Night

Advance Diversity Services Nepalese Dance Group participated  in the “Nepalese Children’s Talent Night” on 23 May 2015 which has been organised by Nepalese Australian Associations (NAA) to support earthquake relief projects in Nepal. This event provided an opportunity for 15 talented ADS Nepalese Dance Group Children to showcase their talents to their families, friends and the wider community. Their gorgeous cultural costumes, sparkling jewelleries, natural face expressions and dance moves brought Nepal Culture live on the stage. Sachesta Shrestha, age 6, was the Star of the Night   and ADS Dance group was awarded for the Best Dance Award, among 80 participants and 34 different performances. Sachesta Shrestha  is  the youngest in the group showed her talents and enthusiasm throughout the year of her learning and the performances. ADS congratulate Sachesta Shrestha, other performers, parents, and our Dance Instructor for their success and hard work. (Photo credit to MN TV)

Interfaith Series 2015 – The Spiritual Practice of Fasting –

 

On Tuesday, 24 February 2015, Advance Diversity Services (ADS) held the Spiritual Practice of Fasting at Civic Theatre, Hurstville Entertainment Centre.Over 100 community members and community workers from diverse faiths came to hear religious scholars and leaders from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism talk about fasting in their respective faith.

Antoinette Chow, Executive Officer of Advance Diversity Services, said she was “thrilled” by the success of the event, and  “This is how we build harmony. I hope that our series of faith-based events will go a long way in nurturing a culture of interreligious dialogue in the region”, said Antoinette Chow.

The event also aimed to promote the message of unity  around the theme“Standing Together” amidst tragic events that have happened in Australia and around the world. Speaking on the success of the event, Lorraine Watson, co-founder of St George Women’s Interfaith Network, said “I am excited to be part of the ADS’s Interfaith Project Advisory Committee which is essentially putting a UN resolution into practice and that is mutual undestanding and interreligious dialouge constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace,”

Grief Recovery Support for Nepalese Community -05 May 2015

Grief Recovery Support (Group Session) – Advance Diversity Services has organised a grief recovery  support group session  for you , members of your family or friends in the local Nepalese community. The support will be provided by St George Community Mental Health Professional  at 1 Premier Street Kogarah on 05 May 2015  at 11.30 am .  You do not need to make an appointment, just walk in. If you would like to have more information please call us on 95975455 on to  speak to our Nepalese Support Worker Rishi Acharya.