Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory

The Together for Humanity team visits Darwin schools, Monday 1st June and Tuesday 2nd June – do you want to join us?

The Together for Humanity team in Darwin L to R: Imam Adama Konda, Rabbi Zalman Kastel, Natasha Nathanielsz and Auntie Ellen Gapany.

The Sydney-based Together for Humanity Foundation is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to organise and present interfaith/cross-cultural programs in schools. The aim of Together for Humanity programs in upper primary and middle/high schools is to foster inclusion and acceptance among and between young people from different cultural, ethnic, religious and social backgrounds.

The MCNT has been involved with this organisation for some time. It has been hosting meetings with local stakeholders to set up an independent local steering committee to formulate sustainable programs for Darwin and regional schools focussed on addressing local issues, raising awareness and creating opportunities for cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue.

The Together for Humanity team including the National Director Rabbi Zalman Kastel visited Darwin to catch up with the Multicultural Council and presented programs with local presenters at Sanderson Middle School on Monday 1st June and Kormilda College on Tuesday 2nd June. 

This Together for Humanity team at Kormilda College comprised Rabbi Zalman Kastel (the National Director of Together for Humanity), Imam Adama Konda (the Imam of Darwin), Ms Natasha Nathanielsz (Australian-Sri Lankan/Christian from Sydney), and Auntie Ellen Gapany (Indigenous Elder from Arnhem Land).

If you are interested in joining the Together for Humanity team as a local presenter to make a difference, then we would like to hear from you. To find out more, click on the Expression of Interest form below.

• Click here for the Together for Humanity flyer for Primary Schools
• Click here for the Together for Humanity flyer for Middle and High Schools
• Click here for the Expression of Interest Form to join the local Together for Humanity team

MyNT “Kick Off” at Malak Drop In Centre, Wednesday 17th June

Local kids enjoy a game of basketball at the “Kick Off” launch

Multicultural Youth Northern Territory (MyNT) is an exciting new organisation affiliated with the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory and run by young people for young people. MyNT is funded by the Foundation for Young Australians. Elizabeth Warnock is the newly appointed full-time Youth Coordinator working out of the Multicultural Council’s office at Malak.

The MyNT team is working to develop a long term plan to engage, empower and provide a voice for multicultural youth and to inform the wider community about issues relevant to young people from CALD backgrounds through interagency meetings, organised social events and awareness campaigns.

The MyNT officially launched its operations with a “Kick Off” function at Danila Dilba’s Drop In Centre in Malak on Wednesday evening 17th June. This function and social gathering was a great success and featured a free barbeque from Malak Neighbourhood Watch as well as sporting and recreational activities including basketball. As well Young Australian of the Year and anti-violence advocate Jonty Bush me the locals and spoke about her ‘one punch can kill’ campaign. 

World Refugee Day in Darwin, Saturday 20th June

World Refugee Day was celebrated this year in Australia on Saturday 20th June to the theme of “Freedom from Fear”. The quest for freedom from fear is at the heart of a refugee's flight from conflict and persecution and this year there was a renewed focus on efforts to provide refugees protection and security in their new home.

This year Melaleuca Refugee Centre joined with the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory and other local agencies to celebrate World Refugee Day in Holzerland Park in suburban Malak. This year’s program from 4.00 pm attracted hundreds of people and featured cultural performances, community and agency displays, multicultural food and the screening of the 2009 Refugee Film Festival.

World Refugee Day held special significance for nine Darwin locals who originally came to Darwin from Liberia, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo as refugees and became Australian citizens at a special ceremony as part of the event.

Cultural Competence Training at the MCNT, Friday 26th June

Migrants and refugees have the right to culturally appropriate and responsive services. The MCNT believes that all workers involved at the interface with migrant and refugee communities should undertake cultural competency training to create awareness and to communicate and interact more effectively with newly arrived refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The MCNT is hosting a Cultural Competence training seminar on Friday 26th June. The presenters are Dr Joseph Masika and Martin Maya from the African Communities Council of South Australia. The training seminar is on at the MCNT from 10.00 am to 1.30 pm. The cost is $60 per person and lunch will be provided.

Cultural competence is the ability to interact effectively with people across different cultures and ensure that they receive access and services appropriate to their cultures. The seminar will address cultural competence with a particular focus on African settlers.

Places are limited so to register, complete and return the accompanying Registration Form by Thursday 25th June. For more information, contact Frederica Gaskell, MCNT Multicultural Solutions Project Officer on 8945 9122 or email: families@mcnt.org.au

• Click here for the Cultural Competence Flyer and Registration Form

Malak celebrates Neighbourhood Day, Saturday 27th June

Malak Neighourhood Watch and the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory have been working together closely over the past 12 months to address issues of personal safety and anti-social behavior in suburban Malak and with other local agencies have been involved in a range of volunteer community activities.

Neighbourhood pride is alive and well in Malak. This Saturday 27th June from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm Malak Neighbourhood Watch is presenting Neighbourhood Day in Holzerland Park at Malak opposite the shopping centre. This event is supported by Darwin City Council, local member the Hon Delia Lawrie MLA and the local business community.

Activities include raffles and prizes, a jumping castle, rock climbing wall and a shoot the hoop competition. The legendary free sausage sizzle from Neighbourhood Watch will be there with drinks for sale. Everyone is invited to this free family event which celebrates 12 months of the re-launched Malak Neighbourhood Watch group.

• Click here for the Malak Neighbourhood Day flyer

Discover India at Mindil Beach, Saturday 27th June

India at Mindil will be held on Saturday 21st June at Mindil Beach. Entry is free and the fun starts at 4.00 pm. Presented by the Indian Cultural Society of the NT since 1997, India at Mindil is Darwin’s premier Indian festival that showcases Indian art, culture, food and music.

The theme this year is “India on the Move”. There are food and specialty stalls, displays and demonstrations about Indian traditions and genuine Bollywood dancing to entertain you from sunset.

For more information contact Rajeev Sharma the President of the Indian Cultural Society of the NT on 0407 466 528.

• Click here for the India at Mindil 2009 flyer

Lakeside Drive Community Garden “Visioning Day” Sunday 28th June

CDU Talloires is a new student group committed to engaging with the community and making a difference. The group is working on a range of interesting and innovative projects that are sustainable, ethical and forward-thinking.

The proposed community garden at Lakeside Drive on the Casuarina campus is a student led initiative of CDU Talloires. Lakeside Drive Community Garden is an official CDU project with in-principle support from Darwin City Council.

Community gardens are recognised worldwide as a great way to grow food, promote healthy lifestyles, meet people, share knowledge, create an urban green space and cultivate vibrant socially inclusive communities. The Lakeside Drive Community Garden will meet provide an opportunity for local residents, community organisations, CDU students and staff to grow organic fruit and vegetables. 

CDU Talloires students and Linda Cuttriss the Coordinator of Community Engagement at CDU are inviting their friends to a “Visioning Day” on Sunday 28th June from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at the Alawa Community Hall on Lakeside Drive.

Expressions of interest are invited for participation in the community garden project. If you would are interested in contributing to the shared vision for this project, come along in Sunday and join in the “Visioning Day”. Please RSVP to Anjea Travers on 8946 6361 or email anjea.travers@cdu.edu.au

• Click here for the Lakeside Drive Community Garden Visioning Day invite  

PNGASCG Island Night Fundraising Event, Saturday 4th July

The Papua New Guinea - Australian Social and Cultural Group Inc (PNGASCG) is a Darwin-based association for all ages with the common interest of Papua New Guinea through links with family, friends, business, sport, art and culture.

The mission of the PNGASCG is: “To embrace diversity, share culture, foster and promote friendship, understanding and good relations between peoples of Papua New Guinea and Australia.”

Anyone interested in joining the association is welcome to do so. The membership of the PNGASCG includes Papua New Guineans, expatriate Australians and New Zealanders as well as overseas students.

Members and non-members are invited to participate in a variety of activities throughout the year. Members receive quarterly newsletters. For more information about the PNGASCG visit the website: www.pngascg.org/

On Saturday evening 4th July from 6.00 pm the PNGSCG invites their friends to a fundraising event Island Night at the Filipino Community Centre at Marrara. So put on your Island shirt/skirt, dancing shoes, lace/frangipanis and come along. Dinner will be served at 7:30pm. There will be lots of fun and entertainment with DJ music.

For more information about tickets and contacts for this event, click on the flyer below.

• Click here for the PNGASCG Island Night flyer  

Please leave the message The MCNT’s Migrant Employment Handbook is now available as well as the other following messages and attachments as they are but please delete the Permanent Office Manager Vacancy at the MCNT message

The MCNT’s Migrant Employment Handbook is now available

The MCNT has produced an updated and redesigned edition of the “Handbook for Migrants Looking for Work in the Northern Territory” with funding from the Northern Territory Government through the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

This resource has been remodeled in a convenient A5 size and provides practical information for migrants and refugees about how to go about finding work in the Northern Territory. The Handbook includes information about the Australian workplace, relevant legislation and agencies for support, as well as useful local contacts and tips for jobseekers.

The Migrant Employment Handbook is available free for all relevant stakeholders, clients and agencies. If you would like a copy phone Amy at the MCNT on 8945 9122 or email: admin@mcnt.org.au

Permanent Office Manager Vacancy at the MCNT

Would you like to join a small team in the NT’s peak multicultural non-government agency which promotes and supports our unique multicultural society?

Our Office Manager is a key person in a small office, providing the first point of contact for clients, supporting the team with cultural events and projects, and managing the finance and administrative tasks.

If you have substantial cross-cultural and administrative experience, including MYOB, and can work without supervision, we invite you to check out the position description.

Applicants will need to demonstrate experience against the essential and desirable selection criteria in the position description and list three referees.

Short listed applicants will be required to provide a police clearance. The salary will be negotiated with the successful applicant based on experience and qualifications.

For more information about this position, contact Amy Calder at the MCNT on 8945 9122 or admin@mcnt.org.au.

Applications close on Thursday 4 June 2009 and should be sent to admin@mcnt.org.au or

President
MCNT
PO Box 299
Sanderson NT 0813

Click here for the MCNT Office Manager Position Description

NEWSFLASH: Commonwealth Government increases funding for FaHCSIA’s Emergency Relief Program

The MCNT delivers the Emergency Relief Program on behalf of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) for migrants and refugees experiencing economic hardship.

This Emergency Relief Program funding is designed to assist people in financial crisis to deal with their immediate crisis situation in a way that maintains the dignity of the individual and encourages self reliance.

In recognition of the impact of the economic downturn on community organisations the Commonwealth Government has increased funding for Emergency Relief Program with effect from March 2009 until June 2011. 

The additional funding aims to provide assistance that not only deals with a client’s immediate financial crisis but also heads off future financial stress by providing more substantial one-off assistance to first time clients to help get them back on their feet. 

There are guidelines as to the distribution and form of this financial assistance. If you know of someone who is experiencing economic hardship, the MCNT may be able to assist through FaHCSIA’s Emergency Relief Program.

To find out more, phone the MCNT on 8945 9122 or email families@mcnt.org.au

Volunteer opportunities at the MCNT

The MCNT provides services for recently arrived migrant and humanitarian communities. Volunteers have become an integral part of the MCNT’s activities and programs and do great work for the organisation and our clients.

The MCNT requires volunteers for two of its current activities – the Homework Club and the Sewing Class. If you would like to find out more and perhaps join the MCNT as a volunteer, phone Melanie Moore on 8945 9122.

Click here for the MCNT Volunteers flyer

NEWSFLASH: Malak Youth Drop Inn Centre is now open

Danila Dilba’s Dare to Dream team has been working on an exciting new project: a youth drop in centre in Chambers Crescent Theatre within the Darwin Community Arts space at Malak Shopping Centre. Even better news, the Malak Youth Drop Inn Centre is now open. Watch this space for news about the official opening with special guests, a free barbeque, activities and prizes.

This long awaited and welcomed initiative will create a safe space for young people from the neighbourhood to share, enjoy and hang out. Supervised activities will include pool tables, music, movies and fitness equipment. There will also be direct access to counselling and support staff from Danila Dilba.

Opening hours for the Malak Drop Inn Centre are 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm on Fridays. All young people 10 to 20 years old, girls and females, are welcome. For more information contact Greg Donald at Danila Dilba, Malak Shopping Centre on 8927 9335.

Free English Classes for Migrants and Refugees at Malak

There are free English Classes for migrants and refugees on Thursday evenings from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm in Chambers Crescent Theatre within the Darwin Community Arts space at Malak Shopping Centre. There are two classes offered: beginners and advanced. This project is an unfunded voluntary community initiative coordinated by Melaleuca Refugee supported by Teach International.

The classes are informal and conversational and are designed for adults of non-English speaking background who want to improve their English skills. Teach International provides qualified English instructors as volunteers who are training as TESOL teachers and the classes are supervised by an ESL specialist.  

The classes provide useful information and focus on topics of critical interest to migrants and refugees such as workplace culture, life skills for Australian society. The primary aims of the classes are to create an opportunity for English learners to increase their skills and vocabulary on day to day practical topics and for English teachers in training to practice their teaching skills. 

Everyone is welcome and there is no cost. If you are interested or know someone who is interested in joining the classes, contact Xavier Lane-Mullins or Jackie Garbutt of Melaleuca Refugee Centre on 8985 3311 or email xavier.lane@melaleuca.org.au or jackie.garbutt@melaleuca.org.au.

Malak Neighbourhood Watch meetings at the MCNT

The Malak Neighourhood Watch group was re-launched in July 2008 and has been meeting monthly at the MCNT Community Room. The meetings are on the third Wednesday evening of each month from 6.00 pm. Everyone – neighbours, friends, stakeholders – are welcome to attend.

The area coordinator is high profile local resident Wayne Lee. The Malak Neighourhood Watch group is community focused and proactive, and apart from addressing issues of personal safety and anti-social behavior in suburban Malak, has been involved in a range of volunteer community activities in partnership with local agencies.

Watch this space for news about the Malak Neighbourhood Day being planned for Saturday 27th June. For more information about Malak Neighbourhood Watch, contact Wayne Lee on 0410 214 578.

Click here for the Malak Neighbourhood Watch flyer

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