Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory
The Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory is the peak community advocacy body in the Northern Territory representing the interests, concerns and aspirations of people of Non English Speaking Background.
Latest News
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| 17 Jan 2012 |
OzFusion on Australia Day, Thursday 26 January 2012Celebrate Australia Day with your family, enjoying multicultural performances together at OzFusion! OzFusion is a new multicultural event presented by the MCNT and the Australia Day Council NT from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm on Australia Day, 26 January 2012. OzFusion is an exciting blend of multicultural performances and activities in the cool of the Cyprus Community Centre, Marrrara. Entry is free; a gold coin donation would be appreciated. Food and drinks will be on sale at this alcohol free event. Stay for a while and soak up the multicultural celebration of our national day. For more information about OzFusion contact Ron Mitchell at the MCNT on 8945 9122 or Katrina Fong Lim at the Australia Day Council NT on 8924 4204. |
| 13 Sep 2011 |
The MCNT’s pilot “Passport To Drive” Project moves into its next exciting phase – apply now for theory classes commencing in October 2011There is a considerable demand for driver's licences in recently arrived refugee and migrant communities in the Top End of the Northern Territory. For many of our clients, the lack of a driver's licence has been a barrier to meaningful education, employment and training opportunities. The MCNT’s “Passport To Drive” Project is a driver education and training program, unique to the Northern Territory, designed to assist local recently arrived refugees to become safe and competent drivers and attain their driver’s licenses in a cost-effective and timely manner. The “Passport To Drive” program comprises free industry endorsed theory classes followed by subsidised professional driving instruction that assists participants obtain their L and P plates. “Passport To Drive” has been coordinated by MCNT Project Officer Nitesh Raj Pant since September 2010 as a pilot project funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship through the Settlement Grants Program (SGP). The pilot project has been very successful to date with participants from a wide range of refugee backgrounds and has received ongoing SGP funding for 2011-12. “Passport To Drive” has improved, evolved and achieved a high profile over the past 12 months thanks to Nitesh’s marketing and networking efforts. The program has been very popular and successful with productive outcomes for its participants, and we are encouraging participants from refugee backgrounds to enrol for the “Passport To Drive” theory classes which will commence in October 2011. One of the most exciting developments for “Passport To Drive” so far has been the donation of the Toyota Corolla training car from TIO. We are converting this car to dual control in order to provide in house professional driving instruction. The MCNT is grateful to, for and welcomes the sponsorship and support of TIO. ARE YOU LEARNING TO DRIVE: The “Passport To Drive” theory classes, designed to assist eligible participants obtain their L plates, will be commencing soon. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a place on these theory classes as the first step towards obtaining your driver's licence, then please click on the link below for the flyer and the application form: There is no cost for eligible humanitarian entrants. There are certain criteria: You need to have lived in Australia for less than 5 years and be over 18 years of age; limited to one participant per household. Places in the theory classes are limited and filling fast, so to avoid disappointment, please apply now. For more information about the “Passport To Drive” Project contact Nitesh at the MCNT on phone: (08) 8945 9122 or email: driving@mcnt.org.au |
| 13 Sep 2011 |
Come and join us for the free “Fun English Classes” at the MCNT on Monday evenings from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm – participants and volunteers welcomeSince February 2011 the MCNT has provided the free volunteer-assisted “Fun English Classes” program for participants from migrant and refugee backgrounds on Monday evenings from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm. This activity has been arranged by MCNT Project Officer Lynne Fisher who negotiated with Teach International for the free weekly English conversation classes to be based at the MCNT. This activity is sponsored by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and the Northern Territory Government and is compatible with and supported by the Adult Migration English Program (AMEP) at Charles Darwin University. The “Fun English Classes” program has been very popular and well attended by people from a range of linguistic backgrounds and English skills levels. Teach International provides qualified English instructors training as TESOL teachers and the MCNT actively recruits volunteers to assist with the program. The focus in the “Fun English Classes” is on the provision of relevant and practical information for participants; each week there is a new theme with a designed lesson plan. The “Fun English Classes” program promotes settlement, integration, citizenship and life skills and assist participants from CALD backgrounds with accessing opportunities for employment and further study. The program also has a social function in bringing together individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds to learn and practice English skills. Our participants develop friendships, gain confidence and practice their English skills in a friendly and welcoming environment. ARE YOU LEARNING ENGLISH: The MCNT invites everyone from migrant and refugee backgrounds to join our free “Fun English Classes” on Monday evenings. There is no need to book ahead; just come along on the night. Transport can be arranged. The MCNT also welcomes qualified volunteers at any time for this program to assist migrant and refugees to improve their everyday English and workplace communication skills, so if you would like to make a difference for our multicultural community we would like to hear from you. Please click on the link below for the flyer. For more information about “Fun English Classes”, contact Lynne at the MCNT on phone: (08) 8945 9122 or email: families@mcnt.org.au Click here for the “Fun English Classes” flyer |
| 13 Sep 2011 |
The MCNT’s “Homework Club” returns for the second half of 2011 at Casuarina on Wednesday and Malak on ThursdayThe MCNT’s “Homework Club” is one of our most popular and best known established activities and is designed to provide homework and assignment support for young people from refugee and non-English speaking backgrounds attending local Middle Schools. This initiative was established in August 2008 and has been continuously funded since then by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship through the Settlement Grants Program (SGP). The “Homework Club” is a volunteer assisted after school activity from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm: on Wednesday afternoons at Casuarina Library; and Thursday afternoons at the MCNT Community Room, Malak during the school terms. The “Homework Club” is coordinated by SGP Project Officer Lailah A. Masiga with the support of a team of volunteer tutors. Our tutors come from a diverse range of backgrounds and are able to provide support in a number of subject areas with a particular emphasis on Maths, English and Science. Students and tutors are provided with a healthy afternoon tea during the program. There is no cost. The “Homework Club” at the MCNT also has computer and internet facilities for students to use for assignments, and there is a small library for borrowing books. COME AND JOIN OUR “HOMEWORK CLUB”: Volunteer tutors are required during school terms so if you would like to help out with this program we would like to hear from you. This is a fun and rewarding way to volunteer your time, gain valuable cross cultural experience and assist disadvantaged young people with their education. All volunteer positions will be required to undergo a criminal history check and you will need to hold or apply for an Ochre Card. Please click on the link below for the application form for volunteer tutors. Click here for the application form for volunteer tutors Click here for the Homework Club Brochure
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| 13 Sep 2011 |
“Cooking with Culture” at the MCNT on Thursday morningsAs part of the Multicultural Solutions Project funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and in partnership with Anglicare NT Linkcare, the MCNT provides “Cooking With Culture” – a cooking and nutrition program for older migrants every second Thursday morning between 10.00 am and 12.30 pm. Funding was provided by FaHCSIA to the MCNT to install a new commercial stove and range hood specifically for this program. Each week members of the group offer to demonstrate the preparation and cooking of food from their own culture. It is great fun and about 7 nationalities from Darwin’s diverse multicultural community regularly attend including people from Cambodia, China, East Timor, The Philippines, Greece, Italy and India. The aim this year with “Cooking With Culture” is to produce a recipe book. For more information about this program, contact Lynne Fisher at the MCNT on 8941 9122 or email: families@mcnt.org.au |
| 13 Sep 2011 |
Multicultural Women’s Support GroupThe MCNT’s Multicultural Women’s Support Group aims to support women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds by providing them with information and support on issues of concern and interest such as women’s health, positive parenting, education around the topic of child protection, providing healthy meals to families on a budget etc. The MCNT’s Multicultural Women’s Support Group meets every second Friday afternoon. This program aims to reduce isolation, increases self esteem, build positive family relationships through group discussion and social interaction. At the same time we also provide a Children’s Program where the children are given a choice of art and craft activities as well as drama workshops with the aim to raise confidence and self esteem, encourage team work and respectful relationships and to have fun. To find out more about this program contact Lynne Fisher at the MCNT on 8945 9122 or email: families@mcnt.org.au Click here for the “Multicultural Women’s Support Group” flyer |
| 13 Sep 2011 |
Migration Advice and Information Service at MCNTIf you reside in the Northern Territory and need migration assistance or advice, Playfair Visa and Migration Services are now providing a free Immigration Advice Service at the Multicultural Council of NT, Malak Shopping Centre, in Malak Place, Darwin. Disadvantaged people living in the Northern Territory community are eligible to receive this migration advice, free of charge due to:
This service is funded by the Federal Government at no cost to disadvantaged applicants. A Registered Migration Agent from Playfair will be available for interviews by appointment only. |
| 13 Sep 2011 |
NT Legal Aid Commission outreach service at the MCNT on Friday afternoonsThe NT Legal Aid Commission (NTLAC) provides access to the law and legal assistance to people who are unable to afford the services of a private lawyer. NTLAC provides legal advice on family law, criminal law, immigration, civil law, domestic violence and child protection. NTLAC has established an outreach service at the offices of the MCNT on Friday afternoons from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in the northern suburbs. A Community Liaison Worker will be available to meet with CALD communities and service providers and also to provide legal information and make appointments for legal advice through TIS interpreters. NTLAC has a range of publications to help people understand their legal rights and responsibilities and will be organising free group workshops and seminars on a range of legal topics. Recently NTLAC launched a legal resource kit for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in the Northern Territory. To find out more about NTLAC and its CALD communities outreach service phone 1800 019 343 (toll free) on weekdays between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm or drop in and see the NTLAC Community Liaison Worker on Friday afternoons at the MCNT. |
| 13 Sep 2011 |
MCNT’s delivers FaHCSIA Emergency Relief ProgramThe 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. This assistance at the MCNT (dispensed as food vouchers) 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 of this 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 |
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