Category: Latest News

Parramatta, NSW – 27 November 2025

SydWest Multicultural Services marked a major milestone yesterday, celebrating 40 years of service and community impact alongside its Annual General Meeting at the Novotel Parramatta.

The event brought together over 200 attendees, including past and present leaders, staff, partners, and community members, to honour four decades of courage, connection, and resilience.

The celebration featured heartfelt reflections from key figures who shaped SydWest’s journey. Maria Teresa Landivar, representing one the organisation’s first-ever employees describing the early days of the Blacktown Migrant Resource Centre (as SydWest was formerly known) as “not just a weekly gathering but a lifeline.”

Hon. Stephen Bali MP shared a personal story, noting that his father found “a new lease on life” through SydWest after facing health challenges.

Former Chair Noel Hiffernan credited SydWest’s success to its people, saying, “The secret sauce to 40 more years of impact is our staff”

The event welcomed Sneha Chaterjee (First Assistant Secretary for the Office of Multicultural Affairs) who spoke about the shared commitment with SydWest to welcoming diversity, and former Centre Manager Irene Ross, who spoke about SydWests’s enduring vision where all people have equal opportunities to grow and thrive.

CEO Elfa Moraitakis thanked everyone in the room for their impact saying ‘’Your fingerprints are on every life we have touched. Every elder who has lived with dignity. Every young person who found direction. Every woman who found safety. Every newcomer who found purpose. Every family who found hope’’

As SydWest enters its fifth decade, it remains committed to driving positive change through advocacy, strategic collaboration and innovation.

Visit https://sydwestms.org.au/news-and-events/annual-reports/ to read SydWest’s latest annual report showcasing their client’s growth stories, inspiring community messages, and SydWest’s 40-year journey.

Looking for a fun, supportive space for you and your little one?
Come along to Bert Oldfield Public School Community Hub every Wednesday, 10 AM – 12 PM during school term.

✔ Play-based learning for kids aged 0–5
✔ Singing, dancing, reading & social time
✔ Support for mums on parenting, health & education
✔ Build school readiness, literacy & emotional skills

📍 Where: Bert Oldfield Public School, Oldfield Rd, Seven Hills
💲 Cost: FREE!

📞 Contact:
Rhiannon – 9621 6633 | corinne.desira@sydwestms.org.au
Nanthini – 9622 2122 | sivananthini.suresan3@det.nsw.edu.au

Click here to download the information flyer

Palliative care is more than just end-of-life support — it’s a specialised approach that helps people living with serious or life-limiting illnesses to live as fully and comfortably as possible. By focusing on quality of life, palliative care addresses not only physical symptoms like pain, but also emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs. It’s a holistic model that supports both individuals and their families.

Importantly, palliative care can begin at any stage of illness and often works alongside curative treatments. It’s delivered by a team of healthcare professionals, community services, and family members who collaborate to ensure care is respectful of each person’s values, culture, and choices.

At SydWest Multicultural Services, we champion culturally inclusive palliative and end-of-life care. Our goal is to help individuals and families understand their options, plan ahead, and access support in their preferred language.

As part of this commitment, our Aged Care Team Leader, Kavita Pantha, recently contributed to the review of new bilingual palliative care brochures for Nepali communities. Developed by Palliative Care NSW and launched in recognition of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025, these resources aim to improve understanding and encourage open, culturally sensitive conversations about care and support in CALD communities.

🗂 Explore the translated brochures here: https://www.palliativecarensw.org.au/translated-resources

Together, we’re helping ensure that everyone — regardless of background — can access compassionate care that honours their journey.

Media Release
21 October 2025

SydWest Multicultural Services, a leading not-for-profit organisation in Greater Western Sydney, is proudly sponsoring the United Nations 80-year ‘Shaping Our Future Together’ conference.

The landmark one-day conference, hosted by the United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA NSW), will be held at the Sheraton Grand Sydney on 22 October 2025. It brings together diplomats, academics, civil society, and business leaders to discuss the future of global wellbeing, peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

Bringing local expertise to the global stage, SydWest’s participation underscores the organisation’s deep commitment to the UN’s core principles, particularly in the areas of human rights, inclusion, and social cohesion.

“The challenges the UN tackles globally are reflected in the communities we serve right here in Western Sydney,” said Elfa Moraitakis, CEO of SydWest. “By participating in ‘Shaping Our Future Together’, we ensure that the lived realities and aspirations of multicultural communities in our region are represented in the national and global dialogue. We’re honoured to contribute our voice to this historic event”.

SydWest will also host an exhibit showcasing its innovative work integrating new migrants into the workforce, demonstrating how local, community-driven solutions can advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Chair of SydWest Multicultural Services, Angela Tsoukatos added: “This conference reminds us that local actions and partnerships can have global impact. SydWest’s sponsorship reflects our Board’s enduring commitment to social justice, equality and sustainability, and to ensuring Western Sydney remains a beacon of multicultural strength and opportunity.”

SydWest remains committed to fostering a more inclusive, just, and sustainable future for all residents of Greater Western Sydney making its involvement in this pivotal UN-associated event a natural extension of its mission and values.

Join us in support of women’s health and early detection

October marks the time to raise awareness of the importance of breast screening for keeping women safe from breast cancer.

We are pleased to be working with the Tamil Valarchi Manram and a range of other local stakeholder partners to offer an important Morning tea and presentations for breast screening awareness in our local community.

Date: Monday, 27 October 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Venue: Redgum Centre, Wentworthville

There will be lots of fun activities, prizes and food, while learning about breast screening awareness.

For more information, contact Kanthi 0469 089 829.

Wear Pink to show your support!

#pinkpower #screeningsaveslives #wearpinkforawareness

We’re thrilled to congratulate our incredible Aged Care team on winning the ACE Award in the Consumer Focus and Care Team category! This well-deserved recognition celebrates the outstanding work of our CHSP group-based programs, including centre-based respite and seniors social support groups.

Your dedication, compassion, and commitment to enriching the lives of older Australians, their families, and communities truly make a difference. You are ACE!

Click here for details of all winners.

Today also marks Aged Care Employee Day – a national day to honour the amazing individuals who care for and support older Australians every single day.

Congratulations once again on your award win, and happy Aged Care Employee Day!