Category: Latest News

9 March 2026 – Event Alert

• Western Sydney Region Settlement Consortium and SSI to host ‘Silence to Power’ event at Park Royal Parramatta for International Women’s Day 2026
• Event aims to celebrate refugee and multicultural women’s strength and leadership, bringing together government and community leaders
• Female artists will showcase art as a form of expression, alongside facilitated discussions with multicultural women leaders
• Event emphasises the journey from silence to empowerment for refugee and migrant women

The Western Sydney Region Settlement Consortium (WSRSC) and SSI, with the support of 2M Language Services, will host Silence to Power: Amplifying Voices for Justice today (9th March) at Park Royal Parramatta. This International Women’s Day 2026 event will honour the strength, resilience, and leadership of refugee and multicultural women, bringing together leaders from government, councils, not‑for‑profit organisations, and community groups. The event recognises the profound journeys many women undertake as they move from silence to empowerment.

Clement Meru, Settlement and Community Engagement Manager at SydWest Multicultural Services, said: “International Women’s Day calls us to recognise not only the achievements of women, but also the barriers many continue to face. The stories we are honouring today remind us that silence is never the end of the journey. When women are supported, believed, and empowered, their voices become catalysts for justice and transformation. At the WSRSC, we remain committed to ensuring every woman has the opportunity to shape her own future.”

Yamamah Agha, General Manager – Newcomers, Settlement and Integration at SSI, said: “The courage of refugee women inspires us to reflect deeply on our responsibility as leaders, as institutions, and as a community. Their lived experiences strengthen our resolve to build systems that are safe, inclusive, and responsive to the realities faced by women from refugee and migrant backgrounds. ‘Silence to Power’ is not just an event – it is a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to dignity, equality, and the enduring power of women’s voices.”

The event will feature a group of talented female artists demonstrating how art can serve as a powerful form of voice and expression. In addition, a facilitated conversation with multicultural women leaders will invite audience participation and explore themes such as the role of community, the authority of lived experience, and claiming leadership in the face of barriers. At the heart of the event is Amera Ali, who will share her courageous journey toward renewed purpose.

END

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.