New Board website image PR 1440x1080px 1000 x 750

SydWest welcomes two new board members

Posted on 14/02/2024 | by Vikki Hine

SydWest Multicultural Services has welcomed Sandra Casinader and Kim Heng to its Board of Directors.

Sandra is the Group Head of Enterprise Learning and Capability for the Westpac Group where she is accountable for the organisation’s learning strategy, capability frameworks and learning governance as well as enterprise-wide data and digital programs.

Her background spans strategy, culture change, transformation and customer-facing roles, and she has more than 25 years’ experience in financial services. She is also a former Board Member of Participate Australia, which merged with SydWest last year.

Kim Heng brings to the board expertise in technology and operations with an extensive background in leading business transformations.

Currently the Chief Operating Officer of Wilson Asset management, Kim’s career spans both the private and government sectors where she has helped drive modern practices to organisations to boost efficiency and effectiveness.

SydWest CEO Elfa Moraitakis has welcomed the new appointees while thanking outgoing board members Naveen Jayavarapu and Matt Pancino for their service.

‘We are very grateful for the expertise Matt and Naveen have contributed to our organisation, particularly during our merger last year,” Ms Moraitakis said.

‘I’d like to warmly welcome Sandra and Kim and I look forward to working with them and the rest of the Board as we refresh our strategy and position SydWest for future growth, and work through the government’s reforms to the aged care and NDIS sectors.’

STATEMENT ENDS /

13 February 2024

Media enquiries: Vikki Hine, Media and Events. E: vikki.hine@sydwestms.org.au or T: 0428 109 215.

Employment Accelerator event matches jobseekers to Home Care jobs

Posted on 01/02/2024 | by Vikki Hine

Jobseekers interested in a career supporting seniors to live independently at home turned out to connect with Home Care employers in person at the first Employment Accelerator event for 2024.

Hosted by SydWest Multicultural Services at its Blacktown office on Wednesday 31 January, the event saw local employers, training organisations and employment bodies including SSI, Leaders Care, Care Connect, Salvation Army Employment Plus, Macquarie Community College and TAFE Blacktown present their opportunities to almost 40 jobseekers.

Attendees registered their interest in available jobs and learned about training and qualifications.

“Employers reported promising matches with candidates and were positive about meeting jobseekers in person,” said SydWest Settlement and Community Programs Manager Clement Meru.

“We were happy with the turnout and the way people interacted with the employers and training organisations to help them get a step closer to a job as a Home Care worker,” Mr Meru said.

Riddhi, from Blacktown, a client of SydWest, was among the attendees. She said she was finishing her certificate III course soon and wanted to get a head start on getting a job. She said it was valuable to see employers in the one place and see where the opportunities are.

A representative from Leaders Care said they were always looking for Home Care workers, so it was a great opportunity to connect with jobseekers and “with other organisations who might have referrals”.

If you’re interested in a career in Home Care, there are more events in the coming weeks in Mt Druitt, St Marys, Parramatta and Blacktown. Find out more at the SydWest Multicultural Services website

Care Connect stand — Ashleigh Hudson, Care Connect speaks to interested jobseekers

Employment Accelerator in action — Jobseekers meeting employers and training providers

Employment Accelerator listening to employers — Jobseekers paid close attention to the employer presentations

1 February 2024

Attic Salt Photography Angela Tsoukatos 1 scaled e1699414106953

New chair welcomed to SydWest board

Posted on 08/11/2023 | by Sydwest

Leading community organisation for cultural diversity issues, SydWest Multicultural Services, has welcomed Angela Tsoukatos as the new chair of its board.

Angela was elected following SydWest’s annual general meeting. She assumes the role from Dr Chandrika Subramaniyan.

Angela is an experienced and versatile executive general manager with a successful track record working in Australia’s largest water utility, local government and the not-for-profit sector.

She has extensive experience in service provision, transformation and leading high performing teams, as well as delivering outstanding business results. Angela holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Masters of Management in Public Management, and is a recognised champion of diversity and inclusion.

She was also the CEO of disability provider Participate Australia, which recently merged with SydWest.

SydWest CEO Elfa Moraitakis said she was delighted to welcome Angela to the role.

‘Angela has been a member of our board for the past two years and knows our business well,’ she said.

‘We are looking forward to an exciting year of growth ahead.’

You can read more about Angela’s credentials here

For more information about the SydWest board please see our website https://sydwestms.org.au/about/our-board/

Media Enquiries: For further information or to arrange interviews, contact Vikki Hine, Public Affairs & Communications, SydWest Multicultural Services on vikki.hine@sydwestms.org.au or 0428-109-215.

Read the full media release here.

8 November 2023

SydWest to launch Bhutanese Migration History at 36th Annual General Meeting

Posted on 02/11/2023 | by Sydwest

SydWest Multicultural Services is pleased to advise that we will be holding our Annual General Meeting at 2pm, on Thursday 2^nd November 2023 at Hudson’s Hotel in Seven Hills.

As part of this year’s Annual General Meeting, SydWest will launch a very special new book, Bhutan Migration History – a life in three countries, written by Virginia MacLeod and published by SydWest Multicultural Services with the assistance of the Australian Historical Society and the NSW Government through the Create NSW Cultural Grants Program.

Bhutan Migration History – a life in three countries is a collaboration with members of the local Blacktown Bhutanese community to capture their experiences, memories and history of those who found themselves refugees from their homeland.

The launch will feature an interview format with the writer Virginia MacLeod and one of the key collaborators, Om Dhungel.

I hope that the Bhutan Migration History project will enrich the lives of younger generations within the community said Elfa Moraitakis, CEO of SydWest Multicultural Services.

Understanding the background of migrant communities is of utmost importance; it highlights the valuable contributions these communities bring to the Australian way of life. Furthermore, by learning from their wealth of diversity and experiences, we can all strive to become better individuals and break down stereotypes, she said.

You can find a digital copy of the book on our website.

Here is a short clip featuring Om Dhungel talking about the book.

SydWest looks forward to celebrating another successful year, aiming to strengthen our disability services and expand our culturally and linguistically diverse supports throughout Greater Sydney, in line with our May 2023 merger [see media release] with Participate Australia.

Full media release available here.

2 November 2023

The Voice Referendum: Resources for people with disability

Posted on 22/09/2023 | by Vikki Hine

Participate Australia has developed a suite of video resources to help disseminate information about The Voice referendum to people with disability.

PA and SydWest support people with disability to live full lives as members of the community, which includes exercising their right to vote at elections.

The three videos provide easy English explanations about the upcoming referendum and are intended to be conversation starters between people with disability and trusted family or friends.

They explain concepts including the Constitution and referendums, outline what the October 14 referendum is about, detail why Australians are being asked to make a change, and explain that people can vote either yes or no.

Participate Australia spokesman Thom Calma said it was important that all members of the community could take part in discussions about the Voice.

“There are around 4 million people in Australia who have a disability, many of whom vote, but there is a gap when it comes to accessible information,” said Mr. Calma.

“These videos provide easy to understand information about the referendum and we hope they are used to generate important conversations in households, workplaces and support organisations across the country.

“We are proud to co-create these videos with our community.

“People with disability have a powerful voice in the upcoming referendum.”

Participate Australia is a subsidiary of SydWest Multicultural Services. SydWest will help disseminate translated information about the referendum to culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

To access more resources, visit https://participateaustralia.com.au/thevoice

For media enquiries, please contact vikki.hine@sydwestms.org.au

22 September 2023

Budget initiatives for western Sydney & CALD communities welcomed, but more help needed to address regional concerns

Posted on 21/09/2023 | by Sydwest

SydWest Multicultural Services has welcomed the NSW Government 2023-2024 Budget, with its strong focus on western Sydney, and measures that bolster diversity and address cost of living concerns.

CEO Elfa Moraitakis said the organisation was pleased to see an allocation of funds for increased affordable and social housing, expanded temporary accommodation to combat rising homelessness and a rental reform package aimed at safeguarding renters from unjust evictions.

‘We support the allocation of $39 million to prevent domestic, family and sexual violence and to support victim safety,’ Ms Moraitakis said.

“We particularly applaud the establishment of a specialist multicultural domestic and family violence centre for south-western Sydney, which recognises that women from different cultural backgrounds face significant barriers accessing mainstream services.

“However, we hope the model can be quickly expanded to other parts of western Sydney including the Blacktown local government area, which has some of the highest rates of domestic violence in NSW.”

Ms Moraitakis said additional money for the NDIS scheme would be welcomed by many of the organisation’s clients throughout western Sydney and the inner west, and that

bill relief measures through programs including the Family Energy Rebate and the Low-Income Household Rebate would be appreciated by local families.

‘We believe an awareness campaign in other languages would help CALD communities better access all of current rebates provided by government and we would be happy to collaborate with government on this to help ensure everyone who is eligible has access.”

The creation of a Multicultural Youth Network to advise government about matters affecting young people from CALD backgrounds was an excellent idea, Ms Moraitakis said, with SydWest ready and willing to nominate outstanding local youth to the role.

“While there is always more to be done, we look forward to working with the Minns government to support people to live a better life in western Sydney and other parts of Sydney that we serve.”

Download the media release here.

For media enquiries, please contact Cindy Sciberras | 0412 897 286

21 September 2023

SydWest is hosting a special Cost of Living Forum for community leaders as part of WEXPO Blacktown 2023.

WEXPO 2023 and Cost of Living

Posted on 01/09/2023 | by Vikki Hine

SydWest Multicultural Services is pleased to announce that it is a premium sponsor of this year’s WEXPO Blacktown and will be delivering an important Cost of Living Community Leaders Forum on Tuesday 5 September 2023 at Workers Blacktown.

WEXPO 2023 is a unique blend of exhibition, workshops and thought-provoking Forums and everyone in the community is invited to visit and join in.

“SydWest Multicultural Services is particularly proud of its Cost of Living Forum, an important session to address cost of living pressures that so many of us are experiencing. said Elfa Moraitakis, CEO.

With an almost 7% inflation rate, essential things like food, medication, electricity and housing are becoming high price items – individually and collectively we need to explore options and address the growing inequality that cost of living is causing in our society.”

This session will promise insights, solutions and recommendations to the NSW government on how to take the crisis out of cost of living, with guest speakers including:
• Dr Jim Taggart OAM – Forum moderator
• Elfa Moraitakis, CEO, SydWest Multicultural Services – Welcome/Introductions
• Panel Speakers
• Joanna Quilty, CEO, NCOSS
• Michael Fox, Quality and Practice Manager, Mission Australia Western Sydney
• Clement Meru, Settlement and Community Programs Manager, SydWest Multicultural Services
• Najwa Tirezy, community representative

The Cost of Living Forum will be held as part of the Community Leaders sessions being held during WEXPO Blacktown 2023.

Now in its second year, WEXPO is a full day of workshops, forums, entertainment and special guest speakers. There will also be exhibitors showcasing their services and products in the Diamond Room and near the Ballroom.

There is no need to register for WEXPO 2023 if someone is just visiting the exhibition. However, all Forums have registration processes.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FULL MEDIA RELEASE

1 September 2023

It's Aged Care Employee Day 2023 and a special time to say thank you to all the carers in our world.

Take time to say #ThanksforCaring

Posted on 31/07/2023 | by Vikki Hine

SydWest Multicultural Services encourages the Western Sydney community to recognise those who care for older Australians and say “thanks for caring” ahead of Aged Care Employee Day (ACED) on Monday 7 August 2023.

“We’re asking our community to take a moment and think about the quiet achievers and the superheroes who provide care with professionalism, compassion and dedication for our loved ones and give them the recognition they deserve,” SydWest’s Aged Care Services Manager, Mereline Murimwa-Rarami says.

“It’s been a particularly challenging eighteen months for aged care workers both in residential and home care services leaving many families and friends unable to visit loved ones in care for weeks on end.

“It often fell to the carers, the nurses and other staff to make up for that loss of family contact and become that crucial connection for frail and vulnerable older Australians.

“So, in the lead up to 7 August, we ask you to take time to think of the nurses, personal care workers, chefs, cleaners, gardeners, laundry staff, activities coordinators and administration staff when you next visit a loved one in aged care and say “thanks for caring”.

ACED will feature a #ThanksforCaring social media campaign with videos, stories and photographs that acknowledge Australia’s aged care workers.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL MEDIA RELEASE

31 July 2023

two girls promoting Refugee Week 2023 and coming together to be safe and free

Refugee Week 2023 – Fighting for Freedom and the future of settlement in Penrith

Posted on 19/06/2023 | by Vikki Hine

SydWest Multicultural Services is celebrating Refugee Week 2023 with an important event being held in Penrith on Friday 23 June 2023 from 11am.

The purpose of this event is to explore the future of settlement in the Penrith and Nepean regions, as part of our commitment to supporting new settlers and refugees as they navigate the settlement process and integrate into new communities.

This event is being held in partnership with Penrith City Council, Settlement Services International, and Nepean Multicultural Access.

We will explore discussions around future opportunities Penrith offers as a welcoming and friendly refugee resettlement zone. The event will be a great opportunity to hear from keynote speakers on the status and future planning for settlement, as well as help shape the agenda with the interactive panel discussion.

Read the full media release here

Removal of settlement service accessbility constraints – is it financially viable?

Posted on 11/05/2023 | by Sydwest

SydWest Multicultural Services welcomes the Government’s decision to remove the 5-year eligibility criteria for migrants and refugees to access settlement services.

We also welcome the ease of cost-of-living pressures and the $4bn injection to fully fund frontline workers’ wages for the community sector, who play an integral role supporting some of the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our communities.

There is a mixed response of disappointment and concern about the lack of funding adjustment in the 2023 Federal Budget to facilitate the expected increase in service up-take.

SydWest, one of the NSW Settlement Partnership Consortium members that has been supporting migrants and refugees through its Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program in the Outer West of Sydney, has been one of the partners on the receiving end of funding cuts, no provision for indexation, increased operational costs that may potentially paralyse and threaten the quality of its services, if these substantial issues are not addressed.

Read the full press release here.