Category: Media Releases

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 | 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 | 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 | 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

smiling middle easter family

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

Posted on | 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.

people shaking hands

SydWest Multicultural Services and Participate Australia join forces to benefit the community

Posted on | by Sydwest

SydWest Multicultural Services is pleased to announce the upcoming merger with Participate
Australia, effective 1 May 2023.

Participate Australia is an organisation that specialises in the provision of support services to people living with disability and their carers, bringing deep knowledge, skills, and expertise in disability services to further the range of SydWest’s operations.


This decision by both Boards marks a new chapter in our combined 80-year history and sends
a strong message to our sector. Our strengths need to be celebrated and leveraged, with the
community always at heart of what we do. This partnership will provide continuity of front-line services along with the opportunity to improve the customer experience and grow the capabilities of our dedicated workforces.

Read the full media release here.

Australian passport

Temporary Protection and Safe Haven Enterprise Visa Holders Now Able to Apply for Permanent RoS Visas

Posted on | by Sydwest

SydWest is pleased to announce that the Australian Government now allows Temporary Protection visa and Safe Haven Enterprise visa (SHEV) holders eligible to apply for a permanent Resolution of Status (RoS) visa, and to convert applications for TPV/SHEVs to applications for RoS visas.

If you have held or app­lied for a TPV or SHEV before 14 February 2023, you may be eligible for a permanent RoS visa.

People granted a permanent RoS visa will have the same rights and benefits as all permanent residents.

This includes no waiting period and immediate eligibility for:

RoS visa holders will also be eligible to:

  • become Australian citizens once they meet residency and other requirements
  • sponsor family to come to Australia under the family visa stream of the Migration Program.

Download Factsheet Here
Australian passport

SydWest congratulates Government’s commitment to long term temporary visa holders and pathway to permanency

Posted on | by Sydwest

The Australian Government has announced the introduction of the Resolution of Status visa, effective from today, 14 February 2023.

Under subclass 851, the Resolution of Status (RoS) visa allows people on Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEV) to apply for permanent residency.

19,000 eligible refugees currently on temporary protection visas now have new pathways to secure permanent residency, providing a significant sense of stability and security into the future.

Download full media release