Media Release
1 October 2024
Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs the Hon. Julian Hill MP has officially launched the new Western Sydney Region Settlement Consortium (WSRSC) at a special community event in Blacktown last week.
WSRSC will see 4 migrant resource centres and multicultural organisations leveraging their significant skills and expertise to support newly arrived migrants and refugees settling in the area.
65% of new arrivals to NSW settle in Greater Western Sydney with popular areas including Blacktown, Campbelltown, Cumberland, Liverpool and Penrith.
The consortium is funded by the Federal Government through the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program and is led by SydWest Multicultural Services.
The other partners are Accessible Diversity Services Limited, Community Migrant Resource Centre and Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre, all operating in the Greater West for almost 4 decades.
Minister Hill paid tribute to the grassroots approach employed by consortium members working hand in hand with local ethno-specific groups and community leaders.
‘The real magic happens when multiple organisations can invest in collaboration and find those ways of sharing and working together, and thereby being able to connect the clients – the people that we serve – with the best service [and] the right service for them,’ the Minister said.
Leading Australia construction group John Holland representative Sharon Stevenson said the company was excited about opportunities to partner with consortium members in its bid to create a more diverse construction industry.
John Holland is already working with SydWest on a job readiness program for refugees and migrants in Western Sydney which enables them find work in construction or like industries, benefiting both those looking for work, and an industry looking for skilled workers.
“Together we can make a lasting impact on our community,” she said.
SydWest CEO Elfa Moraitakis thanked those who attended the launch to hear about the new entity and how it could work with others in the community to benefit the community.In her address, she also reflected on the long history of the migrant resource centres and their contribution to the successful settlement of newly arrived refugees since 1981.
More than 120 guests turned out including community leaders and local councils, sector leaders, local police, health services and jobs and training providers.
Entertainment was provided by the talented Larissa Kovalchuk who played the Bandura, the national instrument of Ukraine. Larissa is a current contestant on The Voice, 2024.
Here is a link to a short social media video about the new consortium and its benefits. The longer video was showcased at the event.
STATEMENT ENDS /
Photo Caption: (L-R
Melissa Monteiro, CEO, Community Migrant Resource Centre; Joanna Mathew, CEO, Auburn Diversity Services Initiative; Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs the Hon.Julian Hill MP; Elfa Moraitakis, CEO, SydWest Multicultural Services and Maeve Brown, CEO, Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre.