2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT

2013-14 in numbers
2

17

Children
regularly
attended our
Homework
Club

981

Meals served
at MCT

125

24

Community
events
delivered

Ethno-specific
groups as
members

126

Volunteers in
our programs

1734+

335
196

Enquires
addressed via
our reception

Social
media
followers

Clients accessed
our Program
services

02

Governance

OUR PROGRAMS

Financial Summary

Full report available upon

request

IN THE COMMUNITY

Member services

11

Healthy and Active

Ageing

12

Social Support

14

Education and
Information

16

Enterprise and
Employment

18

04

01

Who we are

03

CONTENTS

OUR FINANCES

ABOUT US

Highlights

20

Our Networks

22

Get involved

23

Who
we
are

BRMC is the peak

multicultural organisation
in Ballarat and Central
Highlands. We promote
cultural diversity and
harmony and offer a
range of services.

Our

purpose

is to

actively promote and develop

goodwill, understanding and
harmony and a culturally diverse
community.

Our

mission

is to work in

partnership with other community

organisations, cultural associations and
members to actively promote
multiculturalism, cultural diversity and the well
-being of all migrant communities throughout
the Region.

Aims & objectives

To provide advisory
services, support
and advocacy for
the particular needs
of people of various
cultural
backgrounds.

To provide
government and other
bodies or agencies in
the Ballarat region with
an open channel of
communication with
cultural groups and
organisations.

To provide
opportunities for
people of all
cultural
backgrounds to
come together.

To advocate on
relevant government
policy and practice
at the local, state
and federal level to
ensure appropriate
service provision.

To promote a
greater awareness of
multicultural values,
the contributions and
the specific needs of
community groups
within the region.

To advise relevant
agencies in the region on
the social, legal, cultural,
educational, health and
welfare needs of residents
of culturally diverse
backgrounds with an
emphasis on equitable
access to services.

Governance
A Message from the Chairperson
Ladies and gentlemen and

coordination in the region and working very

members

of

closely with several other organisations in Ballarat

welcome

you

BRMC,
to

2013-14 Annual Report.

I
the
It

has been a busy year with

over 100 events at the
same time very rewarding

and Victoria.
One current challenge that BRMC is addressing is
the GPlace building tenancy stability. I am glad
and confident that your support continues with

strategic

BRMC and remains strong as we move into the

The collaborative creation of the Multicultural

Let me say the above mentioned successful

for

B R MC

direction.

Information Place by the City Council has

improved the multicultural profile in the

future with many dreams yet to come to fruition.

achievements and further aspiration would not

community.

be possible if we did not have the support of ALL

volunteers (including the executive members),

Department of Health support and collaboration

of BRMC and our current organisational partners. I

has been of great value in improving our financial

sincerely thank each of you for the never tiring

position and further funds granted to us had

support for the last 12 months.

ethno-specific organisations, the dedicated staff

enabled improvements to our growing services

Dr. Sundram Sivamalai

Closer links with Ballarat Community Health and

Centre for Multicultural Youth have also drawn
many benefits, including governance and joint
projects.
Apart

from

the

successful

Five

things

collaborative workshop, further joint programs are

explored with Centre for Multicultural Youth.
Recent work with Child and Family Services and
Federation University on Responsible Gambling,
created opportunities to explore similar research
to benefit BRMC ethno-specific organisations.
Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV),
Victorias

peak body, still maintains its strong

ongoing support for BRMC. BRMC input in The

Federation of the Ethnic Communities Councils
of Australia maintains our ongoing relationship
through

our

Rural

Regional

Development

committee represented by Ann Foley (BRMC

Executive Officer).
The

Victorian

Multicultural

Commission

link

enables us to fund and provide partnership and

auspicing for 24 other incorporated organisations
we support under our umbrella. BRMC has taken
on a leading role in supporting issues for refugee

BRMC Executive Committee 2013-14

Position

Name

Chairperson

Dr. Sundram Sivamalai

Deputy Chairperson

Igor Zovko

Secretary

Carmel Kavanagh

Asst. Secretary

Aisha Aboulfadil

Treasurer

Kiarash Mostafavi

Asst. Treasurer

Jeme Liang

Interfaith Officer

Fr. Constantine Osuchukwu

Publicity Officer

Georgina Vagg

Women's Officer

Meeta Narsi

Youth Affairs Officer

Meire de Mello
Brigette Kerrutt

Community
Representatives

Ugo Lolacono
Sherley Hart

Immediate Past Chair

Frank Williams

A Message from the Executive Officer

BRMCs multicultural membership means we literally bring the world to
Ballarat diverse culture, language, skills, resilience, spirit and global
connections. Migrants make a huge contribution to Australian social,
cultural and economic capital. Ballarat will benefit as our diversity grows.
We can be pleased that the 2011 Census indicates a growth trajectory
with a 40% increase in our overseas-born population.
As it grows Ballarat will benefit from better practice in culturally responsive
health and aged care service, employment, entrepreneurship and
community harmony. BRMC is well positioned to promote these objectives through active and
engaged community participation. Our research and consultation with our Local Government and
Community partners, as well as State and Federal peak partners, ECCV and FECCA, are helping
build the picture of future needs. Our local members generously contribute to this planning through
consultations.
From my perspective this has been the year of collaboration for our dynamic staff team, volunteers
and members. Our role as local peak has been significantly assisted through Office of Multicultural
Affairs funding to Multicultural Peak Organisations. Our services - to emerging communities, ageing
communities and our partnerships with local agencies- are expanding as we look ahead to meet
the challenges that Ballarat will face.
Successful collaborative projects and events with City of Ballarat, Centre for Multicultural Youth
(CMY), Settlement Grants Program (Ballarat Community Health Centre and CAFS) have produced
some very vibrant community service and events. In particular the City of Ballarat declaration that
Ballarat Welcomes Refugees and Asylum Seekers is a matter of pride for our city and assists our
own community work to develop a healthy community respect and engagement with people who
choose to live here having fled persecution in their homelands.
At our GPlace home we strive to create a
place that is both an engine room and a
welcoming community home and garden.
Our GPlace partners, U3A and Mount Clear
Secondary College, provide BRMC with a rich
intergenerational and intercultural partnership.
We co-habit and also work together to
celebrate a place of community initiatives and
harmony. We continue negotiations to obtain
a permanent home here so we can develop
our vision for more education, enterprise and
cultural sharing.
Ann Foley

Financial Summary
I invite you to read our financial summary. Full
audited reports are available for Members through
our office in hard copy or electronic form.

Our expenditure is primarily in provision of social

support services to alleviate isolation and to
optimise health. BRMC plans to build these services
and also to diversify our streams of income and
self-funded enterprises. Global Garden Enterprise
was launched in 2014 with assistance from the
Office of Multicultural Affairs Commission.

In 2013/14 BRMC has maintained good financial

governance and management of our operational
budget. Our current financial investment strategy is
conservative with a term deposit maintained as
we look to build capital assets in 2015.

I acknowledge our Financial Manager, Executive

Officer and Committee in managing and building
our budget and look forward to steady
management of our growing enterprises in 2015.

Higher costs for our food services have brought us

in a small operating deficit this year which is easily
absorbed. Overall equity is positive and continues
to grow and we are confident that recently
increased funding of funded programs: Healthy
Active Ageing Services, HACC Multicultural Tucker
and Planned Activity Groups will assist our
operations to be maintained at the high level of
demand for them.

Kiarash Mostafavi
Treasurer
With Support from BRMC Finance Sub-committee

Income
Others
2%
Priv ate/
Community
Grants
1%

Depart of
Health
58%

City of
Ballarat
2%

Donations
2%
Fundraising
4%
OMAC/
VMC
13%
DOHA
18%

Expenses
Multicultural
Community
Grants
4%

Rent
4%

Super
5%

Catering/
Food
7%
Program
Costs
7%

W ages &
Salaries
58%
Admin
Supplies and
ov erheads
15%

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 JUNE 2014
ASSETS
Note

2014

2013

CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents

214,370

100,803

Trade and other receivables

3,539

262

217,909

101,065

58,617

34,033

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

58,617

34,033

TOTAL ASSETS

58,617

34,033

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment

LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables

22,208

11,845

Provisions

16,831

9,384

Income in Advance

138,092

45,761

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

177,131

66990

TOTAL LIABILITIES

177,131

66990

99,395

66,108

Retained Earnings

99,395

66,108

TOTAL EQUITY

99,395

66,108

NET ASSETS

EQUITY

Organisation Chart
Individuals from
the community

Organisations

BRMC
members
Subcommittees

Executive
Committee

Volunteers
Executive
Officer

Finance
Officer

Admin
Coordinator

HAA
Coordinator

10

HAAC
Coordinator

Aged Care
Supp. Workers

Homework
Club Coord.

MCT Food
Coordinator

Social
Enterprise
Coordinator

Migrant English
Coordinator

Member Services
During the year 2013-2014 BRMC reviewed our membership lists resulting in a total of 80
current active members, including 48 Individuals, 24 General Members and 8 Associate
Members. We welcome new membership applications and we aim to support new and
existing members to help them keep active and engaged.
Among the hundreds of member activities BRMC coordinated four major projects this year in
partnership with members: Carnaval Colours and the Multicultural Arts Project with H.O.L.A.
(Home of Latin Association); Refugee Week involving collaboration with 21 organisations
member associations and a Statewide launch by City of Ballarat, CMY, Refugee Council of
Australia and ASRC (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre). MPlace at Harmony Fest was our
fourth major collaboration with 25 participating cultural groups and 2,000 community
participants.
Ongoing Member Services also include:
Consultation Services for Member Associations
BRMC offers consultation to existing and new organisations. We support new associations
with the process of writing a constitution and applying to become an incorporated
association. We advise existing organisation on changes in constitution, governance,
insurance or reporting. We also assist associations with budgeting, project financial planning
and acquittal.
Grant Application and Auspicing
BRMC provides support with grant applications and auspice to member organisations if these
organisations don't have an ABN or other requirements or if they simply prefer to have
support with the finances and reports. An auspice agreement is available in these cases.
Project Partnership
We regularly partner with member organisations for events and project management,
providing knowledge, mentoring new associations, or supporting big events with volunteers.
Venue Hire at discounted prices
BRMC is part of the GPlace Consortium with U3A and Mount Clear Secondary College.
Members of these three organisations have access to discounted prices for venue hire,
including classrooms, function rooms and an industrial kitchen. These rooms are usually
booked for meetings and social events. The discounted prices make all the difference
especially for major events.
Information and Advocacy
BRMC keeps members informed about grant rounds, events and consultations throughout
the region and Victoria. We publish and promote information for CALD communities on
topical issues and policies, services for clients and members. Members receive newsletters,
email bulletins and social media posts for this purpose, as well as invitations to community
events and consultations.
11

Healthy and Active Ageing

While cultural diversity in Ballarat is increasing, the established and emerging CALD seniors groups in
Ballarat are significantly smaller and more isolated than in Metropolitan Areas and other regional
Victorian Centres (2011 Census Data). This creates a particular challenge as both communities and
services are more sparsely spread across the community and geographical area. The Healthy and
Active Ageing (HAA) Project funded by the Department of Social Services was initiated as a strategy
in 2012 to respond to this challenge. The projects objectives are to create awareness on and increase
the access to aged care services by CALD communities; to promote a healthy and active ageing
lifestyle and to foster best practice in the delivery of culturally competent health and aged care.
Following communities from Non Main English Speaking Backgrounds have been identified to benefit
most from activities facilitated by the HAA project:
The smaller and dispersed Maltese and Hungarian communities
The emerging ageing Filipino community and Intercultural Womens Network Ballarat (IWNB)
including members from Iranian, Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese backgrounds with growing
aged care needs
The main established ageing communities including the German/ Austrian, Italian, Dutch and
Croatian communities which have already been engaged with the previous Community Partners
Program.
Volunteers from those target communities fulfill the crucial role of Intercultural Facilitators who assist
their communities in making timely decisions on aged care options and promote healthy active
ageing by co-facilitating information sessions and healthy lifestyle activities. Following volunteers are
acknowledged for their ongoing commitment to the project: Nenita Drough and Connie Bonzon,
Filipino community; Monica Stanfield, Maltese community; Jean Goh, Pari Khadem and Angelka
Sekulic, Intercultural Womens Network Ballarat (IWNB); Ugo LoIacono, Secretary Circulo Pensionati
Italiani di Ballarat; Brigitte Kerrutt, Secretary and Ron Males, President German/ Austrian
AssociationKlaudia Hochhuth, supporting diverse communities Maria Bessems and John Werts, Dutch
community; Boris Skontra, Secretary Ballarat Croatian Club
Throughout 2013/14 the HAA project has been part of various successful collaborations and
developed sustained partnership, as indicated in our list of Project Activities and Events. The ECCV/
BRMC Aged Care Forum with 62 participants marked a significant community consultation on
Strengthening Ageing CALD communities in Ballarat. The Report on the forum by ECCV emphasizes
the region specific needs and barriers ageing CALD communities and service provider face in
accessing and providing culturally competent care. The forum also informed future strategies and
funding applications by BRMC.
The HAA project has in many ways fostered capacity building of the CALD communities engaged: The
Filipino Seniors Young @ Heart Group has been founded and meets quarterly to share information on
health and aged support issues and participate in culture specific healthy lifestyle activities. Maltese
specific activities have been facilitate in partnership with the Maltese Community Council VIC and
Maltese seniors from Parkville which helped to better connect the Maltese community and overcome
social isolation of local individual community members.
Participation levels in our healthy lifestyle activities and health promotion training workshops have
been consistently high. On average 20 seniors attended our Tai Chi, Zumba, No Falls Sessions and
Multicultural Sports Days. The formation of a Walking group at Lake Wendouree and a Gardening
Group in the GPLACE Community Garden also shows a high interest of CALD seniors in ongoing
healthy ageing activities.
Katja Fiedler
Program Coordinator
12

Project Activities and Events

Healthy Lifestyle Activities:
No Falls Exercise Program by Ballarat Community Health
2013 Seniors Week Activities at Ballarat Library
Three editions of Multicultural Seniors Sports Days
Two GPLACE Community Garden Working Bees, and monthly gardening classes with U3A
Zumba Taste Session by Meire de Mello to Intercultural Womens Network Ballarat
Filipino Young at Heart Activities: Launch and Dancing Workshop & Launch of Walking Group and
Outdoor Activities at Lake Wendouree
Information Sessions:
CALD specific Open Day at Alzheimers Australia VIC Ballarat Office
Information Session on Stroke Awareness and Prevention
Womens Health Information Sessions to IWNB
Maltese Morning Tea including Information on variety of aged support options
Information Sessions on Palliative Care to Italian Community
Community Consultation:
ECCV/ BRMC Aged Care Forum
Cultural Briefings and Cultural Competency Presentations:
Maltese Cultural Briefing to health/ aged care services
Italian Cultural Briefing to Talbot Place Residential Care
Malaysian Cultural Briefing to Cert III Aged Care Students
Dutch Cultural Briefing to Nazareth House
Presentation on Cultural Inclusiveness in Community Care at Grampians HACC Diversity Forum
Community Visits to Services, Facilities:
Filipino Seniors visit to Filipino Planned Activity Group in Footscray
Maltese Seniors visit to Maltese Community Council in Parkville
Visits to Ballarat North Neighborhood House and Nazareth House Residential Care
Filipino Seniors visit to BreastScreen VIC

Publications

Being part of the HAA project has

equipped me with knowledge and skills
to empower members from my
community in understanding and engaging with
services that can help to go through difficult times
and restore quality of life in the process of ageing.
- Nenita Drough,
Filipino Intercultural Facilitator

Dutch Cultural Profile; Italian Cultural Profile;

Malaysian Cultural Profile
Culturally Inclusiveness in Community Care
Presentation
Respect, Dignity and Ageing An Information
Session on Elder Abuse and Prevention
Report on ECCV/ BRMC Aged Care Forum by
ECCV,
link:
www .eccv.org.au/library/
S u m m a r y _ E C C
BRMC_Aged_Care_Forum_Sept_2013.pdf

Living Healthy, Ageing Well Service Guide in

hard
copy
and
electronic,
link:
www.brmc.org.au/index.php/info-resources/
publications

13

Social support
Victorian State Government through Department of Health provides ongoing support and funding
for Home and Community Care (HACC) programs and we acknowledge their support for
Multicultural Tucker (MCT), Hepburn Moorabool outreach, Friendly Visiting, Telelink Bus Trips and
Sports Days. Quality service and quality improvement in our HACC services were proven in 2014 with
BRMC achieving full accreditation under the Community Care Common Standards Audit.
HACC services and new social support initiatives provided to Ballarats older and more established
communities are a major component of our service programs. This work increases in scope and
volume as the needs of these communities increase with age, the trend continues for people to
move out from Melbourne and younger communities such as the Filipino and Indian communities
develop more older members. Our services provide unique opportunities for older CALD people to
make social links with others, access other important health and community services and participate
in vital, engaging and creative activities.
The year of 2013-14 has seen great community demand and participation in our services:

Multicultural Tucker program provided 981 meals to 133 guests throughout the year. MCT
engages people with its social activities and broad range of cuisines. MCT also provides
opportunities for Ballarats ethnic community groups to raise funds by providing a menu and
preparing a meal from their cultures on one of the monthly MCT dates.

Hepburn Moorabool Multicultural Lunch extends our reach and impact by providing valuable
services to culturally diverse communities in other Shires near Ballarat. This Program provided
122 meals, enhanced with socialising, exercise, craft, paper folding, games and guessing
competitions.

Friendly Visiting program provides important one-to-one volunteer visits to socially isolated
community members across Moorabool, Hepburn and the Pyrenees. Volunteers visit weekly or
take clients for outings; 15 clients received this service over the year.

Telelink program provides a telephone link with isolated people and has provided a total of 36
conferences to 11 clients of Filipino and Maltese cultural backgrounds.

We have also provided 2 Carers Days Out to 12 valuable carers in our community, offering
much needed and deserved respite.

Centacare is supported by BRMC to provide Bus Trips (50 attendances) and Multicultural Sports
Days (82 attendances) Highlights included the Tram Boat Yarra Tour and Sports Days with
indoor and outdoor physically and mentally challenging activities.

Multicultural Afternoon Tea Dances attracted 27 participants who also have access to the City
of Ballarat Library outreach services at GPLACE.

Community Shed runs fortnightly with 8 registered members.

Both the dances and shed are new initiatives implemented as part of the developing
Multicultural Seniors Hub at GPLACE
We acknowledge the critical value of contributions by our volunteers.

Multicultural Tucker program has a team of 17 volunteers with notable contributions from Polish
Seniors and Filipino Australian Association of Ballarat. Tucker program is sustained by the crucial
contribution of the many ethnic community associations.

Friendly visiting program has a pool of 19 volunteers from Ballarat and Central Highlands Region
Jason Shorter
Program Coordinator

Report compiled using the work and evidence

provided by Kate Allen and Virginia Hocking

14

Tucker - Its a chance for us to connect with our own and other nationalities
and share our experience of coming to Australia. Its fantastic!
Teresa Skrypko
Tucker participant

Activities and events

July 2013

August 2013

September 2013

Multicultural Tucker Polish

Multicultural Tucker Filipino

Multicultural Afternoon Tea

Dance
Hepburn Moorabool lunch

Multicultural Tucker
Hazara
Multicultural
Afternoon
Tea Dance

Carers Day Out

October 2013

November 2013

Hepburn Moorabool Lunch

December 2013
Hepburn Moorabool Lunch

Multicultural Tucker Italian

Carers Day Out

Multicultural Tucker
Oktoberfest, German /
Austrian
Sports Day

January 2014

Multicultural Tucker
Christmas
Multicultural Afternoon Tea
Dance

February 2014

March 2014
Hepburn Moorabool Lunch

Multicultural Tucker Working

Bee

April 2014

Multicultural Tucker Summer

Multicultural Tucker
multicultural/Greek inspired

May 2014

Multicultural Tucker Hazara

June 2014
Hepburn Moorabool Lunch

Bus Trip

Sports Day
Multicultural Tucker
Intercultural Womens
Network Ballarat

Sports Day

Multicultural Tucker
multicultural
Bus Trip

15

Education & Information

Migrant English Program
BRMC English Program provides individual tutors and/or informal classes to assist migrants with
English language We respond to requests from both individuals and associated organisations
such as Settlement Services (Child and Family Services), Anglicare, Refugee and Asylum Seekers
support groups.
During the year 65 volunteer tutors assisted 90 clients, either working with individuals in their
homes, or in small classes with individual help for those with lower levels of English proficiency.
This class, formerly conducted at BRMC Golden Point, was moved to the Ballarat City Library,
from February 2014 as part of our increased partnering with the City of Ballarat Library.
Clients included African Refugees (mostly Sudanese and Togolese), Sri Lankan and Afghani
Asylum Seekers, Iraqis, Iranians, Pakistanis, Indians, Chinese and Japanese. Gender distribution
was 70% female, 30% males.
Help provided includes basic language for everyday and settlement needs, extra support for
English classes and other certificate courses, workplace communication, preparation for IELTS
and other language tests, university study, employment, permanent residency and citizenship.
We also continued partnerships with Soroptimists International who provide individual tutoring to
African Refugee women and their families. At OLHC Primary School, Wendouree, we partnered
with the school to provide and support tutors assigned to African parents to enable them to
engage more fully with the school and wider community. Through this partnership, we also
provided a successful training session in ESL/Literacy for tutors of disadvantaged parents in the
wider Wendouree West area.
Tutor training is conducted in partnership with AMES. Training includes planning and strategies for
English tutoring, cultural awareness and refugee issues.
The BRMC Migrant English Program continues to serve migrant and refugee communities,
through the dedication of the volunteers. It is most satisfying to have such dedicated people in
our community who enable BRMC to provide such an important service.
Judy Brumby
Coordinator
BRMC English Tutor Program

16

My sense of fulfilment towards this program comes from

the individual histories of more than 30 people involved
every week and every session (students, volunteers, tutors
and families)."

- Meire de Mello
Diversity Homework Club coordinator 2014

Diversity Homework Club

Showing what a Little Money and People Power Can do!
BRMC convenes the Ballarat Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Network, fondly and accurately
known these days as BRAZEN. It provides educational housing, financial and other support through
fund raising and volunteers efforts.
Diversity Homework Club grew from a BRAZEN Volunteer Summer language school which turored 16
young new arrivals, into a permanent homework club at the Library supported by a skilled Coordinator, a team of 12 talented and resourceful volunteer tutors, imaginative BRMC volunteers who provide
food and set-up and a great group of students.
We acknowledge CMY Regional Presence Team for CMY funding and training through the Learning
Beyond the Bell Program, The City of Ballarat Library for providing a home and consistent support and
the Australian Catholic University for student volunteers and resources. Many school EAL staff, teachers and individuals have played a part and their contributions are acknowledged also.

Multicultural Information Place

and
GPlace Library Outreach
Multicultural Information Place, (MIP) prominently located at the Library is a partnership between
City of Ballarat Cultural Diversity Team, BRMC, CMY and Ballarat Community Health. We aim to
provide a welcoming information and referral point as well as providing volunteering
opportunities for our community members and Multicultural Ambassadors.
City of Ballarat Library outreach at GPlace occurs on the third Tuesday each month providing
iPads, magazines, newspapers in different languages. Library and Learning Services Team
continue to consult with our community to identify the best resources and training materials. This
service is a key resource in the emerging Multicultural Seniors Hub at GPlace.
Partnership with City of Ballarat also enables delivery some of BRMC services at the City Library,
including Diversity Homework Club and Conversation Classes, taking advantage of the resources,
central location, popularity and comfort at the library.
Similarly the partnership with City of Ballarat CALD Careers Program has enabled BRMC to employ
members in CALD Careers Events, refer members for training and employment opportunities and
pilot our Global Garden enterprise at Business Engagement Breakfasts (see this covered in the
Highlights section of this Report).
This close working relationship between City of Ballarat and BRMC benefits our members and the
broader community. In 2014 BRMC project and educational activities offered to schools and
through the Library included Carnaval Colours workshops and Refugee Week displays, living
histories and story telling.

17

Enterprise & Employment

Global Kitchen Garden Enterprise
Our social enterprise has twin objectives. BRMC is building independent sources of income to cover
costs of activities, becoming less dependant on government grants, We also aim to provide a
window to community engagement and employment for migrants at GPLACE providing
experience and training, either through volunteering or casual employment. We recognise that
both can be crucial to healthy and successful settlement in the region.
Global Kitchen Garden Project is a social enterprise. Initial Stages of implementation have been
funded through the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMAC), United Way and Ballarat Foundation.
Juliet Montague coordinates the program,.
The Global Garden project is supported by the Office of Multicultural Affairs Commission and
United Way Ballarat and Ballarat Foundations Our business and social venture utilises and shares the
GPLACE kitchen and garden optimally and leverages the community activity in them to create a
sustainable Global Garden enterprise. The aim in promoting GPlaces facilities is to provide diverse
and nutritious food service as well as training and employment opportunities.
The social enterprise already plays a significant role in management of the GPLACE building and
facilities and investigation of its further potential to contribute economically, interculturally and
socially in Ballarat. Business planning, compliance and inventory projects were completed in
Phase1. In Phase 2 pilot events and development of a staff and volunteer team have been the
focus. We partnered with the City of Ballarats CALD Careers Program, piloting three business
breakfasts, as well as catering Dinner events for the Victorian Regional Advisory Committee , Centre
for Multicultural Youth and events at the Museum of Australian Democracy. During Phase 2 the
Global Garden also hosted working luncheons for GPLACE Consortium, the Minister for Multicultural
Affairs and Planning, the Hon Matthew Guy MP and OMAC Director, local partners and staff.
Phase 3 will see pilots in other areas including cooking lessons and demonstrations and menu
development. Additional opportunities that will be available through the enterprise include
cleaning, hospitality and event services and employment opportunities.
BRMC is already providing employment opportunities for a Kitchen Assistant and casual Chef
Assistants as well as work placement and volunteering opportunities. In 2014 food production has
been managed by our Coordinator and Sudanese graduate from the CALD Careers program. Her
aim is to eventually develop her independent business but in the meantime, while raising a young
family and developing language skills, contacts and experience she is benefitting from the support
and business training provided by the project.

GPLACE Community Garden

GPLACE garden, as a healthy green environment and community space of intercultural and
intergenerational exchange, has come a long way in 2013/14. Initially built through initiative and
funding from Mt. Clear Satellite VCAL Program in 2012 the GPLACE Community Garden has
become a community space for people from all ages and cultural backgrounds to come together.
The first GPLACE Open Day in October 2013 featured the garden and revealed a broad interest in
the space and gardening activities by members from all groups based at GPLACE and beyond.

18

A Garden Committee/ Working Group led by BRMC with representatives from BRMC, U3A, Mt. Clear
and other groups interest was established. The committee has since met bimonthly to plan joint
events in the garden, update on group specific activities and discuss
maintenance, building project and funding opportunities.
The committee agreed on allocation of two garden beds for BRMC,
U3A and Mt. Clear plus five community beds to provide an opportunity
of participation for other community groups and individuals who
declared interest in gardening activities, like Centre for Multicultural
Youth, Anglicare and International Students from Federation University.
The produce from BRMCs garden beds contribute to the monthly
Multicultural Tucker Program and Global Kitchen Garden. Fresh herbs from the garden spice up the
meals. The fresh produce from the garden has been shared in many ways: We used fresh vegetables,
salads and herbs in two GPLACE Harvest Lunches. Seniors from the gardening class, BRMC staff and
volunteers as well as U3A members, Mt. Clear students and community members in need have also
benefitted from fresh produce to take home.
U3A is offering a monthly gardening class for their members on the first Thursday of the month. BRMC
seniors have joined the class in 2014 promoted through the Healthy and Active Ageing project. This
class provides the opportunity to seniors from diverse cultural backgrounds to exchange their
gardening knowledge while participating in a healthy ageing outdoor activity.
Mt. Clear students have taken on maintenance and building projects in the garden with the purpose
of gaining hands on learning experience. A small water tank and a shade cloth have been installed
and garden beds have been raised by the students. Unique artwork installations from the students
can also be discovered throughout the garden.
Two major joint working bees were held in the garden in 2013/14. Seniors from U3A and BRMC
members shared their gardening knowledge with Mt. Clear students and were rewarded in return
with a BBQ by the students with fresh produce from the garden. The working bees also received
notice by the broader community. People not previously linked to GPLACE joined the garden days
and offered to help with watering during school holidays.
Various groups across the community have started to
use the garden as a lunch and meeting space
throughout the summer months including the Ballarat
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Network. There is
still plenty more work to do, building projects on the
agenda include a compost, water tanks for fully self
sufficient water supply, a permanent seating area and
a pizza oven.
For the future we are planning more projects and
community activities at GPLACE revolving around the
garden such as a monthly market day, more
gardening workshops and more use of the garden as a
social meeting space.

I feel happy and excited about the garden. It is an opportunity to get together
with other people. I love gardening. When I am at the garden I forget about all
the other things; it is a escape
- Frances Grace,
volunteer gardener

Highlights
During this 2013-14 period, BRMC has put together more than two events per week in average,
including regular ones - mostly attended by our direct clients and members, such as Multicultural
Tucker - and shorter term ones - promoted to reach the broader community as well, like Carnaval
Colours and Refugee Week. These latter events are essential in raising awareness in CALD issues, as
well as in creating a harmonious society. The creativity and innovation also demonstrate the huge
advantages and potential of growing a rich and diverse community in Ballarat and region.

Carnaval Colours and MPlace

A partnership between H.O.L.A. - Home of Latin Association and BRMC, Carnaval Colous project was
funded by Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship and City of Ballarat. Carnaval Colours was
conceived with the objective of promoting interaction between different cultures through Latin music
and crafts, specially among kids, stimulating the appreciation of diversity, encouraging children to
enjoy the advantages of living in a multicultural society.
The activities were delivered to primary school children of Ballarat, reaching different regions through
a partnership with YMCA School Holiday Programs, Little Bendigo Primary School and City of Ballarat
Public Library. All the workshops offered culminated in a big workshop with performance at Harmony
Fest 2014. The whole project had an attendance of over 150 children with hundreds of audience at
the Festival.
Also at this Festival, BRMC and H.O.L.A. worked together to coordinate the MPlace - Multicultural
Place for Learning and Cultural Exchange, bringing 18 different stalls and 13 attractions provided by
20 groups, including six different ethno-specific groups, adding more opportunities of cultural
exchange to the already rich festival. The MPlace registered an attendance of more than 1000
people, with activities to all ages and walks of life.

Refugee Week 2014

BRMC has been involved in the Refugee Week in Ballarat for many years, but have had a very special
Refugee Week this year, as Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) and Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
(ASRC) joined BRMC, City of Ballarat, Centre for Multicultural Youth and many other organisations for
the state-wide launch at the Ballarat Town Hall. On the 17th of June, with a flag raising ceremony
followed by brilliant and moving speeches, City of Ballarat Councillor Belinda Coates formally
launched Ballarat as a Refugee Welcome Zone. It may be very cold in Ballarat, but weve got warm
hearts, she said.
Refugee Week is Australias peak annual activity to inform the public about refugees and asylum
seekers while also celebrating the positive contributions made by refugees. This years theme was
Restoring Hope.
Twenty one community events were held during the week and were a huge success. We had a great
attendance in all events, from movies to luncheons, religious services to performances, activities at
the library and special guest speakers around the city.
The depth of commitment to Refugee Week in the Ballarat area is illustrated by the involvement of
eighteen diverse community groups, schools and organisations who have worked together to create
a wonderful week of events said our EO, Ann Foley.
We acknowledge the contribution of so many people that made possible the huge success of this
Refugee Week, volunteers and staff members of each one of these organisations.
20

M.A.P. - Multicultural Arts Project

The M.A.P. Group (Multicultural Arts Project of H.O.L.A. and BRMC), led by Meire de Mello from
H.O.L.A. - Home of Latin Association, is based on the premise that all people can express culture and
that the arts, in this case dance, are a powerful medium to connect people, particularly with youth
generations. Music, dance and arts bring people together so what we expect through MAP is to build
bridges between multicultural community and local Australians. After consultation with multicultural
and youth agencies we detected that ethno-specific communities often seek simply to connect, like
anybody else. Dancing together across all cultures is the vehicle and the destination in MAP.
Through promoting the MAP dance classes at Eastwood Leisure Centre; to our diverse communities
we create an environment of diverse, participation in this dance project. This particular group has
something valuable to share that makes everybody special (not different). An important value is to
address the social isolation that exists among the CALD female community. Also, as this project
focuses on a population from 12 years old and above MAP gives the opportunity for interaction
between different generations, mothers and daughters enhancing the potential for shared positive
between generations that often have different identities, experiences and misunderstandings.
MAP has been supported in this year by the Victorian Multicultural Commission, City of Ballarat and
the YMCA. We are excited about the prospect of developing the reach of the project through an
Artist in Residence in early 2015 in partnership with Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Regional Arts
Victoria (RAV) and Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY).

CALD Careers - Business Engagement

As a partner in the Industry Engagement Phase of the CALD Careers Program BRMC worked with City
of Ballarat and Next Steps Work and Learning Centre to provide an Industry Engagement Breakfast
Series to 75 representatives of Local Employers and Industry representatives during 2013/14.
The CALD Careers Breakfasts held at GPLACE Function Centre engaged and entertained the
invitees with diverse cuisine, an outstanding hospitality team from the CALD Careers Program and
three guest speakers who provided their insights as senior managers who have initiated innovation
and benefitted from employment practices that embrace diversity.
We acknowledge the City of Ballarat CALD Careers Program, as well as guest speakers; Tony Chew,
Jane Smith and Doug Sara. The breakfasts demonstrated the power of plain-speaking across sectors
and the broad appeal of a multicultural business dialogue. Several Ballarat businesses offered
employment opportunities following the Breakfast Series and many have indicated their interest in
broadening their employment practices and contacts. BRMC looks forward to being and active
partners in further employment and skills initiatives in Ballarat and Region.

21

Our Networks
Partnerships
BRMC has important partnerships with other organisations directly linked to the multicultural
scenario:

Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC)

Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)

Ethnic Community Council of Victoria (ECCV)

Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA)

City of Ballarat (CoB)

Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY)

Ballarat Community Health (BCH)

Children and Family Services (CAFS)

Voice FM

Sponsorships
BRMC has many valuable sponsors, that enable us to deliver services and Programs

City of Ballarat

Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship

Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)

United Way and Ballarat Foundation

Department of Social Services

Networks
BRMC takes part in local and regional networks that support migrants and refugees, including
but not limited to:

Central Highlands Regional Settlement Planning Committee (CHRSPC)

S.H.A.R.E.

Ballarat Refugee and Asylum Seekers Support Network

Central Highlands Primary Care Partnerships

22

Get involved
Become a volunteer
Make a difference in our
community. BRMC has
many activities you can
get involved to help and
share time, talents and
skills. There is always an
opportunity to work with
people from migrant and
refugee backgrounds.

Become a member

Invest and donate

The re
are
three
membership categories:
general, associate and
individual. Besides having
voting rights, members
have access to our
services and are part of
BRMC network

We are open to partners

willing to support our
community. We accept
donations of many kinds
that will
be
made
available for support of
newly arrived individuals
and families.

23

Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council Inc.

GPlaceGolden Point Learning and Cultural Environment

102 English Street, Golden Point, VIC 3350
P.O. Box 1418Bakery Hill, VIC 3354
03 5332 5941
admin@brmc.org.au