REFUGEE DOCTOR WORKS TO BUILD CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN GAZA 11 14 14 7 6 4-5
R U OK? ENCOURAGES ARABIC-SPEAKING AUSTRALIANS TO START THE CONVERSATION ANY DAY
BOLD NEW POLICY AND KEEPSIGHT REPORTS DRIVE CADIA MINE EXPERT HEALTH ADVISORY PANEL FINDS NO EVIDENCE OF HEALTH IMPACTS THE 530-YEAR HAVERIĆ BEY’S FAMILY: GENEALOGY AND HISTORIOGRAPHY
Wasat Magazine
REFUGEE DOCTOR WORKS TO BUILD CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN GAZA
British Australian Dr Mohammed Mustafa, or better known as Dr Mo, captured global attention when he became the eyes and ears of emergency rooms in Gaza, livestreaming the daily bloodbath on social media.
Since the beginning of the Israeli war on Gaza, at least 192 journalists and media workers have been killed, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
By Shazma Gaffoor
Israel has also banned foreign journalists entering Gaza, so Dr Mo took it upon himself to livestream the bloody nightmare despite being told not to.
“I think it was important to report what was going on. I think that’s led to a knock-on effect for a lot of other doctors to report on what’s happening on the ground in Gaza,” Dr Mo told Al Wasat.
The Perth-based doctor first volunteered in Gaza in June 2024, when four Israeli hostages were rescued during an overnight mass casualty event, killing scores of people and injuring hundreds.
This was Dr Mo’s first experience of a mass fatality of this scale.
“You see the worst imaginable scenes. Children with limbs missing and heads missing, 80 per cent body burns, intestines
hanging out, blown out eyes,” he said.
“It’s just a very horrific experience to go through day in, day out.”
The 35-year-old junior doctor said it was challenging working in an environment with fatigued, undernourished staff, and medical equipment that has partially or completely been destroyed.
Dr Mo went on a second medical mission to Gaza earlier this year. It was during the time the IDF opened fire on 15 Palestinian medics and emergency crew and bombed the Al Aqsa hospital where he was stationed. His own team wrote his obituary fearing he may not make it through the escalating bombardments.
“There was a real sense that I was in danger because I was reporting what was going on here and doing a lot of interviews,” he said.
Dr Mohammed Mustafa
“I just wasn’t as aware as everybody else of the danger I was in, and that’s why they never informed me about the press release of my death. Alhamdulillah, I’m alive.”
Amid the constant shelling and bloodshed in the background, Dr Mo encountered a sliver of happiness with a local doctor, when he fell in love and married Dr Noor.
“The irony of getting married in Gaza is that she had to go back home to the north before it got dark because it was too dangerous to go at night,” Dr Mo said.
“And I went straight back to work after the wedding, to deal with the mass casualties. That was the reality of it all.”
Dr Mo was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to Palestinian refugee parents, and moved to the UK at the age of four.
He was bullied at school for his larger stature, prominent Arab features, and being named ‘Muhammed’. Starting high school just five days before the September 11 attacks made things that much harder.
“There was no social media back then to fight back against the propaganda, people just didn’t know any better,” he said. Getting into fights and being kicked out of schools was the norm for Dr Mo who grew up in a rough neighbourhood.
It wasn’t until he found rugby that he felt a sense of belonging and acquired the nickname ‘Beast from the Middle East’.
“People could say what they like about you in classrooms, but performance speaks for themselves in sports,” Dr Mo
said.
“Everyone would be happy when I was on the team, and when we’re on the pitch, everyone would give me the ball to run with. These are the things that gave me a sense of purpose and belonging.”
Channeling his refugee upbringing, Dr Mo loved helping people in need from a very young age, so it was natural that he followed in his father’s footsteps to study medicine. Juggling studying medicine and playing professional level sport as the only ethnic Muslim player was quite isolating for Dr Mo, but he claims he was always built to tackle more than “just one thing”.
“For me the plan was always to do more than just medicine, and that’s why I played professional sports. I don’t want just one thing to define me.”
Dr Mo initially moved to Queensland in 2017, but due to being stuck working in rural Western Australia during covid for close to two years, he ended up staying there for the long haul.
Now eight years on, and two medical missions to Gaza later, Dr Mo has been on a quest to build a mobile children’s hospital in Gaza.
He has so far lobbied for support from local and international leaders, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong,
among other high profile government personnel.
“The support that we have gained for this hospital both in Australia and internationally has been huge,” he said.
Dr Mo went on to say that the Palestinian movement has never had a total victory before, and while getting the hospital up and running is the end goal, winning the “hearts and minds” of people is his primary focus.
“As bleak as it looks, don’t lose hope, don’t let that paralyse you, just keep moving forward.”
“InshaAllah, the hospital will come in when it does, try not to focus on the result, let’s focus on the journey,” he said.
Gift of Kindness
CHOOSING COMPASSION IN A WORLD OF CONSUMPTION
We live in a world that constantly urges us to measure our worth by what we have; our possessions, our status, our appearance. From billboards to social media, we’re told that
The Illusion of More
Consumer culture feeds on the idea that we’re always one step away from being fulfilled. Just one more purchase, one more achievement, one more milestone. This belief doesn’t just affect our wallets; it shapes our worldview. We begin to see people through the lens of utility, status, or appearance, forgetting that every person carries a story, a struggle, and a need to be seen. When we begin to question this mindset, we discover that kindness offers a better way to live. It grounds us. It reconnects us with what truly matters. It shifts our focus from “What can I get?” to “What can I give?”
Kindness Is Strength, Not Softness
Contrary to what some may think, kindness is not weakness. It doesn’t mean being passive, naive, or letting others
By Jamilah Samian www.coolmumsuperdad.com
success looks like a luxury car, an expensive watch, or the latest phone upgrade. But deep down, most of us know this: The richest lives are not the ones filled with things, but the ones
take advantage of us. True kindness comes from strength, an inner resilience that chooses compassion even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular. It takes strength to pause and listen to someone who disagrees with you. To offer forgiveness when bitterness seems justified. To extend grace when the world tells you to walk away. These moments don’t just define who we are. They shape the kind of world we want to live in.
Living Kindness in a Material World
Being kind doesn’t require a grand gesture. Often, it’s the small, consistent acts that carry the most meaning: Reaching out to someone who’s going through a hard time. Not with advice, but with presence. Responding with patience rather than irritation when service is slow or someone is struggling. Paying a compliment
that brightens someone’s day without expecting anything in return. Donating time or resources quietly, without fanfare. These everyday actions might seem minor, but they add up. They build a culture of care in a world that can feel increasingly cold.
Generosity Beyond the Wallet
When we hear the word “generosity,” many of us immediately think of financial giving. While that’s valuable, generosity goes far beyond money. It’s about showing up, being present, sharing our energy, time, and empathy. In fact, some of the most generous people are not the wealthiest, but those who give freely of themselves, even when they have little to spare. The beauty of generosity is that it liberates us from the need to hoard or compete. It reminds us that we are not here to accumulate, but to contribute.
filled with meaning, connection, and purpose. In a society that often glorifies material gain, choosing kindness is a quiet but powerful rebellion.
A Different Kind of Wealth
Kindness and compassion may not appear on a résumé or a bank statement, but they shape the legacy we leave behind. When we choose connection over competition, empathy over ego, and service over status, we discover a deeper form of wealth, one rooted not in accumulation, but in impact. Science even backs this up. Studies show that kind people experience less stress, better well-being, and stronger social bonds. Kindness is good for the heart, literally and emotionally. And it creates a ripple effect: one act inspires another.
A Quiet Revolution
In a world where everything urges you to be faster, richer, louder, kindness asks you to slow down, to see, to care. It’s not always easy. But it’s always worth it. Choosing compassion over consumption is a radical
act. It says: I refuse to measure my life by what I own. I will measure it by how I live, how I love, and how I lift others. The world doesn’t need more stuff. It needs more kindness. And we are the ones who can give it.
Jamilah Samian is the author of “Cool Mum Super Dad”, “Cool Boys Super Sons”, “Leadership In Parenting”, “Parenting Generation Y & Z”, “The Kindness Miracle”, “Raise Me Right” and “77 Power Parent Tips”. For more resources, visit www. coolmumsuperdad.com
THE 530-YEAR HAVERIĆ BEY’S FAMILY: GENEALOGY AND HISTORIOGRAPHY
A new book by a leading Muslim historian in Australia, Dr Dzavid Haveric, an Adjunct Research Fellow at Charles Sturt University and also an Honourary Associate at the Victoria Museum and an author of 14 books. His book is (among) the first Muslim genealogical and historiographical work in Australia.
The ancestry tree of the Haveric family derives from common genealogical roots in Montenegro. It is one of the oldest Muslim families from the Balkans. Its branches were developed in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Turkiye, where their descendants have lived for several generations. Their more than 500-year bey tradition is evident in their high posts during the Ottoman Empire, high posts in the time of Montenegrin and Albanian kings, the regions of ruling (beylik), the wealth of landownership (begovat), successful trading businesses, and a beneficiary (waqf). It is also linked to their family respect among all people, regardless of religion and ethnic background, due to their promotion of tolerance, education, loyalty, and defense of the countries where they lived. Thus, this work honours their noble heritage during the Ottoman Empire and kingdoms in Montenegro and Albania, reflected in their largely forgotten ancestral legacy. Beneath the story are shared messages of humanity, which are peace, social virtues, and survival, acknowledging that people belong to the same species, share common experiences, and have inherent dignity’, said Dr Haveric, a Bosnian born Muslim.
This Haveric’s genealogical work is not only related to the ‘trunk of direct ancestors’ but to multiple branches, which
makes this work very complex. Some of notable ancestors were Musir (field marshal), seven Pasha (general, an aristocratic title issued by the Sultan), a Miralay (colonel) a Binbası (major), several were Zabits (commanders of the town), a Kaptan (captain) and two Katibs (a scribe or vizier’s secretary), one Bashqatip (chief secretary of the court) and two Kaymakams (customs officers), one or two Konsolosars (consul) and Agha (an honorific title for a civilian or officer). Other of those times included Shaikhs or Imams (Islamic Sufi leader or high cleric), a Hafiz (one who knows the Qur’an by heart) – they were often regarded as Effendis (masters, men of high education or social standing owners, dignitaries) Historical circumstances are changes and the Haverics no longer bear the noble title of beys, but are regarded as a distinguished family by many families and friends.
In the Foreword of Dr Haveric’s book, Academic Dr
of the Bosniak Academy of Sciences and Arts, a scholar of international reputation, wrote the following paragraphs: In search of an answer to this question, the author consulted all available sources and followed all traces in the languages in which the word Haver appears. He concluded that the word ‘Haver’ in Persian means ‘friend’, while in Arabic it is known as ‘Habr’ and has a double meaning: ‘educated man’ or ‘news’, and in the same meaning it is also present in the Bosnian language as ‘haber’. In Kurdish, the word ‘Haver’ is ‘dawn’, or ‘morning’, while some associate it with the concept of ‘honourable man’. In Hebrew, ‘Haver’ means ‘friend’. The word ‘Haver’ is present in Hungarian and also means ‘friend’, or ‘my friend’. Academic, Dzavid Haveric, also found that ‘Haveri’ is the name of a district in India as well as that ‘Havernek’ is the name of a legendary castle on the Euphrates River. In the form ‘Havarin’, i.e. ‘Hawariyyun’, in the Arabic language means ‘helper’, ‘follower’, ‘apostle’, while in the Turkish language ‘Haber’ means ‘news’, ‘news’. Considering the way in which academic Dzavid Haveric approached this work and the knowledge he gained from it, there is every chance that the etymological source of the family name Haveric is derived precisely from the meaning of ‘friend’, ‘noble man who helps others’.
An historical parallel can be both an inspiration and an illustration for the following conclusion. Namely, it is known that Rabindranath Thakur (anglicised variation is aRabindranath Tagore), author of the poetry collection Gitanjali: Song Offerings won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913 for this work, as the first winner from Asia. At the same time, it was the first Nobel Prize awarded for lyric poetry. Outside the Englishspeaking world, this book is often translated as The Gardener, because Tagore conceived his book as a garden, a garden, from which he offered his poems as a gift, like flowers from that garden. However, it is less known that the great poet was a ‘peripatetic poet’ – a travelling poet. On one of his travels, in the desert of Iraq, in 1932, Tagore visited a Bedouin camp. When Tagore asked the tribal chief in conversation: ‘Who is a
true Muslim’?, the chief replied: ‘Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said that a true Muslim is one who neither by his words nor by his deeds does the slightest harm to his fellow man...’ Impressed, Tagore wrote in his diary: ‘I was left breathless because I recognised in his words the voice of essential humanism’.
Following a pathway of one of the family ancestors, who was an olive grower with an estate of a thousand olive trees near the city of Bar in Montenegro, academic Dzavid Haveric, through this family genealogy and historiography, clearly inherited the same noble affinity and gift of his ancestor, the olive grower. The Haverics, gathered in this monograph, all of them and each one individually, were for Dzavid Haveric gold that, from one and the same ancient olive tree, dripped into the corners of his heart and sprouted in his mind. After many years of patient work, with much love and care, academic Dzavid Haveric has cultivated this GARDEN OF OLIVES of his own! This book is now a wonderful garden, widely open to all people, regardless of their family genealogy, and from its fruits every person may benefit and no one will suffer any harm.
Ferid Muhic, President
Dr Dzavid Haveric
Professor Ferid Muhic
ICOM’S CAREERS EXPO
ICOM
Choosing a career is more than just deciding what comes after secondary schoolit’s about recognising the unique talents Allah (SWT) has entrusted to each of us and striving to use them with excellence (Ihsaan).
Our Careers Expo provided students with the chance to explore a wide range of opportunities, from university pathways and TAFE courses to apprenticeships and direct employment options. Representatives from education providers and industry shared
valuable insights, helping students understand the skills and knowledge required in today’s workforce.
The day was filled with meaningful conversations and guidance, encouraging students to think deeply about their strengths, aspirations, and how
they can contribute positively to the wider community. With the support of staff and exhibitors, students left the Expo inspired and better prepared to take confident steps toward their future.
ARABIC WEEK AT ICOM
ICOM
Arabic Week at ICOM was a vibrant celebration of language, culture, and creativity.
Throughout the week, students across all year levels
participated in a variety of engaging activities that highlighted the beauty of the Arabic language.
Each year level enjoyed a special assembly filled with performances, recitations, and interactive sessions that reflected students’ enthusiasm and love for Arabic. The Amazing
Race in the Arabic room was a highlight, where students worked in teams to solve challenges and showcase their knowledge in a fun and exciting way.
Students also enjoyed traditional storytelling sessions, where they listened to engaging Arabic tales that brought language and culture to life through imagination and expression.
Year 5 and 6 students had the unique opportunity to take part in a special calligraphy workshop incursion. This handson experience allowed them to explore the artistic side of
Arabic writing while deepening their appreciation for its elegance and cultural value.
In addition, students across the school expressed their creativity by designing posters on different themes, which were proudly displayed in the corridors. These showcased not only their artistic skills but also their growing connection with the language.
Overall, Arabic Week was a joyful and enriching experience that brought students closer to the beauty, depth, and creativity of the Arabic language
Over the past week, the Albanese Government has been at pains to define its position on the Gaza “war”—without redefining the fundamentals of Australia’s long-standing diplomatic and military posture. But that balancing act is becoming increasingly unsustainable. In a series of interviews and public appearances, key ministers—Defence Minister Richard Marles and Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil— have tried to walk a line between being criticising Netanyahu, condemning Hamas, defending Israel’s “right to self-defence,” and maintaining Australia’s indirect but undeniable military-industrial ties to the ongoing “hostilities” in Gaza.
Appearing on Sky News on Thursday, Marles reiterated the Government’s assertion that Hamas cannot be part of any future Palestinian state. But when pressed by Sky’s Kieran Gilbert on whether it is, in fact, only the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that can carry out the demilitarisation of Hamas, Marles found himself in an increasingly narrow rhetorical corridor. He didn’t answer the question, saying “We’ve always acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself... But we have made it really clear that the way in which Israel defends itself matters—that international law has to be at the heart of this.”
Marles acknowledged the “humanitarian catastrophe” unfolding in Gaza and insisted the Government had consistently called for an end to hostilities. But such calls are undercut by other policy stances: namely, Australia’s ongoing contributions to weapons systems deployed in the very bombings it claims to deplore.
Not condemnation, but insulation
In a revealing interview with Triple J Hack earlier in the week, Assistant Minister Khalil went further in differentiating between Israel and its
AUSTRALIA’S BALANCING ACT ON ISRAEL BEGINS TO PUBLICLY CRACK
By Rita Jabri Markwell
current leadership. “The Netanyahu Government is not Israel,” he asserted, a line seemingly crafted to reassure critics without shifting core policy.
When challenged, Khalil leaned on domestic opposition within Israel to bolster his point, citing polling showing 70 to 80 per cent of Israelis oppose the war or the conduct of it. He ignored the polling that showed broad popular support for denying humanitarian aid.
Khalil then pivoted to stress the continuity of intelligence and defence ties with Israel:
“There are many things that Australia does with Israel... whether it’s security-related information being shared about terrorism... I hope that those things continue because they’re mutually beneficial.”
In diplomatic terms, overall what we are hearing is not a condemnation. It’s a rhetorical insulation from growing public scrutiny, particularly from communities with strong ties to Palestine, who make up key voter bases in electorates like Burke’s and Khalil’s.
And while Khalil spoke of a “period of tension” in bilateral ties, his
real message was clear: cooperation continues, and will continue.
F-35 and the fiction of distance
The thorniest issue for the Government remains Australia’s indirect involvement in the war effort—particularly through defence exports.
Pressed on Australia’s contribution to the F-35 fighter jet program, Khalil resorted to well-worn distinctions. Yes, Australian companies provide components. But those components, he claimed, are “non-lethal.”
“Australian companies... provide the parts to the building and the manufacturer of the plane... then countries purchase that plane,” he said, pointing to a global supply chain of over 100 companies.
But with more than seventy Australian companies contributing to the F-35 program—and at least two involved in the systems used to deploy munitions—the line between “non-lethal” and lethal becomes harder to maintain.
The Government insists it has not directly sold whole weapons to Israel for over five years. That may
interviews or media scrutiny, but on the floor of Parliament. The “Red Lines Package,” set to be introduced by the crossbench, would tighten Australia’s export laws and prohibit investment in companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements. It will force the Government to reckon not only with its rhetoric but with the legal and moral obligations it continues to dance around.
be technically accurate, but it is legally and politically meaningless.
In a war dominated by aerial bombardment and drone strikes, supply chain complicity is still complicity. That Australia remains unwilling to impose an arms embargo on Israel is, in itself, an acknowledgement of how consequential its contributions really are.
Deep ethical positions, in theory
In a separate Sky News interview on 22 August, Marles said, “When history judges the way in which we have navigated it, you will see that underlying every decision that we’ve made is a position of principle, a deep ethical position.”
It’s a line that typifies the Government’s posture: high-minded language about ethics and legality, coupled with a refusal to confront the uncomfortable implications of its own policies.
The Government is now openly admitting its indirect role in supporting the Israeli military— particularly through global arms supply chains—but continues to avoid detail on whether exports such as steel or technical components are reaching Israel directly.
The issue is becoming harder to ignore. As scrutiny grows, so too will pressure to define Australia’s position more clearly—especially from crossbench MPs and civil society groups.
A test is
coming
The real test for Labor will come not through
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has been one of the few senior cabinet members to go further than cautious concern. Speaking on ABC Radio earlier this week, he offered a rare moral rebuke:
“Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry. Strength is much better measured by exactly what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has done.”
But even Burke’s comments do not change a broader continuity in Australia’s bipartisan approach to Israel. Defence exports remain uninterrupted. Procurement from Israelilinked suppliers continues. And Australians can still legally travel to Israel to enlist in the IDF—even as it calls up 60,000 reservists to enforce occupation and annexation in Gaza.
What happens when the framing fails?
The Albanese Government has sought to frame the current genocide as hostilities that are the result of bad actors— Hamas on one side, Netanyahu’s leadership on the other. But that framing is beginning to crack under the weight of reality. The war is not an aberration. It is a consequence—of occupation, of apartheid, of decades of impunity. If Australia truly believes international law, then that law must apply to allies as well as adversaries. If it does not, then the rules are not rules at all. And history will judge that too.
Defence Minister Richard Marles
Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil
R U OK?
ENCOURAGES ARABIC-SPEAKING AUSTRALIANS TO START THE CONVERSATION ANY DAY
R U OK? is calling on members of the Arabic-speaking community to ask R U OK? Any Day because meaningful conversations can - and do - change lives. The reminder comes as new research has revealed a confidence gap when it comes to having meaningful R U OK? conversations.
Three in four Australians believe it’s important to regularly ask someone if they’re OK, but a third might hesitate – even when they sense someone might be struggling. This hesitation often stems from concerns they might say the wrong thing, invade someone’s privacy, or not know how to help.
Psychologist, suicidologist, and R U OK? Board Member Ms Annie Fardell Hartley says the data tells a different story, with an overwhelming majority of people surveyed (88%) feeling grateful and supported when someone asked if they were OK.
“These conversations matter and they’re often more welcome than we think,” said Ms Fardell Hartley. “People don’t expect you to have all the answers or the perfect words. They value trust, genuine care, and someone who really listens.”
Around 51 per cent of Australian residents were born overseas or have a parent who was, and more than 22 per cent speak a language other than English at home. For the Arabicspeaking community, this means conversations about mental health must be culturally and linguistically inclusive.
As people plan activities to
mark R U OK?Day on Thursday 11 September R U OK? is helping all Australians bridge the confidence gap and Ask R U OK?
Any Day.
“R U OK?Day, our National Day of Action, is a powerful reminder, but it’s what we do regularly that truly makes a difference,” said Katherine Newton, CEO R U OK?. “We want Australians to feel confident to check in with the people they care about – not only on R U OK?Day, but any day.
“Our research shows those who regularly have R U OK? conversations are significantly more likely to report increased feelings of wellbeing,” said Ms Newton who is pleased to note a third of Australians say they’ve been checking in with others more often over the past year — a sign that more people are actively stepping up to support those around them.
These are more than statistics, they reflect real life and for R U OK? Community Ambassador Mostapha Kourouche, the message is deeply personal.
“In many Arabic-speaking communities, mental health is still a sensitive subject due to stigma and cultural expectations,” said Mr Kourouche.
“That’s why I’m proud to support the work of R U OK? with community leaders to create resources that speak to our values, faith, and lived experiences.”
Mr Kourouche’s experience underlines how important a single question can be and that we all have the power to make a difference.
“A simple question like ‘ريخب تنأ له ‘are you OK?’, can be incredibly powerful, it’s a reminder that we’re not alone. Every conversation matter, and any day is the right day to ask,” said Mr Kourouche.
Mental health can be a difficult topic in Arabic-speaking communities, that’s why R U OK? co-designed resources with community leaders that reflect shared values, faith, and lived experience.
Ms Newton says for those who might be unsure what to say, R U OK? is there to help.
“You don’t need to be an expert to ask someone if they’re OK, and you don’t have to do it alone. It’s natural to feel nervous, but that’s why R U OK? is here,” she said. “Our resources are free, simple, and designed to help you feel more confident to check in with someone you care about. You’ve
got this, and we’ve got your back.”
Research has found people who engage with R U OK? are six times more likely to ask someone what’s troubling them, listen with empathy, and encourage them to seek support. They’re also more likely to check in regularly with the people they care about .
Visit ruok.org.au to access free tools, tips and resources to help you ask, listen and support someone who might be struggling.
Because a conversation could change a life, any day of the year.
Lifeline offers free and confidential crisis support, available 24/7. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online at lifeline.org.au.
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health provides culturally appropriate information, resources, and access to services. Visit embracementalhealth.org.au.
TIS National Translating and interpreting services, available 24/7 provides immediate phone interpreting for those who need it. Call 131 450 or visit tisnational.gov.au.
ISLAMIC CO-ORDINATING COUNCIL OF VICTORIA
Helping Australian businesses export halal products to over 140 countries
ICCV is the largest Halal certification organisation in Australia servicing clients locally and internationally.
ICCV is responsible for the certification, monitoring, and supervision of Halal food for the domestic market as well as the export market.
Clients cover a range of sectors including abattoirs, food processing businesses, transportation and cold storage operators.
We are the largest halal certification body in Australia. Professional, experienced and trusted.
AB A T T OIR
We monitor the certified businesses for compliance of halal requirements.
We provide a means for direct supervision in house for quality assurance.
SUPP L Y CHAIN
We work with abattoirs to get and keep their halal certification.
ACCREDITED MARKETS
ICCV is specifically accredited within these Muslim majority countries.
Our certification is approved for all halal importing countries.
We provide full turnkey solution for FGMs to get halal.
Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Oman, Kingdom of Bahrain,Tunisia,Yemen, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Iran, Kosova, Morocco, Maldives.
We provide logistics companies for cold room and transport to get halal.
Our certificate is approved in countries that now require halal certificate if goods have halal stamps:
Canada, South Korea, China, European Union (EU), New Zealand, Russia Federation, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America (USA).
BOLD NEW POLICY AND KEEPSIGHT REPORTS DRIVE PREVENTION AND CARE
Diabetes Australia has marked National Diabetes Week (13 – 19 July 2025) with two major initiatives designed to tackle Australia’s type 2 diabetes epidemic and improve outcomes for people living with the condition.
A policy paper released last month calls on the Australian Government to more than double its investment in preventive health, lifting it to 5 percent of total health expenditure by 2030. A second report also highlights the importance of preventing complications, showing more than 560,000 Australians are reducing their risk of diabetesrelated blindness through the KeepSight eye check reminder program.
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said both reports highlight the urgent need for national leadership and coordinated action to reduce the impact of diabetes on the health system and the lives of millions of Australians.
“Prevention is the most costeffective and sustainable strategy to address the type 2 diabetes epidemic,” Ms Cain said.
“Preventing type 2 diabetes is not only possible, it is essential. Around 58 percent of cases can be prevented or delayed. Early detection of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can also help to prevent serious complications.”
Report: A Healthier Future: Reducing the Impact of Diabetes Through Prevention
The diabetes prevalence rate in Australia is increasing rapidly. Since 2000, the number of Australians diagnosed with all types of diabetes has risen by 220 percent from 460,000 to almost 1.5 million. If current trends continue, that number could reach 3.6 million by 2050.
Diabetes Australia’s new policy paper, A Healthier Future: Reducing the Impact of Diabetes Through Prevention, outlines four national priority goals:
Prioritise reducing disparities and overcoming barriers
Prevention and early detection of type 2 diabetes
Strengthen support for diabetes self-management
Prevent complications and optimise diabetes management
“Many of the most serious complications, such as amputations, kidney failure and vision loss, can be prevented with timely, coordinated care and support,” Ms Cain said.
“Lifting investment in preventive health to 5 percent of national healthcare spending will save lives, reduce complications from chronic conditions like diabetes and help keep our health system financially sustainable.”
He did not wish to leave this land Of sweeping winds and undulating plains
Surfers, surveying their own peer out to the swollen sea
Never to return from where they came For the wind had taken them
Hand over forehead
Gazing into the sun
Rays too fierce to penetrate the nautical
(C) Peta Read November 2023
DEE WHY TAMARAMA
Red cut the sea Clouds spread like fingers Combing ones’ hair
A line divided the landscape Heaven separate
Full light appeared In preparation for day
(C) Peta Read 2006
CADIA MINE EXPERT HEALTH ADVISORY PANEL FINDS NO EVIDENCE OF HEALTH IMPACTS
A NSW Health investigation into the potential health risks of dust exposure from the Cadia gold mine in Central West NSW has found low community exposure to heavy metals, and no definitive evidence of health impacts from heavy metal exposure among volunteers who were assessed.
NSW Health commissioned an independent investigation and convened the Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel following community concern about potential dust exposure from the Cadia gold mine. The Panel consisted of expertise in toxicology, environmental and
public health.
The Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel reviewed results from this investigation and reported they found no evidence of significant environmental contamination at volunteers’ properties. The heavy metal levels were below health-based guidelines and there was no evidence of health impacts from heavy metal exposure in the volunteers.
The Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel also concluded that there was no indication that broader community testing is required at this time.
NSW Health thanks the
14 volunteers from seven properties, who came forward through the Cadia Community Sustainability Network, for participating in this important investigation.
The 18-month investigation saw indoor dust, water, soil samples and home-grown produce collected from volunteers’ potentially impacted properties to be examined for possible exposures.
An expert clinical toxicologist assessed each volunteer to determine if they were impacted by heavy metals, and all household environmental and clinical assessments were reviewed by the Cadia Mine
Expert Health Advisory Panel.
NSW Health can advise that every volunteer has been informed about the assessment outcomes, and the panel’s findings are being shared directly with the community, local General Practitioners, stakeholder groups, and local councils.
NSW Health will continue to provide advice and support to local GPs in the region surrounding Cadia.
NSW Health will continue to work closely with the NSW Environment Protection Authority, which is leading regulatory oversight of dust emissions at the Cadia mine.
Further information, including the panel’s statement and a summary report are available on the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov. au/environment/Pages/cadiainvestigation.aspx
