Cultura Connect December 2023

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December 2023

Cultura Connect December edition

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR have warmly welcomed many new arrivals to

Dear friends, As we approach the end of this very special year, I am thinking about the amazing journey we have all been on together. Whether you are part of our community as a service participant, a family member, a Cultura employee, a

our town and I hope that the broader Geelong community can feel the results of our work.

Our culture of kindness and understanding has echoed throughout the region contributing to true social cohesion and inclusion.

volunteer, a delivery partner or a friend, I want

As we come to the end of 2023 and look

you to know that your support is what makes a

towards 2024, we hope and pray that world

real difference in the lives of the multicultural

stability returns and our thoughts are with all

community of Geelong.

who are suffering.

Our team has shown great strength and

Thank you to all our friends, supporters and

resilience when faced with challenges,

of course to our Cultura family for being the

adversity and change throughout the year, truly

driving force behind our vision of empowering

capturing the spirit of Cultura. Together, we

diverse individuals and communities to reach

have transformed obstacles into opportunities,

their full potential.

while living out the values that make Cultura such a special organisation.

Our purpose to make a real difference in the lives of Geelong’s multicultural

Warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season.

Kind regards, Joy Leggo OAM

communities and this has truly been at the heart of everything we do. Through collaboration, innovation, creativity and a shared commitment to do our absolute best, we have met many of our ambitious goals. We

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Cultura Connect December edition

Cultura Connect December edition

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UPCOMING EVENTS SAVE THE DATE Saturday 24th February, 2024 9am-5pm Pakington Street Geelong West BTW Gordon Ave & Waterloo Street

Cultura delivers the event in partnership with our local diverse communities and is working closely with over 40 diverse groups to ensure we can continue to raise the awareness of established and new and emerging communities.

Pako Festa is Victoria’s largest free multicultural street festival and will once again

The Street Parade - one of the major

celebrate Geelong’s diversity through the

attractions of the event - will kick off at 11am

transfer of food, dance and music in Pakington

and is shaping into one of the most colourful

Street Geelong West.

and vibrant display of communities for its 42nd year.

According to Joy Leggo, CEO Cultura, Pako Festa was established in 1983 and has been

Pako Festa is presented by Cultura and

one of the highlights on the Geelong Events

supported by the Victorian State Government,

Calendar.

City of Greater Geelong, many Corporate & Business Partners and the Pakington Street

“This successful event attracts crowds of over

Traders.

100,000 people and fulfils its purpose, which is to celebrate local diversity. The event brings

Testimonial from one of our major event

diverse community groups together and offers

sponsors:

a safe environment in which to share their

‘The Gordon is again immensely proud to

culture with the broader community while

be involved with Geelong’s most celebrated

fostering a spectacular cultural experience full

multicultural event. As the region’s leader in

of music, colour, food, costumes, dance and

vocational training, we specialise in ensuring

movement,” Ms Leggo said.

our graduates are job-ready. With a focus on practical, hands-on training, small class sizes

The theme for next years event is “Building

and wrap-around student support, we aim to

Cultural Bridges” which is so relevant based on

have graduates job-ready and into their dream

the global environment. Hope you will all join

careers sooner.’

REPPING GREEN END OF YEAR PARTY

The program for next year’s Pako Festa will be

23rd December 5.30 - 11pm

us in what will be an even bigger and better Pako Festa,” Ms Leggo said.

released on our website in early 2024: “The event for our local communities is a

www.pakofesta.com.au

major fundraiser and we aim to have over 25 community food stalls all offering a unique experience that will send your tastebuds

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31st December 6pm Ukrainian Community Hall 57 Pakington St, West Geelong 3218 Organised by Geelong Nigerian Association

around the world.”

Cultura Connect December edition

CLUB ITALIA 2023 NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION Rock n Roll 5250 2349 info@clubitalia.com.au Organised by Club Italia

Cultura Connect December edition

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SETTLEMENT The Tyler Dean in Reconnect Achievement

participants have made with Reconnect support.

Award was granted to Nai Tun Oo – an incredible participant of our Reconnect program – during the

Nai Tun Oo joined the Reconnect Program shortly

Cultura Annual Public Meeting this year.

after he arrived in Australia in April 2022. He has faced multiple challenges along the way but because

The Tyler Dean in Reconnect Achievement Award

of his remarkable resilience and determination

gives us an opportunity to share the impact of the

and the support provided by his case worker,

work of Cultura on our community and program

Mary Kotev, he has achieved some great successes.

participants.

During his time with Reconnect he has gained his learner’s permit then his driver’s licence, had his

Reconnect is one of our programs offered

first job interview in which he was successful and

within Employment Support at Settlement and

is now working with the Food Services team at

Community Services. Reconnect provides case

our residential site. He has completed a volunteer

management, mentor-style support for participants

program at Volunteering Geelong and, when he

who are facing multiple barriers to engage or

is not picking up extra shifts to support his work

re-engage in training or employment. There are

team, he volunteers at the Food Bank. Next year, he

three key reasons that make Reconnect a brilliant

would like to start at Cert III in Individual Support.

program – participants are supported for 18 months,

When he arrived, Nai did not speak any English.

caseworkers can meet the participants outside of the

We are so very proud of Nai Tun Oo’s achievements

office where participants may be more comfortable,

so far and the difficult personal challenges he has

and the unique working partnership that grows

worked through. We wish him well with his future

between participant and caseworker.

endeavours.

The namesake of this award, Tyler Dean, was a

Mary Kotev and our other case workers are key to

participant in the first year of Reconnect. Joining

listening, believing in and guiding their participants

the program was an important step for Tyler to

to their chosen goals. We have a passionate, skilled

turning his life around. With support from his

and agile team that supports 70 people each year

case worker, Adam, his confidence, self-belief and

from all walks of life, backgrounds and experiences.

sense of direction grew along with a desire to work

Mary has provided key support for Nai as well as

as a mechanic. Within six months Tyler started a

celebrating the wins with him along the way.

Certificate II in Automotive, completed a work placement and started an apprenticeship. It was

Last year we created an Honour Board of recipients

an amazing and short turn around. In 2017 while

of the Tyler Dean in Reconnect Achievement Award.

completing his apprenticeship Tyler was involved

It hangs in the reception area of the Northern Hub.

in a tragic incident that took his life. This award is

When Mary told Nai that he was our 2022 recipient.

in memory of a young man full of enthusiasm and

Nai could not believe it. Mary told me he looked up

personality who achieved so much.

at the board with the biggest smile on his face and said, “My name is going to be up there?”

With six years passing since Tyler has gone, Tyler’s parents Jeynelle and Josh continue to be passionate

We would like to warmly congratulate Nai on being

about the work of Reconnect and their desire for

this year’s recipient of the Tyler Dean in Reconnect

Tyler’s life to have a powerful legacy of positive

Achievement Award.

impact for others. This award is ongoing recognition of all the significant achievements that the other

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Cultura Connect December edition

Cultura Connect December edition

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COMMUNITIES Cultura Colac’s dedicated team continues to

with shared experiences and friendship.

make a meaningful impact on our multicultural

We believe that programs like this are vital

communities, particularly through initiatives

for our multicultural community’s success

like the “Speaking English” class, a program

and that through our work we are able to

supported by Acciona in collaboration with

spread the spirit of Cultura where everyone

Colac Neighbourhood House.

can feel welcomed, accepted, celebrated and

It is not just about gaining vital language skills

supported. Congratulations to our Cultura

for our newly arrived clients, this program

Colac participants on their incredible progress

is a cultural bridge that builds connections

this year!

and understanding among newly arrived communities. Recently, our team organised the end-of-year roast dinner for the participants, offering them a taste of Australian traditional Christmas foods, creating an environment where language learning goes hand-in-hand

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Cultura Connect December edition

Cultura Connect December edition

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TRAINING All staff at the RTO have been busy finishing

Good News Story:

off students for all courses and preparing for our new intakes in all courses for February

We have had many positive comments from

2024.

students finishing our training courses:

Accredited courses commencing in February

Hi Angela,

are Certificate 111 and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, Certificate

Thank you for your time the other week. I

111 in Individual Support, Certificate IV in

just want to highlight what an amazing trainer

Disability Support, Diploma of Community

Liz is. My daughter struggled with formal

Services and Diploma of Counselling. Classes

education having left school having completed

are filling up quickly and enrolments are

only 32 days of schooling in year 10 and the

taking place during December and January. If

first 6 weeks of year 11 (as a 17 year old, she is

you are interested details are on the website,

now 23).

phone our friendly staff or call in at the Pulse to find out more.

The idea of formal learning to her was incredibly stressful. Caitlyn has just completed

Skills Sets are commencing in January with

her cert 4 in disability taking far more than the

Medication and Infection Control Training

recommended time to complete. Liz has been

being run for some of our employers.

able to keep her engaged, paced the learning

Next year is exciting for Cultura training

based on Caity’s mental health needs and

with both day and night classes as well

supported/ encouraged her in such a way that

as traineeships being offered and all the

she was determined to complete the course.

preparation and hard work done by the staff

We chose Cultura based on their capacity to

will come to fruition.

support students who struggled with main stream learning. Liz has been a credit to Cultura, she went above and beyond to make sure Caity was successful in this course. She had been nothing short of awesome. If more teachers were like Liz, we might have more kids engaged in learning.

Please pass on my thanks to Liz. She knows what a challenge this has been for Caity.

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Cultura Connect December edition

Cultura Connect December edition

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VOLUNTEERS PATHWAY TO EMPLOYMENT THROUGH VOLUNTEERING

When asked if she likes being at Cultura

Angela moved from Chile to Australia in early

“I absolutely love it. It’s very good for me

2023 together with her husband Nicolás who is

because I have more confidence and my

currently studying for a Master’s degree.

English improves every day. All the people in

Residential, Angela says...

this place are very friendly and kind to me, Angela spent 3 months learning English at the

they all support me to help me learn English.

Cultura Northern Community Hub and during

I have never had the opportunity to talk to

this time, she asked her teacher Barbara about

people from so many cultures and situations

the possibility of volunteering with us.

different from my own, which I am really enjoying. I am very happy and very grateful for

Angela began volunteering at Stella’s Café,

the leadership team and all the people who

located within our residential aged care home

have been part of this learning process. It has

in September 2023. Her personality, skills and

been wonderful that through volunteering I

work ethic meant that, within a few weeks,

was able to find such a welcoming job. Cultura

she was offered a paid position working in the

means a lot to me.”

kitchen. Angela has continued to volunteer in the cafeteria, as well as her paid hours in the residential kitchen.

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Cultura Connect December edition

Cultura Connect December edition

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PEOPLE & CULTURE The People & Culture team have recently welcomed a new team member, Fariba Sanjari, who is in the process of rolling out our new Cultural Awareness Training program for both internal and external learners.

Recently, as part of the internal training provided to Cultura staff, Fariba presented to staff at the Northern Community Hub. One of the learners was Barbara Catic, Trainer and Assessor, from Cultura’s ACFE program. Interestingly, Barb was Fariba’s English as a Second Language Trainer, when she arrived in Australia with her family from Iran in 2006. Fariba said that “It was amazing to be able to stand in front of my teacher of 17 years ago and see how far I have come. Standing before someone who taught me years ago and sharing my development and accomplishments was incredibly rewarding.”

Barb was excited to see Fariba again after such a long time and felt proud seeing her old student doing a great job delivering training in English.

If you would like to learn more about our new program, that is available for on-site training across Geelong and Melbourne, please drop Fariba a line on Cultural.Awareness@cultura.org.au.

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Cultura Connect December edition

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COMMUNITY AGED & DISABILITY Our Social Support and Centre-based Respite

Our programs run Monday to Friday with half

Clubs at the Healthy Living Centre promote

and full day options. A healthy morning tea

and support you to be active, independent

and lunch are provided.

and engaged, keeping you at home as long as possible. Our qualified and experienced staff

Please contact the Healthy Living Centre 5222

design and coordinate programs focused on

7275 or email aged.support@cultura.org.au for

your likes and interests.

more information or visit us at 25-41 Arunga Ave, Norlane.

The Healthy Living Centre programs are for older community members that are eligible to receive support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program(CHSP), Home Care Packages (HCP) and Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP).

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Cultura Connect December edition

Cultura Connect December edition

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ADULT COMMUNITY & FURTHER EDUCATION Achieving recognition as finalists for three

and implement comprehensive programs

prestigious Learn Local Awards categories

that effectively prepare learners for future

— the Ro Allen Awards, the Pre-Accredited

endeavors.

Program Award for Large Organisation, and the Pre-Accredited Learner Awards (Skills for

Moreover, the Pre-Accredited Learner Awards

Work) — marks a remarkable testament to the

(Skills for Work) nomination acknowledges

dedication, innovation, and excellence within

the outstanding accomplishments of learners

the educational landscape.

in acquiring crucial skills necessary for professional success. It celebrates their

The Ro Allen Awards, bearing the name of

dedication, perseverance, and proficiency in

a notable advocate, signify a commitment to

acquiring practical competencies vital for the

inclusion, diversity, and equity in education.

contemporary job market.

Being nominated for this category signifies an institution’s exceptional efforts in fostering an

These nominations reflect not only the

inclusive learning environment that empowers

dedication of Cultura & the teachers but

individuals from diverse backgrounds.

also the resilience and hard work of learners.

Such accolades serve as a testament to the

The Pre-Accredited Program Award for

commitment towards providing inclusive,

Large Organization highlights the exemplary

high-quality, and transformative education

initiatives undertaken by educational

that empowers individuals and communities,

institutions catering to a broad spectrum of

thereby shaping a brighter future for all

learners. This recognition speaks volumes

involved.

about the institution’s ability to develop 18

Cultura Connect December edition

Cultura Connect December edition

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PULSE COMMUNITY RADIO Hello from 94.7 The Pulse

We love to engage with local artists, promoting new music and exposing them to

We have recently had eight people graduate

a wider audience. Alex Kolcakovski, recently

from our Intro to Broadcasting course and

interviewed Wild Gloriosa, a participant of

three have taken the plunge to present

the GRID program supported by the City of

their own programs. Charles, Tom and

Greater Geelong, who then went on to perform

Marwa, (pictured on the right) can be heard

at the Queenscliff Music Festival.

on air sharing their stories and program, congratulations!

The Sustainable Hour turned 10 in October.

Mik, Tony and Colin keep us all up to date

This January sees the launch of The Summer

on climate action and the state of our

Series, an opportunity to give prospective

environment. It’s wonderful to have such

presenters a taste of being ‘on air.’ Applications

committed and passionate presenters.

will be paired with experienced presenters who will support and mentor them to produce one, two or even three episodes of their newly designed program.

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Cultura Connect December edition

Cultura Connect December edition

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RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE The festive spirit was in full swing at Cultura

enthusiastically begun transforming our living

residential during the last weekend

spaces into winter wonderlands, decorating

of November as we hosted our incredible

the halls and the Christmas tree to create a

Christmas market. Despite facing competition

festive atmosphere. Anticipation is building

from various events in Geelong, our

for upcoming celebrations, with the residents’

community experienced a heartwarming

favourite cocktail Christmas party and a joyous

turnout, complemented by the perfect weather.

evening of carols on the 22nd of December, promising even more magical moments to

A highlight of the event was the choir’s long-

share and cherish.

awaited return to the stage after four years.

They performed a number of Christmas songs, including the timeless ‘Silent Night’ performed in a number of languages reflecting the diverse cultures represented in our community. As the holiday season unfolds, our residents have

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Cultura Connect December edition

Cultura Connect December edition

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December 2023

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