LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Dear friends,
It is hard to believe that we have reached the end of 2024. As we reflect on the past 12 months, I want to take a moment to acknowledge that it has been a year of many challenges for communities across the globe. The world has faced political crises, economic uncertainties, and social upheavals that have tested our collective resilience. Yet, amid these difficulties, we have also seen extraordinary acts of kindness and compassion - a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit in such challenging times.
For Cultura, this year has brought our teams closer than ever before. After a couple of years of navigating our merger, I am proud to see a thriving organisation emerging - one built on a vibrant culture of collaboration, creativity, and empathy. Our teams, made up of incredibly talented and passionate individuals, have come together to amplify our purpose to support, care for and celebrate culturally diverse individuals throughout their life journey.
As we step into 2025, I am filled with hope.
This New Year holds the promise of peace, progress, and deeper connections within and beyond our communities. To all our wonderful Cultura friends and supporters, may this festive season be a time to celebrate, support one another, and extend kindness to those around you.
From all of us at Cultura, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a new year filled with hope and harmony.
Kind regards, Joy Leggo OAM
YOUTH
CULTURA’S SPORTS STARS SHINE IN STYLE AND SPIRIT
Cultura’s Sports Academy is on fire this season, with both its Volleyball and Futsal teams shining brightly in local competitions! These talented young athletes, from diverse multicultural backgrounds, have been showcasing their skills with confidence and pride in their vibrant new Cultura uniforms, featuring bold star designs and energetic colours.
The Volleyball teams served up some thrilling rallies, demonstrating impeccable teamwork whilst the Futsal teams have been equally exciting, showcasing some strategic plays and camaraderie that’s a joy to watch. But it’s not just about the games—it’s about the connections. Every match is a celebration of diversity and unity with players and supporters
coming together to cheer, laugh and share the universal language of sport.
Cultura’s Sports Academy continues to be a beacon of teamwork and community spirit, creating unforgettable moments both on and off the field and providing opportunities for young people to stay active, learn new skills and build friendships.
As the year wraps up, the teams are more determined than ever to bring home victories while keeping the festive cheer alive.
Their passion, teamwork, and unity continue to inspire us all.
Go team Cultura—you’re making us proud!
HOME SERVICES
It has been terrific to roll out new mobiles and a new mobile platform for our Wellbeing Workers as we reach the end of the year. This upgrade will allow more responsive rostering, move away from paper, and generally ensure better connection between the office and our workers in the community. Not only does this work to improve safety and efficiency, it will make life easier for our Wellbeing Workers. This change process has allowed us to spend time with our amazing workers to ensure that everyone can navigate the new mobile app and feel comfortable shifting to digital rosters. Well done to Cindy, Lloyd, Livia and a thank you for all the support from our IT partners. We are all looking forward to making the most of this technology in 2025, and continuing to adapt our ways of working to continue enabling high quality face to face supports in an increasingly digitised world.
Cultura Connect December edition
Cultura Connect December
PAKO FESTA IS BACK!
Join us on Saturday, 22 February, for the 2025 Pako Festa as Pakington Street transforms into a vibrant, free multicultural street party!
Victoria’s premier multicultural festival offers cultural food, folk dancing, the famous Pako Parade at 11 am, workshops, art and craft displays, and entertainment on four world music stages across a 1-kilometer festival zone.
Experience Geelong’s rich cultural diversity through authentic cuisine prepared by 26 local community groups. Taste dishes like Indonesian Nasi Goreng or the popular Filipino Inihaw while enjoying lively karaoke sessions at the stalls. This event has been a community highlight since 1983 and remains a major fundraiser for local cultural groups.
Explore live performances, dance, and music from 12 pm - 5 pm on multiple stages, or visit the Global Craft & Produce Market inside the West Town Hall for free workshops. Chill out at dining zones like the Barwon Water and Adroit Chill Out Zones, featuring free water, activities, and giveaways.
Pako Festa connects us through food, art, and celebration, creating a space to share and enjoy cultural diversity. For details, visit www. pakofesta.com.au. Produced by Cultura, with support from local and state governments, and major partners including WorkSafe and Barwon Water.
COMMUNITIES
CONNECTING TO COMMUNITY
In 2024, the Community Development Team has continued to support new arrivals as they settle into their new lives in Geelong and Colac, while advocating for more culturally responsive services across our regions. Our key focus areas this year have been human rights, health, mental health and wellbeing, family violence prevention, and fostering social connection.
Throughout the year, we’ve worked closely with communities to listen, plan, and deliver programs and workshops tailored to their specific needs. Our collaborations with other teams at Cultura and local services have resulted in a range of initiatives, including parenting programs, men’s and women’s
groups, homework clubs, horticulture programs, arts workshops, monthly markets, and information sessions on a variety of topics requested by the communities we work with.
While all of these programs are incredibly rewarding, what brings us the most joy is creating opportunities for cultural exchange and social connection. Shared experiences, cross cultural connection, the smiles and laughter – bring on 2025!
We are very lucky to have a wonderful photographer (Hadeel Albadran) to capture the essence of what we do. Click on the link to see some of the photos taken over the last 6 months.
https://youtu.be/0yIQ-WzqPGU
VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEERING FOR 30 YEARS
Volunteers are a valuable and crucial part of Cultura. They play a vital role in providing support, skills, and dedication that can significantly enhance the impact of the work our organisation does.
Sue, Norma & Maureen have been volunteering for MACS/Cultura since it opened in 1994.
These wonderful ladies are involved with our holy communion program and choir at Cultura Residential. This program connects with our residents on a personal and spiritual way and is extremely meaningful.
We were very honoured to present Sue, Norma and Maureen with their “30 years of service” gift at our recent General Public Meeting.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sue, Norma and Maureen, for their invaluable contribution as volunteers for the last 30 years and ongoing. We are extremely fortunate to have their passion, dedication and smiling faces.
PEOPLE & CULTURE
We’re excited to share that we have launched our new leadership program “Leading @ Cultura”.
We kicked things off with our CEO, Joy Leggo, who had us all inspired, talking about leading with purpose and how our values — Kindness, Inclusion, Integrity, and Sustainability — are at the heart of everything we do.
This week, we dove into our first workshop, led by our GM of People & Culture, Matt Connell.
It was a fantastic session and there are plenty more sessions to come as we continue to build and support great leadership across Cultura.
HEALTHY LIVING CENTRE
Club United at the Healthy Living Centre has grown in leaps and bounds in 2024, our male oriented group is busy each Monday gardening, woodworking and getting out and about. Our dedicated team member Tony has taken on board our participants likes, interests and past skills to design the monthly program including projects and outings.
Our Social Support, Respite and Allied Health 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).
Our programs run Monday to Friday with half and full day options. A healthy morning tea and lunch are provided. Drop into the Healthy Living Centre 25-41 Arunga Ave, Norlane or phone 5222 7275 for more information about our programs.
SETTLEMENT
Lidel, Diana, and their children Emma and Elay arrived in Australia on 5/11/2024, filled with joy and hope as they prepared to celebrate their first Christmas with extended family.
Their journey was made smoother through the Community Support Program proposed by Cultura and generously sponsored by Diana’s sister and brother-in-law, who had migrated to Australia two decades earlier. This support provided essential assistance, including accommodation and job opportunities. Lidel, with nine years of experience at the Human Rights Commission, is determined to establish a fulfilling career in Australia. Diana, formerly an accomplished engineer, is excited about a career change that was not possible in her home country.Diana hopes to pursue a career in the pharmacy or pathology field in the near future.
Australia’s growing Assyrian and Chaldean communities reflect the government’s commitment to supporting minorities from Iraq. According to the 2021 Census, around 60,000 individuals proudly identify with Assyrian Neo-Aramaic and Chaldean NeoAramaic roots.
Hopeful for a brighter future, their children, Emma (six) and Elay (three), are thriving in their new environment. Emma was already attending school when Sara Mikho and Sulaf Omran from the Cultura Immigration team visited the family on 06/12/2024, marking another uplifting milestone in their inspiring journey.
Cultura Connect December edition
RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE
A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT CULTURA RESIDENTIAL
This year’s Christmas party at Cultura Residential was truly unforgettable. On a glorious day, the Piazza was transformed into an elegant, festive haven filled with joy, laughter, and a true sense of community. Guests delighted in a stunning spread of foods from all around the world, bringing diverse dishes and flavours to celebrate the holiday season. The air buzzed with music, smiles, and a very special Christmas spirit, encouraging attendees to enjoy a warm and welcoming atmosphere of the event.
At Cultura, we believe in the importance of building connections within a residential facility, bringing loved ones together and strengthening the bonds of our wonderful community. A big thank you to the 300 residents, friends, and families who attended and made the day so unforgettable. Your presence brought life to the celebration and reminded us all of the joy that comes from being together. May the New Year bring many more moments of togetherness and cheer!
