Multicultural Australia is excited to introduce Culturability Accreditation, designed to promote cultural diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This new workplace accreditation provides a comprehensive and authentic approach to diversity and inclusion, allowing organisations to demonstrate their commitment to creating a sense of belonging for both their staff and customers.
According to CEO Christine Castley, Culturability Accreditation has the power to revolutionise the way we work by creating workplaces that are equitable, inclusive, and welcoming. “Through rigorous consultation with our clients, partners, and community leaders, we have created an affordable framework that allows organisations to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals and communities.”
Designed for businesses of any size from any sector, accreditation is based on five standards and includes assessment and journey support to help organisations increase their cultural capability and create a meaningful sense of belonging for everyone they engage with. As Ms Castley notes, “The standards are critical in creating a safe and welcoming organization where all people feel a sense of belonging.”
Discover how Culturability Accreditation can transform your organisation by visiting www.culturability.com.au
Multicultural Australia is dedicated to changing the conversation on cultural diversity and social cohesion across the country. With a mission create belonging to promote and celebrate diversity in all its forms, Multicultural Australia offers a wide range of services, including settlement support, employment assistance, and community engagement programs.
Multicultural Australia will create welcome for refugee and migrant communities in Springfield with a new community centre at the Brisbane Lions’ Brighton Homes Arena.
CEO of Multicultural Australia, Christine Castley, said the community centre has the potential to make a significant difference in the local community.
“The community centre will become a space for Springfield residents from refugee and migrant backgrounds to access services and support that will help them feel more connected and cared for,” she said.
“We work to build communities where all people feel a sense of belonging. A part of achieving that is to create spaces for people to connect with those in their community and explore opportunities to engage with the wider community. Our new community centre will make that possible in Springfield.”
“The programs we run will be tailored to meet the needs of the community, with a focus on education and empowerment.”
Greg Swann, CEO of the Brisbane Lions, said the state-of-the-art venue will create opportunities for women and the multicultural community in AFL.
“Brighton Homes Arena is the best of its class for women’s sport in the country and will go a long way in helping the growth of women and girl’s footy in Queensland,” he said.
“Having the Multicultural Australia Community Centre at Brighton Homes Arena is significant because it caters to the needs of the region’s growing diversity and helps individuals and families from multicultural communities feel at home in a space that is dedicated to footy.”
The community centre is the latest addition in a fruitful partnership between Multicultural Australia and the Brisbane Lions.
Find out more about the Brighton Homes Arena: https://www.lions.com.au/brighton-homes-arena/our-home
Multicultural Australia welcomes the Government’s announcement allowing thousands of refugees to apply for permanent residency.
Home Affairs Minister, Clare O’Neill, announced 12 February 2023, that over 19,000 individuals on a temporary protection visa (TPV) or safe haven enterprise visa (SHEV) will be eligible to apply for permanent visas from 14 February, with majority able to apply from late March 2023.
Multicultural Australia CEO, Christine Castley, says the announcement will allow affected individuals and families to make substantial strides in their settlement journey.
“This announcement brings hope to the individuals and families impacted by TPVs and SHEVs – many who have lived in uncertainty for years but have waited patiently and made a contribution to our society,” Ms Castley said.
“Affected individuals will be able to make their connections to Australia permanent and engage in family reunion pathways – a significant step in finding a sense of belonging.”
Under the new rules, eligible applicants would need to have arrived in Australia before the start of the border protection operation launched in 2013, or who hold or have applied for a TPV or SHEV before 14 February 2023.
Once granted a permanent visa, individuals will have access to Services Australia, the Higher Education Loan Program and Commonwealth Supported Places, sponsor family through the Migration Program, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme; and will be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
‘We are committed to working with community leaders and members to provide direct support and connect to key services” Ms Castley said.
Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk and Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman have announced that the Queensland government will be introducing a bill to strengthen Queensland’s Racial Vilification Law. The announcement sends a clear and compassionate message to our multicultural communities that their voices have been heard.
Multicultural Australia welcomes the news, as a member of the Cohesive Communities Coalition which has been a major advocate on this issue for many years. We look forward to the introduction of the bill in March 2023.
Proposed changes include increasing penalty to serious vilification from six months to three years, moving the offence of serious vilification from Anti-Discrimination Act to the Criminal Code, introduction of ‘Circumstance of Aggravation’ which identifies offences motivated by hate and therefore requires heavier penalties and further strengthening the ban on hate symbols and propaganda such as Nazi symbols.
Christine Castley, CEO of Multicultural Australia and Co-Chair of the Cohesive Communities Coalition, is pleased that recommendations tabled by the Parliamentary Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee in its report on hate crime and serious vilification will be fully implemented to better protect our CALD communities from harm. The Cohesive Communities Coalition’s advocacy for changes to Queensland criminal laws follows many years of working in community to respond to experiences of hate and serious vilification by many of Queensland’s diverse ethnic and religious communities.
“These reforms will strengthen Queensland’s justice system for the benefit of all Queenslanders to ensure the acts of violence experienced by our migrant communities are treated as they truly are – serious crimes. The increased penalties not only reflect the severity of damage that racially motivated acts do to victims, but also the gravity of the danger it poses to all Queenslanders. Today’s announcement demonstrates the power of what can be achieved when members of the Queensland community from diverse background come together to advocate for a better world for all,” Ms Castley said.
“Diversity is our strength and protecting our most vulnerable from racially-motivated acts of hate means there will be systems in place to protect everyone from any form of hate-driven crimes.”
According to the latest survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 1.1 million Queenslanders were either born overseas or have parents who were born overseas.
In January 2021, Multicultural Australia as co-chair and member of the Cohesive Communities Coalition, tabled 17 key recommendations following many years of working in community to respond to experiences of hate and serious vilification by many of Queensland’s diverse ethnic and religious communities.
Learn more about the recommendations here
The Queensland Government is extending Multicultural Australia’s Diverse Queensland Workforce (DQW) funding to connect more employers with jobseekers from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Di Farmer, Minister for Training and Skills Development, announced additional funding of $5.5 million towards the program, with delivery extended to Rockhampton, Townsville, and the Sunshine Coast. Multicultural Australia is one of seven providers funded as part of the program.
“I’m pleased we are continuing the Diverse Queensland Workforce program and expanding it into three additional regional centres in Queensland to support employers in providing more employment opportunities to migrants and refugees throughout the State,” Minister Farmer said.
“DQW builds on Multicultural Australia’s strong track record of delivering support and employment pathways for our newest Queenslanders.”
Multicultural Australia began delivering the program in late 2021, with hubs set up in three Brisbane communities – Woolloongabba, Inala, and Redbank Plains – and in Toowoomba.
With support tailored to each participant’s individual needs and learning styles, clients have access to employment workshops, mentoring and coaching, assistance in getting overseas qualifications recognised, communication training, language and literacy workshops, work experience and networking opportunities.
Multicultural Australia’s Program Manager of Employment Services, Carla Zafiriadis believes the one-stop-shop approach of the program is its greatest asset.
“We provide participants with referrals to a wide range of specialist supports to address potential barriers to employment as well as career coaching sessions, employability workshops and opportunities to connect with a wide range of employers. Our service model is delivered as a wrap-around client-centred approach,” Carla said.
“We are pleased that the program has provided us a platform to have conversations with employers on how to access a talented and diverse workforce. Supporting participants as well as employers throughout the process is important for the success of the program and for participants to achieve sustainable and meaningful employment.”
To date, Multicultural Australia has provided employment and training services to 120 clients, with 99 already securing work.
For Multicultural Australia CEO, Christine Castley, the additional funding will open doors for new Queenslanders to participate in the workforce.
“The Diverse Queensland Workforce Program has already demonstrated success in supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds to gain employment,” Christine said.
“Expansion of this program will help more people find meaningful jobs – supporting our mission to create welcome for all Queenslanders.”
Nataliya Borulko, originally from the Ukraine, arrived in Queensland in March this year, and joined the DQW program in May. Having already studied and gained work experience in her home country, Nataliya made use of career planning and overseas qualification sessions, received support in writing her resume and cover letter, and conducted mock interviews with her employment consultant.
After assessing her options and mapping out her career aspirations as part of the DQW program, Nataliya decided to study a Certificate in Liberal Arts at the Australian Catholic University.
She has engaged with two more Multicultural Australia career programs since, having participated in the Work & Welcome program where she completed workplace experience with Queensland Rail, and Shaping Your Future, a career mentoring program that partners clients with mentors in a wide range of Australia’s leading organisations.
After completing her placement with Queensland Rail, Nataliya was offered a permanent role.
For Nataliya, the wrap around support she received from Multicultural Australia helped her navigate the Australian job market with ease.
“Multicultural Australia helped me understand everything. Without the help I received, I wouldn’t have been able to apply for the job that I’m now doing. We need organisations like Multicultural Australia – they are doing great work,” Nataliya said.
Now in its 16th year, LUMINOUS is one of Queensland’s largest welcome events, capturing the imagination of Queenslanders with its spectacular use of light to symbolise hope and create welcome for new Queenslanders.
The LUMINOUS Lantern Parade is now an iconic event on the annual Queensland events calendar, held in conjunction with Queensland Day to celebrate Queensland’s birthday and our unique culture, heritage, people, places and industries.
The spectacular lantern procession will begin at Flowstate, South Bank, winding its way on a short and symbolic walk down the promenade taking in the sites of the city skyline.
The Parade ends at the South Bank Piazza for a vibrant World music concert, with the lanterns bathed in the luminous light symbolising welcome and hope for many people from all over the world, especially our newest Queenslanders.
LUMINOUS attracts supporters from across the community including all levels of government, corporate and community organisations.
Indigenous elders, migrant and refugee communities, service providers, education and training providers, church organisations, schools, various stakeholder groups and the wider community also walk in the Parade or participate in a range of LUMINOUS satellite events.
This year Multicultural Australia will feature LUMINOUS in the Neighbourhood across Brisbane and in Toowoomba and Rockhampton, spreading the message of welcome across Queensland.
Download your LUMINOUS poster here.
LUMINOUS Lantern Parade commences at 6pm from Little Stanley Street, with the World Music Concert commencing in the South Bank Piazza at 6.40pm.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available, click here to find out more.
Multicultural Australia thanks our major sponsors:
Register your interest to stay in touch for further event details.
Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Multicultural Australia have joined forces to create the MOSAIC Multicultural Choir, bringing together individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds to rehearse, learn more about each other’s cultures, and spread joy through song.
The MOSAIC Multicultural Choir was launched at Multicultural Australia’s MOSAIC Festival at Roma Street Parklands on Sunday 18 September. Participants were invited to a choir taster workshop under the tutelage of well-known Brisbane choir master Yani Mills.
Yani has been directing choirs since 1993 and manages to mix a healthy combination of musical learning, fun and a thriving social community in her choirs.
A group of 22 singers, diverse in singing ability, came together for the hour-long workshop, starting with body and voice warm-ups. The group then sang Shosholoza, a Ndebele folk song that originated in Zimbabwe, and gained popularity in South Africa. Sung by Ndebele all-male migrant workers in South Africa’s mines during apartheid, the song is often referred to as South Africa’s second national anthem.
The result was an endorphin and immune boosting experience. One participant, dressed in beautiful Zulu attire, joined the session late after hearing the song in the distance. She was excited to hear a song from her country being performed in a public space in Brisbane.
Christine Castley, CEO of Multicultural Australia, is excited about the line-up of engagement opportunities the choir will take up over the coming year.
“The choir will take up performance opportunities throughout the year at key QPAC and Multicultural Australia events including the Multicultural Australia Christmas Celebration, Songs of Hope and Healing, MOSAIC festival and more,” Christine said.
“We are excited about the opportunity to showcase Brisbane’s multicultural voices and the connection that music brings to communities.”
Rehearsals commence on Thursday 6 October – 6pm arrival for a 6.30pm start – at Multicultural Australia’s Community Centre (28 Dibley Street, Woolloongabba). Rehearsals run for 10 weeks – until and including Thursday 8 December, and no previous experience is required. We ask participants to commit to this ongoing weekly rehearsal time so we can continue to build on a cohesive sound.
Please complete the expression of interest: https://bit.ly/MOSAICChoir2022
Brisbane-based home chefs from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Somalia, Sudan, and Ukraine shared their stories and recipes at an exclusive MOSAIC pre-event at the Multicultural Australia Brisbane office on Monday, 29 August.
The home chefs will take the stage at MOSAIC, Queensland’s largest multicultural festival. Now in its sixth year, the event boasts more than 70 stalls and activations, a packed line-up of music, dance and cultural performances, and interactive cooking demonstrations – showcasing the cultural diversity of Brisbane in one setting.
The Rock around the Wok cooking demonstrations are a highlight for many festivalgoers, creating a space for Queenslanders of diverse cultural backgrounds to connect through food.
Egbal Mostafa, a home chef participating in MOSAIC’s Rock around the Wok cooking demonstrations, will be preparing tamia, a light and fluffy Sudanese falafel.
“Tamia is made with chickpeas, capsicum, garlic, and onion. It’s a very popular dish. In Sudan, we’d usually eat it for breakfast,” said Egbal.
A prized recipe that’s been in her family for generations, making tamia helps Egbal feel more at home in Australia.
“I learned to make tamia from my mother – and my mother learned to make it from her mother. I feel proud that I’ve carried something from my country to Australia. In 2018, my kids had an international festival at their school. I made tamia and everyone loved it. I felt so proud to cook Sudanese food for lots of people.”
For Lida Daliri, a longstanding Community Engagement Worker at Multicultural Australia and Rock around the Wok MC, the cooking demonstrations at MOSAIC help our migrant and resettled refugee cooks feel a sense of belonging as they see the interest members of the wider community have in learning about their culture.
“It’s amazing to see the sense of pride our chefs feel in being able to share their culture with the wider community. The demonstrations aren’t just about food. The audience get to experience the music, dance, and traditional dress of our chefs. It’s such an amazing insight,” said Lida.
Christine Castley, Multicultural Australia CEO, sees MOSAIC as a chance for Queenslanders of every background to take pride in our growing diversity.
“We have so much diversity in our city and in this country – nearly one-third of our population were born overseas. That’s what makes an event like this so important. It’s a powerful statement about our commitment to our multicultural communities. By showcasing the food, arts and cultures of our migrant and refugee communities, we’re celebrating the changing face of the society we live in,” Christine said.
See our five home chefs in action at MOSAIC, on Sunday 18 September at Roma Street Parkland.
Register to receive updates: www.multiculturalaustralia.org.au/mosaic2022
The unique and shared lived experiences of resettled refugees was the focus of Our Journey, a Multicultural Australia event celebrating the courage, spirit, and intimate stories of refugees.
Hosted at La Boite Theatre, the event included performances from Sunday Luate-Wani, Persian Trio, Rich Virsa Bhangra Group and Samoko Jayo.
Youth Member of Parliament and Human Rights advocate Fahima Ahmadi shared her story of only being able to spend four months of her life in her motherland – Afghanistan – and how the Taliban takeover has affected her.
“As a young Hazara refugee, I have been impacted by the downfall of Afghanistan, and I hope that I can help you connect to my story through my personal experiences as a refugee,” she said.
“Before coming to Australia, due to the restrictions we had in Iran, we had to travel to Afghanistan. We had to obtain passports, and from the time we arrived in Kabul, I gained an unexpected sense of comfort.
“I relive all my memories about Afghanistan everyday so that I wouldn’t forget them, and now that the Taliban have taken over my country, I miss it even more.”
The feelings of love and loss Fahima expressed were told from another perspective, with the screening of the Academy Award nominated documentary, Flee, that followed the performance segment.
A moving story about an Afghan family dealing with trauma and the resilience of the human spirit, Flee tells the story of a refugee man confronting his past as he prepares for his future.
The event concluded with a panel discussion hosted by Multicultural Australia CEO, Christine Castley, where resettled refugees shared their stories of losing home and finding home.
For Christine, the event was an opportunity for people to get an insight of the lived experiences of our refugee community.
“It was a privilege to share this documentary with an audience of more than 200 people who now have a greater appreciation and understanding of the complex journeys of our clients and staff at Multicultural Australia.”
Special thanks to our MCs, Nila Monawarim and Fardowa Yussuf, and our sponsors, Brisbane City Council and La Boite Theatre.
Iconic Brisbane Festival Proudly Celebrates Queensland’s Diverse Cultural Communities
Multicultural Australia announces the return of its iconic MOSAIC Multicultural Festival, an unmissable celebration of Queensland’s diverse communities, taking place inside Roma Street Parkland on Sunday 18 September.
For the first time, Multicultural Australia’s MOSAIC is delighted to be included in the Serenades program as part of the Brisbane Festival. Brisbane Serenades is the beating heart of the festival and MOSAIC’s vibrant contribution of multicultural performers offers an exciting celebration of Brisbane’s diversity.
MOSAIC 2022 is expected to be one of our biggest turnouts yet, offering attendees the chance to come together, learn about other cultures, and create lasting bonds with one another.
In full spring bloom, the Parkland will set the stage beautifully for MOSAIC’s eclectic program that celebrates the Sunshine State’s multiculturalism through dance, music and the arts, a range of family-friendly activities, and a smorgasbord of mouth-watering dishes.
From dancing with some of South-East Queensland’s best performers, international drumming workshops and Rock Around the Wok cooking demonstrations, through to interactive games and music classes for the kids, MOSAIC promises something for all ages.
“MOSAIC is one of Brisbane’s most iconic celebrations of multiculturalism, bringing together people from all walks of life through a shared love of music and food right in the heart of our beautiful city,” says Multicultural Australia CEO, Christine Castley.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for Brisbane communities to come together to try something new like cook a different cuisine or take part in a drumming circle, learn more about the diversity of our neighbours, friends and family, and showcase our city’s commitment to creating a safe, welcoming place for all cultures.
“The festival aims to foster greater relationships and shared understanding between cultures by putting the unique stories and contributions each individual and community brings, front and centre.
“At this year’s MOSAIC Festival we are delighted to welcome back Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento, who helped us launch the first MOSAIC Festival in 2017, we can’t wait for their infectious energy!”
“We can’t wait to see Queensland’s vibrant mosaic of people take over the Parkland this Spring as we make this year’s MOSAIC our greatest to date!”
MOSAIC Multicultural Festival is a family-friendly event presented by Multicultural Australia, supported by Suncorp, Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council.
The festival will run from 10.00 am – 5.00 pm on Sunday 18 September.
This is a free event, but we encourage registration to get the latest updates. Find out more: https://www.multiculturalaustralia.org.au/mosaic2022
For media enquiries please contact Stanton Dunn, Communications and Marketing Manager on 0493 291 699 or stantond@multiculturalaustralia.org.au
Multicultural Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today.
As the world’s oldest living cultures, we recognise that Australia always has been and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.
We who come from many places pay our respects to Elders throughout all time and commit to learning from the knowledge, traditions, stories, spirituality, and experiences of Aboriginal people as we learn to live on their land.
We walk together in solidarity of the pain of the past, and in shared hope for the future.
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