News

Ramadan about to commence for Muslims worldwide

Created: Thursday, 19 July 2012 11:40

The holy month of Ramadan commences for Muslims in Australia on Friday 20 July, and is a time for Muslims worldwide to fast from dawn until dusk.

A religious tradition dating back to 624 AD, Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam that every Muslim must endeavour to observe or fulfil. It involves abstaining from food, drink, smoking and other pleasures to achieve greater self-discipline, self-purification and compassion for those less fortunate.

Each day, the fast commences with an early breakfast an hour or two before dawn. The fast is broken at sundown, and due to the different lunar sightings in different regions around the world, fasting dates and times vary from country to country, and change each day.

Ramadan concludes this year on Saturday 18 August in Australia. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the feasting month, and Muslims are obliged to pay a prescribed amount of money to the poor and disadvantaged. It also includes Eid prayers in the morning, festive meals, gift giving and visiting family, friends, the sick and the elderly. 
Information sourced from the Islamic Council of Victoria (www.icv.org.au)

First release of 2011 Census data now available

Created: Friday, 13 July 2012 15:50

Australian Bureau of Statistics has annouced the first release of data from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Core demographic data are available through the online Census products such as QuickStats and Community Profiles.

Visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics website for more information

2011 Census confirms Victoria is a multicultural state

Created: Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:11

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, the Hon Nicholas Kotsiras MP, has welcomed the first release of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data which has highlighted the changing nature of Victoria’s multicultural society. For further information on the Census, please see the ABS website.

Cultural Diversity in Ageing 2012 Conference - more photos added

Created: Thursday, 05 July 2012 14:47

We have added more photos to the gallery of the Cultural Diversity in Ageing 2012 Conference: Stories to Inspire!

See below for a sneak peak or click here to view the entire photo gallery.

Online Interpreter Booking Form on TIS Website

Created: Thursday, 05 July 2012 14:35

Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS) National have announced a new online form for booking interpreter requests.

There are several benefits to using the online forms to submit your interpreter booking requests to TIS National including:

• Interpreter booking request is conveniently accessible and quick to complete.
• Ensures all of the information currently required by TIS National to process your request is included.
• Automatically records all request details in TIS National's systems, ensuring no manual entry errors are made.
• Helps TIS National's systems work efficiently, assisting booking officers to promtly register and process requests.

The Onsite and Telephone Interpreter Booking Forms can be accessed from the TIS National website at www.immi.gov.au/tis

Australian Greek Welfare Society Latest Newsletter

Created: Tuesday, 03 July 2012 10:23

The Australian Greek Welfare Society has produced their latest newsletter- Hellenic e-newsletter, June 2012 edition. 

Topics include:

• Greek Carers in Geelong;
• Greek Carers and their Centrelink Issues;
• Sleep Matters Workshop in the Northern Region;
• Supporting our Greek Residents;
• Supporting Gippsland Aged Care and Health Professionals;
• Family law Information Sessions;
• Dealing Effectively with Stress;
• Emotions and Anxiety;
• Engaging with Greek Speaking Elderly;
• Community Education on the Safe and Wise Use of Medicines;
• Elder Abuse/Intergenerational Issues Forum;
• Volunteers - Every One Counts;
• Greek Cancer Support Group;
•  Greek Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs.

Read the newsletter here

Aged-Care Plan Promised for Culturally Diverse Australians

Created: Thursday, 28 June 2012 11:59

The Federal Government has announced its intention to release a plan that specifically caters to the needs of older Australians from diverse backgrounds.

Minister for Ageing Mark Butler said at the ‘Cultural Diversity in Ageing’ conference in Melbourne that he plans to release a “CALD specific aged care strategy” before the end of the year.

“The [strategy] we currently have was written in 1995 and almost two decades on I think it's beyond time for us to update it, and make sure that it meets the needs and challenges of the 21st century,” Butler said.

The new strategy will aim to assist older people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) to stay in their homes longer.

The Federal Government has announced its intention to release a plan that specifically caters to the needs of older Australians from diverse backgrounds.

Minister for Ageing Mark Butler said at the ‘Cultural Diversity in Ageing’ conference in Melbourne that he plans to release a “CALD specific aged care strategy” before the end of the year.

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