News

Qi Gong- Gentle Chinese Exercise for Those With Arthritis

Created: Thursday, 29 March 2012 12:22

For centuries, eastern cultures have practised various forms of stress reducing exercises, such as yoga and t'ai chi, but here's one that you may not have heard about - Qi Gong. Qi Gong (pronounced Chee-goong) has three main parts - exercise, meditation and massage. It's a great way to unwind, take some time out and indulge the body, mind and soul.

Visit the Better Health Channel website to learn more.

SBS Radio Programs In Other Languages On Your Mobile Phone

Created: Thursday, 22 March 2012 13:06

SBS have released a new mobile phone application called 'SBS Your Language', which gives listeners access to over 60 SBS Radio language programs anytime or anywhere, on an iPhone®, iPad, iPod touch and Android.

Features of the SBS Your Language app include:

• Live 24/7 radio program streaming of SBS Radio One, Radio Two, SBS PopAsia and SBS Chill
• Program catch-up: every program is available for 7-days on-demand
• Podcasts featuring interviews and features
• Schedule information
• On screen Program reminder notifications

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Share Your Culture and Food at Work - A Taste of Harmony

Created: Tuesday, 20 March 2012 15:40

A Taste of Harmony is Australia’s biggest celebration of cultural diversity in the workplace. From the 19 – 25 March, thousands of Australians will swap their pens for a plate and explore the rich cultures and flavours that make up their workplace.

Funded by the Scanlon Foundation, workplaces are asked to register and then organise a lunch or afternoon/morning tea and encourage workers to bring a dish that represents their cultural background or from a culture they might not have tried before. At the event workers are encouraged to share stories of their cultural background.

Given Australia's 22 million people come from more than 230 different countries we know there are plenty of great dishes to introduce and stories to share.

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It's Cultural Diversity Week!

Created: Tuesday, 20 March 2012 15:32

(Photo Source: Victorian Multicultural Commission Website)

Victoria's 10th Cultural Diversity Week will run from 17 to 25 March 2012. Cultural Diversity Week is an opportunity for Victorians to come together to share aspects of their culture, faith and language and celebrate the benefits multiculturalism brings to our State. 

Throughout the week, a host of vibrant public events will showcase Victoria’s rich diversity through film, cuisine, sports, forums, cultural performances, arts and crafts, and many other cultural delights. This is a great time to support community harmony, celebrate our rich cultural diversity and to promote mutual understanding and respect.

Visit the Victorian Multicultural Commission website to find out more about the events happening during the week, including the Viva Victoria Festival on 25 March at Federation Square.

Generous Donor helps older Italians suffering dementia

Created: Wednesday, 14 March 2012 15:52

The preparation of homemade pasta, bottling olives and repairing old tools are just some of the activities proposed to encourage elderly Italians with dementia to reminisce about their past and be actively involved with their carers. Northcote businessman Michael Bonadio has generously donated $50,000 in memory of his mother Giovanna Bonadio, enabling Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) to run a program for Italians with dementia

Mr Bonadio is very passionate about raising awareness and providing services for people with dementia in the Italian community. "I've observed an increase in dementia in the Italian community and have been impacted personally with the death of my mother. I encourage my fellow Italian community members to consider donating to this program or to put forward their own ideas to address this growing issue," said Mr Bonadio.

Visit the Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre website to read more.

Good Practice Forum for Aged Care and Carer Support Workers

Created: Wednesday, 14 March 2012 15:30

The Migrant Resource Centre (Eastern  Melbourne) Community Partners Program (CPP) will host a good practice forum for aged care and carer support workers in the EMR.  The aims of the forum are to assist service providers to increase their understanding of what is culturally competent practice in service provision to CALD carers and how to achieve this in their organisation.

The forum will highlight how services and workers support CALD carers in policy development, planning, resources and the delivery of culturally appropriate services (referral, intake, assessment, care planning, etc.) for carers. Good practice examples from local service providers will be shared.

The forum will be held at 9.30am to 1.30pm on Thursday 10th May 2012 at Waratah Room, Whitehorse Civic Centre, 379-397 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading  

For further information please contact Linda Tan on 9275 6906 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PICAC NSW and Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra Inquiry into Multiculturalism

Created: Wednesday, 14 March 2012 12:49

The Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI)  together with PICAC NSW participated in the governments National Inquiry into Multiculturalism, providing a voice for communities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The government’s new Anti-Racism Strategy and NSW multicultural legal and policy framework was explored when the federal Migration Committees inquiry into multiculturalism met in Sydney on Thursday 23rd February 2012 at the Masonic Conference Centre in Sydney.

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