Yarra Settlement Forum Blog

The Yarra Settlement Forum (YSF) was established in or around 1999 as a sub-committee of the The Yarra Ethnic Communities' Council (YECC). With the folding of the YECC in 2003 the YSF has continued as a network providing a forum for settlement providers in the CoY. Since 2001, through the Refugee and Asylum Seeker project, which was funded by CoY, the YSF has been under the shared leadership of North Yarra Community Health (NYCH) and CoY.



Purpose of the blog:

The Yarra Settlement Forum blog is intended to be the means by which members of the Yarra Settlement Forum communicate electronically, in addition to email. Anything that is related to the YSF or which members would like to inform others about, is material that is relevant to the blog.



However, it some main purposes including:

Building relationships between YSF members through enabling more frequent communication.

Notifying and keeping members informed of what is happening in the community, practically when it comes to settlement related issues.

Being a means to reflect and react about the effectiveness of the Yarra Settlement Forum, and allowing members to report back to the Forum about changes they would like to see to the YSF to make it more effective.



Minimum commitment expected:

Posting on the blog does not require a significant time commitment. However, as the blog is intended to be a collection of consistent and useful information, it is important that members see their participation in the blog as a part of their commitments to the Yarra Settlement Forum. It is expected that if members have any information that they would like to share with other members of the YSF, they do so via the blog.



It is also expected that members make every effort to make sure they are able to use the blog including liaising with their employer about the need to access the blog site, and undoing training on how to blog.



Code of Conduct:

To maintain trust and ensure the blog is used in an appropriate manner, it is important to:

Respect individuals, community members and/or service providers.

Never identify individuals, community members or services in a defamatory manner.

Make it clear in opinion pieces that the views expressed are yours alone and do not necessarily represent the views of your employer or the rest of the YSF.

Keep private issues and topics private, since discussing private issues can jeopardize personal and work relationships.

Disclose conflicts of interest.

Acknowledge and correct mistakes promptly.

Reply to emails and comments when appropriate, and do so promptly.



Consequences if policy is breached:

If you have any questions about what is appropriate to include in your blog it is important that you ask the administrator – Melinie Ridge, co-facilitator of the Yarra Settlement Forum as any breach of the policy will result in your blog being deleted an/or your membership to the blog being revoked.

How to post to the Yarra Settlement Forum Blog
Step 1:
Open internet browser and go to: www.yarrasettlementforum.blogspot.com
Step 2:
Right click on the sign in link (top right hand corner) and click open in a new window.
Step 3:
Sign in using your newly created Google account (unfortunately this is necessary).
Step 4:
Once you've logged into Blogger you'll see your Dashboard, showing your list of blogs. Click the blue “new post” icon to create a new post.
Step 5:
Next, you’ll see the page for creating a new post. Start by giving your post a title (optional), then enter the post itself
Step 6:
When you're done, click the "Preview" link to make sure it's ready to go
Step 7:
Once you're satisfied with your post, click the "Publish" button. This will publish your new post


Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Yarra Gives - opportunities to volunteer or donate

Many local organisations are looking for opportunities to volunteer or donate – and they are looking for them on YarrraGives.

Make sure you list your community organisation so that you too can benefit from these opportunities. To do this, go directly to YarrraGives and sign up there.

Yarra Gives is an initiative of the City of Yarra, in association with Our Community, to encourage and support giving in the Yarra community and to assist community groups with fundraising. Yarra Gives is the practical place to explore all the ways you can help your local community, by donating, volunteering and giving locally.

For Community Groups: Register to start collecting online donations - a FREE service offered by the City of Yarra.
For Donors: Search for a Yarra community appeal that you would like to donate to - you can give online or by phone, fax or mail.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Re: Don’t dump new arrivals in towers. Steve Price, Herald Sun, May 4, 2010

The members of the Yarra Settlement Forum take strong exception to tone and content of Mr Price’s article।


Mr Price’s visit to Atherton Gardens Estate in Fitzroy lasted an hour। He appears to have spoken to two residents, including “Reg”, who apparently does not enjoy living there and, presumably, invited Mr Price into the building where he lives. It is not clear whether Mr Price actually entered a flat; he writes only of laundries and stairwells. He sees some residents of the building; most of those he sees are apparently from Africa and he concludes that they are the dominant group. Otherwise, he relies entirely on “Reg” for the information on which he bases his opinion of the estate.


It is a pity that the only statistic given by “Reg” that Mr Price seems to have checked is the report of 26 Somalis living in one flat; he admits that neither the Minister for Housing nor his own observations confirm this figure, but takes the trouble to repeat “Reg’s” assertion।



“Reg’s” reliability as an informant can be assessed immediately by the misinformation he presents about the Anglicare Centre in Napier Street। There is no soup kitchen there; food parcels are given out, but only to holders of pension or health care cards, and each recipient is entitled to and receives no more than eight parcels a year, under Commonwealth legislation. Records are strictly maintained and anyone who attempts to subvert the system loses their entitlements.


It would be interesting to know if Mr Price made any attempt to speak to any other of the approximately 2000 residents of the estate, or to the very active Atherton Gardens Residents Association about their experience of living there। Did he check any of the information “Reg” gave him with the Office of Housing?


Here are some relevant facts:
· There are approximately 2000 residents, living in 800 flats, in four 20-storey blocks. Of this number, around 30% are Vietnamese, 15-20% are Chinese and 15% are from Africa. The balance consists of smaller numbers of people of many ethnic backgrounds, including Anglo-Australian.
· While there were serious problems some years ago with security, the Neighbourhood Renewal Program run by the State Government from 2002 to 2009 has led to major renovations of the buildings, both of individual flats and of the public areas, including entrances; this upgrade has provided much improved security, with much tighter control of access to the buildings.
· All residents have computer access in their flats and there is also a very well-used computer hub in the community meeting area.
· The Neighbourhood Renewal Program has created employment opportunities for residents through the development of the Community Contact Service, which trains and employs residents to work as concierges at the entrance of each building. The service is managed by the Brotherhood of St Laurence, and is an outstanding example of cooperation between a local community agency, residents and the government.
· Every second year since the start of the Neighbourhood Renewal Program, the University of Melbourne has conducted a survey of 300 residents to discover their attitudes to living on the estate. Their answers have been increasingly positive.
· There are no plans to develop more gardens or basketball courts।


In any community of 2000 or so, there will inevitably be disagreements from time to time, but what is remarkable about Atherton Gardens to those of us who have spent a lot more time there than Mr Price has, is how harmonious the community is overall. To suggest, as he does, with no evidence to support his view, that “these people” are being “dumped” in public housing towers (a phrase conjuring up images of silos) because “we” are “flushing them into the country” would be laughable if it did not pander so obviously to the bigotry of some against anyone wishing to settle and contribute to life in a multicultural Australia.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Clever Ideas Forum

18 May - Selling FAST!Date: Tuesday 18 May, 2010Time: 9am-1pmVenue: Seminar Room 1, City Library, 253 Flinders Lane, MelbourneCost: $40 inc. GST per person ($20 inc. GST for VCOSS Members).
Need help with strategic planning, graphic design, marketing, websites, sorting out your tax status, running an event, speakers at an event, mentoring or HR advice?Come along to Clever Ideas 2010 and hear more about what can be achieved, how to get started and tips on how to ensure the best outcomes.

Listen to goodcompany’s tips on how to scope skills gaps in your organisation and how to write an effective job description to appeal to the right volunteersDiscuss your clever idea with skilled volunteer brokers who can assist your organisation to access an appropriate skilled volunteer, including goodcompany, Great Connections, Leadership Victoria, PilchConnect, Skill Share (supported by Oxfam Australia) and Volunteering VictoriaLearn how to access university students from Monash University.
Feedback from participants who attended this session previously: “Helped to get you thinking of ways to do those things that you constantly put aside because of time, finances and expertise” “Great concepts, ideas. Showed pitfalls to look out for.” “Quick, punchy and informative” “Helped greatly with shaping an approach to accessing skilled volunteers” Register now: www.vcoss.org.au/clearinghouse/clearinghouse%20docs/FLY_100401_CleverIdeas.docFor more information please email kate.johnson@vcoss.org.au

Invitation to History of Railway House Publication Launch

Wednesday May 12, 2010

The North Carlton Railway Neighbourhood House (Railway House) is pleased to invite you to the launch of The History of Railway House publication on Wednesday May 12th from 12.30 to 2pm (including a light lunch).

The ‘History of Railway House’ publication uncovers and records the story of Railway Neighbourhood House which, as identified by author and historian Jeff Atkinson, is ‘an important part of the fabric of Melbourne’s history’.

The old railway station building has stood where it is for over 120 years now, serving the local community in various ways. It has witnessed technological change, personal tragedies, political struggles, resident actions, community and family celebrations, and the formation and operation of a vibrant community centre. It does indeed have a proud history.

Join us to celebrate our community with the launch of this important and engaging publication, featuring guest speaker (and author) Jeff Atkinson.

3ZZZ Radio call for programs

05 May 2010
Community Radio 3ZZZ invites Ethnic Communities who wish to make radio programs for broadcast into the greater Melbourne and surrounding areas to apply to the station.
Radio 3ZZZ is the largest ethnic community station in Australia. Located at 92.3 on the FM radio band, 3ZZZ started broadcasting on a regular basis in June 1989. The Studios are located at 1st Floor, 144 George Street, Fitzroy and the station is heard across the Melbourne metropolitan region, as far as Geelong to the west and Macedon to the north. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, it is estimated that more than 400,000 people listen to 3ZZZ every week.The station can now be heard across all Australia and the rest of the world through internet broadcasting.
For more information phone (03) 9415 1928 during business hours or by email to manager@3zzz.com.au
www.3zzz.org.au

National Celtic Festival

11 June 2010 - 14 June 2010
Newcombe St, Portarlington
Cost: Varies
The National Celtic Festival is held annually over the June long weekend in Portarlington, Victoria. It is Australia's largest and most diverse celebration of Celtic culture. Every year festival-goers enjoy a huge array of national and international acts.

Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival

15 May 2010 - 16 May 2010
Federation Square and surrounds
Proudly presented by Fo Guang Shan Melbourne (FGS) and Buddha’s Light International Victoria (BLIA VIC), the Festival runs over two days (15th & 16th May) in the heart of Melbourne, at Federation Square. The Festival commemorates the birth of the Buddha, one of the most significant days of the Buddhist calendar, and highlights and promotes cooperation, community understanding and harmony in our inclusive and culturally diverse community. The Festival incorporates the traditions of Buddhist ceremony including the 'Bathing of the Buddha', daily Dharma ceremonies, the Wishing Bell and traditional incense offerings; a vegetarian culinary tour of Asia along the River Terrace and cooking demonstrations; cultural dance and performances from around the globe; cultural demonstrations in BMW Edge; music; art and craft, community service groups providing information and assistance; and special activities and programs for children at ArtPlay.

RISE Festival

23 May 2010 (3-6pm)
BMW Edge Building, Federation Square
Refugee Survivors and Ex-detainees festival featuring Westridaz hip hop, Gulius Kogoyo Capoeira dance, the Social Studio fashion show, Pataphysics, the Liberian Choir and lots more. Hosted by comedians Aamer Rahman and Nazeem Hussain of Fear of a Brown Planet.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Future of Live Music

Yarra City Council is hosting an open forum to discuss the issues facing Yarra’s vibrant live music community. The panel will feature a cross section of the music community including representatives from community radio, Fair Go 4 Live Music and Music Victoria. Discussion will be moderated by Victoria Marles. Make your voice heard and help find a way forward to keep live music in Yarra rocking into the future.

WHEN:
Thursday 6 May 2010, 6.00pm – 8.00pm
WHERE:
Reading Room, Fitzroy Town Hall,201 Napier Street, Fitzroy
ENTRY:
Free
CHAIR:
Victoria Marles – CEO, Trust for Nature (former Legal Services Commissioner and former Chair of Circus Oz)
PANEL:
Adrian Basso – community radio (PBS)Zvi Belling – Public Opinion Afro OrchestraCr Jane Garrett – Mayor, Yarra City CouncilLiam Matthew – The Old BarTim Northeast – Corner HotelJon Perring – Fair Go 4 Live MusicBruce Phillips – Director City Development, Yarra City CouncilKirsty Rivers – Music Victoria

Health Issues Centre (HIC)

Join the Health Issues Centre Consumer Register
and help influence Government Policy on health
issues
Health Issues Centre (HIC) encourages
all Victorians to have their say on
health issues and to contribute their
experience, knowledge and ideas to
improving health care in Victoria.
CALD women are encouraged to apply.
Where can I go to get more information?
For further information about the programme,
please contact Nicky Barry
n.barry@healthissuescentre.org.au
or phone 9479 3222.

Humanitarian Crisis Hub- Training

The Humanitarian Crisis Hub invites community
groups advocating for human rights in war and
conflict to a series of free workshops and evening
presentations designed to promote discussion and
networking, and improve their practical activism
skills and outcomes:
Introduction to Human Rights
When & where?
Tuesday 27 April, 5:30pm - 8pm
Mezzanine, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane
Using Online, New and Alternative Media for
Campaigning
When & where?
Saturday 22 May, 11am - 4pm
Hayden Raysmith Room, Level 4, Ross House, 247
Flinders Lane

Funding for Community Youth Events

Community events, aimed at building strong
relationships between young people from
disadvantaged areas and their families, will be
funded across the country through a new
Australian Government initiative - Think Family,
Think Community. $400,000 will be available to
fund local community-based events like music
festivals, sporting events, family BBQs, fashion
parades, or car shows during 2010. 20 nongovernment
organisations across Australia will be
invited to apply for one-off grants of $20,000 for
events or activities which have a youth and family
focus.

Innernorth Foundation

Community organisations in Darebin, Moreland
and Yarra are invited to apply for grants of up to
$15,000 to support projects that help local people
on their pathway into work. Organisations must be
endorsed as charitable institutions and projects
must benefit people in Melbourne's Inner North.
Applications close Mon 24 May 2010.
Visit: www.innernorthfoundation.org.au/grants

City of Yarra- Emerging Issues Grants –

These grants are awarded every two years as part
of Council’s wider Community Grants Program,
providing local not-for-profit organisations with up
to $35,000 per year to implement community
projects.
This year, Council is targeting the grants to
organisations that work to improve the health and
wellbeing of people in the community. Applications
close 26 May 2010.
Visit:
www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Community/Grants

Spectrum Seeds for Growth

new fund launch by Spectrum to support
communities in the Northern Region. There are 3
categories: Events, Leadership and Stephanie
Lagos Innovative Solutions. To find out if you are
eligible, visit our website or contact Spectrum’s
Community Engagement Facilitator Carlene
Lamanna on 9496 0250.
www.spectrumvic.org.au/Settlement-Family-
Services5/Assistance-to-Ethnic-Community-Groups

Fitzroy Market this Saturday May 1st - get amongst it!

Fresh organics, old skool vintage, live art & live music...its all GO at this month's Fitzroy Market.
WHEN: This Saturday 1st May, 10am - 2pm (and the first Saturday of every month )
WHERE: Fitzroy Primary School, corner Napier & Chapel Street Fitzroy (Melway Ref 44 B4)
Get your week's worth of fresh fruit and veg from CULTIVATING COMMUNITY and help support low income community gardens projects in the City ऑफ़ Yarra ....www।cultivatingcommunity.org.au.
Grab a bargain at Rita's fabulous plant stall (they're lush, fresh and cheap).
PLUS all the usual goodies at nearly 50 stalls filled with hand made, second hand, vintage and recycled treasures ... plus great coffee and yummy treats for a brekkie & lunch.
*** Your gold coin entry donation goes to FITZROY LEARNING NETWORK'S Refugee Support Program and FITZROY PRIMARY SCHOOL's Kitchen Garden Project fund ***
MAY'S MARKET ALSO FEATURES:
The folk and country vocal stylings of Teresa Dixon (from local trio Little Sister's of the Poor)
Melbourne-based indie-folk violin & guitar duo Aristotle's Chimney, playing dynamic
traditional & contemporary music infused with celtic, gypsy and roots elements.
Ukele action from Melperthian Claire Hollingsworth, playing whimsical फोल्क
pop and "Songs from the Hill" (co-written with students from
Brunswick North West Primary)
Local busker Mark Nunan's emotionally-charged folk rock combined with cunning pop sensibilities.
Live Art (while you wait!) from Ero

Please walk, cycle or get public transport – don’t drive! There is no public parking for patrons, and the environment will thank you.


www.fitzroymarket.com

with community partners:
www.cultivatingcommunity.org.au
www.fitzroylearningnetwork.org.au
www.fitzroyprimaryschool.vic.edu.au




Contact Fiona Newton at fitzroymarket@hotmail.com for more info.

African Men’s Group

Meeting and meal to organise weekend away

Thursday 6th May, 6.00 pm at Fitzroy Learning Network, 198 Napier St, Fitzroy, (directly opposite Town Hall, next to the park)

At this meeting we will organise our weekend trip to Shepparton.

The trip will be on Friday 21st May to Sunday 23rd May.

Please come along to the meeting, sign up for the trip and bring your $20 payment. $20 will cover all food, accommodation and transport for the whole weekend.

Contact:
Tony Brewin 0414 181 438
Matoc Achol 0401 209 004
Deidre or Colleen Fitzroy Learning Network 9417 2897

African Parent Workshops – Talks In

Sacred Heart School, Fitzroy
Tuesday 11 May
Tuesday 18 May
Tuesday 25 May
Tuesday 1 June

Starting at 1.30 - 3.30pm

Lunch is provided at 1pm.

Dinka, Nuer, Arabic interpreters

Child care available.

GRANT GUIDELINES 2010 PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT GRANT ROUND

The Inner North Community Foundation is a community-based foundation that funds community projects in Melbourne’s inner northern region (the communities of Darebin, Moreland and Yarra)।

The Pathways to Employment Grants Program supports projects that enhance the job prospects of men and women who live in Darebin, Moreland or Yarra and are having difficulty finding employment. For more information on the Inner North Community Foundation, visit our website www.innernorthfoundation.org.au GRANTS PROGRAM PURPOSE To support projects that improve people’s chances of finding a job. Funded projects must benefit people who live in or around Melbourne’s inner northern region (Darebin, Moreland or Yarra). ELIGIBILITY FOR FUNDING Applicants must be organisations that:

Work in or are based in Melbourne’s inner northern region (i.e. within the municipalities of Darebin, Moreland or Yarra),
Organisations must also be endorsed as a Charitable Institution by the Australian Tax Office (if this is your first application to us, please attach your notice of charitable endorsement). Organisations are not required to have DGR status.
N.B. Previous grant recipients are required to ensure they have submitted their final evaluation report and financial acquittal before any new applications will be assessed. TARGET AUDIENCE & PURPOSE Grants are available to support projects that assist people in Darebin, Moreland and Yarra to overcome barriers that are stopping them from getting a job. These barriers must be clearly explained in the grant application and your application must show how your project will help to overcome these. Projects are generally aimed at people between 14-25 years old, however projects that assist people older than this have been funded in the past and will be considered. In assessing grant applications, the Board considers a range of factors, for example how the project will improve people’s ability to find a job, whether government funding is already available to support this kind of project and whether the organisation applying for the grant is appropriately equipped to deliver the project.

In our 2009 grant round we received many more applications than we could fund. We expect this year to be similar and therefore ask all organisations to discuss their project idea with the Development Officer (Trudy Hairs – 8689 1967) before completing an application form. This will ensure that you do not waste time with an application that may be ineligible or outside of our focus. WHAT WILL NOT BE FUNDED In general, the Inner North Community Foundation will not fund the following:
Projects that do not meet our funding purpose (i.e. are not linked to employment and employability)

Projects that are based outside of Melbourne’s inner northern region (i.e. Darebin, Moreland, Yarra)

Individuals, ‘for profit’ organisations, sports clubs, government bodies, political parties or their candidates

Capital works (e.g. buildings, cars), direct service provision and conferences
Personal expenses (e.g. living, educational, travel etc)

Retrospective funding, i.e. for projects that have already started or have been completed

BUDGET Organisations can apply for projects of any amount up to $15,000 either for a stand alone project or as part of a larger co-funded project. Grants distributed last year ranged between $10,000 - $15,000. CLOSING DATE Applications must be received no later than Monday 24 May 2010.

HOW TO APPLY

Follow these four easy steps to apply:

1. Call the Development Officer to discuss your project (Mon, Tues, Wed on 8689 1967)
2. Download and complete an application form at www.innernorthfoundation.org.au/grants
3. Email your completed application to thairs@innernorthfoundation.org.au no later than Monday 24 May 2010
4. Post 1 signed hard copy of the application plus your organisation’s Annual Report and proof that you are endorsed as an Income Tax Concession Charitable Institution. The posted copy can be received after the due date, as long as we have received your email application by Monday 24 May.
We will acknowledge receipt of your application by email within one week. If you do not receive an email confirmation, please contact us immediately. Note: incomplete applications cannot be assessed. 3
CONTACT – note our details have changed
Telephone: Trudy Hairs Development Officer (Mon – Wed) 8689 1967
Postal Address: Trudy Hairs Inner North Community Foundation PO Box 2109 Preston Victoria 3072

Skills and Training Program for Community Groups

Skills and Training Program for Community Groups
May to October 2010

Yarra City Council has a number of training sessions for local not-for-profit community groups and organisations.

The six sessions will provide free and practical advice to staff, volunteers and committee members to help community groups raise money, plan for the future and lift their profile in the community.

Session One: Fundraising
Wednesday 5 May, 6pm - 7.30pm or
Thursday 6 May, 7.30am - 8.45am (repeat session)
This session will provide an overview of the strategies you can put in place for successful fundraising. Learn about the different ways you can find money for your group.

Session Two: Winning Grants
Wednesday 2 June, 6pm - 7.30pm
This session provides answers to your grantseeking questions. Learn the secrets of successful grant writing and increase the number of grants you can apply for without pushing yourself into an early grave!

Session Three: Planning for your organisation’s future
Wednesday 7 July, 6pm - 7.30pm
All groups, whether large or small need to plan for their future. Find out about the tools to effectively develop, implement and monitor your group’s progress and stay focused.

Session Four: Getting the best out of meetings
Wednesday 4 August, 6pm - 7.30pm
Meetings are a fact of life. Learn how to get results from your meetings and make them effective, timely and enjoyable. Learn about the different roles in a meeting, minute taking and troubleshooting difficulties.

Session Five: Raising your group's profile
Wednesday 1 September, 6pm - 7.30pm
Often seen as an aside, marketing is integral to raising the community’s awareness of your group. Find out how you can reach potential new members and old friends, and generate extra support for your group without costing you an ‘arm and a leg’ in time and effort.

Session Six: Knowing more about your community
Wednesday 6 October, 6pm - 7.30pm
Make use of Census and demographic data to improve your group’s effectiveness. This is an easy and free way to target your programs and activities to members of the local community.

All sessions will be held in meeting rooms 1 & 2 at the Richmond Town Hall, 333 Bridge Road, Richmond.

For further information or to book your place in one or several sessions, contact Nina Collins, Community Planner.
Download a copy of the Skills and Training Program brochure. or visit www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Community/Grants/Index.asp for more information.

Nina CollinsCommunity Planner - Grants
City of Yarra PO Box 168 Richmond 3121T (03) 9205 5146 F (03) 8417 6666E nina.collins@yarracity.vic.gov.au W www.yarracity.vic.gov.au