SNAP happy youth promoted multiculturalism and diversity in Launceston Civic Square on Monday for National Youth Week. Migrant Resource Centre youth committee member Grace Williams, 17, said a greater multicultural society in Launceston could effect change for the better. Read…

WHEN Amira Younan and her family arrived in Melbourne in 1992, the refugees who fled war-torn Iraq had almost nothing. On day one in their Coburg home they had no furniture, no beds or kitchen equipment, and were in a…

Canada is accepting increasing numbers of refugees despite its government imposing tougher conditions on asylum claims. Two years after the Ottawa government tightened up its asylum process, acceptance rates have continued to grow for refugees. According to new statistics almost…

The life that has led 33 year old Maalek Bobakraad to Noble Park in Melbourne’s south east has not been an easy one. Bobakraad was born in Isfahan, in central Iran, the son of an army pilot and commando. A…

Newly arrived migrants and refugees are benefiting from the federal government’s Work for the Dole (WFD) scheme which provides crucial exposure to, and experience of, Australian workplaces, according to a leading settlement agency. Despite criticism of the scheme from academics and…

A former student from the 2014 Youth Program at St Albans has just been recruited by the Western Bulldogs as a part time Settlement Services Assistant. Amy Vy will be helping to deliver the Western Bulldogs’ settlement services, primarily the…

An African women’s network supporting new arrivals facing abuse is proving so successful it’s opening its arms to migrant women from all cultures. Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/03/10/my-sisters-keeper-womens-network-supporting-new-migrants-facing-abuse

BEING born on a sinking boat as the child of refugee parents is an experience that tends to shape your world view. Nam-Ha Quach’s arrival in 1979 was a momentous one, with his parents fleeing Vietnam in a rickety boat…

Bunnings’ Hoppers Crossing store provided a free DIY workshop for AMES’ Karen clients in their own language. Five clients attended the session at which AMES student Jonathan Shwe acted as interpreter. Jonathan said that the participants enjoyed the session and learnt…

​Four AMES client families have received bicycles that were generously donated to the children by bike charity Good Cycles. Ten children from asylum seeker families living in Melbourne’s west picked out their bikes and were fitted with helmets and safety…

Victoria’s new governor plans to put social inclusion and diversity will be high priorities for her in the role. Former magistrate and judge Linda Dessau will become the 29th Governor of Victoria when she takes over from present governor Alex…

SOME came as refugees by boat, others flew here. But there is no argument that Melbourne has been profoundly changed by the arrival of thousands of Vietnamese people. Read more: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/years-on-vietnamese-community-says-thank-you-australia/story-fnii5smp-1227218835151