Townsville Multicultural Support Group

The TMSG office will be closed from Monday 23rd December 2023. We will re-open 9:00am Monday 30th December 2024. We extend our warmest wishes for a safe summer break to TMSG community. 

TMSG’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program says goodbye to 2024 on a high note by celebrating our last Graduation Ceremony for the year.   We had the pleasure of celebrating the success and hard work of 14 wonderful participants, who worked tirelessly for 10 weeks to obtain a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways. Under this program and in addition to this recognised qualification, participants will also receive support to develop resumes, cover letters, apply for jobs and explore further education opportunities aligned with their career goals, such as individual support, construction, commercial cleaning and nursing. TMSG would like to extend a special thank you to Aitkenvale State School for kindly allowing us to use their hall for this event and to ACE Community Colleges for your partnership in delivering this training under our program. From the team at TMSG, Congratulations to all graduates on your achievement and we look forward to continuing working with you. #SkillingQueenslandersforWork is proudly funded by the QLD government. Department of Trade, Employment and Training

TMSG is thrilled to share our recent collaboration with Refugee Health Network Queensland for the Multicultural Health Engagement Project (MHEP). Together, we co-designed three health educational videos for our local Central African Republic (CAR) community, with videos created in English, Sango and French. These videos deliver essential information about accessing healthcare services and calling ambulance services, equipping the Central African community with live-saving knowledge. A huge thank you to Queensland Health, Refugee Health Network Queensland, and Queensland Ambulance Service for their incredible support in making this initiative possible. TMSG welcomes organisations to partner with us to create valuable translated resources for multicultural communities. Building on our experience, we are proud to have previously worked with Townsville City Council to produce translated Disaster Ready resources, supporting community preparedness. Watch the videos here:  English: https://lnkd.in/ggwh3kxR  Sango: https://lnkd.in/gtxg3YtR  French: https://lnkd.in/gdsGnV3d 

Hello, my name is Sandi. Today, I wanted to share my story with everyone. When I was ten, my mother fled Myanmar due to the civil war. Seeking protection from persecution, she had to leave me behind with my grandmother and little sister. We were separated for 13 long years, during which I lived with the constant fear of violence and the overwhelming sense of insecurity every single day. In 2019, I was finally reunited with my mother in Australia. I am deeply grateful to now have a safe and happy life with her. While I miss my family and relatives in Myanmar, I know I may never return due to ongoing safety concerns. Determined to build a new life, I wasted no time after my arrival in Australia. Within my first year of resettlement, I completed training in business administration, with my placement at TMSG. My passion for helping others soon led me to become a support worker for newly arrived refugees. Shortly after, I transitioned into the role of a life skills training facilitator, where I helped newcomers learn essential skills to navigate their new lives. Recognising how many people needed support in securing housing, I applied for a full-time position as an accommodation officer at TMSG. Today, my team and I work tirelessly to assist newcomers in finding stable housing in Townsville. Despite facing many difficulties, I completed two degrees before arriving in Australia; a Bachelor of Business Management and a Master of Business Administration from Yangon University of Economics in Myanmar. Both degrees are recognized in Australia, and they have been instrumental in shaping my career. Currently, I am pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at James Cook University, further expanding my skills and knowledge to better support vulnerable communities. My journey has taught me the power of resilience and the importance of community. Today, I am honoured to use my experiences to help others find safety, stability, and hope as they build new lives in Australia.

TMSG is thrilled to accept a generous school supply donations from Annandale State School. The donations, aimed at supporting individuals from refugee backgrounds, will benefit primary, high school, and TAFE students in our community. These donations will ensure that students from refugee backgrounds will have access to the resources they need to succeed in their studies. The supplies were handed over to TMSG by the Annandale State School Captains. We sincerely thank Annandale State School for their generous contribution to supporting students from refugee backgrounds. As many students in the community navigate challenges of settling into a new country, these donations will play a crucial role in positively impacting their educational journey and helping them overcome barriers to success. #AnnandaleStateSchool

TMSG is delighted to introduce Mr Tai Kutin Gany. Originally from South Sudan, Tai is a proud member of the Nuer Community. Tai spent several years in Ethiopia and Kenya before arriving in Townsville in December 2023. Tai brings with him several years of experience within the school system and youth work in Africa; where he taught for several years in Ayod, South Sudan and was also a Youth leader and counsellor at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Tai places great value in education, and training, so when his Case Manager mentioned TMSG’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program he was very interested and requested to meet with the Program Coordinator. Tai recognised this program as a great opportunity to start his educational journey in Australia, and what better way than learning foundational skills to gain employment in the near future! Tai successfully completed a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways and engaged in one-on-one mentoring sessions with the Program Coordinator. Through these sessions, it was established Tai’s long-term goal is to become a fully qualified teacher in Australia, and to gain part time or casual employment that he can combined with further studies. Once these goals were established strategies were implemented to help Tai achieve them. At the time of writing this and thanks to the wrap around support provided by our Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program, Tai has achieved the below: ·      He has completed a Certificate II in Skills for work and Vocational Pathways. ·      He has secured a volunteer position at the Aitkenvale State School, where he helps teachers in class 2 days per week. ·      He has successfully started the Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies program at Central Queensland university. ·      He has secured a laptop to help him get through his studies, thanks to the generosity of LiteHause International. ·      He has secured casual employment as a commercial cleaner. This job allows Tai to continue his volunteer work at the school and his daytime studies, whilst earning an income and gaining work experience in Australia.   At TMSG we are very proud of Tai’s hard work and achievements and wish him all the best in his new endeavors.   #SkillingQueenslandersForWork is proudly funded by the QLD government Department of Trade, Employment and Training

Recently, Christina, a young child of one of our Humanitarian Settlement Program clients, expressed her gratitude in a heartfelt and beautifully crafted letter to one of our TMSG Accomodation Officer, Suren. Christina’s family arrived in Townsville two months ago, fleeing conflict in South Sudan and seeking a fresh start after spending time in Uganda. Like many refugee families, they faced significant challenges in finding long-term housing in the rental market. However, with the dedication of our fantastic Accomodation Team, the family successfully transitioned from short-term accommodation to a home of their own. At TMSG, our Accommodation Team provides vital support to newly arrived refugees. From managing temporary short-term accommodation upon arrival to assisting families in navigating the challenging rental market, their work ensures that families can begin rebuilding their lives with a safe place to call home. Navigating the rental market can be overwhelming for newly arrived families, who often lack local references, face language barriers, or have yet to secure permanent employment, but the team at TMSG work tirelessly to guide families through every step of the process. We are incredibly proud of Suren and the entire Accommodation Team for their commitment to supporting our clients during their most vulnerable moments. Their efforts help families like Christina’s not only find a house but build a home and a sense of belonging in their new community. Australian Department of Home Affairs #HumanitarianSettlementProgram

Hello everyone, my name is Koubra. I moved to Australia from the Central African Republic on December 20, 2019. As a mother of 10 children and the main carer for my husband, life has been very busy taking care of my beautiful family. However, as my children grew older, I decided it was time to focus on my own development and prepare to enter the workforce. I discovered the Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program offered by TMSG, which helps migrants and refugees prepare for the Australian workforce. I decided to join, and the training was invaluable, teaching me not only about the Australian work culture but also the importance of gaining qualifications to improve employment prospects here. Throughout the program, we learned a variety of essential skills for working in Australia. This included how to communicate effectively in the workplace, practicing job interviews, understanding incident report forms, and learning to interact well with colleagues and supervisors. The support we received from our teacher, the program coordinator Elena, and BSW was amazing. Even after completing the training, the support didn’t stop. Elena helped me develop my resume and apply for jobs. Before long, I secured a trial with a commercial cleaning company. The trial went well, and I was offered a casual cleaning position. This is my first job in Australia, and I couldn’t be happier! I’m meeting new people, learning new skills, and expanding my knowledge every day. This program has truly helped me build the skills I needed to enter the workforce, improve my English, and gain the confidence to take this step. I highly recommend it to other migrants and refugees seeking guidance in understanding the Australian workforce and securing employment or pursuing higher education. #SQW is proudly funded by the QLD Government Department of Trade, Employment and Training

We are excited to announce the latest round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work students, started their training on Tuesday, 1st October. As part of this program, we offer a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, specifically for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Click to read more below. https://lnkd.in/gZv-wAkX #SkillingQueenslandersForWork Department of Employment, Small Business and Training

TMSG was proud to be part of Queensland Community Alliance’s, Townsville Community Election Assembly, held on Thursday 10th October at Kirwan Uniting Church Our General Manager, Tra Nguyen, served as Assembly Co-Chair, alongside Rev. Esteban Lievano, Minister at Kirwan Uniting Church, and Crystal Falknau, Coordinator of the North Queensland Conservation Council A powerful moment of the assembly came when Adam Mahamat, a former TMSG client from the Central African Republic, shared his personal story, highlighting the urgent need for action on the housing crisis. Throughout the evening, attendees shared stories, proposed solutions, and negotiated outcomes with MPs and candidates representing the Townsville, Mundingburra, Thuringowa, and Hinchinbrook electorates. Key issues addressed included:  Housing Climate Thrive by Five Safe and Connected Communities. If you’re interested in learning more about the work of the Queensland Community Alliance or how you can get involved in future events and campaigns, please reach out to admin@qldcommunityalliance.org