ISSUE 17 | December 2021
CommenT with COMMUNITY MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTRE
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Hope on so many levels PRISCELLA MABOR UR interview was scheduled to take place at a local Indian Tamil restaurant in Parramatta. A last-minute switcheroo saw us rendevouz at a charming Indonesian eatery over chilli beef stir fries and extremely bitter iced coffees. I am with Parwin Taqawi and Conscila Emilianus, two women from very different countries and cultures. They also span a generation divide; Parwin from Gen Z and Conscila from the Baby Boomers Generation. I am here to find out more about generational differences–are they something that can divide and frustrate, or unite and foster shared learnings. We all know that when you were born, is as crucial as to where you were born and into what circumstances. Our attitudes, values and behaviours are very much shaped by what decade we grew up in. So migrant women from different generations could possibly bring a range of insights into a number of topics that guide our professional and personal choices. Conscila Emilianus and Parwin Taqawi. Parwin’s favourite foods are sushi, Pad Thai and Afghan kebabs. While portunities locally, Parwin’s ambitions and Conscila enjoys fire red fish curries, faluda imagination started percolating early on. but also fries. Will these two women who Conscila listens intently stirring her ice have barely met before, see eye to eye on cubes in circles. Conscila plays a key leaderanything. ship role with CMRC, and has moved from Parwin Taqawi secured a role with the frontline work in the refugee resettlement Community Migrant Resource Centre’s space to advocacy work with the Sri Lankan Youth Transition Support Program during Tamil community who have been living in the recent lockdown and one week after limbo on bridging visas for over ten years. the crisis in Afghanistan. She is currently completing a two-year Parwin is part of the great Hazara diresearch project with WSU, on the impacts aspora living in Australia. There are more of policy decisions for these women. Conthan 50,000 refugees who have resettled scila also arrived to this country when she in Australia over the last 15 years, with was young, in her 20s, as conflict raged in over 15, 000 being from the Hazara ethnic her homeland. She too knows the fortitude group. of women overseas and here. After coming to Australia as 12 year Parwin notices a brochure of Consciold, her family settled in St Clair. la’s project related to Tamil women and “My parents and siblings have now sewing. “ I grew up with relatives very moved to Melbourne as my father bought talented in sewing. Everyone knew how a business there. But I am here with my to sew. Uncle and his family. Conscila gasps: “This is the first time “Parwin graduated high school in St I hear this. When I think of sewing, I Marys. “It was at school that I started always associate this with our community, to involve myself in voluntary work and and other South Asian or Asian people. wanted to help refugee women.” I finished a Diploma in Sewing at home when I was young and my teacher lives in Seeing women in her family and comSydney now. “ munity who were able to ignite business op-
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Exchanging ideas about business Conscila has many sewing machines stored in her garage from a social enterprise project she led last year for Tamil women earning money selling masks. “I lost those sewing skills. In Sri Lanka you would just go shopping four times a year. For a birthday, wedding, Christmas and special occasion. So we sewed everything. Here, everything is ready made. So I only make saris for myself here. I have three daughters but I never made them clothes growing up. I wish so much I had. “ Parwin enrolled in a double degree at University in Business and International Studies. “I then decided with my best friend to combine sewing, fashion and an online retail business. We have started a new business called the Modest Fashion Outlet.” Parwin flicks open her phone to the Instagram Page. Now Conscila explains to Parwin that has three FB Accounts to manage each day. ““One for my family, one for overseas networks and one for my community work.” Parwin is impressed. Soon the two are exchanging ideas about the cost/benefit analysis of manu-
facturing clothing here or overseas. Conscila knows social media and retail but e-commerce and the world of influencers is new for her. Parwin explains: “We are going to pay social media influencers to do our marketing and product placement. We will only get those who have good engagement, not just those with the most traffic.” Conscila is surprised and likes what she is hearing, and double checks how old Parwin is. When Conscila calls her a baby , Parwin gently reminds her she is turning 20 in February. 2021 has been a big year for both women. While Parwin has been at uni and supporting her community in the wake of the crisis in Afghanistan in August, Conscila returned to tertiary studies. “After my mother passed away last year, there was a gap for me. So, I enrolled in my community management diploma with TAFE. The oldest student was 72 and the youngest 21. It has been amazing to complete that certificate. “ Now as we meet on the last day of Parliament sitting in Canberra, we decide to reflect on what the PM could be focusing on at the close of the year. Parwin wants more attention back on invisible barriers stopping women entering the workforce, such as overseas qualifications not being recognized here and difficulty for migrant women to secure local work experience. Conscila elects to focus on the plight of women from her community, marooned for years on temporary visas and being denied access to citizenship and the right to work. “We need opportunities. Language is not a barrier. There are so many capable women here, but why does it matter if their English is not perfect. We want acknowledgement for their talents and skills. Allow these women to live in this country and treat them as your family. “ As we exit the eatery to return to real life duties, I glance ahead and see the two women still talking feverishly. I am feel reassured that there is hope yet for generations to engage more on so many levels. There is no doubt that they will talk again and possibly look each other up on FB and LinkIn. Priscella Mabor is Inclusion Strategy & Innovations Manager at the Community Migrant Resource Centre. Visit www.cmrc.com.au
Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC) is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation established in 1996. CMRC is a leader in the provision of specialised support services to newly arrived migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants. CMRC works within a community capacity building framework to encourage individuals and multicultural communities to identify and address their own issues. It works in collaborative partnerships with a great number of agencies to provide services which have both an immediate and long term benefit for the community. CMRC employs over 60 full time, part-time and casual multi-lingual staff. Paramatta office Level 4, 1 Horwood Place Parramatta, NSW 2150 Ph: (02) 9687 9901 Monday – Friday: 9AM – 5PM
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