NSW Government funds teaching community languages

The New South Wales Government has made a significant re-commitment ($10.18m) to the teaching of community languages across the state.

In a video message to the Annual Gala Dinner of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools, the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said she was incredibly proud of the teachers, the volunteers, the parents and students of community language schools “because I know the importance of being a good citizen but also about being proud of one’s cultural heritage”.

“It is really incredible that around 600 community language schools exist across the state and it is really important that we as a State Government support you”, she said. dinner by Victor Dominello, Minister for Customer Service and Minister for Digital, and former long-term Minister for Citizenship and Communities, who announced the Government grant to loud applause.

The Premier, who learnt her own family language, Armenian, at a Saturday community language school, told the gathering that “being bi-lingual today has had enormous benefits and I’m proud of that fact”.

The President of the Federation, Lúcia Johns, welcomed the commitment which, she said, “would guarantee the continuation and expansion of the organisation’s important work right across the state”.

The Prime Minister, Mr Scott Morrison, also addressed the gathering in a message

She and the Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell, were represented at the

in which he paid tribute to the Federation for its “efforts and powerful work supporting tens of thousands of students as they develop a deeper connection to their family

heritage.

“Language and cultural literacy are ever more important in our increasingly connected world. For Australia, they are a vibrant and essential part of our national economy and fundamental to our vibrant multicultural project.

In thousands of ways, you help strengthen families and bridge the gap between the generations”, he said. The NSW Federation of Community Language Schools represents 250 member schools teaching 87 different languages to around 38 thousand students in 460 locations across the state.

Councillor Tony Bleasdale OAM Mayor of Blacktown City

Message from the Mayor of Blacktown City Indian Independence Day

As the Mayor of Blacktown City, I would like to send my warmest wishes to all members of our city’s Indian community on the occasion of Indian Independence Day. Blacktown City is one of the most multicultural cities in Australia, with our residents representing 180 nationalities and speaking 182 languages. It gives me great pride and joy to be Mayor of a great city where we have so many cultures, including the Indian community, which is one of our top 5 countries of origin. Indian Independence Day commemorates the nation’s independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947. I am extremely proud of the way our local Indian community has led the way during this difficult time through its many examples of kindness to others. Best wishes to all on this auspicious occasion.

Welcoming Cities Symposium

By Indranil Halder

Honoured to attend the Welcoming Cities Symposium 2021 at Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour as a guest of Sonia Ghandi from Gandhi Creation. A symposium developed in partnership with Department of Home Affairs (Australian Government) , NSW Government and Scanlon Foundation. The key objective is to identify areas of development for an Australia that can keep welcoming new migrants in the future.

Attended by Hon.Alex Hawk MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs address the delegates with Sneha Chatterjee, Regional Director(NSW/ ACT, Department of Home Affairs, Australian Government).

Welcoming Australia:

Welcoming Australia program was founded by Brad Chilcott, who was at the symposium with Chair Anthea Hancocks and Chief Executive Officer Aleem Ali. They talked about the program’s involvement over the last ten years. The program came into existence after 2010 toxic public debate of refugee and ‘asylum seeker’. Brad identified a necessity. Welcome Australia program came into existence. A fascinating time line of the program’s work was present in its celebratory brochure. The brochure highlighted many achievements including production of a show for the Adelaide Fringe Festival called Refugee Stories and Secret Recipes. Welcoming Australia program has grown tremendously with 56 members to represent 8 million people over last five years. In 2016, David Lubell ( Founder of Welcoming America) talked about the idea of ‘Welcoming Cities’ to 150 attendees in Melbourne Town Hall. Welcoming Australia is celebrating 10 years of its existence with the hosting of Welcoming Cities Symposium 2021 at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Welcoming Cities Symposium:

During Welcoming Cities Symposium 2021, some of the topics discussed with representatives from across various parts of Australia included communication, racism and strategies to help new migrants settle in Australia. South Australia or Queensland were identified by George Megalogenis (

Welcoming Cities Symposium 2021

author and Journalist ) possible states for future new migrants settlements as cities such as Sydney and Melbourne have reached population saturation. In Sydney, migrants from China, India and UK that tops the chart even though, Sydney suburbs of Blacktown, Liverpool and Parramatta are home to over 80 different nationalities. With nationalists from across the globe, the above mentioned suburbs are gearing towards diverse and multicultural communication for greater community engagements. While in Melbourne, migrants from India who are on the top of the chart. Molina Swarup Asthana from Melbourne (whose shoes have been featured in an exhibition titled : A Mile in My Shoes at the Australian Maritime Museum) also spoke on ‘Responding to Racism’ at the symposium. She highlighted the need for greater response to reduce racism in Melbourne. Last but not the least, implementation of strategies for new migrants seemed to be the key for Australia’s successful future. According to Molina,”The Symposium also brought together international, national and local policy-makers, researchers, business innovators and civic leaders to share, explore and discuss the challenges, benefits and opportunities of migration, settlement, cultural diversity and inclusion.”

Creating an inclusive Tomorrow :

Due to pandemic, the Australian migration may have temporarily stopped but the million dollar question is, how can Australia handle it better to welcome new migrants, once the boarder opens? The reasons for Australia to welcome new migrants are ageing population, significantly low birth rate and education system unable to produce required number of professionals needed to run Australia.

Welcoming Australia values the engagements and interactions with people across the country inclusive society. It has a great potential to sustainably run the country and settle skilled migrates. It is about belonging and bringing people together while listening and learning. It was great for me to learn that we are all thinking for an Australia where everyone has an equal opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive regardless of their culture, faith and sexuality. Such strategy will have a great impact to benefit Australia and her people and Welcoming Australia is definitely helping the process.

For more information visit : https://symposium.welcomingcities.org. au/

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WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FAMILY A HAPPY A HAPPY 75th

Indian Independence Day

Authorised by Michelle Rowland MP, Australian Labor Party, Suite 101C, Level 1, 130 Main Street, Blacktown NSW 2148

Michelle Rowland MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY

Level 1, Suite 101C, 130 Main Street, Blacktown PO Box 8525, Blacktown NSW 2148 (02) 9671 4780 Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au MRowlandMP www.michellerowland.com.au