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John Kamara, a migrant and refugee advocate who escaped war-ravaged Sierra Leone 19 years ago, has been named the Tasmania Australian of the Year for 2023. John started a new life in the island state after arriving as a refugee. He was on Friday recognized for his work assisting migrants, refugees and people from culturally diverse communities. The 38-year-old Kamara co-founded the Culturally Diverse Alliance of Tasmania and also the African Communities Council of Tasmania which makes efforts to build relationships between African Australians and the wider community. Kamara and his wife Mavis have also been instrumental in establishing Kamara’s Heart Foundation, a charity to assist children in Sierra Leone. Kamara is the member of many boards which help migrants with resumes in finding jobs and in looking for houses for them. They have also founded a community choir to share music of different cultures.
The mentees of the Mentor Me Reconnect Program at Holy Cross College graduated recently. This celebration was graced by the Program’s sponsors/partners, Cr David Lucas- Mayor of City of Swan and Calvin Nyarota, Jessica Shaw MLA, Lorna Harper MLC, Meredith Hammat MLA, Wilson Masika representative of Edith Cowan University, Karen Smith representative of Stanley College and the OACWA Vice President Admin & Finance, Casty Hughes , Christina Davini, the school teachers and MMRP mentors. The Queensland Government has announced it will build its first Holocaust and Education Centre, in Brisbane.About the Centre Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, “It will honour the legacy of those who faced awful atrocities.” She added that it will “ensure future generations do not forget.” According to the Premier, the $7.5 million project will be a “significant milestone in the state’s cultural history”.
continued from pg. 1 Australia’s assistance brings much needed relief to people of Kiribati
showed their appreciation of this very important initiative from Australia in supporting the Kiribati people especially on a remote island like Kanton during this drought period. Also, before returning to Tarawa, the team of officials had the chance along with island members of tasting the first clean water from the system. The island members were thrilled knowing that they are now able to get very safe and clean drinking water. The rich, diverse and enduring partnership of Australia and Kiribati was taken forward as a vast contribution of supplies and support to Kiribati arrived from Australia by sea and by air. Working in close partnership with the Government of Kiribati to sensitively and accurately determine priorities, the Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) “Reliant”, and the Royal Australian Air Force aircraft delivered five shipping containers of vital supplies for the country, as well as targeted support for small communities such as Kanton. The new ADV “Reliant” brought in many supplies as part of Australia’s overall $2.65 million drought package for Kiribati. The OSMOFLO Desalination Plant for Tarawa, jointly funded by Australia and New Zealand for Kiribati, is capable of producing up to 200,000 litres of clean, safe drinking water from seawater per day. It has also arrived with all critically needed equipment and fittings to strengthen the capacity to ensure continued access to clean and safe drinking water. And it has brought generators and a fuel tank to cover the Plant’s electricity needs. Two new trucks arrived along with hoses and pumps for water distribution in BTC and TUC. Additional elements of Australia’s drought and aviation support included: Community-level solar distillation systems distributed so far in Tarawa, Maiana, Tabiteuea North, and Kanton Island; water experts providing their time and expertise to assist with a wide range of water security and broader disaster management needs. Aviation support has also been provided through providing two X-Ray machines for the Kiribati Airport Authority, one for the Bonriki International Airport and one for Kiritimati Island – which also arrived on board the Reliant. Furthermore, arrival of a Royal Australian Air Force aircraft made it possible to bring in drought and aviation support to Kanton, including a community-level solar distillation unit, a weather station to support weather prediction abilities throughout Kiribati and the whole region, a review of the Kanton runway, as well as UNICEF water, sanitation and hygiene kits. All these new deliveries occurred with the support of key partners, the Government of Kiribati, key Ministries, Non-Government Organizations, communities, New Zealand and US friends.
Queensland Premier hosts reception for African community
The 2022 official parliamentary reception hosted by the Queensland Premier Anna aciaPalaszczuzuk MP and her government on 11 October at the Parliament House was the first of its kind for the African community in Queensland. Premier, Minister Leanne Linard MP -the architect of this historic event and all the ministers and MPs who supported it and turned up in large numbers including Treasurer Cameron Dick MP, Deputy Premier Steven Miles, Peter Russo MP and many other ministers attended the reception. The QPS Commissioner Katarina Carroll and QCS Commissioner Paul Stewart APM and all the other senior officials supported the community all along the event. The African community in Queensland was also thankful to CALD and indigenous leaders and elders, especially Aunty Peggy Tidyman and Aunty JanethDeen OAM for their support. The African community also thanked Senator Paul Scarr for coming to support them
AEFC executive members host Sydney Consul General
Members of the Australian Egyptian Forum Council (AEFC) executive welcomed Egypt’s Consul General to Sydney Mohamed Khalil at a small community dinner organized recently. Members expressed their hope for a fruitful collaboration with the Consul General that would serve the needs of the Egyptian community in Sydney and advance the good of the Egyptian people in Australia.
‘Africa Unites’, an event where culture meets class, will be organized on 10 December, 2022, from 5pm to 11.30 pm ACDT. This event is instrumental in extending the African continent to South Australia through this mind blowing gala which gives an opportunity to experience Africa in a unique manner. 5 regions, 54 countries, more than 2000 languages all will be under the same roof showcasing the splendour of the motherland while standing together united as one.
Nossal Institute to study telehealth’s role in India
The Nossal Institute at The University of Melbourne was awarded an AIC 2021/22 Grant to examine the role played by telehealth in India during the global pandemic, and from that build a new model of inclusive virtual healthcare and rehabilitation services called VirtuCare. The project will pilot and evaluate innovations among community-based development workers and selected health and wellness centres. Experts will then collaborate with industry partners to optimize the technology, and plan with existing government partners to expand VirtuCare to the national disability and health systems.
Australian livestock delegation visits Laos
The Australian Embassy, in collaboration with the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Lao PDR (Austcham Lao PDR), hosted a welcome reception for an Australian livestock delegation visiting Laos from 20-21 October. The function aimed at strengthening connections among the livestock delegation, businesses and alumni in the agriculture sector, senior Lao government officials, AustCham Lao and Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Representing the Government of Laos, Manothong Vongsay, Vice Minister of Ministry of Industry and Commerce attended the networking dinner while the Australian side was led by Dan Heldon, Chargé d’affaires at the Australian Embassy and Alistair Brown, president of AustCham Lao. The two-day visit program for the delegation included presentations from the Government of Laos, the private sector and development organizations, and site visits to Thanaleng Dry Port and two small-scale cattle farms supported by the New Zealand aid program. The delegation consisted of senior representatives from Meat & Livestock Australia, Cattle Council of Australia, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry , Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), and ANZ bank. The visit program is a successful outcome of close cooperation among the Australian Embassies in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. It was also another opportunity to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Laos.
