* Promoting and Facilitating Unity in Diversity* Marlborough Migrant Centre Newsletter ‘’ December 2012
* Promoting and Facilitating Unity in Diversity *
December 2012 Newsletter We are open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 2pm: Marlborough Migrant Centre Marlborough House, 21 Henry St, Blenheim. Phone: 579 6410 Email: mmc@marlboroughonline.co.nz Web: www.marlboroughonline.co.nz/mmc Welcome to our Last Newsletter for 2012 Spring, the time of new beginnings and the opening of opportunities, has slipped into Summer. Summer is the time to celebrate the successes of the past year and spend time with family and friends. Just as the flowers open at the new warmth of the sun, so, too, can you. "Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun." Author: Kahlil Gibran Summer at the Marlborough Migrant Centre is our time for planning our big festival event of the year, the Marlborough Multicultural Festival, which will be held on Saturday 2 March 2013 in Pollard Park from 11am to 4pm. The festival celebrates Race Relations Day (21 March) in NZ, with the theme this year being “My Dream for Aotearoa New Zealand”. Margaret Western, Marlborough Migrant Centre Fieldworker and Marlborough Newcomers Network Coordinator, has had a very busy year organising many events and assisting migrants and newcomers to Marlborough. Margaret is gathering a team to work on the Marlborough Multicultural Festival, on Saturday 2 March 2013, so if you are interested in helping, then please contact Margaret: cellphone 022 657 9018, office phone 579 6410, email marlborough@newcomers.co.nz . Remember that it is time to join as a member of the Marlborough Migrant Centre: Come in to the office and sign up for a year for only $5. Keep up with events and happenings for 2013. However, before the Festival Season and 2013 starts, it’s time to take a well-deserved break and enjoy the sun, surf and fun of Marlborough.
Please note that the Marlborough Migrant Centre office will be closed from Monday 24 December and will reopen on Monday 14 January 2013. If you have an urgent matter, then please contact Margaret on 022 657 9018. She will be checking her phone regularly over the holiday season. Your MMC Coordinator, Katrina Fahey
*One Community – Many Faces*
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Marlborough Migrant Centre December 2012 Newsletter
Photos from the 2012 Multicultural Festival, on Saturday 10 March 2012 Photos by Trevor Dennis
'One Community - Many Cultures' Multicultural Festival 2012 Photos taken when the migrant communities took the stage at Pollard Park for a day of fun in the sun. The festival, celebrating the diversity of talents and people who now call Marlborough home, featured music, dance, and a variety of ethnic foods enjoyed by the large crowd who attended. Looking forward to the next one on Saturday 2 March 2013!
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Marlborough Migrant Centre December 2012 Newsletter
Marlborough Migrant Centre Chair’s Report 2012 AGM The last year has been a busy one for the Marlborough Migrant Centre, and for me personally. At the last AGM I took on the chair’s role for the first time the same evening my wife Rosimeire went into hospital to have labour induced, and our daughter Anna was born the next day. The 2012 Marlborough Multicultural Festival was the first time in the six year history of the event that weather resulted in the event being postponed, however the enormous amount of work put in by the MMC Fieldworker, Margaret Western, to reschedule the event led to a decision by the committee to cancel future festivals rather than postpone due to the weather. In spite of this, the festival was a great success, and I believe has become firmly established as a celebration of ethnic diversity in Marlborough. In a time of global economic uncertainty, and tightening of government purse strings, MMC has done well to make it through another year with all major funders including the Ministry of Social Development, Marlborough District Council, Lotteries Grants, Canterbury Community Trust and others maintaining support. Inevitably, all government expenditure has come under intense scrutiny, and MSD is no exception, so it is not entirely unexpected that MMC has been given notice that there is unlikely to be further funding from next year from MSD. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Claire Nichols, Brigid Ryan, and Ann Dysart from MSD who have worked so hard to keep the Settling In program going so long under difficult circumstances over the last few years. The hard working, dedicated Settling In team have been a pleasure to work with. While on going funding will be a concern for the new committee, and will determine the level of service MMC can offer, I’d like to encourage everyone to take heart from Nelson. The Nelson Multicultural Council was formed before the Settling In project that led to the creation of MMC, and they successfully ran projects for many years before there was any large scale government involvement, so regardless of any decisions made in Wellington, I expect MMC to be around for a long time to come serving the Marlborough community Not having to be concerned about funding has given MMC an opportunity to become established, however now the organisation has a track record in the community, it is in a good position to stand on its own feet. Going forward, it will be crucial to continue to engage with the community in different ways, and particularly with the local business community, making a case for multiculturalism in a globally connected world. The needs in the community today are different to what they were six years ago, when virtually any able bodied person who stepped off a plane could find work in the vineyards and other manual work. Today, there are far fewer new migrants, but ‘globalisation of romance’ means there are a growing number of mixed ethnicity families in Marlborough (my own included), and plenty of internal migrants due to major events like the Canterbury earthquakes. There is the risk that people can become isolated and Marlborough Newcomer’s Network, run by the MMC Fieldworker is a crucial service to ensure people who are not well established feel welcome and a part of the Marlborough Community. Keeping people connected and helping them become well-adjusted is a proactive approach that ultimately reduces the risk of isolated people becoming distressed or depressed and requiring mental health services or other support, and the very modest costs involved are likely to be far lower than providing an ‘ambulance at the bottom of the cliff’ response. Unfortunately there is still racism alive and well in the community, as evidenced by a recent letter to the Marlborough Express suggesting all foreigners should pack up and go home now that the economy is tight. People who are legitimately in NZ and happen to get caught up in economic events beyond their control have as much right to respect as anyone, and it’s important that MMC continues to advocate for migrants. Sadly, a few migrant people do abuse the system, however encouraging them to do the right thing before they become a statistic and provide fuel for racism and discrimination is also important, and I’m pleased to be able to confirm that our fieldworker has been able to achieve positive outcomes in several such cases. The IAC Awareness training that has been run over the year has been a good way to raise awareness and help train people to think in a multi-cultural context, and it’s been great that the MMC has received recognition for this, and to see the number of organisations sending people to the training.
I’d like to thank the staff, Katrina and Margaret and the committee for this last year. It’s been full of challenges, and the coming year is likely to be even more challenging, particularly in relation to finance, however I believe MMC is here to stay, and has an on-going role to play in the Marlborough Community. Chris Cookson, Chairperson
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Marlborough Migrant Centre December 2012 Newsletter Join the Marlborough Newcomers Network! It’s FREE to join! Call us, email us or come in to see us. Phone: 022 657 9018 or (03) 579 2460 Email marlborough@newcomers.co.nz
A Note from the Fieldworker Hi, my name is Margaret and I am working as Fieldworker for the migrant community. I also coordinate the Marlborough Newcomers’ Network Coordinator. I believe the Marlborough community is enriched by the culture and customs migrants bring and am passionate about my role helping newcomers settle well. My work as Fieldworker is a role I particularly enjoy. I work in the community promoting unity in diversity and offering support to migrants with settlement needs and priorities. I am available for home visits and welcome the opportunity to provide practical support to individuals or families to assist them with the challenges of successful resettlement and integration into the Marlborough community. If you think I could help you I would welcome a telephone call. Please telephone / text me on phone 022 657 9018 / office 579 6410. Alternatively send an e-mail to marlborough@newcomers.co.nz.
Margaret Western, Fieldworker / Newcomers’ Network Coordinator Continued Support from Zonta Marlborough Zonta is an international service organisation for women whose aim is to raise the status of women through service and advocacy. Annually a group is selected as their local cause and in both 2012 and 2013 it is the Migrants Centre/Newcomers Network. In 2012, their financial support enabled us to run seminars for migrant women to support them strengthen their families and assist their successful resettlement in the Marlborough community. Planning for 2013 is underway.
Connect with us. The Marlborough Newcomers Network is on Facebook! Look up our page and click the ‘Like’ button.
Newcomers Network Event Saturday, 22 December, 5.00pm to 8.00pm - End of Year Family Pot Luck Dinner Where: St Andrews Church Hall, 5 Henry Street, Blenheim. Bring your family and friends, and a traditional food dish from your country to share. There will be a Guest Speaker and entertainment. Child care will be available for children in a safe environment. $1 donation towards costs of hall hire would be appreciated.
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Marlborough Migrant Centre December 2012 Newsletter
NEWS! Congratulations to the Marlborough Newcomers Network: Marlborough Newcomers' Network - Winners in the Trust Power Community Awards 2012: Regional Winner under the Health & Wellbeing category announced at the Awards Ceremony held Tuesday 30 October 2012.
Photo credit: Trustpower Community Facebook page. Left to Right: Trustpower Community Relations Manager Graeme Purches, Margaret Western (Coordinator of the Marlborough Newcomers' Network), and Marlborough District Mayor Alistair Sowman.
Marlborough Newcomers' Network - Winners of 2012 Innovative Provider Award presented at Adult Learners Week National Launch Ceremony, held 3 September 2012.
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Marlborough Migrant Centre December 2012 Newsletter
International Volunteers Honoured as part of International Volunteer Day 5 December 2012: Volunteer Marlborough presented Volunteer Bouquets to four international volunteers. Ligia Chaves of Brazil (right), pictured with Deb Remacha, Manager of Volunteer Marlborough, was presented with a bouquet by Volunteer Marlborough in honour of being a valuable volunteer with the Marlborough Migrant Centre and Marlborough Newcomers Network.
Nat Moran of Thailand (left) and Miwa Berry of Japan (right) were recipients of bouquets from Volunteer Marlborough as valued volunteers with the Marlborough Migrant Centre and Newcomers Network.
Fadia Muhssen of Jordan (right), pictured with Deb Remacha, manager of Volunteer Marlborough, is another very valuable volunteer with the Marlborough Migrant Centre and Marlborough Newcomers Network. All three volunteer bouquet recipient photos credit of Volunteer Marlborough.
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INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAMME The Marlborough Migrant Centre was presented with a Certificate of Acknowledgement on Friday 4 May 2012 recognising successfully adopting the Office of Ethnic Affairs IAC programme in Marlborough. Pictured are Margaret Western (MMC Fieldworker/ IAC Trainer), Katrina Fahey (MMC Coordinator/ IAC Trainer) and Anne Barrer (IAC Coordinator and Trainer). Specific Services and Projects Offered through the Marlborough Migrant Centre include: - Marlborough Newcomers' Network - International Women's Group - Migrant Wellbeing Working Group - Annual Multicultural Festival - Intercultural Awareness and Communication training - Social Events for Migrants and Newcomers - Advocacy for Migrants - Interpreter Database
For more information contact: Marlborough Migrant Centre Marlborough House 21 Henry St, Blenheim Phone: 579 6410 Email: mmc@marlboroughonline.co.nz
Information on the Interpreter Database: The Marlborough Migrant Centre holds a database of interpreters which is regularly updated. The interpreters on this list cover 40 different languages, although most have no formal interpreting qualifications. All of the interpreters on the database kept at the Marlborough Migrant Centre undergo a police check and most have completed ethics training. The Languages that are available for Interpretation include: Afrikaans, Arabic, Cantonese, Cebuano, Czech, Danish, Farsi, Fijian, Foochow, French, German, Hindi, Hiri Motu, Hokkien, Ilonggo, Italian, Japanese, Kiribati, Korean, Latvian, Malay, Mandarin, Norwegian, Polish, Portugese, Punjabi, Rarotongan, Russian, Samoan, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Thai, Tokelauan, Tok Pisin, Tongan, Tuvaluan and Urdu. (Countries include the Philippines, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and so on.) We are regularly contacted by organisations, agencies, businesses, schools and members of the public who require interpreters. Interpreters who have registered with the Human Resources (HR) Department at the hospital can receive payment directly from Wairau Hospital. Interpreters who provide interpreting services to the Justice Department (the Courts) receive payment from the Justice Department. Please contact the Marlborough Migrant Centre for more information if you require interpreting or translation services, or if you would like to be on our Interpreter Database. How to find us: Marlborough Migrant Centre, Marlborough House, 21 Henry St, Blenheim - on the corner of George and Henry Streets - please use the George St entrance next to Barnardos
Marlborough Migrant Centre December 2012 Newsletter
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International Calendar and Selected Commemorative Dates 1 December 2 December
National Day, Romania First Sunday of Advent, Christian. Observed with the lighting of advent candles, display of wreaths and special ceremonies. Anticipates the coming again to earth of Jesus Christ. 5 December International Volunteers Day. Celebrated worldwide to thank those who dedicate their time throughout the year as volunteers. 5 December The King’s Birthday Anniversary, Thailand. 8 December Immaculate Conception, Christian. This Catholic feast day commemorates the belief that Mary, mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin all of her life. 9 December Chanukah (Hanukkah), Festival of Lights (to 16 Dec), Jewish. Commemorates the recapture and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. 23 December Emperor’s Birthday, Japan. 24 December Christmas Eve, Christian. Many families get together on this evening and sing carols. 25 December Christmas Day, Christian. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, peace on Earth and good will. Christmas lights and trees are displayed, carols sung and children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus / Father Christmas / Saint Nicholas and gifts. 26 December Boxing Day, New Zealand holiday. 31 December New Year’s Eve. A time for celebrating the last year and welcoming the year to come. Fireworks light up the Picton Foreshore during the Ignite Marlborough party from English Language 7.30pm to 12.30pm. There will be entertainment for all the family! Partners 1 January 2013 New Year’s Day, New Zealand holiday. 2 January Day after New Year’s Day, New Zealand holiday. 24/29 January Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, Islamic; Shia Muslims/Sunni Muslims. This date marks the birthday of Muhammad, regarded by Muslims as a messenger and prophet of God. 26 January Australia Day, National Day of Australia 6 February Waitangi Day, National Day of New Zealand. Marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, when representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori chiefs signed what is New Zealand’s founding document. 10 February Chinese New Year, Yuan Tan. The beginning of the New Lunar Year. 2013 is the Year of the Snake. 2 March Marlborough Multicultural Festival, celebrating Race Relations in New Zealand. Celebrating Marlborough’s cultural diversity with music, food, arts, crafts, information stalls and much fun for everyone in Pollard Park, Blenheim. 21 March Race Relations Day, New Zealand. Race Relations Day is the time to reflect on our journey as a culturally diverse nation. The 2013 theme is “My Dream for Aotearoa, New Zealand”. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, United Nations. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that 'all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights'. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reminds us of our collective responsibility for promoting and protecting this ideal. If you would like to have a display or help with informing the public about an event for your national day or celebration, then please contact us. We have wall space outside our office and have many national flags available. We would be more than happy to assist you or your group.
Marlborough Migrant Centre December 2012 Newsletter
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More Information about the Marlborough Migrant Centre: Our mission is to promote and facilitate unity in diversity in Marlborough Migrant Centre Marlborough House 21 Henry St Blenheim 7201 Phone: 03 579 6410 E-mail: mmc@marlboroughonline.co.nz Web: www.marlboroughonline.co.nz Facebook: Search for our page: Marlborough Migrant Centre Then click the ‘Like’ button.
Marlborough. Our key services are: * Supporting newcomers to Marlborough * Helping organisations and agencies with migrant matters * Education/awareness raising * Social functions and events * Promoting Marlborough as a multi-cultural province and celebrating cultural diversity We are always looking for people who would like to become a ‘Friend of the Migrant Centre’, get involved in our committee working groups or in any other way. And we would be happy to hear from businesses and organisations that would like to support us, financially or otherwise. Please get in touch with us for more information. Thank you.
Other Interesting Information Picton Resource Centre, Mariners Mall, High St, Picton, 10am- 1pm Monday to Friday. They work within the community of Picton and the Marlborough Sounds assisting with community based information and promoting of local events. Ph. 573 7790. Email prcentre@xtra.co.nz Renwick News and Views: Contact Vicki Harrison Jones to get a copy sent to you. Phone (03) 572 9688 or email info@renwicksportscentre.co.nz . Website: www.renwicksportscentre.co.nz Community Gardens at 85 Budge St, behind NMIT. Community edible gardens. If anyone/any ethnic, cultural community group is interested in joining in, then please contact the Trustees Manager, Tina Fortune, ph. 021 0242 3496 Riversdale Community House newsletter: Contact Sue to get a copy sent to you: Phone 578 0469 or email riversdalecommunityhouse@xtra.co.nz Starting a Business? Inland Revenue offers FREE courses at the NMIT Campus: Introduction to Business Tax Seminar, GST Workshop, and Rental Income Workshop. Bookings are essential. Phone 0800 377 774 or email advisory.nelson@ird.govt.nz The Parents Centre runs child birth education classes for new parents (evenings) and a popular ‘baby and you’ course (day time) for mums and new babies. These run about 6 times a year with people grouped together depending on babies’ birth dates. These then continue as more informal coffee groups. Contact the Parents Centre. Phone 027 5223002 email: info@marlboroughparentscentre.co.nz . Marlborough Farmers Market every Sunday until end of May, 9am to 12pm at the A and P Showgrounds, corner of Maxwell Road and Alabama Road, Blenheim. Rain or Shine! Farmers’ Market in Picton: Cnr London Quay & Auckland St, beside Museum 29 Dec 1-4pm, 26 Jan 9-12 Marlborough4Fun Event Guide: for regular activities and events in Marlborough, monthly supplement in the Saturday Express newspaper or www.marlborough4fun.co.nz.
Thank you to all of our volunteers, donators and funders!
*One Community – Many Faces*