Newsletter December 2012
Christmas Message!
• New to the region? • Want to meet new friends? • Need some help to settle in? • Interested in local activities?
Individual Highlights: Greetings & Thankyou
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NN Highlights 2012
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Notices of Interest
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For most ‘kiwis’ Christmas is a special time to be together with family and friends. For Christians it is time to celebrate the birth of Christ. For others it means different things. For many it brings extra pressures and sometimes sadness, particularly those living far away from family. Whatever our beliefs and traditions are around Christmas I think we would all agree that it is a time to bring hope for peace throughout the world and a spirit of goodwill, connectedness in the Marlborough community.
Margaret Western Coordinator, Marlborough Newcomers Network Community Relations /Fieldworker, Marlb Migrant Centre Tel 022-657 9018/03-579 6410 Email: marlborough@newcomers.co.nz Newcomers Network Website: www.newcomers.co.nz
I hope the Newcomers Network events over the last twelve months have helped people gain a sense of connectedness and belonging.
Thank you
Photo of a very special little girl wearing a daisy chain of flowers reflects my vision for Newcomers Network activities for 2013. ‘A series of connected events, activities, or experiences that promote community connectedness friendship, support and successful integration’
Thankyou to everyone who has supported our Newcomers Network over the last year. Thankyou also to the families I have supported; the people whose presence I believe enrich the culture of Marlborough and make my efforts worthwhile. I feel privileged to have got to know you and your families. To walk alongside and support you, and share in some of the excitement, celebrations and at times difficulties experienced. I wish you and your families a relaxed festive season and good health and happiness for 2013.
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Newcomers Network Highlights 2012
Multicultural Festival – 10 March 2012
One community – Many cultures
Over 2000 people enjoyed a day of celebration of the cultural diversity and talents of people who call Marlborough home when the migrant communities took the stage at Pollard Park, despite the event having to be postponed from its original date due to bad weather. The festival featured music, dance and a variety of ethnic foods.
Thai New Year Ceremony 35 adults from 14 different nationalities (plus children) welcomed in the Thai New Year at the Newcomers Network Songkran Day celebration with a traditional hand-washing and blessing ceremony where people poured scented water on the hands of family elders who then offered them a blessing for the year. The ceremony was conducted by Panita Kittipornkul from Thailand, who was holidaying in Blenheim with her sister Nat Moran, a very active member of the Newcomers Network
“Hand Washing Ceremony marked Thai New Year.”
Thai friends helped organise traditional Thai food which was beautifully presented. Everyone present took part in what was described as a very spiritual ceremony which will be remembered as something special and is a good news story in terms of multicultural connectedness.
Pot Luck Tea held 27 April
Over 40 people enjoyed a gathering for a pot luck dinner celebrating friendship and community connectedness with a shared meal of different ethnic foods held at the Migrant Centre.
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Newcomers Network Highlights 2012 continued Women’s Health & Wellbeing Seminar, 9 & 18 June 58 women attended a seminar run over two Saturdays aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of migrant women living in Blenheim. Topics covered Budgeting, Health & Wellbeing, Women’s Sexual Health, Empowering Women and NZ Culture Awareness. Sessions delivered by specialised professionals; ie Marlb Family Budgeting Service Advisor, Public Health Nurse & Bread of Life Counsellors who also gave their time voluntarily. Ethnicities included South African, Jordanian, Thai, New Zealander, French, Romanian, Brazilian, Polish, Malaysian, Samoan, Tongan, Papa New Guinea, Filipino, Indian, Zimbabwean, Chinese.
Pot Luck tea, 4 August Over 50 adults and several children attended a pot luck tea in August. A guest speaker and cello player performance added to an enjoyable which was a worthwhile event in terms of community connectedness and developing friendships.
NZ Diversity Forum, Auckland 19/20 August “Aotearoa, A Fair Go Attendance at the national convention in its eighth year provided a valuable learning opportunity for people involved in race relations and cultural diversity to come together to share ideas, initiatives and practices.
Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Warehouse, 1 & 2 September As part of Adult Learners Week 14 migrant people manned a ‘sausage sizzle’ over two days. A valuable learning experience with newcomers participating in a community activity, handling NZ currency, public awareness and integration. Marlborough Newcomers Network - recipient Page 4 of 6 Marlborough Adult Learners' 2012 Innovative Provider Award presented at Adult Learners National Launch Ceremony, held 3 September 2012
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Newcomers Network Highlights 2012 continued Encouraging Confidence Session held as a follow-up from Migrant Women’s Health Seminar Session on Empowering Women, 24 September 20 women participated in a the confidence-building session on empowering women presented by Bread of Life’s Foundation Team Leader, which provided a beneficial educational activity.
Family Day at Mistletoe Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound, Sunday 7 October A memorable and educational trip in terms of a visit to a sustainable Eco Village facility and a valuable opportunity for newcomers to make new friends and engage with the sponsoring entities for 124 migrants who enjoyed a boat trip and sunny day at Mistletoe Bay made possible by the financial sponsorship, manpower, organisation and good will of Zonta Club Marlborough, Spring Creek Lions, Sport Tasman, Beachcomber and the Mistletoe Bay Trust. Highlight of the return trip being the detour into Double Cove to feed the tame fish. Marlborough Newcomers' Network – Winner TrustPower Community Awards 2012: Regional Winner under the Health & Wellbeing category announced at the Awards Ceremony held Tuesday 30 October 2012
Newcomer Network Members acknowledged by Volunteer Marlborough as International Volunteers on Volunteer Day, 5 December 2012 - For their contribution to the Marlborough community.
Ligia from Brazil
Nat (& daughter Serina) from Thailand together with Miwa from Japan
Fadia from Jordan
“The key is to share one’s culture and learn from each other.”
International Women’s Night – 7 December 2012 A special night to remember took place when over seventy women joined together for an evening of friendship, fun and celebration of the of the many ethnicities of women living in Marlborough
Photos provided by Priceless Moments photographs
Great photos taken Proofs available to order from Margaret
IMPORTANT EVENTS – KEEP THE DATE FREE Marlborough Multicultural Festival Date: Venue: Time:
Saturday, 2 March 2013 Baden Green, Pollard Park 11am to 4pm
If you would like to have an ethnic food stall, information stall, craft stall or if you are a performer (music, dance, arts, etc) please contact me. Ph 022-657-9018
Census Information Evening For Migrants Everyone who is in New Zealand on 5 March 2013 must fill in Census forms An information evening is planned to help you understand What is the Census? Why it is important? What the information will be used for? How to fill out the Census forms Date: Wednesday, 20 February 2012 Venue: St Johns Rooms, 93 Seymour Street Time: 6.30pm to 8.00pm Note: More information about the information evening will be circulated closer to the date.
Best wishes for happiness during the festive season.
MARGARET