News

An eventful month saw the Metro Assist team out and about the community working to deliver programs and community events. Community leaders traveled to parliament as we continued our work with youth, families, and migrants.

Commonwealth Bank Donation

 

 

Metro Assist was recognised by Commonwealth Bank Burwood as their charity of choice, with a small donation this month.

We were extremely grateful for the financial assistance that will enable us to continue to make a significant difference and grow a brighter future to the lives of those within the local area with our community support services. 

 

Road Safety Session

Metro Assist’s Settlement team arranged a Road Safety Session at the Campsie office. The session was facilitated by Carol Debs, Road Safety Officer, City of Canterbury Bankstown Council.

The event was organised as a part of the free driving lessons program, where 17 clients attended. The potential participants must attend the information session on road safety before participating in the driving lessons. The free Driving Lessons program is a very popular and effective initiative by Metro Assist for first-time drivers and newly arrived refugees and migrants who have arrived in Australia within the last 5 years.

For more information about Metro Assist's free driving program and other settlement services click here

 

Mental Health Month

In honour of #mentalhealthmonth and in an effort to promote mental well-being, Metro Assist teamed up with headspace, Co.As.It. , and the Inner West Council to deliver a parent/carer information session night at the Ashfield Civic Centre.

The information session aimed to enhance awareness and knowledge for parents and carers regarding the mental health challenges faced by young individuals. It was wonderful to hear from the clinical side of the mental health sector and stories of lived experience from young people themselves.

As the 2023 Mental Health Month theme suggested, 'we all have a role to play,' this event certainly brought the community together to share knowledge and skills to support our young people better.

 

Big day out

The Big Day Out provided an opportunity for parents and carers who reside in the City of Canterbury Bankstown area to be supported with resources and information offered by us and other local services.

In partnership with Canterbury Child and Family Interagency, Metro Assist provided recreational activities on the day which were enjoyed by children of all ages. With 500 attendees the event was hailed a great success. We were honoured to be a part of such a welcoming and supportive event, well done to all involved.

 

Parliament House excursion

The Settlement Team organised a trip to the Parliament of NSW where nineteen Community leaders from seven diverse cultural backgrounds joined the outing.

This was a great opportunity to experience the amazing colonial architecture and learn more about the role, history, and work of the Parliament. The community leaders had the chance to visit the Chambers, the Legislative Council (Upper House), and the Legislative Assembly (or Lower House) and get insights into the work of Members and Parliamentary Officers.

They then met with Mark Buttigieg MLC - Minister for the Legislative Council, Parliamentary Secretary for Industrial Relations, WHS, and Multiculturalism - who generously welcomed them into his office and engaged in an enriched discussion about political and socio-economic developments and other multicultural issues affecting their communities.

After the Parliament tour, the group headed to Yirranma Place where they had lunch and learned about this amazing place that was created as a social purpose precinct to bring people together and foster a community for hope and giving.

 

Welcoming Canterbury Picnic

In partnership with City of Canterbury Bankstown Council, Metro Assist's Settlement Team organised the Welcoming Canterbury Picnic at Anzac Park in Campsie for new residents. The picnic was a child-friendly event where families enjoyed free music performances and took part in kid’s activities such as storytelling, toys corner, tiles painting and crafts. Participants also had the opportunity to interact with service providers and learn about free services available in their local area including settlement health, legal, education, employment services as well as from government agencies.

Participants also enjoyed a ‘coffee with the Cop’ where they engaged in conversation with the Multicultural Community Liaison Officers from Campsie Police Area Command.

 

Final English Conversation program event

 

Forty-one attendees gathered at Rhodes Park for the final event of the English Conversation program for seniors, which was generously funded by the Australian Chinese Charity Foundation (ACCF). Settlement Manager, April, delivered the closing speech and presented gifts to our dedicated volunteer teachers.

Following a delightful lunch, the final conversation session was conducted, and some participants enjoyed a pleasant walk in the park. Thank you to all participants for a wonderful year and congratulations to all involved.