Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) Annual Report 2012 - 13

Spectrum12/13Migrant Resource Centre

Annual Report

Contents

03

04

06

07

08

09

10

16

18

24

26

28

29

30

31

About Spectrum

Our Mission

Our History

Chair’s Report

CEO’s Report

The year at a glance

Our 2013-16 Strategic Plan

Settlement and Family Services

Training and Education

Aged and Disability

Services

Our People

Our Board

Our Supporters

Get involved with Spectrum

2012-13 Financial Statement

Other Disclosures

Contact us

2Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre

For more than 30 years, the Spectrum Migrant Resource

Centre has supported generations of migrants and

refugees to successfully settle and reach their full

potential in Australia.

Our aim is to build more inclusive communities by

working with our clients to build the skills, competencies

and abilities they need to participate fully in Australian

society.

We do this by providing a range of innovative and

holistic services to newly arrived and established

migrants: from settlement and family services to

education and vocational training, and assisting older

migrants and those with a disability to participate in

an active and independent life at home and in their

communities.

We also advocate on behalf of migrant communities,

bringing their voices to Governments and non-

Government organisations to help inform and shape

policy and service delivery.

Spectrum operates in Melbourne’s North and

West metropolitan region, an area with a rich history

of cultural diversity. Today, the North and West region

is one of the most culturally diverse in Australia.

About SpectrumMigrant Resource Centre

Our MissionOur mission is to work with migrants and refugees to help them successfullysettle and participate in all aspects of community life.

We do this by:

❚ Influencing society to build more inclusive

communities;

❚ Delivering culturally appropriate and responsive

settlement and family services;

❚ Empowering communities to identify and address

settlement challenges;

❚ Providing culturally-tailored, hands-on and

job-focused training that will lead to employment

pathways; and

❚ Assisting ageing migrants and people with a

disability to participate in life at home and in

the community.

2012-2013 Annual Report 3


Our History

PrestonReservoir

Migrant Resource Centre(MRC) established.

1980

PrestonReservoir

MRC becomes NorthEastern Region MRC.

1993PrestonReservoir

MRC is incorporated.

1984

The organisation

moves to Preston.

1995

Spectrum’s Sunshineoffice is officially

launched to service migrantcommunities in the West.

Real People. Real Solutions. presenting the real life experiencesof five migrants and practicalsolutions to real problems, is launched.

2011Spectrum’s CEO,Rosemary Kelada,

is one of the 2012 TelstraVictorian Business Women’sfinalists in the Communityand Government AwardCategory.

The innovative Il Luogod’Incontro program forItalians with dementia islaunched.

2012A 40m mural is painted on

the side of Spectrum’sSunshine office by a

group of seven youngBrimbank people, as part of the B-creativeStreet Art mural project by City ofBrimbank

to engage youth through

street art.

2013

Launch of the documentary You Can Do. I Can Do. showcasing

Spectrum’s innovative multicultural anddisability care approach.

The Creative Cultures Exhibition opens in Melbourne, showcasing the work ofmigrant artists, among them painter Abdul Hamid Abdullah, finalist in the 2011 Archibald Prize.

Spectrum Education &Training (SET) is awardedthe 2010 Hume CityCouncil Business Awards for Most InnovativeProvider of Education &Training Programs and the2010 Victorian Small TrainingProvider of the Year Award.

2010


Former Spectrumemployee and Board

Member, Dr. AbdirahamanMohamed Farole, becomesPresident of the Somali Regionof Puntland.

Spectrum celebrates its 25th anniversary at Government House.

2009

MulticulturalHome Support

Service is established toprovide home and communitycare for the growing ageingpopulation.

1998Parentingin a New

Culture program islaunched.

2002

SkillFill isestablished to

support skilled migrantswho were falling throughthe employment system.

Awarded a Job Networkemployment programcontract.

2006

The Ethnic Youth Council is

established to give youngrefugees the platform to voiceand action issues important to them. North Eastern RegionMRC becomes SpectrumMigrant Resource Centre.

Spectrum ImmigrationServices (SIS) is launched toassist those who don’t qualifyfor free legal advice.

Spectrum Education andTraining (SET) is established.

2007

Parenting in a New

Culture programextended to newlyarrived Liberian, SierraLeonean, Congolese and Burundiancommunities.

2008

I was delighted to be appointed as Chair of the Spectrum

Board in December 2012, replacing outgoing Chair Sarah

Hayton, and I’m pleased to say that my first six months have

been busy and fulfilling.

Being an election year, we have seen

a number of key policy changes that

have affected our sector and have

prompted us to review our service

offerings and strengthen the capacity

of our business to succeed in a

changing environment.

There has been ongoing public debate surrounding the way

in which individuals and families enter the country, with

key policy changes introduced by the Federal Government

affecting those seeking asylum in Australia. In response,

the Spectrum Board took the strategic decision to expand

our services to deliver much needed support to these

vulnerable people.

Spectrum continues to have an important presence in the aged

care and disability services sectors. With Australia’s ageing

population and the creation of the Federal Government’s

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), delivered

through Disability Care Australia, demand for services in these

areas will continue to increase. This is another growth area

for Spectrum, and in response we have been working hard

to improve our governance and capabilities in our Aged and

Disability Unit.

We are now one year into our 2012-16 Strategic Plan. Under

the leadership of CEO Rosemary Kelada, the team has made

considerable progress over the last 12 months against each

of our seven Key Performance Indicators.

The Spectrum management team has taken steps to improve

the way the organisation operates and to strengthen their

ability to deliver quality service and support to migrant

communities by ensuring compliance with key regulations

governing the sector. This is absolutely vital: without it,

Spectrum’s ability to access essential funding is severely

diminished.

To facilitate this work, the Board approved several key

management appointments this financial year.

In March, Howard Morey joined the executive team in the

newly created position of Chief Financial Officer, charged

with improving Spectrum’s financial management and

reporting capabilities. Diana Mottram was appointed to

another new executive role, General Manager People and

Organisation Capability, in December, to guide the creation

of a highly skilled and engaged workforce that is supported

to deliver innovative services where they are most needed.

Robyn Shilton also joined us in January as General Manager

of our Registered Training Organisation. The Board has a

sub-committee working with Robyn to develop a stronger

compliance approach to the Spectrum Education and

Training work to ensure we meet all the compliance

expectations and responsibilities.

Lastly, the Board also approved the position of Policy and

Research Manager. This new role will focus on improving

the way in which Spectrum advocates on behalf of the

communities we serve and influencing policy regarding

service delivery to meet the needs of migrant communities.

The year has also seen a number of changes to our Board.

We have welcomed two new Board members: Hayley

Underwood and Georgia Prattis. Collectively, their

contribution to the Board reflects a shift in our focus

towards greater accountability and financial strength.

We were also delighted to have Gabriel Edwards back

on the Spectrum Board after a term of absence.

During the year, we also farewelled Durkhanai Ayubi,

Lyndal Turner Guy and Sonia Vignjevic. On behalf of

the Board, I would like to thank each of them for their

contribution.

Importantly, I would like to thank my predecessor Sarah

Hayton. Sarah had served on the Spectrum Board since

2006, and was appointed Chair in 2012. In recent times,

Sarah led the Board through the process of developing our

2012-16 Strategic Plan, which will see Spectrum become a

more disciplined, focused and effective organisation for the

benefit of all our stakeholders. I would personally like to

thank Sarah for her contribution to Spectrum and on behalf

of the Board, I’d like to wish her all the best in her future

endeavours.

Finally, I would like to recognise the fantastic work

of our CEO Rosemary Kelada and the Spectrum team

throughout the year. Their passion and dedication to

improving the lives of migrants in Australia is truly

inspiring.

Anthea Green

Chair’s Report



Australia really is the lucky country. As you read the stories of the people featured in

this year’s Annual Report, it is abundantly clear that

the work we do at Spectrum

has a profound impact in

helping migrants settle and

reach their full potential.

Whether it’s helping reunite

families, connecting people to

essential services, or simply

providing a sympathetic ear,

Spectrum provides people with

the support, tools and guidance they need to make the

most of their new lives in Australia.

Spectrum is in the fortunate position of operating

across a number of key growth sectors: migrant

settlement, aged and disability care, education and

employment.

This past year has been all about strengthening the

capacity of our employees and our organisation so

that we can continue to lend a strong voice and a

supportive hand to migrants and refugees. Ensuring

our compliance with the numerous regulations

governing our sector has been a key area of focus,

essential to assuring our ability to secure funding

into the future.

We have also consolidated the number of services we

offer, allowing us to focus on building our capability

to deliver in the areas where services are most needed.

We are well established in Settlement and Aged Care,

where we have a reputation for delivering innovative

and culturally appropriate services. We want to

leverage this reputation to further develop our

existing services into areas such as Family Services

and Disability Care.

In recognition of the need to support families on

the specific issues they face during their settlement

journey, we have recently appointed a team leader

and are now proactively looking for opportunities to

partner with other organisations to deliver high quality

services to migrant and refugee families.

With the introduction of the National Disability

Insurance Scheme (NDIS), more Australians are able

to access disability support services. However, for

migrants – particularly newly arrived migrants –

awareness of these services and the ability to navigate

the system is very limited. With our bilingual care

workers, Spectrum is in a unique position to help

connect migrants and refugees with disabilities with

mainstream support and services.

Another key area of focus has been advocacy. Our

ability to advocate for migrants and refugees in these

key growth areas is absolutely essential to our ongoing

success. We have taken steps to further build on our

capability in this area by creating a new Policy and

Research Manager position, dedicated to further

developing our advocacy capability. We have also

expanded the capacity of the Research and Evaluation

Officer position to support this important work.

The wider-reaching unit focused on people and

organisational capability, and the grant writing

position has been aligned alongside the business

operations reach.

From an employee perspective, we have also invested

in developing the professional skills of our people,

supporting them to gain accreditation in the provision

of migration advice and guidance and training and

assessment services. We have also worked to ensure

ongoing accreditation for our Multicultural Home

Support Service (MHSS) workers. More broadly, we

have had an organisation-wide focus on occupational

health and safety and on embedding a culture of

continuous improvement. We’ve also worked to build

management and leadership skills.

Together, these changes allow us to focus on

delivering high quality, sustainable growth that

responds to the changing environment and the

needs of migrant communities.

Of course, none of this would have been possible

without the support of our Board, our partners,

and the incredible efforts of our employees and

volunteers. Thanks to all of you for your ongoing

support and commitment.

Rosemary Kelada

CEO’s Report


The year at a glance

12,209arrived onhumanitarianvisas

48,519arrived onfamily visas

55,685arrived onskilled workingvisas

Over the period July 2012 to June 2013, Australia welcomed 137,185 people from diversecultures and nationalities.

Of those entering Australia on humanitarian visasin that period, the top ten countries of birth were:

Spectrum operates within the North and West metropolitan suburbs of Melbourne, a rich melting potof cultures. It is one of the most culturally diverse regions in Australia.The North and West metropolitan region has a higher number of migrants who entered Australia on humanitarian visasthan the Victorian average:

Of those entering Australia on family visas in that period, the top ten countries of birth were:

➊Iraq

Afghanistan➋

❸Burma

➍Iran

Pakistan➎

Bhutan➏➐Nepal

➊People’s Republic of China

➋India

➓Sri Lanka➑Sri Lanka

➌Philippines

➒Indonesia

➓Malaysia

➍Vietnam➏Thailand

United Kingdom➎

➐United States of America

➑Pakistan➒Egypt

Source: DIAC Settlement Reporting Facility

Source: DIAC - 2012 Local government area profiles North and West Metropolitan Region.

15.1%of new arrivals in the North and West metropolitan regionentered Australia onhumanitarian visas

compared to 12.3%for Victoria overall.

35.4%of residents were bornoverseas compared to

27.7% of residents in Victoria overall

29.8%were born in a non-Englishspeaking country compared to

20.9% for Victoria overall

37.8%speak a language otherthan English at home

compared to 24.2%for Victoria overall

15.1%have low levels of proficiencyin English compared to

3.1% for Victoria overall


Our 2013-16 Strategic Plan

Settlement and Family Services

Settlement support

A migrant’s first days in Australia are crucial to

ensuring they settle successfully. As part of the

Humanitarian Settlement Services program (HSS),

a Spectrum case manager is assigned to people arriving

in Australia on a humanitarian visa. The case manager

provides early practical support to new settlers.

The case manager’s work begins before the client

arrives in Australia, ensuring that there is someone

at the airport to greet the new arrivals and take them

to their accommodation.

Once they arrive, Spectrum’s case manager visits

the client to discuss their short term needs and helps

connect them to all the services they require, from

finding appropriate housing to applying for a tax file

number, registering with Centrelink, accessing dental

care and if necessary, enrolling children in school.

Spectrum helped more than 500 people to settle in

Australia as part of the HSS program in the past

year in partnership with AMES.

Casework picks up from where the HSS program

leaves off. Through casework, Spectrum provides

clients with ongoing support for up to five years.

This might include support in finding employment,

connecting to family counselling services or legal

services.

When casework can’t provide direct assistance, clients

are referred to another Spectrum service or externally

to other organisations. Spectrum assisted more than

1600 new migrants in the last year through casework.

For clients with exceptional needs, we provide

Complex Case Management. This is specialised and

intensive support offered to people who have special

needs that make the settlement process more difficult.

These can include homelessness, chronic medical

conditions, disability, mental health issues, family

conflict or domestic violence.

Our case managers work with clients to build their

skills and reduce isolation, provide education and

encourage participation in the broader community.

The program emphasises people’s own strengths

and is tailored to meet each client’s individual needs.

Throughout the year, we provided Complex Case

Management to 20 clients, some of whom were

family groups. Four of these cases arose out of crisis

interventions, and these clients were provided with

immediate assistance. While two of the 20 clients

were offered crisis intervention support for a two-week

period, the rest required intensive case management

for up to six months.

When people are settling into their new life in

Australia, there is a lot of information to take in.

We take every opportunity to reinforce information

clients hear in those early days. One way is through

our Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).

This program is delivered in partnership with the

Northern AMEP, a consortium operating specifically

in northern Melbourne. While clients are learning

to understand and speak English, they are offered

orientation sessions in their community language. The

topics covered in the information sessions are similar

to those provided to individuals through casework and

Starting a new life in a new country can be stressful at the best of times, but when you don’t speak the language or are unfamiliar with local customs even the simplest tasks are difficult. This is the case for the majority of our clients.

Then there are those clients who have much more complex needs. Those enteringthe country on humanitarian visas often require more specialised support.

Our Settlement and Family Services unit aims to help new migrants and refugeesdevelop the skills and knowledge and provide support to begin to build their livesas part of the Australian community.


Sometimes our case workers notice an issue that is appearing consistentlyacross a particular migrant group and step in to provide assistance.

This was the case with the newly arrived Chin community. Case workers noticedthat the men were having difficulty completing their Centrelink paperworkand consequently were missing their payments.

Spectrum’s Settlement and Family Services worked with Centrelink to run an information session for the Chin community. Centrelink’sCommunity Liaison Officer explained how the forms needed to becompleted and provided other helpful information such as thedanger and consequences of undertaking “cash in hand” work.

Settlement and Family Services ran just under 100 informationsessions like this, on a variety of topics, for almost 2000 clients throughout the year.

aim to provide migrants with practical skills

to settle in by reminding them of the services

and systems available in Australia. Spectrum

delivered five bilingual courses such as these

throughout the year, helping 125 students.

Reuniting families is one of the most important

aspects of our Settlement services. Our

registered migration agents provide many

migrants with advice in bringing their families

over to Australia.

To assist in this, last year Spectrum was able

to offer the microfinance initiative No Interest

Loan Scheme (NILS) to partially fund the visa

application fee. NILS is intended for newly

arrived families who are settling in Australia. The

funding is provided through Good Shepherd and

the National Australia Bank and allocated by

authorised organisations, such as Spectrum.

People can borrow up to $1,000. Spectrum’s

Settlement & Family Services issued 65 No

Interest Loans to the total of $33,564 in 2012-13,

with nine of those loans being used to fund visa

applications.


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Empowering migrant communities

The Refugee Action Program (RAP) is an initiative

of the Office for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship.

Based on an innovative community development

model, RAP identifies local solutions to address local

issues, working in partnership with service providers

and refugee communities.

Spectrum MRC is one of the key providers for the

North West area along with the Brotherhood of

St Laurence’s Ecumenical Migration Centre.

In the last year, RAP ran a range of activities including:

• supporting community members with job

applications;

• facilitating community information sessions to

junior doctors and allied professionals to ensure

they have basic knowledge/skills to deliver health

workshops to RAP groups;

• referring community members to parenting sessions

and to family service support and counselling

programs; and

• providing referrals to leadership courses.

Groups consulted through RAP include the Kurdish

Women’s Group, the Bhutanese Community, the

Turkmen Community, the Somali Communities

(Somali Action Group, Somali Association of Victoria,

Somali Youth Organisation), the Oromo Association &

Oromo Women’s Group, the Asylum Seeker Group and

Whittlesea Community Connections.

To celebrate Refugee Week 2013, RAP

produced a series of stories told by

individuals who are passionate about their

communities.

Driving skills are key to helping many refugees and

newly arrived migrants settle successfully in Australia.

Being able to drive not only increases the opportunities

for employment, it also means being able to go

shopping or to take children to school, sport and social

activities with ease. We often take this for granted, but

for someone recently relocated, being able to drive

could represent the key to a successful settlement

outcome.

Drive to Thrive is a driving program specifically

designed for newly arrived refugees. Participants are

assigned a buddy from a pool of volunteers, who

provide driving lessons. Drive to Thrive is funded

jointly by the Department of Immigration and

Citizenship and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.

Ongoing Settlement support Once migrants have settled in to life in Australia – finding a home, enrollingchildren in school, gaining employment - their support needs change. The focusshifts to helping them to live within societal and cultural norms and participatefully in their relationships with each other and the wider Australian community.

Spectrum runs a range of programs that work to empower migrant communitiesby giving them the support, skills and tools they need.

Two years after arriving in Australia with her husbandand young daughter after escaping Iran, a mother

was finally reunited with her 17 year old son with the help ofSpectrum’s migration agents.

A Faili Kurd, the mother arrived in Australia by boat in 2011with her family and was granted an 866 Protection visa.However, her son remained behind, having escaped fromIran to Turkey due to concerns about his own personalsafety and security.

Without her son, the mother had become anxious anddepressed, making her transition to a new life in Australia all the more difficult.

Eager to be reunited with their son, the family came toSpectrum seeking assistance to bring him to Australia. They were seen by one of our migration agents, whoworked with the family through the visa application process.

In July 2013, a Child visa was granted for their son andSpectrum worked with the family to organise his travelfrom Turkey to Australia. The boy arrived in Australia and was united with his family in Melbourne.

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Twelve newly arrived migrants participated in the

Drive to Thrive program last year. The majority of

these were under the age of 35 and were pursuing a

driving license to help them gain employment. For

almost all participants, the program provided their sole

avenue of support in learning to drive. Happily, most of

the 12 participants obtained their license and just under

a third secured employment as a result.

Supporting strong and healthyfamily relationships

One of the most difficult aspects of resettling in a

new country is adjusting to different sets of laws and

cultural norms governing family relationships. While

parenting is never an easy job, doing it in a context

where cultural and social values can be very different

from those from the country of origin can add a new

level of difficulty to the task.

Spectrum’s Parenting in a New Culture program

engages community leaders and provides hands-on

assistance to strengthen and support parents in

developing positive parenting skills. Almost 380

parents from the Burundi, Sierra Leonean, Liberian

and Congolese communities took part in the program

over the last year.

The discrepancy in cultural and social values between

Australia and the country of origin is also one of the

issues underlining relationship conflicts in migrant

families. Spectrum’s Healthy Relationships in a New

Culture program promotes change in attitudes and

behaviour among communities from diverse

backgrounds in relation to violence against women.

The program is designed to meet the specific needs

of different cultural groups. Focus groups are held to

understand the issues and the information gathered is

used to develop a tailored training package.

Community representatives are then invited to attend four

training sessions to become Community Ambassadors

and, in turn, commit to deliver three information sessions

in their community and present a theatre forum, developed

in collaboration with an artistic director. Almost 300

members of the Indian and South Sudanese communities

attended one of 36 theatre forums in the last year, and a

further 11 community presentations were held. The

program has since been extended to the Somali and Iraqi

(Arabic and Kurdish speaking) communities based in

metropolitan Melbourne.

The Men’s Family Relationship Support Program

offers Iraqi, Sudanese, Kurdish, Somali and the Arabic

speaking Kurdish and Sudanese men a forum where

they can meet and discuss common issues related to

family relationships. The program is structured through

information sessions that cover topics such as family

relationships, parenting in the new culture, inter-

generational conflict, family breakdown, youth issues,

and family system transformation.

During the 2012-2013 financial year, 57 community

education sessions were run and a further 106 social

support sessions were held to enhance social

connectedness and strengthen networks.


Supporting migrant children to thrive in Australia

Adolescence is difficult at the best of times, but is all the

more difficult for young people settling in a new country.

Working in partnership with local councils, English

language schools, local schools, service providers and

TAFE colleges, Spectrum offers a range of programs

designed to help young people aged 12 to 25 from

migrant and refugee backgrounds thrive in Australia.

Sport has a prominent place in Australian culture.

Participating in sport can help young migrants and their

families to better connect to their local communities.

Through our Sports and School Holiday Programs,

young people are given the opportunity to socialise

and make friends while receiving mentoring support.

For youth from newly arrived communities, the Sports

and School Holiday Programs represent often the first

contact with organised sport.

The programs stretch young people beyond the physical

demands of the sport: they learn the importance of

arriving on time for a training session, how to use public

transport to reach the sporting facilities and to interact

with people from different faiths and cultures.

The Sports and School Holiday Programs, supported by

the Victoria Police and Local Governments, include

sport tournaments, summer camps, weekly soccer,

volleyball and basketball sessions as well as visits to

swimming pool, camps, attending sports events and

social outings.

From the many years in which we have been involved

with migrant and refugee communities, two issues

consistently emerge: a desire to have a voice and the

need for ethnic-youth friendly social activities.

Spectrum’s Ethnic Youth Council (EYC) consists of

young people aged 15 to 25 years who are passionate

about becoming leaders in their communities. The

members of the EYC meet regularly and represent their

peers in addressing issues faced by young Australians,

particularly those from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Every year the EYC plays an active part in the

celebration of Harmony Day with specific youth events.

Other activities undertaken on a regular basis by the

EYC include an annual Youth Leadership Camp and

activities during Refugee Week.

Supporting those who cannotaccess subsidised services

Spectrum established fee-charging immigration services

in 2007 to provide a valid alternative for those migrants

who, for a number of reasons, are not eligible for any

kind of free support, and to support those coming to

Australia on skilled migrant visas.

In the 2012-13 financial year, 281 clients sought our fee-

charging immigration advice. More than half came from

Africa and the Middle East, with a further 18%

coming from Asia.


Homework is another aspect of life that presents

challenges for young people and their parents.

Although often fluent in many languages, migrants

may not arrive in Australia with a good knowledge

of English. Other issues, such as lack of access to

schooling in the country of origin or disrupted

education due

to conflict and war, make it particularly difficult for

parents to support their children with the homework

and to take active role in school activities.

Run entirely by volunteers, the Homework Support

Program offers students weekly support with their

homework and where needed, language, literacy and

numeracy skills. In 2012 the program expanded to

include a parent support program, offering literacy,

numeracy and computer skills so that parents can

better support their children while becoming active

members of their school communities.

Over the last year, the program supported 146 students

from schools in the Melbourne’s North through the

commitment of 50 volunteer tutors. The average

participation was about 55 students from primary

and secondary classes for every session.

Participants in the parent support program reported that

they were able to use the extra time they have available

while waiting for their children in the homework club to

“get help sending emails, learning typing, catching up

on the news and learning to use the computer”. They

were able to use these skills to communicate with family

and friends as well.

Highlights of the past year include five of our Year

12 students being accepted into university, one parent

becoming a member of their children’s School Council,

and two former students returning to the Homework

Support Program as tutors.

To celebrate Refugee Week 2013, EYC created and screened ‘Stories of the World’ a short film about the refugeeexperience of young refugees who came to Australia from Bhutan, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan. The film explores the implications of being a refugee in Australia today. The youth featured in Stories of the World live in the Hume areasof Broadmeadows, Meadow Heights, Lalor and Glenroy. According to the 2011 Census, Hume is an area of increasingmulticulturalism, with 32% of the Hume population born overseas, a 25% increase compared to the 2006 data.

One of the stories presented in the ‘Stories of the World’ film is that of Khangendra Acharya.

Khangendra was two years old when his parents, forced to leave Bhutan becauseof their ethnic and religious background, took whatever they could carry andfled. He and his four year old sister were carried on their parents’ backsas they crossed a vast rainforest to reach security before settling in arefugee camp in Nepal. It is there that Khangendra was going tospend the following twenty years of his life, with no health oreducational facilities, amidst overcrowding, substance abuseand general lack of infrastructure.

Khangentra’s parent’s application as humanitarian refugeeswas eventually accepted and Khangendra and his familyarrived in Australia three years ago.

Coming to Australia after spending his entire life in a refugeecamp was a huge cultural shock for Khangendra, but he isnow a confident young man who just completed his year 12VCE and is studying to become a nurse, his dream being togain more professional skills to help and support otherrefugees. The involvement with Spectrum’s EYCprogram has given Khangendra the opportunity to learn important leadership skills that he is now using to support his community.

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Training and Education

Every student arrives at SET with a different story:

young adults who dropped out from mainstream high

schools, parents who return to work after having been

away from the workforce for many years, older people

who, for different reasons, are seeking to re-enter the

job market and feel inadequate to do so.

We strive to ensure that every student has a positive

experience, that everyone is treated with respect

and honoured for the experience that

he or she brings to the learning

environment. Our courses are

delivered through a

combination of intensive

classroom activity and

a supportive training

team to give each

student the

foundation to enter

their practical

placement with

confidence.

We are proud of the

number of SET

graduates who find

ongoing employment

with the practical

placement host employer.

All of our courses are designed

to help participants find sustainable

employment. In the 2012-2013 year we

focused our training programs on industry areas

where there is a great demand for workers: children’s

services, services for the aged and services for people

with disabilities. SET delivered Certificate III in

Children’s Services, Diploma in Children’s Services,

Certificate III in Aged Care, Certificate III in Home

and Community Care, and Certificate IV in Disability

in response to industry and community demand.

A significant number of our students also gained the

Certificate II in General Education for Adults, a course

to develop literacy, numeracy and education skills

while preparing the students to participate in further

study and employment. Certificate II in General

Education provides support for those returning to

the classroom after a break.

All of our accredited courses have a practical placement

component where students get the opportunity

to put into practice the theory that they

have learned in class.

Today’s workers are increasingly

expected to have qualifications

and high level knowledge

of regulations pertaining to

specialised industries. Our

students are among the

thousands of Australians

who are striving to

improve their chance of

securing sustainable and

satisfying work.

SET students tend to be from

areas of low education and

high unemployment. For

example, a large number of our

students come from the Hume local

government area, where education

levels are significantly lower than the

average for the greater Melbourne area, and

where almost 7% of the population is unemployed.

The Future Pathways program was funded by the

Australian Government Department of Human

Services under the better Futures Local Solutions

initiative and is specifically aimed at Hume residents.

Forty students attended the program with 33

successfully completing their training in either

Certificate III in Children’s Services or Certificate III

in Aged Care. Nineteen of the Future Pathways

graduates went onto further study or employment

immediately after course completion.

One of the ways in which we support our communities to reach their full potential is by providing training services specifically designed to address the needs of thecommunities while achieving sustainable employment outcomes.

Since 2008, the Registered Training Organisation, Spectrum Education and Training(SET), has provided opportunities that are industry recognised and that can lead to jobs in areas of high demand.


Leyla came to SET after many years away from study. She was in her forties with older adolescent children

and English is not her mother tongue. Leyla was eager to gain training that would lead to a rewarding

career. Leyla graduated in 2012 and is now working in an Aged Care Facility.

“I came with my family to Australia from Turkey when I was 16 but

I had never worked or studied before. When I enrolled at SET I wasn’t

even able to fill in the application form. I was sitting there and I was

shaking, almost crying. I was telling to myself: Leyla, what are you

doing here? You can’t do this, you are not smart enough, your English

is not good enough. But then I knew that I needed to try, so I wrote

my name and asked the trainer to give me a chance, that I couldn’t

fill in the application form but I knew I could do the course.

During the course I learnt so many things: not just the subjects we

studied but life experience. It was hard. Now sometimes it’s difficult

for me to believe how much I have achieved. I look at myself

and I think, where did this Leyla come from? Has she always been

inside me? Every time I go to work I am so happy and proud. For me it

doesn’t feel like a job, it feels more like going to a party and every day

I work I meet my friend, and we talk and laugh and we share stories.

I feel so happy and blessed with my work.

I have become a different person.”

ʻ ʻ


459 1329

60%female

588

Certificates awarded with many students continuing their studies into the new financial year

Students received training delivered by SET, together with other partner training organisations

More than 60% of students described themselves as unemployed seeking full-time work and had achieved a year 12 education or lower

Our students were predominantly female

Students came from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, including 588 Australian-bornData refer to the 2012-2013 financial year

People are generally happier in their own homes.

In recognition of this, our Multicultural Home

Support Service (MHSS) provides in-home assistance

to elderly and migrants with a disability, helping them

to live socially active and independent lives.

We understand how important it is for the elderly and

for people with a disability in particular to be able to

express themselves in their own language and interact

with others who understand their culture. For this

reason, we employ people who know the language

and culture of the person in their care.

Our MHSS support workers prepare meals, do

chores around the house, help with personal care and

grooming, and accompany their clients to appointments,

providing practical support that makes a real difference

in the person’s ability to remain independent for a

longer time.

Perhaps most importantly, our MHSS support workers

offer companionship; someone with whom their client

can exchange small talk, read the newspaper, laugh at

an old joke or simply hold hands while reminiscing

about the past.

The team also support the primary carers, providing

much needed respite and time away from their

responsibilities.

The program operates across Melbourne’s North and

West metropolitan region. In the North, we tend to

have clients from Italian, Macedonian, Greek, Arabic

and Turkish backgrounds, while in the West clients

are more likely to be Croatian, Spanish-speakers,

Macedonian and Vietnamese. There are also a number

of new and emerging communities in the West who

are beginning to require aged care support such as

communities from India and Burma.

Starting a new life in another country presents different challenges for differentage groups. For the elderly and people with a disability, migrating to Australia canoften bring isolation due to poor English language skills, the absence of familiarnetworks and, for the aged in particular, a change in the status accorded to eldersin their land of birth.

Spectrum’s Aged and Disability Services works to overcome these challenges,assisting older migrants, people with a disability and their carers so they can fullyparticipate in life at home and their community, helping them reach their full potentialas active members of society.

All our Aged and Disability programs are tailored to the specific cultural needs of theclients, bringing the solace of having the support of someone who knows the cultureand speaks the same language.

Aged and Disability Services

Predominantly: Italian, Greek,Vietnamese, Macedonian, Spanish,Latin American, Turkish, Mandarin,Maltese, Cantonese, Arabic,Croatian, Tagalog (Filipino).


Providing opportunities to socialise outside of the home

is an important part of helping to minimise loneliness and

social isolation often felt by the elderly. Spectrum runs a

number of programs to help improve the quality of life

for our elderly clients and support them to maintain the

skills needed for everyday living.

Our Planned Activity Groups (PAG) provide

opportunities for members of specific migrant communities

to come together once a week at a community centre to

enjoy group activities such as basic English classes,

gentle exercise, information sessions on topics of

interest and culturally-specific activities.

Outings to art galleries and museums, and celebrations of

culturally relevant anniversaries, are also organised. In

the last year, clients visited the Botanical Garden, the

Immigration Museum, Parliament House, Werribee

Mansion, Melbourne Aquarium, Puffing Billy and

Ballarat Mansion, among other places.

We run two PAG programs:

• PAG High, for frail, older people aged over 65 who

live in Darebin, Whittlesea, Banyule, and Moreland.

In the last year, 78 clients from Italian, Polish and

Macedonian communities took part in the PAG

High program.

• PAG Core for people over 55 who are socially

isolated and disadvantaged who live in Darebin,

Whittlesea, Banyule, Moreland and Hume. Over the

last year, 63 Macedonian and 220 Chinese clients,

as well as clients from new and emerging

communities, represented by 15 Somali, 15 Sri

Lankan, 20 Assyrian Chaldean, 22 Punjabi and

22 Bhutanese clients.

Both PAG programs are funded by Home and Community

Care (HACC) through the Department of Health.

Ishtar*, an older Iranian woman, was referred to Spectrum’s Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged(ACHA) to help her apply for public housing. Ishtar, who lived with her husband and their 26 old daughter,initially claimed she needed housing that provided her with her own bedroom as her husband snored veryloudly at night.

However, as she came to trust her Spectrum ACHA worker, she revealed that she had in fact been a silentvictim of domestic violence, something she had never been able to discuss before, not even with her familydoctor. The first action was to refer Ishtar to a female Persian speaking doctor and to put her in contact with InTouch, a centre specialising in supporting women of migrant backgrounds who experience domestic violence.

During her next contact with us, Ishtar revealed that her husband and daughter had left, leaving her unable tocover the expenses for her rental accommodation. Facing eviction, Ishtar needed help to obtain transitionalhousing and to split her public housing application from that of her husband and her daughter.

When Ishtar left her house, we helped her find a place to store her furniture. After a period of ‘couch-surfing’between different houses, we were able to help Ishtar to secure transitional housing, although more practicalsupport was needed when she was asked to remove the furniture she had stored with her friends.

Ishtar also required legal support to initiate divorce proceedings against her husband and to obtain an intervention order. She also needed help applying for a Centrelink pension.

During this time, the Spectrum ACHA worker was at her side, providing emotional and practical support,advocating for her and linking her to the appropriate services. Today, Ishtar lives independently and happily in her public housing and with further support she has mended the relationship with her daughter, who now visits her regularly. *not her real name

ʻ ʻ


Photo

by A

lzheim

er’s Australia V

IC


The same philosophy behind these programs underpins

the activities offered at Spectrum’s respite centres: the

Clifton Respite Cottage and the Whittlesea Respite

Centre.

Our respite centres provide onsite respite seven days

per week to frail, older migrants with employed carers

or carers wanting to return to the workforce.

The service helps the carer to balance their employment

with their caring role.

The respite centres are seen as a home away from

home by participants and incorporate bilingual staff,

culturally appropriate activities, home-style ethnic

meals prepared on site by cooks and transport to and

from home.

In the past financial year the Clifton Respite Cottage

has offered respite opportunities to 105 clients from

the Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese and Macedonian

communities for a total of 20,597 hours. The newly

opened Whittlesea Respite Centre caters for 33 clients

from the Filipino and Chinese communities.

Spectrum also provides respite to carers of migrants

through our National Respite for Carers Program

(NRCP). The NRCP is designed to support and assist

Primary Carers of people who are unable to care for

themselves because of frailty or disability.

The NRCP offers up to four hours a week of respite to

carers of frail aged people from migrant and refugee

backgrounds. We consult with both care recipients and

carers to develop an individual plan which is then

carried out by our support workers that share the same

cultural and linguistic background as the clients. The

program is offered in the Northern Region of Yarra,

Darebin, Hume, Moreland, Banyule, Whittlesea and

Nillumbik. The NRCP is funded by the Department

of Health and Ageing.

In the past financial year we have assisted 84 carers,

with the majority of clients coming from Italian, Greek,

English, Macedonian and Vietnamese backgrounds.

Between 2006 and 2011, the rate of homelessness

in Australia has risen 8%, according to the 2011

Census. Taking into account the increase in population

that occurred between the two censuses, the actual

number of homeless people has increased by 17%.

Homelessness is not a choice and often arises as a

consequence of domestic violence, unemployment,

mental illness, family breakdown and substance abuse.

Homelessness is one of the main causes of disadvantage

and social exclusion.

The Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged

(ACHA) program was created to support older people

to secure or maintain housing and care in order to

effectively live in the community. The program is

designed to support those who are frail, on a low income,

in insecure rental housing or homeless, and who are from

a migrant background. Clients receive assistance and

support with care and housing and where appropriate,

are linked to existing community care services.

ACHA is funded federally by the Department of Health

and Ageing for people who live in Whittlesea, Darebin,

Banyule and Yarra and is offered by Spectrum to

Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Mauritian,

Somali, Sudanese, Filipino, Indian, Egyptian, Macedonian,

Iranian, Afghanistan, Iraq, Maltese, Greek and Sir Lankan

communities.

In the last year, Spectrum offered direct support to 135

older clients and to an additional 38 people who were

dependants or cohabiting with older migrants eligible

for the service.

Social isolation, financial disadvantage, lack of

knowledge and confidence can impact older people

or migrants with a disability from accessing services.

New and emerging communities.

Photo by Alzheimer’s Australia VIC


For those eligible for Home and Community Care

(HACC) support, Spectrum offers additional support

through the Access and Support program. In the last

year, our bilingual support workers provided 568 hours

of direct client support, visiting clients in their homes,

assessing their needs and referring them internally to

other services provided by Spectrum or, where required,

referring them to external services. The Access and

Support worker also takes on an advocacy role as the

worker is sometimes the clients’ only voice.

The Access and Support program is funded by the

Department of Health and is offered by Spectrum in

the north and inner west areas of Melbourne.

Well before the digital era, social clubs gave migrant communities the opportunity to socialise in the new countryand build much needed networks.

The Northern Federation of Ethnic Senior Citizens was created by Spectrum in 1998 to give the representatives ofethnic social clubs located in the North East a forum to meet monthly to discuss issues of interest, shareexperiences and learn from each other.

Executive representatives from 72 ethnic social clubs representing around 3000 members from the Italian, Greek,Vietnamese, Maltese, Filipino, Macedonian, Spanish, Mauritian, Indian and East African communities meet monthlyat Spectrum to discuss common concerns, suggest new ways in which Spectrum can support them and also tolearn important living skills. The Federation represents another way in which we fulfill our vision of supportinggenerations of migrants and refugees reaching their full potential.

The calendar of topics presented monthly are discussed and agreed on with Spectrum’s Federation Coordinatorwho facilitates the meetings and sources relevant guest speakers and materials to support the discussion. Topicspresented in the past year include computer training, assistance to fill in forms to apply for grants and communityeducation. One highlight was the delivery of a first aid training session (organised with VicHealth funding) to show club leaders basic first aid techniques, a valuable skill to support members in emergency situations.

This program receives funding from Home and Community Care (HACC) Program while the grant to run the sessions is provided by the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC).

ʻ ʻ

New and emerging communities

Migrating communities change over time. Established

communities are those which have been present in

Australia for some time, and have developed strong

networks and are generally well integrated within the

general population.

For those in new and emerging communities such as

the Bhutanese, the Chin and the Sudanese, that support

network is not available and is exacerbated by poor

English language skills and a lack of awareness and

links to existing services and systems. These elements

can all contribute to a sense of isolation and can

translate in real disadvantage, preventing communities

from realising their potential.

Spectrum’s Small and Emerging Communities

programs are designed to provide information and

support, raising awareness of existing aged care

services so that the communities can fully take

advantage of those services.

There are different streams of funding available to

support small and emerging communities. One of these

is provided by the Department of Health and Ageing

(DOHA) under the Aged Care Service Improvement

and Healthy Ageing Grants Project (ACSIHAG).

Through ACSIHAG, Spectrum is supporting the

Bhutanese, Iranian, Burmese (Chin), Punjabi and

Sudanese communities living in the cities of Hume,

Moreland, Yarra, Brimbank and Moonee Valley. In

the past year, we have worked with more than 80

representatives of each community, helping them

connect to mainstream services in the aged care,

health, education and transport systems.

Another program designed specifically for these

groups is the Small & Emerging Communities

(SEEC) program. Similar to the Planned Activity

Groups, this program is funded by the Department of

Health (with the Bhutanese activity group funded by

the Aged Persons Welfare Foundation) and is offered

to those aged over 55 in Darebin, Whittlesea, Banyule,

Moreland and Hume and who are experiencing social

isolation. Around 80 clients have participated in onsite

activities and social outings throughout the year,

covering the Assyrian, Punjabi, Sri Lankan, Somali

and Bhutanese communities.

Funding specific, innovative programs using mainstream sources can be difficult, especially when the programstake an approach that is different from existing services and therefore present only

preliminary anecdotal evidence. But innovation is at the earth of Spectrum’svision and when our efforts are recognised (in 2007 with the Award for

Innovation and Excellence in Primary Health for MHSS and in 2010 in the Hume City Council Business Awards for Most Innovative Provider

of Education & Training Programs), we know that we are on theright path.

Our Il Luogo d’Incontro (The Meeting Place) is one such program.Made possible by a generous donation from a Northcotebusinessman, Il Luogo d’Incontro is a program for elderly Italianswith moderate to high levels of dementia. Over the last year, tenItalian men and women have been meeting weekly. Time spenttogether reduces social isolation, alleviates depression and

improves self-esteem.

They occupy themselves with familiar activities, such as preparinghomemade pasta, bottling olives, repairing tools or visiting the local

hardware store. The sessions are always accompanied by a deliciousmeal prepared by Italian cooks.

The program gives us the opportunity to offer a specialised and tailored service to a community which is still underrepresented

when accessing services.

ʻ ʻ


Supporting peoplewith disabilities

Spectrum offers a number of

services to address the specific

needs of those with a disability

and their carers within migrant

communities.

People from migrant backgrounds are underrepresented

when it comes to using available services to help those

with disabilities to live a more comfortable and active life.

Our 200 bilingual support workers together speak more

than 50 languages, allowing us to match the clients

according to interest and personality as well as language

and culture.

We provide in-home support to facilitate access to services

in the local community, as well running activities such as

cooking groups, swimming at the local pool, or taking

part in social games nights. Sports also plays an important

part with regular visits to games during the AFL season.

Over the last year, we provided more than 13,500

hours of service to 66 clients with a diverse range

of backgrounds and disabilities, including autism,

intellectual and physical disability, Down syndrome,

hearing and vision impairments, cerebral palsy, acquired

brain injury, bipolar disorder, multiple sclerosis,

neurological disorders and epilepsy.

The aim is to inspire our clients to find a way to pursue

their passions and interests while maintaining a healthy

lifestyle and learning new skills. We help clients and their

families to identify new possibilities and support their

independence, making sure they are always safe.

Special interest groups

Spectrum runs a number of innovative programs that

provide older people from migrant communities an

opportunity to socialise and form bonds with others

in the community.

Cultural Connections – Gardening across the Seasons

started as a pilot in 2011, bringing together students from

Parade College, the Sacred Heart Church Presbytery and

three groups of nine people with low level dementia from

the Filipino, Macedonian and Vietnamese communities.

Sacred Heart Church donated a part of their courtyard,

and over the course of the last two years, the older people

and the students have collaborated to create a village-

style community garden planted with herbs, vegetables

and fruits.

The benefits are mutual. The students gain an

understanding of dementia, while the weekly

activity provides the older migrants with an

opportunity to reminisce about the past while

engaging in something that is familiar and

meaningful.

Cultural Connections - Gardening Across the Seasons

is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing.

Similar to The Cultural Connections, the Preston

Market Project is based on an innovative care approach

that offers culturally appropriate activities to the clients,

while providing respite to their carers. The project is as

simple as its name and involves taking three carers and

their care recipients on weekly outings to the Preston

Market for a two hour period. Our support worker stays

with the clients while their carers are able to do their

weekly shopping.

If we were to single out one element able to bring

generations of people together and to overcome

geographical, historical and cultural divides, that

would be music!

We have recognised this with the creation of the

Spectrum Multicultural Choir in 2006. The choir

brings together more than 50 participants from Assyrian,

Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese backgrounds. Their

average age is 60 and their oldest member, aged 85,

still sings loud and clear.

The choir meets monthly to rehearse a repertoire that

includes traditional songs in several languages, church

hymns as well as pop tunes. Last year, the choir undertook

six performances, including an appearance at the Darebin

Arts and Entertainment centre for the HACC Dementia

Alliance Expo.



Our multicultural home support service strives to ensure

that, not only do we provide clients with support workers

who speak the same language as them; we go that extra

mile to try and match the regional dialect as well.

As a result, ours is a truly global workforce. Our 406

employees represent 63 different nationalities - from

Albania to Zimbabwe and everything in between –

and speak 45 different languages.

Our frontline employees are employed across a broad

range of disciplines including drivers, cooks, activity

group leaders, program coordinators, case managers,

aged and disability care respite workers, trainers,

teachers, receptionists, admin support workers,

migration agents, project officers.

They are supported by a team of professionals providing

services in HR, Finance, IT, Communications &

Marketing, Grants and Tenders applications, Policy &

Research, Business Development support and Quality

& Compliance.

Many of our employees either began as volunteers

with Spectrum and subsequently transitioned into paid

employment or joined us as recent migrants looking to

establish themselves in their first job in Australia.

In line with our 2013-16 strategic plan, Spectrum has

made a significant investment in its senior executive

team. Two new posts have been created - Chief Financial

Officer and General Manager, People and Organisation

Capability - and we have appointed a new General

Manager to our Registered Training Organisation.

These new appointments, together with our existing

management team, will ensure we have the skills and

expertise needed to take the organisation forward.

We are committed to providing our staff with the

tools, skills and knowledge that they need to deliver

exceptional services to our clients. To this end we have

supported individual employees to gain accreditation

in the following disciplines:

• Occupational Health & Safety;

• Migration advice and guidance;

• Training and assessment; and

• Leadership and management.

In addition, we have also commenced work on

reviewing and improving our IT infrastructure and

business systems and processes to make it easier for

our people to provide an even higher standard of

quality services to our clients.

Spectrum is proud of its unique approach in ensuring that our employee profilereflects the diverse client base that we serve.

Our People

The one element that unites our staff and makes them stand out is the passion they put into their work.We do our best to provide quality, personal support to each of our clients and, in return, our clients giveus the joy of witnessing the positive impact our work has on their lives.

Joanne Muscat had been a stay-at-home mum for 12 years, caring for her two children, one of whom is autistic. Three years ago, she joined Spectrum as a MHSS support worker working with the aged and people with disability in the Maltese community. And she hasn’t looked back.

“Working at Spectrum has given me the confidence to get out into the world and to earn a living, and to do this by doing what I had always wanted to do: working with the elderly.

I enjoy meeting every single client and every time I am assigned someone I have not met before, I look forward to getting to know their story, because every person has a story to tell, something that makes them special. But what really makes me smile with joy, is the time spent helping my clients with the personal care, indulging inthe vanity of choosing together an outfit or grooming the hair before attending anappointment. The look of incredulity in their eyes when they see themselves

in the mirror, this is for me the best satisfaction.”

ʻ ʻ

On 18 March 2013 at the Great Hall, Parliament House in Canberra and in the company of high profilefigures such as the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott, CEO AustraliaPost CEO Ahmed Fahour and AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou, one of our long standing employees BogdanaPoljak was recognised for her contribution to the migrant communities.

Bogdana was a finalist for Case Worker of the Year, as part of the 2013 Migration and Settlement Awards.

The Awards recognise the work of organisations and individuals that assist new migrants and refugees to settle, to feel included and to fully participate in life in Australia.

While Bogdana didn’t win that night, all of us at Spectrum were immensely proud to see the dedication andloyalty that she has shown to her clients over the years recognised in such a respected and high profile forum.

Bogdana was not alone in being recognised for her contribution. A number of other Spectrum employees were also nominated for awards: Dragica Arbutina was nominated for Case Worker of the Year, Essan Dileri and Samuel Sakama were nominated for an Innovative Settlement Program Award for the HomeworkSupport Group. There are many people in Australia today whose life has been enriched by the service all of our people provide. Our clients are truly fortunate to have the support of people like Bogdana, Dragica, Essan and Samuel during their settlement journey in Australia. We are proud of every one of you.

ʻ ʻ2012-2013 Annual Report 25


Anthea Green – ChairpersonWith more than 25 years’ experience as a CEO in the health

and disability sectors and over 13

years’ experience on Boards, as

well as extensive experience in

government negotiations and funding

of social service policies, Anthea

Green brings a wealth of knowledge

to Spectrum.

“When I was approached by

Spectrum to join their Board as

Chairperson, I was very enthusiastic. I believe Spectrum to be

a very significant, respected and established organisation and

I was – and still am – attracted to the kind of work they do.

“I am impressed by the very strong sense of purpose and

mission Spectrum staff and my fellow Board Directors

demonstrate in their work.

“The sector is quite complicated when it comes to Policy

agendas and funding models. I’d like for Spectrum to grow its

revenue base and be a significant contributor to the services

delivered to the migrants and refugees who seek help and

assistance. I would also like to see Spectrum be a significant

voice and advocate on behalf of the clients it services.”

Tam Pham – Vice ChairpersonTam Pham is the Senior IT Manager for Cricket Australia. He

has more than 17 years’ experience in

working with leaders, executives and

committees locally and abroad on all

operational, strategic governance

aspects of IT.

“With my background in technology,

I want to help shape Spectrum’s

technology and future as it continues

to evolve with communities’ demand

and services. Technology influences the way we choose to be

informed but more importantly, it helps remove physical

barriers and distance and therefore facilitates social inclusion.

“As a former refugee who settled to Australia in the mid-80s, I

am attracted to Spectrum’s vision, strategy, purpose and values.

“Being part of Spectrum’s Board, it is important to strike the right

balance between all the things that we’d like to do and the limited

resources available, choosing what is best for our communities

and focusing on the quality of the services delivered.”

Sumith Perera - TreasurerSumith Perera is the Chief Operating Officer at Hall &

Wilcox Lawyers. He is a Chartered

Accountant with a broad commercial

background having worked in many

industries directly or in a consulting

capacity. This is Sumith’s second

stint on the Spectrum Board.

“My background in a commercial

environment has helped me

understand the challenges of a not-

for-profit organisation, including ensuring the decisions the

Board takes drive sustainable outcomes so that Spectrum can

continue to be a real voice and opinion leader for migrants

and asylum seekers.

“I have a strong affinity with helping others to achieve and

enjoy success in Australia. As a migrant myself, I can relate

to and understand the challenges faced by people who arrive

in Australia with little more than their personal capabilities,

ambition and drive.”

Gabriel Edwards - SecretaryA former corporate and public sector executive with

more than 20 years’ experience in

organisational development and

corporate affairs, Gabriel Edwards

is Managing Director of Engaging

People and is a highly sought after

executive advisor, coach, counsellor,

public speaker and facilitator for

Boards, CEOs and executives.

“The sectors that Spectrum operates

within are experiencing considerable change. As a Board

Member, I’m committed to providing genuine leadership and

support for the CEO and her team during this time.

“I grew up in a very large family with parents committed to

the values of diversity, equal opportunity and social justice.

Despite their own financial disadvantage, they were

committed to supporting and speaking up for people less

fortunate than themselves. This has been a theme throughout

my life and career.

“I love Spectrum’s focus on community engagement and

empowering its clients to reach their full potential. I couldn’t

think of a more satisfying way to volunteer my time and

expertise than to support Spectrum and I’m continually

humbled by the skills and dedication demonstrated by

Spectrum employees.”

Our Board


Georgia PrattisGeorgia Prattis is a senior partner at Myriad Consultants,

specialising in access and equity

related research and evaluation,

organisational change programs

and strategic planning. She

possesses extensive policy reform

experience in the field of diversity,

and has worked across the public

sector in a range of federal, state

and local government bodies,

NGOs and with communities

from immigrant and refugee backgrounds.

“As the child of post-war migrants to Australia, I understand

first-hand the many challenges that confront vulnerable

communities in navigating unfamiliar and sometimes

complex environments. It’s for this reason that I’m personally

committed to supporting any efforts that help our migrant

communities to achieve their full potential.

“I believe that the Spectrum Education and Training function

offers a plethora of opportunities for harnessing the cultural

capital that exists in the community. With extensive experience

in the management of Registered Training Organisations and

compliance and adult education and training, I am excited

about exploring potential innovations in this area.”

Gerri ChristieGerri is a former corporate and company executive with

more than 20 years’ experience in

managing private and not-for-profit

companies including six years as

the CEO of the Royal Flying Doctor

Service in Victoria. She has

extensive experience in the areas

of advancement and development

of organisations, particularly

those in the not-for-profit sector.

“I’m proud of being part of an organisation that changes

people’s lives and proud of the passion with which the team

at Spectrum work to give migrants and refugees the very best

start in their new lives in Australia.

“I hope that my contribution will one day support the

establishment of a foundation. There are only a certain

number of initiatives that can be covered through Government

funding, and there are so many ideas and projects we could

implement that would be really beneficial for our migrant

communities.”

Hayley Underwood (appointed June 2013)

Hayley Underwood is a Partner of

Moore Stephens accounting firm.

She is a Chartered Accountant and

Registered Company auditor with

particular expertise in the education

and not-for-profit sectors.

“Working as a finance professional, I

realise the impact the global financial

and economic crisis has had on many

people all over the world and the knock-on effect this has had

on social injustice and integration.

“Spectrum has a long standing history of providing settlement

services for migrants and refugees and I see this work as a

major contribution towards correcting the social justice

imbalance.

“I use my accounting experience to assist Spectrum’s Board

make informed and effective decisions with all their financial

resources. Having a strong financial base means that

Spectrum can continue to grow and offer an even broader

range of services to help our clients successfully settle in

Australia and be involved all aspects of community life.”


Federal Government

Department of Education,

Employment and Workplace

Relations

Department of Families, Housing,

Community Services and Indigenous

Affairs

Department of Health and Ageing

Department of Human Services

Department of Immigration and

Citizenship

Victorian State Government

Department of Education and Early

Childhood Development

Department of Health

Department of Human Services

Office for Youth

Office of Multicultural Affairs and

Citizenship

Victorian Multicultural Commission

Philanthropic and Corporate

Supporters

Aged Persons Welfare Foundation

Australian Unity Foundation

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Helen Macpherson Smith Trust

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation

LUCRF Community Partnership Trust

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers

Newsboys Foundation

Optus

RACV Community Foundation

The Ian Potter Foundation

Local Government,

Community and Consortium

Partners

Alzheimer’s Australia VIC

AMES HSS Consortium

Banyule City Council

Banyule Community Health

Broadmeadows Family

Relationship Centre

Brotherhood of St Laurence

Cameo Memorials

CarerLinks North

City of Yarra

City of Whittlesea

Darebin City Council

Hume City Council

Drive National Training

Epping Secondary College

Good Shepherd Microfinance

Good Shepherd Youth and Family

Service

Greensborough Family

Relationship Centre

Helping Hoops

La Trobe University

Merri Community Health Services

Metropolitan Fire Brigade

Northern Melbourne Institute of

TAFE (NMIT)

Northern AMEP Consortium

Parade College

Relationships Australia

Rotary Club of Melbourne

The Salvation Army

The Water Well Project

VICSEG New Futures

Whittlesea Community Connections

Yarra Plenty Regional Library

Spectrum

Volunteers

Xiaohua Di

Adam Curry

Ahmed Hafsa

Albert Yew

Alice Reed

Alison Weedon

Anna Buchanan

Anna Giannone

Annette Reeves

Athena Rogers

Bai Ying Kong

Barb Taylor

Bawi Phun Kul

Bawi Zahrin

Ben Barett

Ben Fulton

Celeste Fouache

Chris Stabb

Cinzia Curini

Claire Fraser

Clare Lord

Dadhi Ram Adhikari

Danny Ablahad

Deborah Thomas

Dilan Celtin

Dorothy Sofa

Eloise Molan

Elysia Annetell

Emil Altoe

Emily Wyckoff

Erin Oliver

Fiona Harney

Francesco Faraci

Gabriel Mabior

Gale English

GiannaTardio

Grace Olaka

Graham Young

Grazia Guerrisi

Gretta Jones

Haley Sageman

Hany Hoang Tran

Hugo Holliday

Isaiah Muchoki

James Lord

Janice Kho

Jill Thompson

Jo Allan

John Pinniger

Joo-Cheong Tham

Josif Janeski

Juana Pascuzzi

Julian Lowndes

Julian Rex

Julin Lee

Ka Kin Ko

Kara Miller

Kate Jackson

Kim Pickburn

Koula Bouras

Kristy Taylor

Larissa Curcio

Le Hanh

Lincoln Hoye

Lory Trimboli

Luz Lastimosa

Madeleine McCormack

Madeline Colquhoun

Mairead McGowen

Mairead O'Sullivan

Maria Franco

Mary Bolitho

Mary Giordano

Mary Militsis

Matthew Lorenzon

Merna Hijazi

Michael Finger

Mohammad Shoghian

Mohsen Zamani

My Khanh Kha

Nasim Marquis

Natasha Burns

Nessim Morcos

Nicholas Metherall

Nick Manuelpillai

Nirliah Ishadi

Norina Hamada

Norma McGregor

Oliver Ku

Rachel Lee

Raheleh Abdian

Reema Dadwal

Reza Mohseni

Rosalba Houghtoh

Roshni Chhetri

Said Rhora

Saliah Siryon

Sally O'Keefe

Saloney Shah

Sarah Jane Blunt

Sharni Burgess

Shemiran Khananishoo

Simon Winkler

Sonja Rolevska

Stephen Tran

Sunil Rao

Tamara Preuss

Tatyana Ristevska

Tegan Perry

Toby Burrows

Tom Cobban

Trevor Jones

Uma Rani

Jagan Mohan

Van Thanh Tran

Yanoula Fouras

The work we do at Spectrum would not be possible if not for the funding we receivefrom Federal and State Governments and our philanthropic and corporate supporters;the partnerships we form with Local Governments and consortium partners; and theefforts of our wonderful volunteers.

On behalf of Melbourne’s migrant and refugee communities in the North and West, wewould like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our supporters for theirincredible contributions throughout 2012-13.

Our Supporters


Do you want to support our work with migrant and refugee communities? There are many ways in which you can get involved.

DonateWe are also open to receive

philanthropic donations,

linking them to specific

projects that you want to

support. Contact us on

(03) 9496 0200.

ConverseAnother way to get involved is by joining the conversation and spreading the word about

the work we do to supportmigrant communities.Follow us on social

media.

Collaborate We believe in the power of

collaboration and are always open toopportunities to support or partner withothers to deliver value to our migrant

communities. It can be as simple as sharingexisting networks or working together tohelp connect our clients to your services.If while reading this Annual Report you

identify an opportunity to worktogether, contact us on

(03) 9496 0200.

VolunteerYou can volunteer your time

and expertise to assist in the delivery of our services. Volunteering provides you with an opportunity to offer skills

and expertise for the benefit of others. Forexample, an accountant could assist a newly

formed community group to prepare a financialreport, or a teacher could offer to teach Englishto people who cannot access English classes.

If you are interested in offering yourservices, contact our volunteer

coordinator atvolunteering@spectrumvic

.org.au.

Join inYou can join in one of the many

great events we run throughout theyear such as the annual Let the

Cultures Unite dinner for women orthe celebration of the Indian and theMacedonian independence days. Just

keep an eye on our website andsocial media for the full

calendar of events.


2012 -13 Financial Statement

Revenue Total

Federal 30%

Other 23%

State 47%

Revenue by Service

Aged Services 53%

Settlement 24%

Training 20%

Other 3%

Expenditure

Aged Services 45%

Settlement 20%

Training 16%

Other 19%

New funding grants for 2012-13 20 successful grant and tender submissions. This

resulted in $1,094,044 in new funding to support the

provision of new and existing programs, including:

$237,500 From the Office of Multicultural Affairs

and Citizenship to fund the Refugee

Action Program over 2½ years.

$200,000 From the Department of Health and

Ageing to fund the Spectrum Respite

Centre over 15 months.

$150,000 From the Department of Education,

Employment and Workplace Relations

to fund Groupwise over six months.

$91,818 From the Local Solutions Fund,

Department of Human Services to fund

Future Pathways over 12 months.

$45,909 From the Department of Education,

Employment and Workplace Relations

to fund the Supported Work Placement

Project over three months.

$40,236 Additional funding from the

Department of Immigration and

Citizenship to fund the Settlement

Grants Program over 12 months.

$35,667 In recurrent funding from the

Department of Health to fund the

Planned Activity Group – Banyule.

$24,350 From the Australian Unity Foundation

to fund Il Luogo d’Incontro (The

Meeting Place) over 12 months.

$9,019 From the RACV Community

Foundation to fund the Drive to Thrive

program over 12 months.


The Carers Recognition Act 2012 promotes and values

the role of people in care relationships and formally

recognises the contribution that carers and people in

care relationships make to the social and economic

fabric of the Victorian community. Spectrum has taken

all practicable measures to comply with its obligations

under the Act.

Spectrum has promoted the principles of the Act to

people in care relationships who receive our services and

to the wider community by distributing printed material

about the Act at community events or service points.

We have also taken all practicable measures to ensure

our employees are aware of and understand the care

relationship principles set out in the Act. Spectrum

developed and implemented an employee awareness

strategy about the principles of the Act and what they

mean for employees, which included distributing

printed material about the Act at employee meetings

and discussing the implications for carers we provide

services to.

Lastly, Spectrum has taken all practicable measures to

consider the carer relationships principles set out in the

Act when setting policies and providing services by

reviewing our employment policies such as flexible

working arrangements and leave provisions to ensure

that these comply with the statement of principles in

the Act.

Other Disclosures

Spectrum MRC Preston Office

251 High Street

Preston 3072

Tel.: (03) 9496 0200

Fax: (03) 9484 7942

Email: [email protected]

Spectrum MRC Sunshine Office

161 Harvester Road

Sunshine 3020

Tel.: (03) 9300 8600

Fax: (03) 9300 8650


Spectrum MRC Broadmeadows Office

1/1100 Pascoe Vale Road

Broadmeadows 3047

Tel.: (03) 9301 7400

Fax: (03) 9302 4048


Spectrum Education & Training (SET)

61 Riggall Street

Dallas 3047

Tel.: (03) 9301 0400

Fax: (03) 9302 4048


Clifton Respite Cottage

Multicultural respite for carers

7 Clifton Grove

Preston 3072

Tel.: (03) 9480 2877


Website

www.spectrumvic.org.au

Contact Us

Social Media

Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/SpectrumVIC

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/SpectrumMRC

Find us on LinkedInwww.linkedin.com/in/SpectrumMRC

Watch us on YouTube www.youtube.com/SpectrumVIC

Listen to us on SoundCloudwww.soundcloud.com/SpectrumMRC

www.spectrumvic.org.au

Documents

Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) Annual Report 2012 - 13