Everyday Women with Extraordinary Stories - May 2013

On Tuesday morning we were honoured to have Biljana Petrova as the Keynote Speaker for the May 2013 edition of Everyday Women with Extraordinary Stories.

Biljana Petrova and Sela Taufa, Chair of MWA Inc

Biljana Petrova is the Manager of the Women's Information and Referral Centre, part of the ACT Community Services Directorate.

She has had long term experience working in the community sector in Canberra and particularly in the Women's Sector in varied roles being a dedicated advocate for disadvantaged women in our community.

Biljana has a strong interest in access, equity and justice issues and throughout her working life has taken on positions on Boards and Committees to contribute towards the running of much needed services for women.

Biljana sharing her personal journey

 Biljana shared her thoughts and her personal journey as a migrant women, her influences, some of her experiences of being involved in community projects as a volunteer and her contribution to our Canberra Community.

Thank you Biljana!

The MWA Team x

Happy Volunteer Week!

A huge thank you to all our wonderful Volunteers - Happy Volunteer Week!

Everyday Women with Extraordinary Stories - April 2013

The Welcome Reception for the Australian Migrant and Refugee Women's Alliance (AMaRWA) Stand Up! National Conference was held on the evening of Sunday, 28th April at Rydges Lakeside.

It was an honour for MWA's  'Everyday Women with Extraordinary Stories' Series to be the keynote address on the evening, with Ms Marluce Silva Peters as our Keynote Speaker for the month of April.

Marluce is the Coordinator of the Doris Women's Refuge and works to improve services to disadvantaged and marginalised women and girls with her active involvement with many local community groups, services and the ACT Government.

Marluce was awarded the 2009 ACT Government Audrey Fagan Churchill Fellowship to investigate programs to support overseas women surviving family violence.

Marluce sharing her journey as part of the 'Everyday Women with Extraordinary Stories'

The next Everyday Women with Extraordinary Stories will be held towards the end of May.

The MWA Team x

InterculturalHand Arts & Hearts Launch

Opening Night at the InterculturalHands ArtsandHearts Launch - a beautiful exhibition of heartfelt stories, personal journeys - overwhelming, gorgeous and so amazing!

Sela and Nicola at the Opening

The amazing & very talented women who shared their stories through their art - InterculturalHand ArtsandHeart Trail exhibition opening night.

An honour to be part of the evening.

The MWA Team x

Harmony Day 2013

We wish all a wonderful Harmony Day. 

The message of Harmony Day is Everyone Belongs and in 2013 the theme is: Many Stories – One Australia.

Sharing our many stories together!

The MWA Team x

Intercultural Hand Arts and Heart Trail

The Launch of Intercultural Hand Arts and Heart Trail is on Tuesday evening, 19th March at 6:00pm at 65 Northbourne Avenue and continues on through to the 25th of March. 

You can find out more from Intercultural Hand ArtsandHeart

The MWA Team x

Africian Film Festival

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

We wish to advise that we have had to cancel the upcoming African Film Festival that we were co-hosting this Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday evening at Dendy Cinemas. 

We hope to reschedule the event for another time and will keep you updated on this. 

We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you. 

If you require any further information or have any questions, please contact Kylie our Program Manager.

Kind Regards,

Kylie & The MWA Team

Everyday Women with Extraordinary Stories - March

Amanda Bresnan was the first of 12 Women taking part in our 'Everyday Women with Extraordinary Stories' series celebrating International Women's Day. 

From October 2008 to 2012 Amanda was an elected Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the ACT Greens.   Amanda was the ACT Greens spokesperson for health, disability, housing, ageing, multicultural affairs, transport and corrections.

Prior to being elected as an MLA, Amanda was the Acting Director of Policy and Projects for the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA), and prior to that the Policy Manager at the Consumers' Health Forum of Australia.

Amanda is currently working as consultant and is a Board Member of the Asthma Foundation ACT and member of the Global Sisters Advisory Group, an Australian micro credit project for women who are disadvantaged.

Over the coming 12 months the women we have chosen to share their story reflects the diversity of the women and the amazing resilience they have in making their journey extraordinary!

We are looking forward to introducing these amazing women to you all.

The MWA Team x

International Women's Day 2013

Celebrating Everyday Women with Extraordinary Stories March 2013 to March 2014

Today, Wednesday 6 March 2013 Minister Joy Burch, MLA and MWA Inc will launch “Everyday Women with Extraordinary Stories” featuring Women living in Canberra, from different backgrounds and cultures, who have contributed to the landscape of Canberra over the last 100 years. 

From Royalty, Business and Academia, a Grandmother and a former Politician.

The MWA Team x

Children's Parade - Saturday 09 February at 4pm

If you wish to have your Child take part don't forget that you MUST register your Child by 2pm on Saturday.

Don't forget that we have the vibrant and fun Children's Parade on Saturday 09 February 2013 commencing at 4pm AND we have the very fabulous Mr Jay Laga'aia leading the Parade .... way cool YES!

All Parents / Caregivers MUST accompany their Children during the Parade.  

No Children will be allowed to participate without a Parent / Caregiver with them.

There are two ways to Register your Children:

1.  Register online via this link: On-Line Registration Form  Click on the link and fill out the form with all the details and hit the submit button and you are done! 

2.  Register on the day at the Registration Desk located at the Children's Sanctuary

It is going to be such a wonderful day and we can not wait to see all of the gorgeous little ones participating in the Children's Parade celebrating their cultures!

See you there!!

The MWA Team x

Children's Sanctuary Workshops

Join us on Saturday, 09 February for some wonderful workshops at the Children's Sanctuary ...

10:00 am  Henna Painting and Flower Garland workshops

11:00 am  Sabor Venezuela Folk Dancing Workshop

11:30am     Tongan Embassy Hiko Dance Game and Singing Workshop

12:00pm     Puppet workshop (note: following the Puppet performance)

12:30pm     Tamil, Bengali and Hindi name writing

1:00pm       Venezuelan Drumming activity by Cambur Pinton Musical Group

1:30pm        Macedonian Folk Dancing workshop

2:00pm        The Coloumbian Cultural & Folkloric Organisation Dance workshop



Way too much fun for the Kids!

Hope to see you there ...

The MWA Team x

2013 Multicultural Women’s Advocacy Inc PRESS RELEASE Children’s Sanctuary National Multicultural Festival

The Multicultural Women’s Advocacy Inc (MWA) is pleased to be co-hosting the Children’s Sanctuary at the National Multicultural Festival with the Office of Multicultural Affairs for the second year.

“Last year was a success with over 1500 children and their families taking part in the multicultural community activities.  We are looking forward to co-hosting the Children’s Sanctuary again this year” Ms Sela Taufa, Chair of MWA said.

The Children’s Sanctuary provides a space where women, their children and their families can celebrate the diversity of their culture along with experiencing the amazing vibrancy of our Multicultural Community.

This year is going to be fantastic for the Children with the announcement of Mr Jay Laga’aia as the face of the Children’s Sanctuary.  Jay will be appearing at the Children’s Sanctuary throughout the day and will lead the Children’s Parade commencing at 4pm.

A fabulous line up of entertainment, workshops, activities and performances from our Multicultural Community, which include; A folk dancing workshop with Sabor Venezuela, writing in Tamil, Bengali and Hindi, Table Heart Weaving, Drumming and Singing … just to name a few!

“We are excited to provide a space where all can participate, celebrate their identity and cultural heritage right here in the ACT” Ms Sela Taufa said.

The Children’s Sanctuary will be held on Saturday, 09 February from 10am to 3pm outside the Canberra Museum and Gallery on London Circuit with the Children’s Parade commencing at 4pm.

For more information on the Children’s Sanctuary and the Children’s Parade please visit www.multiculturalwomensadvocacy.org , www.multiculturalfestival.com.au or follow us on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MulticulturalWomensAdvocacyInc or twitter @MWA_Inc

*Mr Jay Laga’aia appears by arrangement with Mark Morrissey and Associates

For more information, please contact Sela Taufa, Chair Multicultural Women’s Advocacy Inc (MWA) on 6230 4632 or Kylie, Program Manager Multicultural Women’s Advocacy Inc (MWA) on 6230 4632

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Community Service Advice Upcoming Information Session:

RELATIONSHIP SEPARATION  INFORMATION SESSION

The Women's Legal Centre and Women's Information & Referral Centre are conducting a free information session for women considering separation or needing information about the separation process.

* Topics presented will be on general Family Law issues.

* Referrals for individual issues can be given after the session.

     Date:    Thursday 7 February 2013

     Time:    1.00 - 1.30pm - Property matters
                 1.30 - 2.00pm - Children's matters

     Venue:   CIVIC - Ring for details   Bookings essential

For more information ring  6205 1075  or 6205 1076 during business hours or Email us: wirc@act.gov.au

Bring your lunch and we'll supply the tea and coffee


This information session is being organised and hosted by The Women's Legal Centre and the Women's Information & Referral Centre.


The MWA Team x

Happy 2013!

Happy 2013 to all our friends and families! The MWA Team is looking forward to the year ahead and working with so many fabulous women.

The year has started off with a bang as we prepare for the upcoming National Multicultural Festival being held on 08-10 February 2013 and co-hosting the Children's Sanctuary on Saturday 09 February from 10am to 3pm.

We are excited to have the 4th intake of the MEPP Program commence at the end of January 2013.  We will be working with another 8 women and look forward to seeing them find their voices!

The launch of our "Celebrating Women in Canberra" will also take place ...  and that's just the first few months of the Year!!

So much is happening and we are so excited to be sharing them with you all!

The MWA Team x