ACTIVITIES

We do lots of fun things together…

We have a regular attendance of 25-30 members at our bi-monthly (every two months) meetings. At these meetings we plan our yearly activities as a group and cover topics of general interests to the members. We share a lunch of our cultural delicacies after the meetings, exchange ideas and offer support.

Members are encouraged to take part in running the group and to share in the responsibilities of organising events, with assistance from the Executive Committee.

We organise workshops and seminars on leadership skills and volunteering, to improve our knowledge and self- esteem. Our workshops have been able to provide our members with the confidence to participate in local and state government committees.

Among the more popular workshops have been; women’s health seminars, First Aid training and the Hygiene and Food Handling short course. Many of us are involved in volunteer work in the community working in charity shops, disability services, Meals on Wheels, friendly visiting programs, church choirs, University of the Third Age, and the District Court network.

We provide support for women who need assistance with language and interpretation by driving them to medical and legal appointments, assisting at Centrelink appointments, with shopping and completing official government forms.

We provide informal social services by doing home visits when someone is unwell or needing a visit due to loneliness. Some members are widowed, live in isolated areas and others do not drive or have access to transport. We offer caring support in case of bereavement or illness.

We provide opportunities for women to socialise. Annual social activities are organised which include; International Women’s Day lunch, Mother’s Day lunch, Mid year lunch , trip to art gallery, Seniors week celebration and end of year Christmas lunch. All of these activities we are able to subsidies with money raised in small raffles that are held at our bi-monthly meetings.

We have a dance group which learns dance routines of the different cultures within the International Women’s Group and perform these at our annual Harmony Day and Multicultural Food Festival events and guests at other community events.

End of the year/Christmas lunch-14th Dec 2024

90 members and guests attended this [partially subsidised] end of the year get together enjoying food, games, raffles and most importantly socialising at Morwell RSL Function Room. Our former President of was awarded with Life Membership.

DIWALI FESTIVAL @ KERNOT HALL

Invited to perform multicultural dance at the festival [Saturday, 12th October 2024]

Sale Art Gallery & Victoria Rose Afternoon Tea

Saturday, 20th September 2024

Ongoing activities

Simple exercise class. MONDAY MORNINGS at 10am at Gippsland Multicultural Service, 26 Tarwin Street, Morwell.

During the COVID crisis the executive committee is still meeting and providing support to members at this difficult time. Home visits and emergency food drops are being provided. Very small group morning or afternoon teas have been organised for isolated members. COVID emergency packs, which contain masks, hand sanitiser, gloves, anti-bacterial wipes etc have been distributed.

“The most important act in multiculturalism is the simple act of meeting each other.” – Ajit Singh Chouhan – Oorja Foundation

Social Exercise Program in 2023

We have received a grant from Australia Post to develop our exercise program and promote connectivity and well-being. We hope that as many members as possible will get involved and reconnect with friends. We want to help members to get active and maintain their physical and mental health.