The St George Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) commenced operations in 1981 following recommendations from the Galbally Report (Migrant Services and Programs, 1978) which recommended establishing migrant resource centres to meet the needs of migrant communities. The Migrant Resource Centres were intended to support ethnic and community organisations and help them play a greater role in provision of migrant welfare, to serve as a base for ethnic groups and to encourage self-managed services at the local level.
Since its establishment, the St George MRC has worked with different waves of migrant and refugee settlers; we assisted and advocated for the people in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities to enable the effective use of their skills and capacities; and thereby maximise their access to the social and economic opportunities available in the Australian community.
Some of the key milestones in our history:
1981 - 1985
The St George MRC was officially opened in August 1981. An interim management committee appointed by the then Minister of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, for securing premises, employing staff and preparing the ground work for the Centre’s first election.
The St George MRC managed a number of projects such as Multicultural Child Care project and Immigration Women’s Access project.
In Jan 1985, the St George MRC became an independent legal entity and was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in NSW.
1986 – 1990
The St George MRC received funding from the Department of Employment, Education and Training for a Community Volunteer Program (CVP). The objectives of the program were to provide opportunities for the unemployed to participate in voluntary work and activities within community-based, non-profit organisations so as to assist in developing and maintaining their ability to obtain and retain employment.
The St George MRC successfully applied for a Grant-in-Aid (GIA) funded program and the position involved undertaking community development work in the St George area, concentring on meeting the needs of people of non-English speaking background.
The St George MRC was granted a Specialist Migrant Placement Officer (SMPO) through the Department of Further Education Training and Employment. SMPO program was to facilitate the entry of NESB migrants into the Australia labour market through the provision of appropriate counselling, referral and employment/training placement services.
1991-1995
In 1991, Multicultural Day Care Program was established to provide centre based social and remedial activities, culturally appropriate food, relevant information, resources and transport for CALD frail aged people in St George area. It is also respite care for carers. At first, there were six day care groups. The Day Care Program has expanded to 22 different language and cultural groups, today.
Carers Support group program was set up to provide an opportunity for carers of frail aged to form a group to discuss issues of concern thus providing them with mutual support and appropriate information. Today, our Carers Support program consist of 6 carer support groups and bi-monthly re-creational activities organised and facilitated by bilingual workers for all non-paid carers of frail aged and people with disabilities.
St George MRC’s core staff was increased from two to four paid staff including a community development officer and administrative assistant.
First Multicultural Children’s Resource Service began. The service was funded by the Department of Human Services and Health; provided resources, support and training and consultancy services to child care providers who give care to children of NESB and /or with disabilities.
The St George MRC received new GIA (Grant-in-Aid) grants for Somali community as well as a GIA worker for the Migrant Employment Taskforce (MET) which incorporated now.
Community Aged Care Packages program (CACP) began its service delivery in 1995. It provides a complete package of care that includes domestic assistance, personal care, shopping and transport etc, for house-bound elderly by utilising paid bilingual workers. In 1995, there were 30 packages to five specific ethnic groups including Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian and Macedonian. We are currently providing 97 packages to frail aged of all non-English speaking backgrounds.
The St George MRC changed from a company limited by guarantee to an incorporated association and adopted a new constitution.
1996 – 2000
First Humanitarian Refugee Resource Worker commenced and the worker provided case work services to refugees in the St George area.
Tenancy project provided a tenancy advice and information service and training to residents and community workers of the St George area.
St George MRC moved to current premises (ground floor) while the Home and Community Care (HACC) funded programs and Community Aged Care Package Program relocated to the Bexley Community Centre. The Bexley Community centre was built purposely for the HACC target group; jointly by the then NSW Department of Ageing and Disability and Rockdale City Council.
Grant-in-Aid funding discontinued. New settlement program called Community Settlement Services Scheme (CSSS). The St George Migrant Resource Centre received CSSS funding to provide settlement services to the Eritrean and Indonesian communities. Thus the Emerging Communities’ Project (Indonesian and Eritrean) was established. The project operated from the St George MRC and other venues in Sydney – providing casework and support services for these communities.
Additional CSS funding received to provide settlement service to the Somali community including services specifically for Somali women.
A new initiative - NESB Access Project was established. It aims at improving access to mainstream HACC service by people of non-English Speaking background and improve culturally and linguistically appropriate service provision in the St George and Sutherland regions. The project was mentioned at the 2000 FECCA conference as an innovative model of assisting ethnic clients to access mainstream services. The project was also presented at the NSW local Government Multicultural Forum and proclaimed as a good practice model.
The St George MRC developed a training video called “Sense of Home – Growing Older in Australia”. The video was launched and well received at the International Year of Older Persons celebration. The aim was to raise awareness among people who work with elderly.
The St George MRC's community care services were amalgamate and formed a new arm - Multicultural Aged and Disability Services, where an overarching coordinator position created to engage in community development activities at the State Level.
2001 – 2006
St George MRC received an Award from Rockdale City Council for Outstanding Community Services to the region; also the Premier’s Senior Citizen’s Award for Community Organisations for its outstanding contribution to senior citizens.
Received new CSSS project provided casework for new arrived humanitarian backgrounds.
The St George MRC was successful at obtaining funds from the local Councils to start a new project targeting the South Pacific Islander and Maori (SPIM) communities in the St George region. This project was extended through a community grant from the Department o Women to establish the South Pacific Women;s Project and support from local schools and Councils to run a series of schools and crime prevention projects.
St George MRC’s new look Logo and bi-line - “Bringing Cultures Together, Building Community Spirit”, truly reflects that St George MRC is always guided by social justice principles and a spirit of building communities that are able to live peacefully and harmoniously together.
Reaching the new century of 2000, St George MRC’s website developed.
The St George MRC received a grant for community research on issues and needs of parents and was also successful in securing further funding for a grandparent carers project from Department of Community Services.
2007 - 2010
Changes in settlement funding arrangement from core funding to project based funding (Settlement Grant Program (SGP) - which has led to a new MRC structure and process of operation.
The office staff of the Multicultural Aged and Disability Services team re-located to the new Rockdale office and the Bexley Community Centre was refurnished to cater the growing Day Care program.
The St George MRC was awarded funding for new SGP projects – providing settlement assistance to recently arrived migrants, humanitarian entrants, families, women and youth.
Establishment of outreach services for new migrants at Hurstville and young people at Menai.
The St George MRC developed training packages areas such as cross-cultural and effective ways of working with CALD communities etc. These trainings were provided to agencies and government departments.
Revision of the Rules and Constitution reflected the current MRC’s services and objectives.
Community Foodies Project which aims to improve community advocacy about good nutrition, using the peer education model within the South Pacific Islander and Maori (SPIM) communities.
St George MRC received funding from NSW Department of Premier for a Domestic Violence Pro-active Support Service (DVPASS) Project which commenced in 2010. The Project is a police lead initiative which provides victims who come into contact with police access to early intervention strategies and appropriate support services.
In 2011, additional funding was received to provide support and community education on domestic violence targeting Chinese and South Asian families such as Nepalese and Bengali.