annual report 2010 â2011 - Multicultural Development Association

Multicultural Development Association 

ANNUAL 

REPORT 

2010 –2011

Contents 

i introduction ii 


A message from Chair of the Board 1 

A message from the Chief Executive Officer 2 

Our history, philosophy and mission 4 

2 SETTLEMENT AND CLIENT SERVICES 6 

Head Office 

Brisbane Multicultural Centre 

28 Dibley St, Woolloongabba Q 4102 

phone 07 3337 5400 

Northside Office 

217A Lutwyche Road, Windsor Q 4030 

phone 07 3357 5786 

Toowoomba Office 

166A Hume St, Toowoomba Q 4350 

phone 07 4632 1466 

Rockhampton Office 

46 Denham Street 

Rockhampton Q 4700 

For all offices 

fax 07 3337 5444 

email mailbox@mdabne.org.au 

www.mdainc.org.au 

Settlement Services 7 

What is settlement? 8 

New beginnings 9 

Intensive Support Services 11 

Community determination 13 

3 EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES 14 

Helping people into employment 15 

5 Advocacy 20 

… making a difference 21 

5 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 24 

Focus on youth 28 

Bicultural Support Services 35 

Volunteers 37 

Brisbane Multicultural Centre (BMC) 39 

MDA’S new offices 42 

Floods 45 

World Refugee Day Community Festival 2011 49 

5 GOVERNANCE 52 

Quality and improvement 53 

Governance 54 

Our Executive 55 

Our Board 58 

Financial summary 2010 – 2011 61

1 

A message from Chair of the Board 

i introduction 

The Multicultural Development Association’s (MDA) organisational narrative traces its origins 

from a meeting 13 years ago among a small group of passionate refugee and multicultural 

advocates under a hills hoist in a suburban back yard. Today the MDA employs 76 permanent 

staff, around 200 casual staff, and 192 volunteers and oversees a budget of $10.7 million dollars 

through which it delivers a comprehensive range of settlement and multicultural programs 

and services to thousands of clients. 

We have been guided throughout by two inexorably interwoven commitments core to our 

organisational direction and to our hearts and souls: first to the right of refugees and migrants 

to empowered and equitable participation in our Australian community and second to the 

development of Australian multiculturalism seeing ourselves as a whole community, united and 

inclusive in diversity. We work towards both because there cannot be one without the other. 

This has not been a year like any other. In January our beautiful city and much of this amazing 

state was laid low by a series of natural disasters. Here at MDA, as well as carrying on with their 

regular work, the staff pulled out all stops to make sure their clients were safe and linked into 

systems of support. Many refugees themselves launched into the post flood cleanup to give 

something back to the community they feel has given to them. There are many moments when 

as Chair of the Board of this organisation I have been filled with admiration and respect for the 

passion, commitment and very hard work of our staff and for the strength and resilience of the 

clients with whom we are privileged to work. The brilliant response of the MDA community 

to the January floods was one such moment. 

In spite of the drama of the floods, MDA picked up and carried on. This past year has witnessed 

the achievement of two significant milestones. The successful tender for the Humanitarian 

Settlement Strategy (HSS) funding and the partnership between MDA, Queensland Program 

of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT) and Brisbane City Council to 

establish the new Brisbane Multicultural Centre. They are the culmination of an incredible 

effort by many as well as a launching pad for an exciting new stage in our journey out from 

under the hills hoist. 

This report documents a snapshot of an amazing 12 months. It is not just a snapshot of 

activity; it is a snapshot of the wide community of people who coalesce around the MDA, 

even if not all their faces are visible. The staff, the volunteers, the members, the colleagues, 

the sector partners, the stakeholders, the funding bodies, the CEO, the management team, 

the community groups and leaders, my colleagues on the board and most of all the clients… 

this is the community of people who are the MDA. This is their report. 

Warren McMillan Chair of the Board 

MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION | ANNUAL REPORT | 2010 – 2011 

1

A message from the Chief Executive Officer 

In many ways this year has reflected the challenges faced by the refugees and migrants we 

work with every day. Relocation, disruption and change formed the backdrop against which 

we continued to deliver services. Our resilience as an organisation was tested and we were 

reminded of the central place of our relationships, shared values and hopes for the future. 

The relocation of the MDA head office in partnership with the Brisbane City Council and 

Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT) has been a 

major operational and strategic achievement. This being MDA’s fourth move in 12 years I am 

delighted that this will now be a permanent home for MDA until 2032. 

This year MDA re-tendered for a core activity—the resettlement of newly arrived refugees 

under the Humanitarian Settlement Services program. Although administratively intense 

and time consuming, it did provide an opportunity to influence the shape of the program 

through consultations and then reflect on and improve our service delivery models. MDA has 

formed a housing panel of three leading social housing providers and we look forward to a 

productive relationship with Jacaranda, Bric and Mangrove Housing. 

On a personal note , my work with the Immigration Minister’s advisory committee, CISSR, 

has provided me with an opportunity to better understand and influence the connections 

between the asylum seeker space and settlement and to be part of the growth of community 

determination as an alternative to mandatory detention. 

As many of you know, my favourite quote is from Lewis Carroll about ‘believing in impossible 

things’. It is inspiring to reflect on the many ‘impossible’ things that MDA has achieved this 

year and to envision what the next year may hold. 

Kerrin Benson Chief Executive Officer 

The policy environment has made significant gains this year through the release of major 

multicultural policies at both federal and state level. However, the increasingly toxic demonisation 

of refugees and asylum seekers has challenged us, the communities and individuals we 

work with. MDA this year has actively engaged with the media, and the achievements have 

outstripped anything I imagined, including Courier Mail front pages, television and many 

individual stories. Adding to this the articulate submissions and strategy of our advocacy 

team we are staying true to our initial mission as an advocacy, community development and 

service delivery agency. 

Corrine’s story on page 42 reflects on our opportunity to offer services to newly arrived 

refugees in Toowoomba. Continuing our commitment to working in partnership with other 

organisations, we now co-locate in our Toowoomba office with QPASTT, Bric and the Queensland 

African Communities Council. 

This year I have once again been inspired by the skill and resourcefulness of MDA’s staff and 

the dedication of our volunteers. Their enthusiasm and hard work in a year of much change 

and pressure has enabled MDA to not only continue but also to extend its work amongst 

refugee and migrant communities. 

The MDA Board has provided the strategic support we need as we navigate our constantly 

changing environment. I thank them for their generosity and their wisdom. 

2 MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION | ANNUAL REPORT | 2010 – 2011 MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION | ANNUAL REPORT | 2010 – 2011 

3

Our history, philosophy and mission 

Our history 

MDA was established in May 1998 to promote multiculturalism and empower people from 

diverse cultural and language backgrounds through advocacy, community development 

and a range of client services. 

Today, MDA is a lead specialist settlement organisation with highly respected credentials in 

the provision of services to refugees and migrants, and a strong track record in community 

development and systemic advocacy for refugee communities. 

Our philosophy 

We are committed to respecting human rights and social justice principles of fairness, equity, 

opportunity and dignity for all people. 

We believe that every human being has a unique dignity irrespective of nationality, ethnicity, 

gender, religion, age, sexual preference, ability, social and economic status, beliefs or contribution 

to society. 

Our mission 

To work in partnership with refugees and migrants in Queensland and to help achieve their 

aspirations by delivering quality services through advocacy, client service delivery, community 

development and multicultural sector development. 

Acknowledgement of traditional owners 

MDA acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first peoples 

of this country. 

Australia’s Indigenous Peoples are ancient with relationships to the land, each other 

and others since time immemorial. 

In having survived and endured the historical injustices of colonisation upon their 

lands and peoples, Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders hold a unique role in Australia 

and the world. 

MDA deeply respects and values Australia’s Indigenous People’s enormous resilience, 

courage, determination and often unrecognised contribution to this country’s social 

and economic development. 

4 MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION | ANNUAL REPORT | 2010 – 2011 

5

2 

Settlement Services 

2 SETTLEMENT AND CLIENT SERVICES 

MDA provides refugee settlement casework for many humanitarian entrants and refugees 

settling in Queensland from the time of arrival up to five years residency. 

Settlement casework is a process of enabling newly arrived people from a refugee or migrant 

background to effectively establish their life in a new country. MDA achieves this through 

assisting its clients to develop relevant knowledge, skills and understanding to live meaningfully 

and productively. 

Caseworkers respect that the migration and settlement process is a unique experience for 

each person and endeavour to support their clients with their settlement journey. 

Our highly qualified and culturally competent caseworkers operate within a strong human 

services framework, and also provide a pragmatic and resourceful approach to resolving 

issues for clients. 

In 2010 – 2011, there has been increasing complexity of client-related needs caused by long 

periods of detention. 


7

What is settlement? 

New beginnings 

“Settlement is about starting over. It is about feeling safe again. Making a new 

home and friends and finding out how you can contribute and be happy. 

Settlement is about not forgetting who you are, but also learning to be Australian.” 

MDA Client 

Through its Refugee Settlement Program, MDA caseworkers assist clients in achieving life 

skills competency. Examples of day-to-day skills that a case worker might assist a newly 

arrived refugee client with are: 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

understanding dates, time and currency 

catching public transport independently 

MDA’s settlement goals 

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restoration of independence through meeting basic needs and building settlement life skills 

equitable access to resources and services needed to establish life in a new country 

cultural orientation to enable acculturation and integration 

development of new social connections and inclusion in the local community 

restoring a sense of hope and dignity through progress towards settlement aspirations 

MDA Clients 2010 – 2011 

◗◗ 

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using a mobile phone 

knowing who to contact in an emergency 

booking an appointment with a doctor 

purchasing medicine 

keeping important documents and cards safely 

ensuring household safety 

recognising important letters 

locking the house and options if locked out of house 

Cultural Identity Clients % 

Burmese (Myanmar) 784 18.99 

Afghan 552 13.37 

Burundian 309 7.48 

Somalian 252 6.1 

Iraqi 251 6.08 

Sri Lankan 225 5.45 

Congolese 200 4.84 

Sudanese 189 4.58 

Liberian 164 3.97 

Eritrean 158 3.83 

Bhutan 126 3.05 

Iranian 100 2.42 

Ethiopian 62 1.5 

Sierra Leonean 60 1.45 

Rwandan 41 0.99 

Other minority groups* 798 19.5 

Total 4129 100% 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

using everyday greetings 

requesting an interpreter for government agencies 

2010 – 2011 highlights 

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513 individuals and families provided with settlement assistance 

settled new ethnic groups including Bhutanese and Kunama from Eritrea 

finalised the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) contract 

phased-in the new Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) contract 

established a Settlement Orientation Program 

established new HSS programs in Toowoomba and Rockhampton 

formed panel of social housing providers comprising Bric Housing, Jacaranda and Mangrove 

enhanced assessment of mental health risk factors through Mental Health First Aid training 

of 11 caseworkers 

delivered two dental fairs through continuing partnership with Tzu Chi Foundation 

*Including Indian, Chinese, Pakistani, Zimbabwean, Nepalese, Laotian, Philippino. 


9

Main client groups receiving settlement assistance 

◗ ◗ Clients exiting detention 

Intensive Support Services 

◗ ◗ Clients exiting community determination 

◗ ◗ Asylum seekers granted refugee status 

◗ ◗ Clients arriving from offshore 

◗ ◗ Humanitarian entrants who have been proposed 

Continuing the journey 

Continuing Settlement Services (CSS) provides casework support to humanitarian entrants up 

to five years following arrival. Caseworkers work with clients to identify long-term settlement 

aspirations. The focus is on supporting clients to use their strengths and to develop independence 

through linkages to mainstream support services to assist them to achieve their goals. 

Examples of the support services a caseworker might provide to clients include: 

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◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

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◗◗ 

assistance with letters and documents 

linking to community activities 

referral to support around tenancy issues 

support and advocacy around securing suitable accommodation 

linking with mainstream health, education and employment services 

support and referral around family issues 

referral to migration and legal advice 

MDA’s Intensive Support Services (ISS) team offers support to a small number of clients with 

exceptional needs which exceed the capacity of most services. 

Our highly skilled ISS team provides critical support for complex casework, crisis intervention 

and intensive intervention and prevention for clients from a refugee background with needs 

around mental health, child safety, family breakdown, complex health, disability or difficulties 

with settlement life skills. Support may be provided to clients for up to six months, with the 

possibility of extension. 

The ISS team addresses barriers—both personal and systemic—which prevent their clients’ 

successful settlement and focus on restoring a sense of hope and dignity. 

The foremost strengths of complex case intervention are that it includes: 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

crisis intervention 

intensive support to address chronic and causal issues 

capacity building to develop client skills and knowledge to enable greater self-determination 

case coordination of multiple agency involvement 

A recent increase in these complex cases is attributable to people exiting from long periods 

of detention. At the start of the financial year there were 27 active cases with 52 referrals over 

the year to June 2011. At the close of the year, 25 cases were ongoing. 

Although this intensive, specially tailored work is resource intensive, it enables 

many clients to eventually access mainstream services to continue their 

settlement journey. 

A handful of cases in regional areas have been managed through partnerships with local 

services and the use of Cultural Support Workers. 

In 2011 MDA and Queensland Program of Assistance to the Survivors of Torture and Trauma 

(QPASTT) again partnered to develop and implement the ‘Building Stronger Families’ program 

for MDA’s clients with complex needs. The group targeted parenting practices, including 

alternative discipline strategies, child development, family fun and communication. 


11

In 2011, MDA supported the co-location of a Transcultural Mental Health Service, Multicultural 

Mental Health Coordinator at MDA one day per week who is available to case managers for 

consultation, resource development, referral advice and assistance. 

Community determination 

moving towards successful settlement 

Recently, a client proudly contacted his former case manager to let the ISS team know how he 

was going: 

‘ He … (said) … he had a new caseworker at a hospital mental health team. He still takes medication 

but has not suffered another episode of psychosis or hospitalisation. The client also … (said) … 

he is not on an Intensive Treatment Order anymore. 

He has a full-time job, which he acquired through an MDA volunteer, and has been able to keep 

that job for five months. He still catches up with the MDA volunteer regularly and plays soccer 

every Saturday … His confidence and self-esteem have increased, mental health support continues 

and his mental health is now stable.’ 

In 2010 the Australian Government expanded its Community Determination Program for 

minors and vulnerable families. 

In March 2011, MDA entered into partnership with Australian Red Cross to provide health 

and welfare support to people with no visa status awaiting an immigration outcome while 

living in the community, as an alternative to immigration detention. 

Services provided include: 

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◗◗ 

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◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

assessment of client needs and development of a Care Plan to address these needs 

housing 

income support to cover basic living expenses 

health care 

education 

community living and orientation 

other welfare support needs 

A small MDA Community Determination team was formed and at the end of June 2011 there 

were 26 families in the program. Excitingly, five families have already received their permanent 

visas and transferred to settlement services within MDA. 


13

3 

Helping people into employment 

3 EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICES 

MDA has been delivering employment and training services for refugees and migrants from 

culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds since March 2002. Clients come to Australia 

with a variety of skills and experiences, yet they often face significant barriers to employment. 

Securing meaningful and sustainable employment is an integral part of successful settlement. 

The objective of MDA’s Employment and Training Service is to enable successful settlement 

by supporting clients with resources that prepare them for employment, help them with job 

applications and assist them in securing and staying in employment. 

Demand for our services continues to be high, both for individual job preparation assistance 

and work experience opportunities. In the coming year, we will offer accredited vocational 

training courses to refugee and migrant jobseekers. We continued our industry engagement 

activities this year, both directly with employers as well as through recruitment agencies. Some 

positive outcomes were achieved with employment opportunities in regional and rural areas. 

Identifying growth industries and skills shortage areas and creating opportunities for training 

and work experience that lead to sustainable employment remain our high priority. 

Service areas 

MDA Employment and Training Services deliver a range of employment programs for refugee 

and migrant jobseekers. These programs run from MDA’s head office at the Brisbane Multicultural 

Centre in Woolloongabba and MDA’s Northside office in Windsor. 

Job preparation assistance 

Eligible jobseekers are provided specialised assistance with job preparation. This service is 

tailored to suit the needs of the individual and is delivered through individual support and 

small group training. Areas of support may include career planning, Australian work culture, 

underpinning employability skills, job search techniques, resume and application preparation, 

cover letter writing, addressing selection criteria, job interview preparation, employer liaison 

and client advocacy. Approximately 160 jobseekers registered for job preparation support in 

2010/11, of which two-thirds were assisted into full-time or part-time employment. 


15

Visa Category for 160 Job Preparation clients on South and Northside in 2010/11 

Australian Citizen 24 

Refugee /Humanitarian Permanent Resident 84 

Skilled Permanent Resident 31 

Partner Permanent Resident 4 

*Temporary Resident 17 

Total 160 

*This is the only category of non-permanent residents we assist. 

Country of Origin for Job Preparation clients on South and Northside in 2010/11 

Afghanistan 22 Iraq 10 

Australia 1 Jamaica 1 

Azerbaijan 1 Japan 1 

Bangladesh 1 Liberia 4 

Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 Mauritius 1 

Brazil 1 Nepal 5 

Burma 18 Pakistan 1 

China 2 Papua New Guinea 1 

Columbia 1 Philippines 1 

Congo 5 Russia 2 

Czech Republic 1 Rwanda 1 

Egypt 1 Sierra Leone 2 

Eritrea 5 Somalia 2 

Ethiopia 1 Spain 1 

Guinea 1 Sri Lanka 20 

Hungary 1 Sudan 7 

India 17 Taiwan 1 

Indonesia 2 Togo 1 

Iran 16 TOTAL 160 

above Senshil Chand 

Work Placement Program 

Two Work Placement Programs in Office Administration were delivered in 2010 – 2011. MDA’s 

Employment Team partnered with 20 local non-profit host organisations to provide a total 

of 30 refugee and migrant participants with valuable paid work experience opportunities to 

gain administrative work skills in a genuine, yet supportive, Australian work environment. 

Participants in these programs have a background in office administration but face significant 

difficulty in obtaining work in Australia because of a lack of local experience. During the 15 

week program, participants worked four days per week at their host organisation and attended 

one day a week at MDA, where they received intensive job preparation support and training 

about Australian work culture and other employment-related lifeskills. 

MDA’s Employment and Training Services team received over 300 applications for these 

programs and the successful candidates were selected after completion of a competitive and 

merit-based selection process. 27 of the program participants, an impressive 90%, have so 

far been successful in gaining further employment at the end of their program participation. 

The high number of applicants, and the success rate of MDA’s Work Placement Programs 

demonstrate the vital role that work experience opportunities play for refugees and migrants 

in securing meaningful employment. 

persistence pays off 

Originally from Fiji, Senshil Chand arrived in Brisbane in early 2010 and immediately began applying 

for jobs in her area of expertise, finance. Months of rejections lead to Senshil accepting the only 

job she could find, which was working in a factory using corrosive acid to clean steel. Senshil 

was the only female employee in the factory and the first person in a long time to last in the role 

for more than a few days. She persevered with the job but continued to apply for more suitable 

opportunities. 

In March 2011 she successfully applied to MDA’s Work Placement Program in Office Administration. 

She was placed for 15 weeks at BreakThru People Solutions in Fortitude Valley, where she gathered 

valuable experience and acquired new work skills. Immediately upon completion of the program 

at the end of June 2011, Senshil obtained a permanent position as an Accounts Receivable Officer 

with The Anglican Diocese of Brisbane. 

Of her experiences during the Work Placement Program, Senshil says: 

“I learnt a lot of things about Australian work culture which I believe may otherwise take years to learn 

and understand. I am so happy with my work because it is relevant to my area of expertise and gives 

me a chance to grow.” 

Get Set for Work 

MDA’s Get Set for Work Program “Get on Track” is a work readiness program targeting refugee 

and migrant young people between the ages of 15 and 19. The program works with youth 

who are unemployed, have left school early or are otherwise disengaged from mainstream 

training and education. 


17

above Hind Al-Saloom 

The program aims to create transition pathways for participants through a mixture of individual 

case-managed support and group activities around the following four topic areas: 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

lifeskills training (including core settlement lifeskills relating to education and employment 

for young people) 

employability skills development (i.e. the basic underpinning skills and personal attributes 

all employers look for in their employees) 

job preparation skills training (including career pathway exploration, job search techniques, 

resume writing and interview skills practice) 

hope and confidence building activities (including social and recreational activities) 

MDA delivered its pilot Get Set for Work program in 2010. In 2011, MDA is working with 

20 refugee and migrant young people across two program intakes. Both intakes include 

an accredited vocational training component, with participants completing seven units of 

competency from the Certificate II in Hospitality. 

Job Pledge Program 

The Job Pledge Program is a simple private initiative currently implemented in six schools 

across Brisbane, as well as one in Toowoomba. Staff at participating schools make voluntary 

donations and accumulated funds are used to employ a refugee or migrant jobseeker at the 

school for a fixed term. Established in 1993 by Mark Taylor of Padua College, the program has 

so far offered 49 participants an opportunity to make first steps into the Australian labour 

market and gather experience and acquire new skills in a supportive work environment. 

Since the middle of 2010, MDA’s Employment and Training Services have been the main 

source of participant referrals to the program. While MDA puts forward candidates, the final 

decision on the selection of Job Pledge employees rests with the participating school. In 

2010/11, eight MDA Employment clients were placed with Job Pledge, of which seven are 

currently employed. 

job pledge success 

Having arrived in Brisbane from Iraq in late 2009, Hind Al-Saloom’s first contact with MDA was 

through the Refugee Settlement Services team. After completing her first term of English studies 

at TAFE, Hind was ready to look for work and contacted the Employment Team for assistance. She 

was provided with one-on-one case management support and job search guidance and was 

eventually recommended by her Employment Case Manager for a position in the Job Pledge 

Program. Hind was successful in the selection process and was offered work during Term 4, 2010 

at Mt St Michael’s College in Ashgrove. 

Following her Job Pledge contract, Hind obtained work as a teacher aide at Milpera State High 

School, however, because of the devastation experienced by the school in the Brisbane January 

floods Hind’s work was unable to be continued. Hind reconnected with her Employment Case 

Manager, who encouraged her to apply for work as a Cultural Support Worker in MDA’s Bicultural 

Support Services. Hind is now one of the most highly requested CSWs working with staff and 

clients across all areas of the organisation. 

Community Literacy Program 

MDA’s Employment and Training Services have partnered with the Caboolture Community 

Adult Literacy Group on the delivery of a Community Literacy Program for refugees and 

migrants, delivered from MDA’s Windsor office. 

The partnership commenced with the delivery of a Volunteer Tutor training course, training 

up nine volunteers to assist second language learners in their efforts to improve their English 

language, literacy and numeracy. The first Community Literacy Course commenced in June 

2011 and is helping participants acquire some of the required foundation skills to better 

engage with employment. The course focuses on general literacy and numeracy, as well as 

on basic computer skills needed to enter the workforce. 

Networking 

In the past year, we continued and further expanded our networking activities. Through its 

Employment and Training Services, MDA is a member of the South East Brisbane Chamber 

of Commerce, the Woolloongabba Business Association and Business South Bank. Regular 

meetings and functions of these organisations give MDA’s Employment Team a platform to 

connect with local industry and employers. 

We also remained engaged with well-established multicultural and employment networks, 

such as the Multicultural Advisory Committee and the Southside Multicultural Network. We 

have also taken on convenorship of the South East Brisbane Employment and Training (SEBET) 

Network, and play an active role in Employment Action for Cultural Diversity, an employment 

advocacy working group convened by MDA’s Advocacy Team. MDA’s Employment Team is 

also a member of Engineers Australia’s Overseas Qualified Engineers Support Group. 

Future directions 

We have been successful this year in further diversifying the services delivered by MDA’s 

Employment and Training Services. In the coming year, we will for the first time offer accredited 

vocational training courses to our refugee and migrant jobseeker clients (outside our Get Set 

for Work Program), both on Brisbane’s Southside and Northside. 

For the near future, identifying growth industries and skills shortage areas as well as creating 

opportunities for training and work experience that open up pathways into sustainable 

employment remain high priority areas. 


19

4 

… making a difference 

5 Advocacy 

MDA promotes the rights and interests of people from refugee and culturally and linguistically 

diverse (CALD) backgrounds through systemic advocacy. Our vision is to address barriers and 

challenges impeding their equitable access to services and participation in order to achieve 

systemic reform. 

Systemic advocacy is about changing and influencing policies, laws, programs and systems. We 

use evidence based advocacy to achieve systemic change at the local, state and national levels. 

Influencing the policy process 

In the last 12 months, nine comprehensive submissions were lodged to consultations and 

inquiries at the state and federal level. MDA’s submissions have been extremely well received and 

we have used these as a platform through which to engage politicians and state/commonwealth 

government departments, and to develop strong bi-partisan relationships with Members of 

Parliament around systemic issues for refugees and migrants. 

The introduction of Queensland Multicultural Policy and Recognition 

Legislation. 

A sustained collaborative advocacy effort in partnership with Multicultural Affairs Queensland 

has helped to achieve: 

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the introduction of Queensland’s first ever Multicultural Legislation 

the establishment of a Queensland Settlement Planning Council 

the implementation of a statewide anti-racism campaign 

provision of more occupation specific English language training 

increased translated information online 

development of school based initiatives for refugee students around their learning, social 

and psychological needs 

improved cultural competence of Queensland Government staff 

improved processes for input to the Queensland Police Service for CALD communities 

◗◗ 

the establishment of Regional Police Ethnic Advisory Groups (PEAG) in 2012 


21

Improvement to the education system for CALD students 

In June 2010 MDA provided a submission to the Inquiry into the administration and reporting 

of NAPLAN testing which raised key challenges experienced by refugee and migrant students 

undertaking NAPLAN testing. MDA recommended that specific data around students with a 

Language Background Other than English (LBOTE) be collected during the NAPLAN testing 

process and publicly reported to enable targeted support to be provided to those groups 

and to ensure greater transparency. 

The Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee, in its report 

arising from the Inquiry, noted issues raised by MDA and others about those challenges and 

supported the collection of more specific data about LBOTE students to ensure appropriate 

support is available to them. MDA welcomed the Committee’s recommendation that the 

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority analyse and report publicly on 

how NAPLAN tests are serving different groups of LBOTE students. 

Improving support services for CALD communities during disasters 

Following Queensland’s devastating January 2011 floods, we made a submission to the 

Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry. MDA’s submission provided recommendations to 

improve disaster preparation and support for refugee and CALD communities, including the 

need for translated information. Our submission was noted in the Commission of Inquiry’s 

August 2011 Interim Report, and MDA welcomed the Commission’s recommendation: 

Using his experience to help others 

When the Senate Inquiry into Multiculturalism met recently in Brisbane, an MDA client, Omar Al- 

Saloom, was able to tell the Inquiry panel of his struggle to practice his profession in Australia—an 

experience shared by many new arrivals. Omar’s willingness to appear before the panel and tell 

his story firsthand is a powerful means of advocacy. 

After fleeing his home country of Iraq, in August 2009 Omar was accepted as a refugee to Australia 

and began his resettlement in Brisbane. In Iraq, and later in Jordan, where Omar and his family 

awaited resettlement, he was a dentist, and had hoped to continue his profession in Australia. 

Despite having a professional background and excellent English, Omar was unable to obtain 

employment and realised the journey to becoming a dentist in Australia would take significant 

amounts of time and work. He experienced great frustration and disappointment. 

Finally, he decided to look for work in other industries and registered with MDA Job Preparation 

services. He was encouraged to apply for the Work Placement Program and was successful in his 

application. Omar’s enthusiasm and commitment to his work resulted in him being offered full 

time work with a department of his host organisation, the Ethnic Communities Council Queensland. 

“It has been a great journey and a great experience …. I can say without any exaggeration that they 

gave me my life back”. 

‘that the Queensland Government and councils should ensure information about emergency 

preparedness, warnings and evacuation is available in the different languages of ethnic groups 

in the community and in Auslan’. 

Better outcomes for refugees through evidence based advocacy 

MDA has directly advocated with government departments on systemic issues. 

For example, in early 2011 MDA advocated to Education Queensland about failure by some 

schools to engage interpreters, using six recent cases as evidence. As a direct result Education 

Queensland agreed to remind schools about interpreter services and guidelines in its ‘School’s 

Update’. 

Positive media engagement 

MDA has worked to engage positively with all forms of the media about asylum seekers and 

refugees. The aim has been to highlight the valuable contributions that refugees and asylum 

seekers make to Australia in a year where asylum seekers were again a sensitive and often 

negative issue. 

For example, many of our refugee communities were active contributors to the flood clean 

up and were keen to reach out to their fellow Queenslanders to provide a helping hand. 

Positive media attention also resulted in significantly increasing the numbers at this year’s 

World Refugee Day Festival. 


23

5 

The MDA Community Engagement and Community Development team works with over 20 

new and emerging communities in the Brisbane area, providing information, training, linking 

and support in their work within their communities. 

5 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 

Community education 

MDA is in high demand to deliver presentations to a range of organisations and learning 

institutions. Last year MDA made presentations to Australian Catholic University (ACU), 

University Of Queensland social work students, Southbank TAFE and Mater Children’s Hospital. 

This is unfunded work and MDA responds to as many requests as possible. 

Grants Access 

The Grants Access program assisted over 500 people from a wide range of organisations to 

access information and support to apply for funding grants for their work within communities. 

Our Grants Access worker held workshops in a number of regions across Queensland and 

provided information and support to groups applying for funds from local, state and federal 

governments as well as philanthropic organisations. 

RESPECCT (Respite for Emerging Communities in Cultural Transition) 

RESPECCT is a project led by the Queensland Program for Assistance for the Survivors of 

Torture and Trauma (QPASTT). MDA, as a consortium partner, has focused on working with 

Middle Eastern communities. 

At MDA, the project achieved some great outcomes through an innovative use of recreational 

activities, sport, social gatherings and links with community events and groups. 

The RESPECCT activities focused on helping carers to feel supported emotionally and mentally, 

gaining access to appropriate respite and more confident in accessing respite services. 

Improvements in emotional and physical well-being, social interaction and building resilience 

were observed among the carers. 

Women Leaders’ Group 

The Women Leaders’ Support Group continued its monthly meetings, providing an opportunity 

for peer support and information sharing. 

A highlight was the celebration in March 2011 of the 100 th International Women’s Day. Over 

30 women were presented with certificates of recognition for their outstanding contribution 

to family and community. They were nominated by community members, caseworkers and 

the Community Development team. 

Some of these women were also nominated by MDA to be on the Tribute Gallery organised 

by the Queensland Government. 


25

Community Leaders’ Support Group 

The Community Leaders’ Support Group met throughout the year. The November meeting 

coincided with a White Ribbon Day event organised by some of MDA’s men. This was well 

received by the leaders, who joined MDA male staff in making a pledge to actively oppose 

violence against women. 

Northside outreach 

Outreach work at MDA’s Windsor office has increased this year. CSS case work outreach 

now operates two days per week and case workers are present at many Northside network 

meetings. Numerous group work sessions have taken place at the Northside office with both 

the Rohingya and the Karen community. Sessions with the Rohingya women have taken place 

in collaboration with the Queensland Program for Assistance for the Survivors of Torture and 

Trauma (QPASTT). The wider Karen community has also been supported through a series of 

citizenship training workshops after this was identified as an area of need by the community. 

National Training Resource 

People working with refugees need knowledge and skills distinct from and additional to 

that needed for their work with other client groups. Until now, there has been no national 

accredited training targeting this area. This year, MDA contributed to the development of two 

new units in the National Training Framework: 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

Working with Refugees (CHCSW401A: Work Effectively with Forced Migrants); and 

Bicultural Work with Refugees (CHCSW402A: Undertake Bicultural Work with Forced 

Migrants in Australia). 

Members of the training development team were drawn from AMES Victoria, ACL/Navitas 

English, Margaret Piper and Associates, supported by Department of Immigration and 

Citizenship, Settlement Council of Australia, the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of 

Torture and Trauma and the Riverina Division of General Practice. 

Art exhibition 

This year two MDA clients and three of their friends had their art work selected for inclusion 

in QPILCH’s Homeless Persons and Refugee Art Show at the Riverside Centre. All proceeds 

from the sale of pieces are returned to the artist. Two Burundi women made baskets and a 

number of Afghan women produced beautiful paintings. Four of the five MDA entrants sold 

pieces and some of the unsold artworks have been submitted for sale in another exhibition. 

One 24 year old Afghan CSS client sold a number of her works, including her painting, ‘Love 

Houses’. It was heartwarming to watch the client explain to the buyer that the painting depicts 

a young man who built his house close to a young woman’s house, to be forever close to her. 

MDA’s Diversity Choir 

Music crosses all boundaries and this project offers an enriching and positive experience 

for its members and listeners. Membership includes many from new and emerging refugee 

communities. Since its birth in 2008 as the Into Africa choir project, MDA’s Diversity choir has 

grown in strength and expanded its repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs from 

around the world. Members are encouraged to share the music of their homelands. The choir 

rehearses fortnightly under the direction of Prince Williams and performed at a number of 

events over the year including the Queensland Multicultural Awards, Into Africa Festival 2010, 

an ABC Radio event, National Volunteer Day and the World Refugee Day Community Festival. 

26 

27

Focus on youth 

staying on track 

One student suffers badly from anxiety due to experiences in his home country. Both his sister 

and brother will be leaving Milpera at the end of the year to attend mainstream high school and 

he was very anxious about catching public transport to Milpera alone and had been suffering 

side effects as a result. 

After a conversation with the student and some activities focused on confidence building, we 

saw a dramatic change in his demeanour. His reluctance to attend the school on his own had 

started to diminish and he became more confident. There have been regular catch ups with the 

student to ensure his project remains on track. We organised a ‘buddy’ to catch the bus with him 

during the first week back at school for extra support and now he is attending the BLUE program 

to ensure his resilience in transitioning to a new secondary school. 

Mentoring project | Inspire to Aspire 

This project aims to engage young people from refugee backgrounds in Brisbane to assist them 

in accessing mentors and receiving practical support. It also aims to increase their life skills, 

knowledge and ability to access mainstream services involving education and employment. 

This was achieved by training youth mentors who would in turn assist other young people 

in their settlement journey. 

Youth Outreach Program 

In 2010 – 11, 15 young people from various backgrounds, aged 17 – 30, were trained as 

mentors. The training focused on leadership, teamwork, communication, self identity and 

awareness and participation in a range of activities. The mentors’ leadership skills and self 

esteem increased as a result of the training in preparation to meet their mentees. 

This program aims to address the specific settlement needs of humanitarian youth (12 – 24 

years) attending Milpera State High School through casework, orientation activities, referrals 

and group information sessions with a focus on youth leadership. 

Casework was conducted to promote a good understanding of school and life, covering 

topics such as transport, health and hygiene, school and community support networks, as 

well as a general orientation to school. Young people are referred through the welfare team 

at Milpera and there is a great deal of collaboration between the staff and teachers at Milpera 

with organisations such as MDA. 

All Shades of BLUE 

This program is aimed at male students having difficulties expressing emotions and receiving 

negative attention for their behaviour as a result of their refugee experience. The BLUE 

Program was successful in assisting a small group of boys from diverse backgrounds to 

develop strategies to deal with their emotions, understand consequences of behaviours and 

gain an insight into Australian culture in a school context. The BLUE Program also supported 

the boys to make connections to various services and support networks, enabling them to 

independently access assistance. 


29

Over the past 12 months, 30 – 40 young people from various backgrounds, all within 2 years 

of arriving in Australia, were referred as mentees for reasons such as social isolation, poor 

communication, issues of intercultural and intergenerational conflict and lack of pathways 

knowledge. 

Social networking, self identity and awareness as well as study and employment were all 

included in a number of challenging and fun sessions. 

Following this, the young people were connected with business mentors, to further their 

experience and also attended the National Careers and Employment Expo. 

Student placement 

MDA values its relationship with universities and other learning institutions and remains 

committed to supporting learning and skill development within the multicultural sector. 

The young refugee artists were very eager to share their stories and their talent and the pathos 

of their stories powerfully affected their audiences. 

I am here was a unique performance put together in less than eight weeks of rehearsals. The 

young people performed two shows at the Brisbane Powerhouse during World Refugee Week. 

More than 350 people attended both sessions and the performance generated a tremendous 

amount of interest in the local media. 

I am here also became one of the highlights of the World Refugee Day Community Festival a 

couple of days later after being featured on the ABC’s 7.30pm Report. 

It is an inspiring example of youth from refugee communities working together, achieving 

something significant and becoming role models for younger refugees. 

…and the journey continues with plans to take I am here to regional Queensland under the 

auspices of Arts Queensland. 

Six social work students from the University of Queensland began their work placement at 

MDA during 2011. They supported casework and community development activities within 

the Continued Settlement Services team. 

MDA is popular with social work students wishing to complete their placements and this group 

came with considerable experience as well as from a range of culturally diverse backgrounds 

including Vietnam, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Canada. Students were from both 

the undergraduate and Masters program. 

no barriers to achievement 

Shahram Jazan is working through the last of his student placement hours at MDA before he 

achieves his Bachelor of Social Work Degree. 

Shahram was born in Iran, and he and his family have been in Australia since 2003. He speaks 

three languages fluently, and has been able to relate well to clients on placement who come 

from diverse cultural backgrounds and whose first language is not English. 

Shahram is also blind but this has proved no barrier to achievement. He already has a Diploma in 

Disability Studies, Diploma in Welfare and Human Services as well as a Certificate in Interpreting 

and Translation and will achieve his Social Work degree in 2012. 

I am here 

A group of six young refugee artists from Rwanda, Congo, Sudan and Ethiopia was formed 

after the World Refugee Day Community Festival 2010 when MDA sought feedback from 

refugee artists. The young people were very keen to work with other refugee artists beyond 

their own communities. Through collaboration and skill development with professional 

facilitators Naomi Steinborner and Andrew Davies from Two Thumbs Up, they created the “I 

am here” creative development showing. The project was funded by Brisbane City Council 

and Arts Queensland and supported by Actors for Refugees. 

above I am here artists performing on stage 


31

Fleeing at Night | from i am here performance 

We have to travel at night because of the war. Day travel is no good. I am eight. I don’t know where 

I’m going. I know I’m going somewhere. How long is it going to take—this journey? I’m going to 

see my mum. What about my brother, what about my town; will I ever see it again? I have to stay 

awake… anything could happen. I’m tired, I want to sleep. 

Bicultural Support Services 

Don’t go to sleep, anything could happen, keep your eyes open. 

Small Mercies 

In 2010, MDA became a partner in the Small Mercies project, which aims to develop a framework 

for best practice in protecting, nurturing and respecting refugee children and youth, and 

eventually all migrant children, in Australia. 

It is an Australian Refugee Council (ARC) research project led by Professor Mary Crock of the 

University of Sydney. This project is an interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral research partnership 

between: 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

leading academics 

key human rights bodies 

the UN High Commissioner for Refugees 

Amnesty International 

key community organisations around Australia including: 

• the Multicultural Development Association in Queensland 

• the Centre for Multicultural Youth in Victoria 

• the Refugee Advice and Casework Service in NSW 

Bicultural Support Services coordinates the many talented Cultural Support Workers (CSWs) 

who assist with settlement support, provision of support to children’s services and cultural 

consultancy. The 200 CSWs speak 97 different languages and come from 52 ethnic backgrounds. 

In settlement, CSWs assist with providing support to newly arrived refugees and migrants. 

They help a Case Manager in the process of assessment, support with practical settlementrelated 

tasks with a client and/or provide cultural advice when required. 

In support to children services, CSWs provide the assistance to eligible child care services to 

build the capacity of the child care service staff in working with families and children from 

diverse cultural backgrounds. They provide language support to the child and the families 

to break down the barriers and help to build their confidence and trust. 

In cultural consultancy, CSWs assist other organisations that work with diverse client groups 

in overcoming a variety of different language and cultural barriers. They provide support to 

understand the cultural needs of the clients by providing insight into specific cultural practices 

as well as providing language support for effective communication. 

Get Set for Work 

MDA’s Get Set for Work Program “Get on Track” is a work readiness program targeting refugee 

and migrant young people between the ages of 15 and 19. The program works with youth 

who are unemployed, have left school early or are otherwise disengaged from mainstream 

training and education. 

For more details, refer to the employment section. 

Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network 

MDA has served as interim Queensland representative to this network since April 2011. 

The national network plays a major role in voicing the needs of young people from diverse 

backgrounds. 


35

2010 – 11 Financial year service summary 

Child Care Settlement Cultural Consultancy 

Number of requests 207 2711 174 

Volunteers 

Number of CSWs provided service 87 111 62 

Languages requested 49 33 23 

Hours of service 2486.5 8133 1650 

CSWs receive intensive induction, initial training and regular professional development. 

Ongoing mentoring and coaching support further skill development. 

Cultural Support Work also provides an excellent opportunity for people from culturally and 

linguistically diverse backgrounds to gain valuable local work experience and build a job 

network. 

music was the key 

An Iraqi CSW was attending a child care centre with a young girl who was struggling to settle and 

to interact with other children. The CSW conducted a session where she introduced the children 

to the music and dancing of her country. This proved very successful and the little girl was soon 

dancing with the rest of the children and by the next visit had begun to play with other children 

in the room and use a few words of English to communicate while at the centre. Great progress! 

Inclusion Support Agency, Sunshine Coast 

“As an Inclusion Support Facilitator I found the CSW’s very professional and supportive of the children, 

families and staff. The CSW’s connected in a positive way and all staff found the support to be of great 

benefit to them. The changes they found in the children and families were overwhelming and it was 

so great to see all the children now settled and communicating well.” 

csw work leads to job 

“I have been living in Australia for three years and began looking for a job upon my arrival. I gained a 

Certificate III in childcare services but still, finding meaningful work has been a great challenge. 

In February this year I joined MDA and completed MDA’s training to become a CSW in childcare 

services. The day that I received my first task was very exciting! I was very nervous but appreciated the 

opportunity to work!! 

My placement at the child care centre was very enjoyable and we could see that the child became much 

more happy and settled. On the last day of my assignment, I dropped my resume into the centre. Shortly 

after, I received a phone call from the centre and they offered me a casual position as a Childcare Assistant. 

I am so grateful that MDA gave me this opportunity to show my skills in a new workplace, otherwise I 

may have still been looking for a job. 

Priya, CSW 

above Senator Kate Lundy 

thanks volunteer Phil Evans 

Currently there are approximately 200 amazing people from all walks of life who volunteer with 

the MDA Volunteer Program. We have students, retirees, former clients, mums, dads, grandmas, 

grandads and people from all cultures and of all ages. Although diverse in background and 

experience, all have open hearts and friendship to give our newly arrived refugees. Volunteers 

often comment that they get much more out of volunteering than they give. 

‘MDA is a wonderful organisation to be associated with as a volunteer and 

has given me a deep sense of personal fulfilment from the very first time that I 

volunteered there’ 

MDA Volunteer 

We hit the ground running this year as the January 2011 floods saw 90% of our volunteers 

working towards re-building the lives of those wiped out by the disaster. Homes were cleaned, 

clients moved to safety, donations were sourced and delivered and assistance was given to 

help those affected complete the mountains of paperwork to set their lives back on course. 

In an effort to use the skills and talents of our volunteers and to better service the needs of 

our clients and our MDA staff, many new programs have been started: 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

Our volunteers offer form filling assistance to those clients applying for family reunion. 

Transport assistance is provided to many newly arrived clients who need to attend 

appointments in and around Brisbane. Our volunteers also lend a helping hand and 

guidance on how to navigate our public transport systems. 

Many of our clients look to our volunteers for social outings and we have partnered with 

our life skills program and our community development teams to attend many outings 

with our clients such as soccer games in the local park, film festivals, visits to South Bank, 

the art galleries or walking tours around places of interest. 

Our longstanding family match program has gone from strength to strength this year as our 

aim is to wrap an entire team around our clients. Our family match volunteers play an integral 

role as they are often the bridge to cultural understanding of Australia. 

The MDA client managers await the weekly volunteer reports with anticipation as we hear 

remarkable stories of friendship, family outings and our clients embracing the nuances of 


37

Australia. Stories such as trips to local hardware centres and joining in a sausage sizzle for the 

first time, or of Australia Day adventures resulting in the first sip of beer, a trip to the beach 

for fish and chips or working in the tuckshop for the first time. 

Brisbane Multicultural Centre (BMC) 

The support and friendship of our volunteers often enables our clients to gain the confidence 

to develop their own social networks in their new neighbourhoods. 

2011 saw the volunteer numbers at the World Refugee Day event double from last year. The 

vibe at this event is infectious with many of the volunteers staying on all day so that they 

could not only support our clients and their friends but to share the fun, food and family feel 

of the new and emerging communities of Brisbane. 

Although an extremely busy year with lots of new programs and many new clients to support, 

our volunteers have been the lynchpin of our services. We anticipate the coming year with 

excitement and thank all those who have made 2011 so memorable and supportive. 

New arrival helps others 

Navid, a newly arrived client from Iran, was very keen to give back to his new country which he 

was so proud to be a part of. 

He advised that he was very experienced with computers and would be happy to volunteer in 

any capacity. 

Navid is now a valued volunteer who instructs women from diverse communities on how to 

operate computers so that they can read emails and create documents. 

Many of the women do not have literacy or numeracy skills in their own languages and to have 

instruction from Navid—their teacher—has been a dream come true. Each week they are so 

very proud of the homework that they have completed and can’t wait to impress Navid with 

their new skills. 

He has been a valuable asset to MDA in the settlement of these newly arrived clients. 

Under the auspices of the Brisbane City Council, MDA formed a partnership with the Queensland 

Program for Assistance for the Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT) to discuss the potential 

for developing a colocated centre for culturally diverse services. Many communities contributed 

their ideas. The result was an exciting initiative to develop a welcoming, professional complex 

catering to the needs of Brisbane’s new and emerging multicultural communities. 

The vision was to develop an integrated complex, providing community development, 

health, settlement and advocacy services for recent arrivals in Brisbane. It would be the first 

centre of its type in Queensland and a clear demonstration of the commitment of local and 

state governments and the wider Brisbane community to cultural diversity. A property was 

sourced at 28 Dibley Street, Woolloongabba which had formerly housed retail and warehouse 

space. It was determined that the basic structure of the building was in good condition and 

suited to a major refurbishment to recycle the building for a new use. However, much work 

needed to be done. 

Steve Knight of Priority Construction was appointed to oversee the project. In July 2010 the 

design phase of the relocation was finalised. Following a rapid reconstruction over the following 

months, MDA relocated from South Brisbane to their new headquarters in October 2010. By 

2 November the office was operational thanks to fantastic teamwork and dedicated staff. 

After the move to the completed office and reception area, work continued on the community 

space and offices for our co-tenant, QPASTT. The community space opened in March 2011 and 

QPASTT joined us in June 2011. Upstairs meeting and training rooms opened shortly after 

and now, with only minor finishing and landscaping to be done, MDA is looking forward to 

a formal opening of the BMC late in 2011. 

right Campbell Newman 

with community leaders, MDA 

Vice Chair Sally Saeri and MDA 

supporters 


39

The two lives of the BMC 

During the working week, the BMC is a busy service-providing centre, with families and individuals 

coming to see their case workers, staff busily coming and going, support groups and English 

classes running and meetings taking place. 

On the weekends, the BMC has a different feel. 

The Brisbane Multicultural Centre is becoming a focal point and meeting place for many new 

and emerging community groups and activities. 

Every second Saturday, MDA’s Diversity Choir meets to rehearse traditional and contemporary 

songs from around the world. The melodies ring out and visitors to other activities are drawn in; 

some have joined the choir this way. 

Saturdays also see a group of dedicated volunteers including migration agents and community 

leaders/members come for the Migration Form Filling program. Community members anxious to 

be reunited with family overseas come to receive support with the extensive paperwork involved 

in immigration applications. 

Community leaders are busy people and their contribution to their communities is made in 

their own time. MDA’s work with community leaders, particularly leadership training and other 

workshops often takes place on weekends, when the leaders have some free time. 

A number of community groups also hold their regular meetings at the BMC including the 

AusCongo Network Business Club, the Sierra Leone Descendants Association of Queensland, the 

Liberian Association of Queensland, the Liberian United Women of Queensland, the Rohingya 

community, Afghan Student Association, Iranian Society of Qld and many other community 

groups.. These meetings are occasions to catch up with each other, discuss community issues 

and plan events such as film screenings, forums, conferences and celebrations. The BMC plays 

host to some of these events too. 

What the Brisbane Multicultural Centre means to my community: 

“We feel at home here because this centre is welcoming to all communities and 

provides us with a space …to… hone our skills and talents in developing our 

communities and forging closer links with others” 

Constantin Mukendi, former President of the Congolese community and President of AusCongo Network 

“Easily accessible, friendly, with sufficient spaces, necessary equipment and 

conveniently located” 

Leaders of Qld Rohingya Community. 

“It’s a fantastic centre, you can have more than two communities holding 

different events at the same time without disturbing the others”. 

Ali, Elder from the Afghan community and regular men’s group participant. 

“We no longer need to waste our time and money on phone calls finding a free 

space for our student group meeting seminars and other functions” 

Association of Australian Tertiary Students from Afghanistan (AATSA) 

One Saturday in March women from many communities came together to celebrate International 

Women’s Day. Some of those women were accompanied to the BMC by their husbands who met 

at the same time for their monthly Men’s Group. 

Elections and annual general meetings have also been held here, together with conferences 

and forums. 

The BMC was also the venue for Brisbane participants in the Hazara International Maths Competition. 

The various groups have needed some patience and flexibility as the work on the building 

continued over the year. The choir has become adept at rehearsing just about anywhere in the 

building and everyone helps to direct visitors to the activity they come for. 

As the BMC’s top floor rooms become available, more and more groups and activities fill the 

venue. There is never a dull moment. 

Donna Baines-Faye 


41

MDA’S new offices 

A highlight was the MDA Opening in April 2011. Held in a beautiful old renovated church in the 

centre of town, guests, community members and VIPs enjoyed an evening of entertainment, food 

and speeches. Toowoomba’s Congolese Dancing group, Malewa, gave us a vibrant performance 

not to be forgotten. 

MDA’s Toowoomba’s office 

New in Town 

It was a snowy day in Budapest in February 2011 when I received an email from MDA’s CEO, Kerrin 

Benson, titled “MDA needs you!” The request was for me to return to Australia and take up the 

challenge of opening a new MDA office in the beautiful town of Toowoomba. How could I refuse? 

Arriving in Toowoomba I felt uplifted by its beautiful tree-lined streets and manicured gardens. It 

was a breath of fresh air, literally, after the traffic jams of Brisbane. After settling in, I soon learned 

that Toowoomba has a very strong and supportive refugee and migrant community which is 

passionate about welcoming new arrivals. 

I spent the next two months tackling a seemingly endless ‘to-do’ list with enthusiasm and it 

seemed that doors opened wherever I went. I was welcomed with warmth by community leaders, 

multicultural agencies and other community workers. Some of the tasks that I completed included: 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

meeting with Sudanese, Congolese and Liberian refugee community leaders to discuss 

current issues and future opportunities for the settlement of refugees in Toowoomba. 

undertaking community development processes including liaising with stakeholders, 

services, agencies and community groups to set up protocols and processes for the arrival 

of new refugees. 

organising and holding a public briefing session to give information about MDA’s work 

and framework for Humanitarian Settlement Services in Toowoomba. 

◗◗ 

organising and holding the official MDA Toowoomba Opening Celebration on 29 April 2011. 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

writing a practical manual of procedures for the new office. 

case managing five newly-arrived refugee families who came to Toowoomba in April and May. 

sourcing and setting up a suitable office space—a spacious, modern inner city office with 

convenient parking and access by public transport. 

◗ ◗ recruiting and training four new staff for the new office—Leah, Claire, Mila and Naomi — 

who have become a wonderful team. Together we set up housing, volunteer, transport 

and service-linking arrangements for new refugee arrivals. 

above Andrew Metcalfe, 

Secretary of Department of 

Immigration and Citizenship 

with guests at the Toowoomba 

opening. 

By June 2011, MDA’s new Toowoomba office was fully functional and humming with activity. 

As my time drew to a close I felt sad to leave as I had built some close relationships with the 

Toowoomba locals. I was inspired by their positivity and determination to make Toowoomba a 

truly multicultural community. During my last week, I was touched by their warm farewells and 

best wishes. Toowoomba feels like a second home now and I look forward to visiting again and 

seeing the progress of MDA as it makes a place for itself in the Toowoomba community. 

Corinne Maurice 

above Toowoomba’s Congolese Dancing group, Malewa, gave us a vibrant performance not to be forgotten 

MDA’s northside office 

In August 2010 MDA relocated from the Zillmere Community Centre to its Windsor premises. 

A lot of work has been done to encourage refugees on the northside to use the services 

provided by both MDA, community groups and service providers and to make them welcome. 

The office has one fulltime case manager who has worked hard to provide a comfortable 

environment for clients. Many MDA staff use the office as a base for their work with northside 

clients. 


43

Activities at the northside office during this year included: 

◗◗ 

Employment and Training services for refugees 

Floods 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

MDA’s Community Settlement Services’ intake which operated two days per week 

community development work with the northside Rohingya community one day per week 

regular appointments with northside clients 

outreach counselling services for clients and lifeskills groups conducted by Queensland 

Program of Assistance for the Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT), in particular 

targeted support for Rohingyan women 

hosting interdisciplinary stakeholder meetings for complex client cases 

In January 2011, Queensland was hit by the worst floods since 1974. At its peak, around 20,000 

houses were flooded in Brisbane alone. 

During the flood crisis, MDA’s staff worked quickly to provide various types of flood related 

assistance and support to 1,500 refugee families. At the peak of the crisis there were 

approximately 70 families displaced from their homes. 

MDA’s flood disaster management plan ensured that staff were able to respond immediately 

to the needs of our clients and wider refugee communities. Our work was supported through 

the use of MDA’s fee-for-service bicultural support service arm which engaged 15 Cultural 

Support Workers to provide language support in disseminating vital information about safety 

and evacuation. In addition to this, MDA’s well established community networks enabled staff 

to work closely with 36 refugee and migrant community leaders in contacting each of their 

communities with safety information. 

During the crisis, the State Emergency Services (SES) provided excellent support to the 

community at large. It must be noted however that the emergency response was based on 

the voluntary evacuation of people with the assumption that all people have access to private 

transport, have established support networks to access shelter or speak fluent English. Many 

of our clients have very large families and do not possess a driver’s licence, let alone a car. 

above Bill Kingston, Regional Director, Brisbane, DEEDI at the official opening on 31 May 2011 

A large component of our work involved assisting families to voluntarily evacuate their homes 

and transporting them to the closest evacuation centre. In addition to this, our staff provided 

intensive language support and interpreting services due to the lack of proper interpreter 

engagement by government departments. 

Many clients experienced frustration due to feelings of helplessness and fear, with some 

experiencing difficulty adjusting to new homes. This was further compounded for many by 

retraumatisation from previous experiences in their home countries as well as settlement 

issues already present in adjusting to life in Australia. 

MDA was overwhelmed with offers of help not just from the public at large, but also from 

numerous refugee groups eager to give back to the community. 

In all, 120 volunteers from nine refugee communities contributed to the clean up process. It 

was extremely heartening to hear positive feedback given to our case workers at this time. 


45

It is the personal connection for many which helps to dispel the myths about 

refugees and takes the toxicity out of public and political debate. 

“I’m a proud citizen of Australia and I want to help,” he said. “When there was war in Kabul, we 

lost homes, property and members of my family. The devastation here after the floods is similar 

to Afghanistan.” 

In the shade of a gum tree in Graceville Memorial Park, Mr Sujad and his friends spent six hours 

catering for about 300 muddy volunteers. 

Warm smiles and friendly handshakes 

On Wednesday 19 January 2011, the streets surrounding Milpera State High School’s flooded 

campus at Chelmer were filled with construction workers, residents and a significant army presence 

to control the traffic and surrounding areas. Over 20 Rohingyan men arrived to volunteer in the 

clean-up efforts. Many of the men and youth were at different stages of resettlement and each 

carried with them different stories from their refugee experience, all touched in some way by the 

heavy military presence from their time in Burma and in refugee camps in Bangladesh. While there 

was some trepidation about coming into contact with any military personnel, it soon dissipated 

when our community members were greeted with warm smiles and friendly handshakes from 

the men and women in uniform. 

The community worked hard all day, barely stopping for breaks, reporting to their Community 

Development worker that they would stay all day if they were needed as they were working by 

choice as opposed to the forced slave labour they endured back in their home country. 

above Naiem Sujad and Sharif Omar 

compelled to help 

Afghani refugee Naiem Sujad of Holland Park knows the pain of losing everything; and he felt 

compelled to help in the wake of the Brisbane floods. On the Sunday of the major clean up 

operation, the 39 year old grabbed some mates, a barbecue, sausages, breadrolls and soft drinks 

and headed to the devastated suburb of Oxley to help flood victims and volunteers. 

personal experience brings change 

An elderly couple whose business premises was severely impacted by the floods told caseworkers 

that having scores of refugees helping them clean their premises and being able to talk to them 

of their experiences had completely changed their opinions about refugees. 


47

World Refugee Day Community Festival 2011 

Once again, MDA partnered with the Brisbane City Council (BCC) for a very colourful and 

engaging family festival highlighting the diversity and talent of refugee communities in Brisbane. 

The World Refugee Day Community Festival 2011, on 26 June was one of the largest refugee 

events to take place in Australia during World Refugee Week, attracting a crowd of well over 

14,000. 

The day began with a Citizenship Ceremony, sponsored by the Department of Immigration 

and Citizenship. Twenty proud new Australians and their families were presented with their 

certificates by Senator Kate Lundy, Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Citizenship. 

These new citizens came from Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, 

Iran, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Burma, Thailand, Nepal, Uganda, Eritrea and Kenya. 

All participants were very excited to receive their Australian Citizenship certificates and many 

spoke of feeling overwhelmed to finally have secured citizenship. 

Many members of new and emerging refugee communities as well as members of the general 

public enjoyed a day filled with entertainment—traditional and contemporary. Children’s 

activities, rides and sporting activities as well as the chance to sample cuisine from many 

countries was offered. A non-stop program of dance, song and cultural performances on two 

stages kept the crowd entertained until after dark. 



49

Community newcomers at WRD Festival 

Leading up to the World Refugee Day (WRD) community festival, the Tamil and Rohingyan 

communities expressed their interest in participating for the first time. Because of their 

small numbers, the two communities combined to form one team. They trained through 

the months of May and June to prepare them for the WRD soccer tournament. Though the 

team was defeated by a more experienced side on the day, the players were proud to have 

participated and represented their communities in the soccer tournament as part of the 2011 

World Refugee Day Community Festival. 

above Karen Song and Harp Music Group 

Especially popular was the encore performance of the I am here creative development showing 

which drew many interested people from the Brisbane community following publicity on the 

ABC’s 7:30 Report. 

Three successful additions to the festival this year were the Elders’ space (initiated by the 

Brisbane City Council), which offered an opportunity for cultural exchange between Aboriginal 

and refugee elders; the ‘Open Mike’ which encouraged talented young people to perform and 

the Fashion Parade featuring traditional and contemporary dress. 

“And the fashion parade …(was)… amazing, the young girls in the ‘Best on 

the Day’ category were gorgeous, practising their twirls and walks for almost 

an hour beforehand!’ 

Alice Creevey 

The talent and energy of many refugee communities was on show during the soccer and 

volleyball finals held at the festival. The huge task of coordinating this sports carnival was 

overseen by Sgt Jim Bellos assisted by Annerley Soccer Club, MDA staff and volunteers. This year 

the tournament’s popularity meant the heats were spread across two days before the festival. 

Many residents were attracted by the ethnic foods on offer at the festival and this was also a 

chance for refugee community groups to acquire skills in the health and safety procedures 

required for a public event. 

MDA volunteers of all ages were everywhere —helping with everything from the operation 

of food stalls to the parking and stage management. 

“World Refugee Day is a fabulous event, enjoyed by many, and I look forward to 

working with the team again.” 

Kika Tjadem | Food stall manager 


51

6 

Quality and improvement 

5 GOVERNANCE 

MDA’s mission includes a commitment to delivering quality services, which led to the creation 

of a senior management position dedicated to identifying and developing quality and 

improvement initiatives. These include developing organisational policies and procedures, 

identifying and implementing appropriate stakeholder feedback mechanisms and ensuring 

that the organisation meets internal and external reporting requirements. This management 

role has been supplemented by the recruitment of a Training and Quality Officer to ensure that 

MDA is able to continue to deliver continuous improvement and staff professional development. 

The development and implementation of a policy and procedure development and review 

plan has ensured that our documentation and processes are compliant with Queensland 

Community Standards and that we have addressed the major areas for improvement identified 

in our Improvement Plan. A robust regular review and re-approval process is in place for all 

organisational policies and procedures. As a result, all policies and procedures have been 

reviewed, revised and are now up-to-date. 

The Prosims human resource system, which MDA was in the process of specifying at this time 

last year, is now in the final stages of testing and should be operational before the end of 

the year. This system will streamline a number of MDA’s human resource functions and will 

hopefully reduce the administrative burden on staff involved in direct client service delivery, 

as well as on those in supporting areas such as administration and finance. Prosims will also 

be integrated with the foundational quality system, the CSNet case management tool and 

so help to simplify a range of tasks and organisational functions. Work has now commenced 

to develop an MDA intranet with a basic test site in place. 

In February of this year, MDA was subject to an external inspection by Workplace Health and 

Safety Queensland. We received an excellent report from the inspector with only a few minor 

improvements being required, all of which have now been implemented or are in progress. 

The transition from the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) to the new 

Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) service for refugee settlement, with the resulting 

rapid growth in both client numbers and staff in the first half of 2011, has challenged some 

of our procedures and systems. Our newly-recruited Training and Quality Officer will develop 

and deliver in house training (including comprehensive staff induction) and assist with the 

development and implementation of a range of quality improvement initiatives. 

Leadership training for all members of MDA’s leadership team has commenced on a monthly 

basis and will continue throughout the year. This not only provides an opportunity for skill 

development amongst MDA’s management team but also for participants to share information 

and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. 


53

Governance 

Our Executive 

The MDA, a membership based organisation, elects a board of directors from its membership 

to ensure the trust given to the organisation by its members, stakeholders, funding bodies, 

clients and colleagues is continuously maintained and enhanced. The board carries a fiduciary 

responsibility to ensure good governance in accordance with legal, financial, industrial and 

ethical requirements and practice. The MDA board also sees its role of ensuring the vision 

and spirit that guided the formation of the organisation 13 years ago continues to shape its 

growth and practice into the future. 

The board includes a variety of professional expertise with people from legal, economic, policy, 

community service, management, leadership development, events and human resources 

professions. This variety complements the strong background in multicultural affairs, and 

refugee settlement ensuring robust consideration of matters that come to the board. The 

board is clear that its role is governance. It provides clarity of direction with mechanisms that 

monitor performance and ensure accountability of MDA in relation to its objectives and to 

its legal requirements. This work is exercised through a process of regular board meetings, 

by standing board subcommittees in finance and occupational health and safety, and in ad 

hoc subcommittees created around specific issues of priority. 

This year, specific focus was directed towards two critical processes: firstly, overseeing the 

progress of applications for significant funding worth in excess of $12 million to the MDA over 

the next 3 years and, secondly the physical process of establishing the Brisbane Multicultural 

Centre and moving the MDA into its new home. This will allow the MDA to use its influence to 

progress the development of multiculturalism and the strengthening of settlement services 

and policy frameworks. This will also enable better outcomes in service delivery for clients 

and communities. 

As part of the accountability process, the board reviewed the performance of the CEO. Major 

funding bodies and peak agencies were consulted. The overwhelming conclusion was that the 

MDA continues to be extremely well served by a visionary, passionate, strategic, competent 

and highly regarded CEO. 

The MDA has worked towards goals established at its foundation and given fresh strategic 

impetus in a plan developed in 2006/7. The board determined that, given the successful 

completion of the move to the new building and the successful application for significant 

funding programs, the time was right to revisit and re-energise the strategic direction of the 

organisation. A new draft statement of strategic priorities and directions for the next four years 

has been produced. This was developed through wide consultation with staff, management, 

the board and major funding bodies and peak agencies. The draft statement will be circulated 

widely to members and stakeholders and further feedback sought before it is finalised. 

Kerrin Benson | Chief Executive Officer 

Kerrin Benson began working in the child protection system after graduating as a social worker 

from the University of Queensland in 1984. She spent the next five years at the Brackenridge 

Neighbourhood Centre. 

In 1994 Kerrin joined Queensland Department of Housing as Manager of the Crisis and 

Transitional Housing Program. This area had a lead agency role in homelessness and managed 

grants to 180 community organisations across the State. 

After eight years with the Department of Housing, Kerrin moved to London, working as 

Assistant Director at Refugee Housing. It was here that her interest in working with refugees 

was galvanised and she began as CEO of MDA in 2004. 

Kerrin is a member of the Minister’s Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution, 

the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Board, the Settlement Council of Australia and the Department 

of Immigration’s Client Reference Group. She was also a Member of the Board of Refugee 

Council Australia for two years. 

Karen Lee | Executive Manager | Advocacy & Social Policy Unit and Employment Services 

Karen was appointed to the newly-created role of Advocacy Manager in November 2008 to 

further establish MDA’s identity as one of the lead advocacy agencies in the sector. 

Karen is a qualified solicitor from the corporate law arena. She worked as a senior policy 

adviser to the Australian Democrats from 2001 to 2007 and consequently as Chief of Staff 

to Senator Andrew Bartlett. Her established political experience, intimate knowledge of the 

parliamentary process as well as her strong strategic advocacy and campaigning skills are 

assets she brings to the role. 

Her work within politics was largely based on principles of social justice in the portfolios of 

immigration, Indigenous affairs, the environment, housing affordability and the status of women. 


55

Lyn Ellison | Executive Manager | Quality and Improvement 

Jamila Trad-Padhee | Executive Manager | Client Services 

After graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University and the University of York, Lyn was Senior 

Manager at an independent adult education centre. She co-ordinated a program of adult 

education courses for people with learning disabilities before becoming Policy and Research 

Officer for an employment rights organisation. Lyn’s work was instrumental in ensuring that 

outworkers, many of whom were women of Pakistan and Bangladesh ethnicity, were covered 

by the national minimum wage. 

Lyn migrated to Australia in 2001 and worked in the community housing sector before 

joining MDA as Assistant Director in January 2005. As the organisation grew and its senior 

management structure changed, Lyn’s position evolved into the Executive Manager for Quality 

and Improvement. Lyn’s focus is on developing the policies, procedures and systems that 

support the work of the organisation and MDA’s staff in carrying out that work. 

Mitra Khakbaz | Executive Manager | Community Engagement 

Mitra has worked in the multicultural sector since arriving in Australia from Iran in 1994. Her 

qualifications include a Masters in Applied Linguistics, a Masters in Social Administration at 

the University of Queensland, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Development 

and Social Policy. 

Jamila has been working with MDA for the past nine years in a variety of casework, community 

development and management roles. In her current role, Jamila is responsible for overseeing 

MDA’s direct casework services to newly arrived refugees. 

Jamila has Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology) degrees. Jamila has 

also worked as a Social Worker in a hospital emergency department and in child protection. 

Prior to working at MDA, Jamila lived and worked in Orissa, India for nearly four years through 

the Australian Volunteers International program. 

Loretta McDonald | Chief Financial Officer 

Loretta has over 11 years experience as a Financial Controller within the community sector. 

As Chief Financial Officer of MDA, Loretta has a strong record of ensuring sound financial 

management principles are applied in the organisation and that statutory reports to funding 

bodies are made. Loretta holds a Bachelor of Business in Business Management and Accounting 

and a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training. 

Mitra worked as the Coordinator for the Centre for Multicultural and Community Development 

at the University of the Sunshine Coast where she oversaw community development projects 

with diverse communities focusing on regional settlement, parenting across cultures, 

families and cultural interface, youth engagement, women’s empowerment, delivering 

cultural competency and anti-racism training. In this role Mitra organised three international 

conferences on themes of confronting racism and also multicultural families. In addition to 

her role at MDA, she is a Director with DVconnect, which is a state-wide domestic and family 

violence telephone service. Mitra is committed to women and children’s rights. 

56 

57

Our Board 

Claire Schneider | secretary 

Claire is an admitted solicitor practising primarily in general corporate and commercial advisory 

work. In 2008, Claire served as the Associate to his Honour Justice Keane on the Queensland 

Court of Appeal. 

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons IIA) and Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from the 

University of Queensland. Prior to joining the MDA team, Claire served as the Chair of the 

Volunteer Refugee Tutoring and Community Support program for 3 years, and continues to 

act as a lead volunteer trainer for this program. 

Warren McMillan | Chair 

From 1991 to 2006, Warren McMillan contributed to the development of multicultural policy 

and program development in Queensland, holding a number of senior positions in the 

then Bureau of Ethnic Affairs and subsequently in Multicultural Affairs Queensland. He was 

instrumental in the development of both the Local Area Multicultural Partnership (LAMP) and 

Community Action for a Multicultural Society (CAMS) programs. These are widely recognised 

as National Best Practice in Multiculturalism. 

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Queensland and a Masters in Cultural Policy 

from Griffith University, Brisbane. 

Sally Saeri | vice chair 

A human resources professional, Sally Saeri spent several years overseas and has had a strong 

interest in multiculturalism for many years. Sally currently works with a community services 

organisation that provides a number of services to the multicultural community. 

Frederika Steen | Committee Member 

Frederika Steen was a federal public servant for the Education and Immigration departments 

(1972 – 2001) and held the position of Director, Settlement Branch Immigration Brisbane from 

1993 to 1996, followed by a three year posting as Chief Migration Officer to the Australian 

Embassy in Germany. 

Frederika was an energetic volunteer for the Romero Centre from 2001 – 2009 and an 

independent friend and advocate for a number of emerging communities with refugee 

background. She is well known for her community education, public speaking and media 

role both locally and nationally. 

Freddie (as she is affectionately called) has been awarded: Canberran of the Year (1984), 

Centenary Medal (2001), Austcare Paul Cullen Humanitarian Award (2003) and the Pride of 

Australia Fair Go Medal (2007). 

Sim Symons | Committee Member 

Angela Moody | treasurer 

Angela Moody holds a Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Arts, a Masters of Professional 

Economics from the University of Queensland and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance 

from the Security Institute of Australia. 

Angela has considerable experience in regulatory strategy and reform; market structure and 

design; economic policy and development; competition and microeconomic policy advice 

and regulatory compliance. She is currently an Associate Director at Synergies Economic 

Consulting, an economic and public policy advisory business with offices in Brisbane, Sydney 

and Melbourne. Prior to joining Synergies, Angela was the head of regulation for Powerdirect 

Australia (formerly Ergon Energy Retail) the fourth largest electricity retailer by load in the 

National Electricity Market. 

Sim Symons began his career in radio and television in production and technical areas. He spent 

six years working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on cultural maintenance 

and performance projects, and produced two books on Aboriginal environmental history. 

Sim has worked for 25 years in event management and community cultural development 

with ethnic and Indigenous communities. He was the founding director of the Queensland 

Multicultural festival at Roma St Parklands. He is currently the Community Cultural Development 

Manager of the Woodford Folk Festival. 

Sim was Director of the Interfaith Cultural Festival and related interfaith events for five years. 

For the last three years he has been directing on site arrangements for the World Refugee 

Day Festival and assisting with The Candlelight Walk. 

Sim holds the Award from Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation for commitment to reconciliation 

process, and Centenary Medal for promotion of Multiculturalism (2001). 


59

Gail Hyslop | Committee Member 

Gail has 24 years experience in cross-cultural work (including three years in Chile), mainly in 

refugee settlement, multicultural mental health, community development, management and 

cross-cultural training in both the community and government sectors. 

Financial summary 2010 – 2011 

She has degrees in teaching and social science, and a Masters in Social Welfare, Administration 

and Planning. 

Gail currently works with Queensland Health, leading on the Statewide Cross Cultural Learning 

and Development Strategy for staff. 

Andrew Bartlett | Committee Member* 

Andrew Bartlett represented Queensland as a Senator in the Australian Parliament from 1997 

to 30 June 2008. He was educated at the University of Queensland where he graduated with 

degrees in Social Work and the Arts. He is currently a Research Fellow with the Migration 

Law Program at the Australian Nation University. Andrew has been a consistent and vocal 

campaigner for refugees and asylum seekers, having been the only Australian parliamentarian 

to have visited every refugee detention centre in Australia, as well as those on Christmas Island 

and Nauru. *resigned February 2011 

Major Income Received Within 2010 – 11 Financial Year 

$8,319,627.00 Department of Immigration & Citizenship 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy 

Complex Case 

Continuing Settlement Support 

Settlement Grant Program 

DSCP - Social Network 

World Refugee Day 

$839,907.00 Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation 

◗◗ 

Employment & Training 

peter Forday | Committee Member* 

Peter Forday is well known and respected within the Queensland multicultural and broader 

social services due to a successful career spanning three decades and multiple sectors including 

disability, child protection, youth justice, family support, multiculturalism and Indigenous 

education. Peter’s roles have included direct service delivery, program and policy development, 

and management and leadership roles to CEO level. 

He is a Foundation Alumnus of the Harvard based Queensland Leadership Program, an Adjunct 

Senior Research Fellow for the Griffith Health Institute and a White Ribbon Ambassador for 

the elimination of violence against women and children. 

Peter brings to MDA his extensive past and current board and committee experience and his 

strong networks within and beyond the multicultural sector. He is particularly keen to add 

value to MDA’s strategic vision and sustainability, and to how MDA markets and promotes 

the economic and social capital provided by a multicultural society. *elect 

$461,000.00 Health & Community Services Workforce Council Inc. 

◗◗ 

Statewide Bicultural Support Service 

$337,432.00 Department of Communities 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

Advocacy Worker 

Grants Access Worker 

African Community Liaison 

CAMS Northside 

MAQ World Refugee Day/Candlelight Walk 

Football/Walking Program 

$226,000.00 Brisbane City Council 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

◗◗ 

World Refugee Day 

Brisbane Festival 

I am Here 

$120,760.00 Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture & Trauma 

◗◗ 

RESPECT Program 

$79,059.00 Australian Red Cross 

◗◗ 

Community Determination 


61


Head Office 

Brisbane Multicultural Centre 

28 Dibley St, Woolloongabba Q 4102 

phone 07 3337 5400 

Northside Office 

217A Lutwyche Road, Windsor Q 4030 

phone 07 3357 5786 

Toowoomba Office 

166A Hume St, Toowoomba Q 4350 

phone 07 4632 1466 

Rockhampton Office 

46 Denham Street 

Rockhampton Q 4700 

For all offices 

fax 07 3337 5444 

email mailbox@mdabne.org.au 

www.mdainc.org.au

Multicultural Development Association

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