annual report 2010 –2011 - Multicultural Development Association

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