Research Project Report Launch - Your website is up and running!

ASeTTS Newsletter
ASeT TS - Association for Services to
Torture and Trauma Survivors Inc.
286 Beaufort Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000
Phone: (6 8) 9227 2700 | Fax: (6 8) 9227 2777
reception@asetts.org.au | www.asetts.org.au
ABN 83 460 23 835
September 2009 Research Project Report Launch
Research Project: The
Exploration of the Nature
and Understanding of
Family and Domestic
Violence within Sudanese,
Somalian, Ethiopian,
Liberian and Sierra
Leonean Communities and
its Impact on Individuals,
Family Relations,
the Community and
Settlement.
Saturday 29 August saw the culmination of many years hard work by members of the
Sudanese, Somalian, Ethiopian, Liberian and Sierra Leonean communities as well as
the broader African communities in Perth to address family and domestic violence in
their communities, with the launch of a research report addressing this issue in the five
communities.
This research was a fully participatory project completed through an equal partnership
between ASeTTS, the five communities and Dr Colleen Fisher, a researcher from the
University of Western Australia. Data was collected for the project from community
members by a team of 14 bi-lingual, bi-cultural interviewers from the five Communities,
who were approached to be involved in the project by the Steering Committee. The 14
interviewers participated in two full days of training in a range of topics: characteristics
and assumptions of qualitative research; ethical issues in qualitative research; indepth
interviewing using a recursive interviewing technique; boundaries; self care and
interviewing sensitive issues, to assist them to undertake the research. The team of
interviewers undertook a total of 54 in-depth interviews with members from the five
communities in seven different languages. They were also further involved in the research
through providing input into the interview schedule to ensure cultural sensitivity for their
respective community and the provision of feedback into the draft final report.
At the research report launch, the 14 bi-lingual, bi-cultural interviewers were presented
with Certificates of Competency to reflect their skill in collecting qualitative information
that enabled a rich and comprehensive report to be delivered to members of the
communities involved in the research.
Dr Colleen Fisher
The University of Western Australia
Maria Osman from ASeTTS Launches the Report
ASeTTS Newsletter September 2009

Norma’s Notes ...
There are moments when I couldn’t be more proud to be ASeTTS’ CEO and I have had several recently that
I would like to share.
The first was the launch of the Employment Service in late August. Regardless of what community group
we consult with one, of the priorities for all refugees is getting a job. A job is certainly about being
independent and self reliant but it is also contributes to one’s self esteem, sense of belonging and good
health. We are looking forward to our ‘Employment Think Tank’ hosted by Janet Holmes á Court in October
where we hope we can generate solid links with employers to assist our jobseekers.
Someone recently asked me how many communities ASeTTS works with. While I could answer numerically
I replied that it is the depth of the relationships ASeTTS has with communities that is crucial. This was shown
by the Family and Domestic Violence Research Report launched August 29, where the ownership is definitely
with the five communities involved by their representation on the Steering Committee, involvement as
research assistants and in organising the launch itself. I look forward to working on the next important
phase of developing intervention strategies to reduce the incidence of domestic and family violence.
ASeTTS was very disappointed to be informed by the Office of Multicultural Interests that a decision had
been made to transfer two mental health counselling positions, currently held by ASeTTS in Parkwood and
Koondoola schools, to the Health Department without discussion with ASeTTS.
However, a quote from one of the principals sums up how proud I am of the staff involved and how sorry I
am that their positions have been terminated at the schools.
“ The ASeTTS program at Koondoola is fantastic. We love it! The programs offered are varied, innovative
and exciting and always meet the needs of our students. The ASeTTS counsellor is highly dedicated and
compassionate and looks after our students, their families and the teaching staff alike. We would be lost
without her.”
Finally, I am very proud to say the ASeTTS client reference group has just elected a Chair who will be a
member of the ASeTTS board. This ensures that the board and management team have a direct link to
clients and to service delivery and that clients have a voice.
I hope you enjoy this edition of the Newsletter. Our Annual Report and Calendar, in the final stages of
production, won’t be disappoint!
Professional Liftout
This month ASeTTS’
Newsletter includes
a liftout featuring
an article by Assaad
Salame, Families in
Cultural Transition
Program Coordinator,
on “Multiculturalism
and Living in
Australia .”
2 ASeTTS Newsletter September 2009
CONTENTS
Norma Josephs, CEO
Domestic Violence Research Report Cover
Norma’s Notes 2
Clincal Services 3
United Nations Day in Support of Victims of
Torture, 26 June.
ASeTTS Employment Service 5
Good Food for New Arrivals 6
ASeTTS Board Member Honoured 7
ASeTTS Playgroup; Caring Spirit Award 8
4

ASeTTS Clinical Services
ASeTTS clinical services staff have been involved with some very interesting work this year much of it
evolving out of two primary areas; the asylum seekers arriving by sea and the new employment service.
As I reported in an earlier newsletter staff were involved with the initial arrival of asylum seekers onto
Christmas Island late last year. Staff were on the Island for most of December and January and one of our
staff will be travelling to the Island in October to take up a three month secondment. The situation is very
different on the Island now because so many people have arrived and I can only imagine that there are
many more issues and frustrations amongst the asylum seekers as compared to when they first started
arriving.
You must also be aware that some months ago a boat carrying asylum seekers caught fire near Ashmore
Reef and most of the men on board were badly injured. We were shocked and dismayed by this event but
when ASeTTS was invited to support the men, staff very generously responded to the need. In conjunction
with DIAC and the Royal Perth Burns Unit, ASeTTS set up several means by which we could support the
men while they recovered from their terrible injuries. An important part of this was the relationship we
forged with the Hazarra leaders and the invaluable advice and direction they gave us. Staff continue to
support the men at the Perth Detention Centre and will continue to do so until decisions are made about
their ultimate visa status.
The other challenge this year has come from setting up a new DEEWR Employment Service for jobseekers
form CaLD and refugee backgrounds. From first being advised of our contract in April this year, we located
and set up premises, hired a full complement of staff and were ready to open our doors on the 1st July
2009. It was testament to the old and new ASeTTS staff that we could be so ready in such a short period
of time. We have hired a very experienced team of employment consultants and are already celebrating
successes in finding employment for our clients.
In addition to this contract, ASeTTS was also offered a DEEWR contract under the new Innovation Fund
monies, a fund designed to pilot a new approach to responding to jobseekers with the most needs.
That program has commenced and over the next three years we will be implementing and researching a
model of intervention and support which we think will be holistic and sensitive to their cultural needs and
aspirations.
Finally, late year ASeTTS won a place on a DIAC panel to provide torture and trauma services into cases
deemed complex and in need of higher than normal levels of intervention. We have now had five cases this
year and given the current social and financial climate we anticipate more referrals. These cases are always
intensive but do make the difference in ensuring that people get the help they need rather than drifting
from month to month becoming more confused and distressed.
So these are exciting and demanding times for staff and the Clinical Team have responded extremely well
to the challenges of their work with vigour and compassion. I am always in awe of their capacity to keep
on serving.
Renay Grech, Manager Clinical Services.
ASeTTS Newsletter September 2009 3

26 June United Nations Day in Support of Victims of
Torture at Curtin University
ASeTTS celebrated the United Nations Day in Support of Victims of Torture in conjunction with the Centre
for Human Rights Education and Amnesty International (WA) at Curtin University. The keynote speaker
for the evening was Phil Glendenning, director of the Edmund Rice Centre in Sydney. His lecture drew
from his experience producing the documentary, ‘A Well Founded Fear’ and focused on what happens
to Asylum Seekers deported from Australia. Often these people are sent back to very unsafe conditions.
Mr Glendenning’s work, aided by many other people across the world traced the tragic outcomes for 250
Asylum Seekers rejected by the Australian government. His speech was in part a very disturbing report on
what happens when our compassion fails.
An engaged audience listens to Keynote
Speaker Phil Glendenning
4 ASeTTS Newsletter September 2009
However, Mr Glendenning was optimistic that things were
slowly improving with the change of government. He also
reflected on how things once considered impossible were
now occurring, such as an African-American becoming
the president of the USA. His speech was delivered with
warmth and compassion and during question time several
ASeTTS clients felt empowered to speak of their experience
of detention and asylum.
More information about the documentary, ‘A Well
Founded Fear’ can be found at:
www.novemberfilms.com.au/films/a-well-founded-fear
ASeTTS’ client, Mulbah Wuokolo also spoke on the evening. Part of his speech, concerning the ASeTTS
Enrichment Fund, is reproduced here.
“My Name is Mulbah Wuokolo. I originally come from Liberia. I arrived in Perth in March 2007. I would
like to share with you this evening how I got to know ASeTTS and the benefits I have received from the
Enrichment Fund.
My initial contact with ASeTTS was through a referral from Centrelink in April 2007. I explained to my
counsellor, Sandra my interest in continuing with my studies and specialising in nursing and also talked
about my financial limitations. At the time she told me that she could not make any promises but would
find out what was available. It was after that session she introduced me to the Enrichment Fund program,
which I applied for, attended an interview and was finally successful.
Mulbah Wuokolo speaking
about the Enrichment Fund
So how has the scholarship been helpful to me? During my foundation
studies into nursing I worked as a Carer at an aged care home to raise
money for my tuition fees and my general upkeep. In addition, I had to
find time to visit the library to use the internet and gather resources for
my studies. However, since receiving the scholarship I have been able to
predominately focus on my studies as that is what is most important to
me now. It has provided me with the opportunity to own a laptop with
internet connection which means that I can do my research and studies in
the comfort of my home. It has also meant that I don’t have to worry about
how I will get access to text books.
I would like to thank all the individuals and organizations that are involved
with the Enrichment Fund and to encourage them to continue supporting
the fund as it is a worthy cause and helps brighten the future for many.”

Professional Liftout
September 2009
ASeT TS - Association for Services to
Torture and Trauma Survivors Inc.
286 Beaufort Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000
Phone: (61 8) 9227 2700 | Fax: (61 8) 9227 2777
reception@asetts.org.au | www.asetts.org.au
ABN 83 460 231 835
Multiculturalism and Living in Australia
Is there a well established definition of Multiculturalism or is it
still evolving? I would like to share with you my thoughts about
Multiculturalism and what I see as the three essential elements:
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Participation for everyone;
Inclusiveness; and
Respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
Assaad Salame, FICT
Program Manager
If practiced, these three elements enable a community to live and work together harmoniously
and allow full and effectively participation in society.
Australia is a culturally diverse society. At every level of national, state government and
community practice there are in place well defined multicultural policies and practices which
promote: community relations, access and equity, social justice, equal opportunity and antiracism.
The three dimensions of Multicultural policy are:
•
•
•
Cultural identity: the right of all Australians to express and share their cultural heritage,
including language and religion.
Social justice: the right of all Australians to equality of treatment and opportunity, and
the removal of barriers of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, gender or place
of birth.
Productive diversity: the need to maintain, develop and utilise effectively the skills
and talents of all Australians.
So what then is a “living” definition of Multiculturalism and how do we experience it every
day in our lives?
Multiculturalism in Practice
Respect is an essential living witness to our practice. Western Australia is a Multi-ethnic,
Multi-religious and Multi-cultural society. Respecting difference is a reflection of two basic
Australian values: a “fair go” for everyone and tolerance towards others. People have the
right to be different and practice their respective differences without interference or being
discriminated against, and intertwined with this is a respectfulness and valuing of people’s
rich and ancient practices.
All citizens are equal in the eyes of the law and should receive equal treatment. Service
providers who recognise this value and promote cultural and religious diversity can address
ASeTTS Professional Liftout September 2009

more fully the needs of their clients. Respecting the role of religion in various cultures is part of courteous,
ethical and professional behaviour, which promotes a just and equitable society. All Citizens have equal
opportunity at work and in school.
Other than respect what are the other outward signs of multiculturalism that we experience?
WA Multicultural policy focussed on Cultural Pluralism
This approach emphasises cultural practices, such as food, song and dance, different skills and backgrounds,
employment opportunities and adequate health care for everyone.
Multiculturalism is all about us achieving social cohesion within a framework of justice and equity for all
citizens. And even more broadly speaking Democratic Pluralism recognises that difference exists, both at an
institutional and individual level, including social, cultural, political, religious and economic difference. It
explicitly takes into account the varying needs that may arise from these differences and acknowledges that
different needs require different solutions. The hallmark of a democracy is to ensure that all its citizens have
equal rights and responsibilities so that they can participate fully in social, economic and cultural life.
Food, Dance and Songs
There are many examples in our local community that show how diverse communities feels free to demonstrate
their culture whether it is through food, songs, dance or artistic displays. For example, we can see in Perth a
number of Asian and Lebanese restaurants; there are various dance and music bands (such as Al Afrah for belly
dancing, Latino American and Scottish bands) who perform on a regular basis. There are specific events such
as St Patrick’s Day that revive particular traditions that have a specific significance for a particular culture.
We see evidence of this in our own local Harmony Day celebrations, where we see a variety of traditional
costumes, songs, dances and displays of major cultural significance.
Employment and skills opportunities
Employment and opportunities to develop new skills are not easy to obtain and still present large obstacles
for many people. Migrants and refugees are sometimes able to find work in bakeries or restaurants or other
employment areas that are operated by people who are also from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds..
This remains however a very difficult area for migrants and refugees to access due to the fact that one of
the major requirements for employment in WA is to have Australian qualifications or qualifications formally
recognised in Australia. The next hurdle comes with a requirement for local experience, which for a refugee
or migrant can be extremely difficult to gain.
Language and Communication
The 2006 Census of Population and Housing results released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
confirms that Australia is a nation of rich cultural and linguistic diversity with one in five people (21.9%) born
overseas and three in twenty (15.7%) speaking a language other than English at home.
Perth had the second highest proportion of people born overseas of all Australian capital cities after Sydney
(31.3% and 31.7% respectively).
People from more than 200 different countries live, work and study in Western Australia, speaking as many as
270 languages and identifying with more than 100 religious faiths.
ASeTTS Professional Liftout September 2009

Conclusion
I think it is very important to highlight the positive impact that ethnic communities have made to the social,
economic and cultural development of Western Australia. I also don’t forget the real issues facing culturally
and linguistically diverse communities including racism, barriers to employment and marginalisation in the
housing market.
Often I am asking myself why do humans create wars? Why should humans leave their homeland, family, and
friends and become refugees in a new homeland?
Therefore, I believe it is our responsibility to do the very best we can for the wellbeing of our Humanity. We
want a new world where every human being is respected with his or her right to be different, we all have a
role to play in our society; everyone has the right to keep his or her own culture and belief, and at the same
time, everyone must respect the others’ culture and their beliefs. I assure you, and all our friends who believe
in the strengths of a Multicultural Society, that we, all together, look forward for a better future for/in our new
Homeland in WA.
PS. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts and feedback. Please do not hesitate to email me. With many
thanks.
Letter from an ASeTTS Volunteer
I have been a volunteer with Project Connect for two years and also do volunteer work for refugees through
other organizations, including Amnesty International.
With Project Connect I first supported a family from Burundi and am currently supporting a family from
Sudan.
I am a strong supporter of the program, and regard it as an
essential part of the support network for refugees (and would
love to see it continued, and expanded).
From my perspective it has two major benefits – first, it provides
essential support and friendship to (often traumatized)
people when they need it most (as they resettle into a foreign
environment), and second, it connects Australians to people
our government has determined to be deserving of our
protection.
The types of assistance I have provided have included:
•
Familiarization with Perth – both families arrived here
with no understanding of their surrounds or how to use
the public transport system. I have guided them around
Perth and shown them how the system works. Now my
Sudanese friend is confident enough to drive himself
around Perth.
Jim Sharp and one his Sudanese
friends made through Project Connect.
ASeTTS Professional Liftout September 2009

•
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•
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•
English training – both families (especially the wives) have struggled with English. The training they
receive through the resettlement program, while helpful, seems to adopt a ‘one size fits all’ approach,
and they have difficulty keeping up. This formal training needs to be supplemented. I help them with
their homework and try to also teach them basic ‘Australian’ terms and introduce them to local issues
(through reading and talking about newspaper articles).
Correspondence and forms – both families struggle with the written word, and have difficulty
understanding things like Centrelink forms, taxation notices, and health notices (I am fluent in
English and find some of these forms very difficult to understand myself!). It sounds basic, but they
sometimes cannot distinguish between ‘junk mail’ and mail that does require their attention. Telephone
conversations are also difficult for them. Much of my time with them involves helping them with these
things, and trying to coach them to be able to gradually deal with things like regular Centrelink forms
themselves.
Rental housing – finding alternative accommodation has been an issue for both families. I take them
through a process of explaining how the system works, going with them to house inspections, and
then gradually weaning them off to be able to do this themselves.
Job searches - again, the government assistance through contracted job search organizations is helpful,
but only goes so far. In both cases I have supplemented this with coaching on applications, acting as
a referee (an issue for people without a history of employment), and, in one case, visiting the work
place to help resolve problems (which were largely a result of cross cultural issues). One of men in the
families I have volunteered with gained employment, the other has had one false start and is now
repeating a health care training contract.
Emergencies – it is difficult for new arrivals with limited English and no family support network to deal
with situations the rest of us take for granted. One recent example was getting urgent medical attention
for the young son of my Sudanese friend, which involved visits to public hospitals and clinics.
As a final word, I once introduced my daughter to Joseph, my Sudanese friend (through Project Connect),
and he said something very touching and very sad: “Your father is my only Australian friend.”
Without wishing to sound corny, I think this illustrates a major benefit of Project Connect – it acts as a
bridge between Australians and new arrivals.
If you would like to find out more about Project Connect, ASeTTS’ Volunteer
Program please ring ASeTTS on 9227 2700 or email volunteer@asetts.org.au
ASeTTS Professional Liftout September 2009

ASeTTS Employment Service
On the 28 August 2009 ASeTTS held the official opening of the ASeTTS
Employment Service - a Federal Government initiative funded by the
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
The Employment Service is located in Brewer Place, Mirrabooka close to the
Mirrabooka shopping centre. ASeTTS won a contract to provide employment
services to people from a refugee or CaLD background and is the only provider
of this specialist service in the Northern Suburbs.
The opening was attended by staff from government departments, local
non government agencies, local employers and clients of the service as well
as ASeTTS staff. The ASeTTS Chairperson, John Broweleit, addressed the
gathering on the value and importance of employment and had this to say:
“When the new employment service was announced for tender last year the
Board was very excited by the opportunities this presented for our clients. We
were also very nervous , as you might imagine, because it meant entering a
‘brave new world’ for ASeTTS. However, it was not a decision we hesitated
over because we owed it to our clients to provide the one thing that is so vital
to their settlement into Australia - Employment.
Consistently our consumer reference group, United Voices, has urged us to be active in the employment
area and to provide our many communities with a culturally aware and sensitive service. This, and our
belief in our ability to meet the challenge, has lead us to where we are today; a new service in the heartland
of our jobseekers’ local community with an office which you will agree is warm, welcoming and well
equipped to make this more than just an ordinary employment service. The Employment Service will be
fully supported by ASeTTS which provides over 20 separate programs through its clinical and community
services. We plan to provide an holistic approach to employment that will support both our jobseekers
and employers.”
Research into the needs of people from refugee and CaLD backgrounds shows that employment is a
leading indicator for a successful settlement into Australia. It provides economic security and the ability to
establish a meaningful place in Australian society. As we have experienced, our clients are eager and hard
workers who simply need that first chance.
However, it is also acknowledged that some clients
may have come from tumultuous homelands and these
experiences, as well as differing cultural understandings
and an inability to speak English well, may adversely
affect their employability. The ASeTTS Employment
Service will specialise in supporting our clients through
well developed culturally sensitive programs. Workers
will train the jobseekers in basic employment skills,
provide work experience and work with employers to
support clients on the job. The DEEWR programs provide
cash support and incentives for employers plus training
opportunities for the jobseekers themselves.
Renay Grech, Manager Clinical Services
The new ASeTTS Employment Service Office
near the Mirrabooka Shopping Centre
ASeTTS Newsletter September 2009 5

Good Food for New Arrivals ~ Launch of Training
Materials Website
Despite a wet and stormy day over 30 people braved the rain on the 11th
June to attend the official launch of the Good Food for New Arrivals (GFNA)
Training Materials website.
Ms. Norma Josephs, CEO of ASeTTS reflected on the earlier development
of the GFNA program, which originally commenced at ASeTTS in 2001.
Since that time, and through extensive community consultation, a range
of resources have been developed which provide sound and relevant food
and nutrition information for newly arrived refugees and their families.
Recent evaluation of GFNA has identified that the awareness, knowledge and skills of service providers in
their understanding of cultural diversity needed to be strengthened, and is integral to the ongoing success
and sustainability of the program.
As a result, this training website, officially launched by Mr. Roger Barson, State Manager, Department of
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), has been developed for use by
service providers to enhance staff knowledge of food and nutrition issues for refugees, as well as promoting
the development of cultural competency skills.
Glenda Trevaskis at the launch
6 ASeTTS Newsletter September 2009
The website can found at: www.asetts.org.au/nutritiontraining
Following on from official proceedings, Glenda Trevaskis provided
a brief overview of the website and its structure, as well as thanking
the many contributors to its development, including past and
present community members and organisations, Dr. Marie Martin
(Learning Conversations), Ms Maria Osman (ASeTTS), the GFNA
reference committee and their organisations, Ms. Natalie Vicca
and Bam Creative (website design).
As a follow on to the launch of the website, training in its use is now being offered to service providers.
Further details can be found at http://training.asetts.org.au/goodfood.htm
Glenda Trevaskis, Good Food for New Arrivals Coordinator
ASeTTS Multicultural Men’s Group
After a break of six weeks, ASeTTS Men’s Group is starting again at the end of September.
Thanks to the funding grant from the Department of Sport and Recreation the group can now have
some sporting activities and outings to improve the physical wellbeing of the members. Additionally,
there will be information sessions and practical assistance to guide the settlement needs of the newly
arrived men.
Please refer all interested men of refugee backgrounds!
Contact: Samira Husic at ASeTTS

ASeTTS Board Member Honoured
ASeTTS board member Udo Schűtze was made a Paul Harris Fellow on 18 June, 2009 by the Rotary Club of Heirisson. This
was the speech made by Norma Josephs CEO in honour of Udo’s work on behalf of ASeTTS.
ASeTTS hosted a breakfast for the Rotary Club of Heirisson about five years ago when we first moved into the
Beaufort Street office. Suffice to say it was a bit trickier than anticipated. Cooking a full breakfast for 40 people
seated at tables in a training room that holds 20 on a good day was asking a lot. There was a slight panic because the
BBQ didn’t work followed by a major panic when the smoke detector went off because we had about four toasters
going at the same time.
When one of the Rotarians solved the smoke alarm issue we had two speakers, one an Early Intervention Worker, a
refugee himself and our Manager of Clinical Services, April Pearman describing ASeTTS counselling work.
After the clean up, I returned to my desk to find a lovely email from Udo. He was moved by our organised chaos, but
more so by the real work we do with survivors of torture and trauma. He had glimpsed what people go through on
their journey to this country and the often longer journey once here; their recovery from torture and trauma issues
and adjustment to living in Australia.
Udo said he would like to assist and I really hope after all the time he has put into ASeTTS he hasn’t regretted this
offer. He has certainly learned there is no such thing as a free breakfast. We certainly very capably have abused his
generosity, in the nicest possible way of course.
Udo has shared his knowledge, skills and expertise in a number of areas including:
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ASeTTS Strategic and Operational Planning
Developing ASeTTS values
Assisting with tenders
Helping with our data base which included sourcing the system, writing the tender and helping to
implement it
He has assisted with our agency risk management system
As if he wasn’t doing enough he became one of our most active board members and has played an integral role in
improving the governance of ASeTTS. Our Manager of Administration and Finance, Karen Harrison wanted me to
point out that this week alone Udo has been at ASeTTS Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings as part of one
our ASeTTS selection panels.
I asked staff at ASeTTS to describe Udo and this is what they had to say.
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•
Udo never wants to be in the limelight but is always the one behind the scenes doing the hard work
He always does what he says he will do
He is always prepared, yes he does read those board papers including the financials!
He always listens and is supportive and both Karen and I do not know what we would have done without
his assistance and kindness
He connects people
He is the best ambassador for both Rotary and ASeTTS
I believe that Udo does embody the attributes of a Paul Harris Fellow in that
he gives tirelessly of his skills and abilities with humour and dignity. He is an
excellent role model for all of us at ASeTTS and you really have to trust a guy
who drives an original volkswagon van eh!!!!
He is a great individual, family man and citizen giving back to his
community.
A genuine giver!
On behalf of the board and staff of ASeTTS Congratulations Udo.
Udo, his wife Joan and son, Robert at the
Award Breakfast
ASeTTS Newsletter September 2009 7

ASeTTS Playgroup Update
Playgroup is on again! We meet on Friday mornings in the community hall.
The ASeTTS counsellors who facilitate the group provide a space for newly
arrived parents to meet with each other for support, and also provide
educational and play resources which our clients may not otherwise be
able to access. We also model playing with the children to encourage
strong attachment bonds.
On carpets, rugs and a few cushions to make things comfy, the young
parents and children aged from a few months to five years use play
dough, read books, play with puzzles and the very popular animal figures!
Outside, the children’s bikes, balls and playgroup equipment provide
opportunities for exercise, play and cooperation. Current group members come from Afghanistan, Burundi,
Congo, Burma and Iraq.
To make the group more accessible we have been providing transport to some parents who could not
travel by public transport. A recent donation of beautiful children’s books and puzzles from The Children’s
Book Council has boosted our educational resources. ASeTTS is grateful for their recognition and support.
New referrals welcome! ~ Contact Eloise, Samira or Manuela at ASeTTS.
Caring Spirit Award
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them
(William Shakespeare).
Inarguably, carers in our communities are a true reflection of this senitment. Holding a vision of shining
a light on carers in our community, Rotary Club of Heirisson mooted the idea of a carer award in order
to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of unsung heroes in refugee communities. The Rotary
Club of Cambridge soon came on board also. ASeTTS accepted this idea enthusiastically because it had a
resonance with the agency’s focus on championing and supporting the journey of healing and recovery.
As excitement grew, naming the award became the next challenge! Among the numerous staff nominations,
Pearl Proud’s suggestion of ‘Caring Spirit’ Award was selected as the winner. Pearl reflects on the naming:
“The suggestion to name the award ‘Caring Spirit’ was a way of trying to capture, celebrate and promote the spirit of
caring in our community. The word ‘spirit’ of course has spiritual connotations too and it is an aspect often understated
and not fully acknowledged in the role of caring for others. It indicates an
essence; something unchanging, indefatigable and transcendent. Although
it is something deep within, it can be shared with another. So, with this award
we celebrate the spirit of giving and long may it live.“
Caring Spirit Award 2009 nominations officially opened on 28 July
and close on 1 October 2009. Nomination packs are available from
the ASeTTS website, www.asetts.org.au.
Devi Avani, Project Officer
8 ASeTTS Newsletter September 2009