United Voice

In this issue:

1. AAWA celebrates a year of achievement

2. Anti Poverty Week round up

3. LHMU hosts international delegation

4. Meet Faten — Moonee Valley's NECLO

5. Farewell Inspector Nigel Howard

6. Community notices

Dear friend,

In our final community e-news for 2009 we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy festive season.

As the year’s end approaches it is worth looking back on what we have achieved together.

In 2009 our community program — and the partnerships we forged through it — continued to go from strength to strength.

This year our Service Stars Community Jobs Alliance trained and placed 28 refugees in good jobs with union employers, giving them real hope of building a decent life here in Australia.

That success, and a much-needed grant, means we can make Service Stars bigger and better next year.

This year has been a big one for the Australian African Women’s Association, a group we have been working closely with to help them build a strong voice for their community.  

Once again we were very active in Anti-Poverty Week, working with our partners on some fantastic events.

But for us this biggest highlight has to be the victory of our Clean Start campaign, which many of you supported.

After three years of relentless campaigning, low paid cleaners in the CBD have now begun to rise out of poverty and win better jobs.

Sadly we must say goodbye to Inspector Nigel Howard, who is moving to another role. Nigel has worked tirelessly to improve relations between police and the African community in Moonee Valley and has supported many important community projects, including Service Stars.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

We look forward to working with you to make 2010 even bigger and more successful.

In unity,

Cyndy Connole
Community Coordinator
LHMU Victoria

1. AAWA celebrates a year of achievement

It’s been a big year for Melbourne-based African Australian Women’s Association (AAWA).

AAWA President Habon Sudi said her group, strongly supported by LHMU, has been hard at work helping African women build better lives in Australia.

Their two big successes were a Somali Cultural Forum and a rewarding first year for a group for mothers with disabled children, said Habon.     

During Anti Poverty Week in October AAWA staged a colourful celebration of Somali culture.

At the evening event, which included traditional food, art, costumes and dancing, it was easy to see why this community is proud of their cultural heritage.

“We want to share with other countries what our culture is,” said Habon.

But for Habon it was as much about keeping Somali culture alive across generations.

“It is education for our new generation.” she said.

“There have been many years of war. So many of our children haven’t been to Somalia  and don’t know enough about their culture.”

Representatives from LHMU, Victoria Police and various community organisations were there supporting AAWA and Melbourne’s African community.

The evening included a talk by community elders about Somalian history and traditional curry and rice.

For a mother caring for a disabled child in a new country and grappling with a foreign language, the world can be a lonely place.

That is why Habon Sudi — herself, the mother of a disabled child — helped develop a place where these women can come together and support each other.

“African mothers with disabled  children stay home isolated. We want to break that stigma and teach them it is not their fault and they don’t have to be alone,” said Habon.

“They lack knowledge of where to look for help. The language and cultural differences also make it very difficult.”

The group provides mothers with social opportunities and links to disability agencies.

“Women are really struggling unnecessarily. They are new to the country and they are unaware of the services available for disabilities in Australia,” said Habon.

The fifteen families involved   share fond memories of the group’s first year including  day trips to Anakie Fairy Park in Geelong and Horseshoe Farm in Keilor.

2. Anti Poverty Week 2009 round up

During Anti-Poverty Week 2009 thousands of Australians stood up and joined the fight against poverty.

Communities came together for many great events — recognising the strengths and struggles of people fighting poverty.

Once again LHMU was a proud supporter of Anti-Poverty Week, and helped organise several events.

“In Anti-Poverty Week it is important to remember poverty affects about one million Australians. Unions play a vital role in helping many of these Australians climb out of poverty by campaigning for good jobs and decent pay,” said LHMU Victorian Secretary Jess Walsh.

Robbie Kearns, retired captain of NRL champions the Melbourne Storm, was made Ambassador for the Kokoda Annual Youth Trek at an event held at Buckley Park College in Essendon.

The Trek arms kids from Melbourne’s west with valuable life skills. It has received strong support from the LHMU, Host Plus Super, Australian Super and Victoria Police.

So far 51 participants have completed the Trek in the three years it has been running.

Robbie Kearnes, Moonee Valley’s Inspector Nigel Howard and School Captain Dana McMillan spoke to the students about teamwork, leadership, dealing with conflict and understanding one another.

“Leadership to me is seeing a problem and acting on it. You’ve got to be brave and you’ve got be a strong person,” Robbie said.

Nafissa Abdullahi, a Somali refugee who grew up on a public housing estate, spoke of the strong friendships she forged on the hike.

‘We felt good because we all completed it together and none of us gave up.’

Nafissa, who completed Year 12 and is now studying legal services at university, urged the students to get involved.

‘It’s the best opportunity, so if you get a chance go for it!’

Wednesday 21 October was an important day for disadvantaged residents at Carlton Estate.

The Carlton Estate Opportunities (CEO) Job Project was launched by the Church of All Nations at an Anti Poverty Week community BBQ.

The Church did research in 2008 that found 79% of the estate’s almost 2000 residents were locked out of the job market.

The project aims to break down hurdles immigrant residents face when looking for work.

“Refugee and African communities face discriminatory barriers to getting jobs despite being very well trained,” said Sarah Howe from the Church of All Nations.

“Some of them have done up to three courses each but still aren’t able to get a job.”

The project will look at issues surrounding language, childcare and negotiating the traditional job network.

Sarah said LHMU played an important part in the development of the training program.

“One of the main goals of our project is to reach agreements with employers first and then organise training - we borrowed that model from LHMU Service Stars.”

Housing Minister Richard Wynne and the Church’s minister Dr John Evans spoke at the launch — but the day’s highlight was a company right on the estate agreeing to come on board.

“One of the large employers on the estate, Australian Unity, who are building an aged care facility committed to using the CEO Job Project as first port of call in recruiting,” said Sarah.

3. LHMU hosts international delegation

LHMU Victoria recently hosted two inspirational human rights activists from South America.

Pascual Pichun is an indigenous leader from Chile who has been fighting the deforestation of traditional land by transnational companies.

He was jailed for over five years after leading a campaign for the return of his people’s land.

Duban Velez (pictured, second from left) is the President of Sinaltrainal — the Colombian union that covers Coca Cola workers. He spoke about the systemic violations of workers’ basic human rights in his country.

Coke workers in Columbia are paid around a dollar a day and have been denied a fair union agreement.

Workers who speak up have been threatened and forced to renounce the union.

Over 2700 union members and activists in Columbia have been kidnapped, tortured and murdered.

There is now a feature length documentary on Columbian Coca Cola workers and the struggle to have their human rights respected by their employer.

Watch a synopsis of  ‘The Coca Cola Case’ here

While Pascual and Duban were here they visited our Coca Cola members. Duban spoke of the hardship and violence Colombian bottlers face.

There is a major international campaign in support of Colombian coke workers and their human rights.

Show your support for these workers by sending an email c/o LHMU here

4. Meet Faten — Moonee Valley’s NECLO

Faten Mohamed is Victoria Police’s New and Emerging Communities Liaison Officer (NECLO) for the Moonee Valley area.

Her job is to act as a bridge between police and Africans and other new and emerging communities in her area.

“The role focuses on fostering and developing relationships between the police and these communities,” said Faten, who has been in the job since October.

Sudanese-born Faten is working with LHMU to help our African community build a better life and a stronger voice in Australia. 

“One of the biggest problems for these communities is their lack of understanding of their rights and responsibilities,” she said.

Faten is also providing professional development for local police.

“We’ll get valued training—I can ask Faten anything culturally-specific,” said Senior Constable Del King.

“I don’t always know why someone in a community is responding in a certain way.”

Senior Constable King said the NECLO program will help build more positive relationships between police and the African community.

 “This will benefit the area by showing the police, the government, the union and the community can work together in a harmonious relationship. Faten may prove an effective shortcut to achieving this.”

5. Farewell Inspector Nigel Howard

Inspector Nigel Howard is moving on after four-and-a-half years managing the Moonee Valley Police Service Area.

LHMU Victoria President Jane Farrell said Nigel has made an invaluable contribution helping build a more positive relationship between the police and the African community.

“Nigel is a driver of change. The LHMU welcomed his approach,” said Jane.

Nigel's achievements include the hugely successful Kokoda Annual Youth Trek—a program that has helped over 50 kids develop leadership skills and build self-esteem.

Nigel is proud of his time at Mooney Valley.

“In the four-and-a-half years I worked at Moonee Valley I have seen a real change in the community—especially in the relationship between the police and youth. I leave happy in the knowledge that the area is now in a better position,” said Nigel.

His new position is head of an operations response unit at Victoria Police headquarters.

“We wish him well in his career and welcome his replacement Inspector Cindy Millen. We look forward to working with her from February,” said Jane.

6. Community notices

Chisholm Institute of TAFE are offering two $2,000 awards designed to assist financially disadvantaged people wishing to pursue a manufacturing related course at Chisholm Institute of TAFE.
Contact Paul Dowling 9238 1565 or 0408 637 713
Applications will be accepted from applicants who meet several of the following requirements:
•    Individual or family adversity
•    Excessive relocation or changes of school
•    Relocation as a refugee
•    Economic barriers to further study
•    Resident of the South East of Melbourne
•    Interest in pursuing a career in manufacturing
•    Likely potential to succeed in the industry
•    Exceeds the entrance requirements of the course for which the applicant has applied
•    New or continuing student at Chisholm Institute

Tuesday 15 December, 4.30pm–6.00pm
Christmas carol service with a difference
•    With 30 wars currently going on around the globe
•    With President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize winner committing 30,000 more troops and $30 billion to the war in Afghanistan
•    With the war in Afghanistan spilling over into Pakistan
•    With the world’s number one weapons manufacturer, Lockheed Martin opening its third office in Australia
•    With Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth now building fighter jets
•    With a South Australian high school now receiving money from a weapons manufactor in exchange for co-writing its curriculum
•    And with the growing awareness of the link between militarisation/wars and climate change needing to be remembered in Copenhagen this December
We look to Advent. We invite you to carol with us at Lockheed Martin. Please bring Christmas decorations and signs for peace.
Lockheed Martin, 208 Princess Highway, Dandenong

Wednesday 16 December, Thursday 17 December, Monday 21 December, Tuesday 22 December, 7.00pm
Christmas on the River
The Churches of Echuca Moama and Murray River Paddlesteamers are again presenting "Christmas on the River".  Enjoy a cruise on the paddlesteamer "Pride of the Murray" and view the Christmas story in an Australian Bush Setting.  This is a unique presentation not seen anywhere else in Australia.
Cost is $15.00 adults, $12.00 seniors, $7.50 children (4-16 years) and $40.00 family ticket.
All profits will be donated to the Christmas Bowl Appeal. Bookings are essential.
For further information please contact Murray River Paddlesteamers on 5482 5244.
Christmas on the Murray Cruises will leave at 7.00pm from the "Pride of the Murray" berth.