Asylum Seekers Centre

Welcome to the e-newsletter, the first for this 2009-10   financial year. We plan that these newsletters will provide information about the Asylum Seekers Centre’s activities on a quarterly basis and welcome your feedback!

In June 2009, I was appointed as the new Director of ASC, taking over from Tamara Domicelj, who had been with the Centre for over 4 years. During her time at the ASC, Tamara guided the expansion of ASC services to meet the burgeoning needs of our clients.  Most importantly, Tamara's commitment to advocacy for policy change was the key in establishing the ASC as a credible, independent advocate for the sector in the eyes of the government and bureaucracy.  I feel privileged to have come into this position after Tamara and will continue to do my best to ensure the needs of asylum seekers remain visible to State and Federal public policy makers.

My background is as a psychologist with 15 years of transcultural counselling experience, the last 10 years working with refugees and asylum seekers while at STARTTS (Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors). Most recently, I worked at STARTTS as Coordinator of the Early Intervention Program managing the delivery of psychological and psycho-social support services to newly arrived refugees and humanitarian entrants across NSW.

ASC in profile

Just to put our new supporters in the picture, the Centre’s ‘core business’ is to function as a friendly community drop-in centre,  while providing casework services to clients who are waiting to have their claims for refugee status assessed and finalised. Clients presenting at the Centre are usually extremely complex and challenging and caseworkers are involved in organising emergency accommodation, financial assistance, counselling, legal and health advice and job seeking assistance.  

The current turmoil and conflict in many countries including  Sri Lanka, Iran, Pakistan  and Burma has led to a huge rise in the number of new asylum seekers requiring support from the Centre. This rise is part of a global trend. To help meet this increasing demand for our services in April we employed a new caseworker, Jacqui Lord, who works closely with our dedicated team consisting of Kath Hales (Casework Coordinator) , Steve Philips (Caseworker),  and Healthcare Coordinator, Sally Harrold.

ASC Volunteer Program

In addition to the work done by casework staff, we have a committed network of over 100 (yes 100!) skilled volunteers who continue to play a crucial role in the regular delivery of ASC services supported by our multi-talented Volunteer Coordinator, Fiona Hodge. They perform a range of activities which include:

• Teaching English classes at beginner and intermediate level
• Health care services including clinics run by naturopath, massage therapists, and Feldenkrais practitioner
• Gardening activities – including our new permaculture garden
• Swimming and yoga classes
• Reception  and administrative duties
• Fundraising
• Providing daily nutritious lunches and breakfast ingredients.

In 2008-09, ASC saw a dramatic increase in new clients contacting the Centre for assistance. The caseworkers conducted 386 assessments with new clients, a 55% increase from the preceding two years. With the ever-increasing demand for our services, now, more than ever, ASC desperately need the support of our friends in order to sustain our humanitarian work. For as little as $10 per month, please consider becoming a Friend of ASC and a vital contributor to our work.

Warmest thanks for your much needed support from all of us here at ASC!

GOOD NEWS...

Federal Government Policy Changes: Work Rights
We were very heartened by the announcement of the abolition of the ‘45-day rule’ on 30th June which came about as a result of changes in regulations relating to work rights for community-based asylum seekers.  This rule denied work rights to those who applied for protection after 45 days of arriving in Australia, thus forcing many to live in destitution and ill-health.  Now many more community based asylum seekers are legally able to undertake paid work, study and gain local work experience through volunteering. Clients with work rights now have access to Medicare too. However, these changes do not include access to any services to assist those seeking employment.  If you are interested in helping asylum seekers through volunteering in our employment skills program or with  providing work experience, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Asylum Seeker boat arrivals have featured in the media over the last few weeks. Please click here for information about myths and facts from 'A Just Australia'.

Mao's Last Dancer Movie Fundraiser
Thank you all very much for showing your support of the Asylum Seekers Centre at our screening of the movie ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’.
417 braved the wind and rain to see the film, raising over $4350 from entry and donations.
A huge thank you to Ros Bradley for her tremendous support in organising the event.

Volunteer  Profile

April Pan joins ASC after work in the international marketing sector.

 Read her profile here.

ASC Garden

Through the enthusiasm and talent of our wonderful Garden Group, ASC’s backyard has slowly been transformed and landscaped into a beautiful working permaculture garden. The Garden Group, made up of asylum seekers and Centre volunteers, spent many hours building and decorating the raised garden beds which incorporate beautiful glass, stone and mosaic work. The beds produce nutritious fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables for clients and Centre use.

Our warmest thanks to Jessica Perini, Robyn Mitchinson and Teresa Myerson, the clients, and to all other local community supporters who have helped develop this project. The Garden Group is now planning to revitalise the front garden – watch this space!

YOU CAN HELP...

Volunteer  Please click here for current volunteer positions.

Make a donation  Please click here to make a donation or sign-up to be a regular donor.   Thank you for considering supporting our work.  ASC is an independent, not-for-profit, non-government organization. We are entirely reliant upon philanthropic support and public donations to sustain our operations. Without public support, the valuable work of our committed team would be impossible. Equally as important, your support is always graciously and gratefully received by the clients whom the Asylum Seekers Centre helps.

ASC Supporter
OzHarvest is a non- denominational charity that has been providing food regularly to ASC for over 3 years. It collects excess fresh food that would be otherwise be thrown away by corporate offices, delis, restaurants, caterers function centres etc. It then provides food to charities which support the disadvantaged and at risk communities in Sydney Wollongong and Canberra. There is no cost to either the donor or recipient.  OzHarvest began in 2004 and is the brain child of Ronni Kahn. Our sincere thanks to Ronni and the staff at OzHarvest for their continuing support of the Centre.  http://www.ozharvest.org/