Today there are over 6 million (ABS 2010b) people volunteering annually in Australia, representing 36% of the adult population. Volunteering Australia recognises the valuable contribution each individual provides by offering their time, skills and passion, continuing to demonstrate Australia’s proud culture of giving.

VOLUNTEERING AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES OVER 6 MILLION AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS

Today there are over 6 million (ABS 2010b) people volunteering annually in Australia, representing 36% of the adult population. Volunteering Australia recognises the valuable contribution each individual provides by offering their time, skills and passion, continuing to demonstrate Australia’s proud culture of giving.

Volunteering Australia is proud to announce the theme of this year’s National Volunteer Week.

“Thanks A Million”

National Volunteer Week runs from 13 – 19 May. During this time we will ask Australians to help us recognise and thank over 6 million Australian Volunteers.

The eXchange (a Communify Hub at Kelvin Grove) has won an award from the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim understanding / University of SA (in partnership with the Australian Award Council of South Australia) for our contribution to Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding in the community. We are extremely proud of this achievement and look forward to [...]]]>

The eXchange (a Communify Hub at Kelvin Grove) has won an award from the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim understanding / University of SA (in partnership with the Australian Award Council of South Australia) for our contribution to Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding in the community. We are extremely proud of this achievement and look forward to continuing our work with the Muslim community.

“The selection panel was impressed with the active and widespread influence of the eXchange in developing understanding between those who are Muslims and those who are not. I anticipate that this award will bring a more widespread acknowledgement of Muslim culture in Australian communities and that you will continue to positiviely change people’s perceptions.” Professor S Sayyid, Director.

Peak body ECCQ has developed parental ‘tips’ for parents from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) [...]]]>

24 JANUARY 2013: The 2013 school year is about to begin and recently resettled families with children from refugee and migrant backgrounds are often challenged by the need to support school-age children and engage with teachers and schools. View media release.

Peak body ECCQ has developed parental ‘tips’ for parents from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who are unsure of Queensland’s school system and how to navigate parenting in the Australian context.

The tips, collected from families that have successfully resettled in Queensland, include participating in children’s activities, discussing changes with them, adapting to a small family circle, allowing children independence to learn on their own, and being open to parenting courses.

The parenting in Australia tips are the result of ECCQ’s Learning Together project, which began in March 2012 with the aim to engage local families from CALD backgrounds to find out what successful resettlement and parenting in Australia looks like.

“Many parents from a CALD background already have solutions to challenges that arise when families settle in Australia,” said Gail Slocombe, ECCQ Child Protection Policy Officer.

“So collecting tips from parents who have successfully resettled their families initiates the discovery of successful behaviours that can be used by others,” she said.

“These tips will help families from many different countries to overcome the barriers they face when enrolling their children in school. They include tips about how to respond to racism and bullying in schools and how to ensure children have a healthy and productive education.”

For more information about ECCQ’s Child Protection program and to view The Learning Together Report visit www.eccq.com.au/child-protection. To request tip sheets contact Gail Slocombe at gails@eccq.com.au.

Contact:

Gail Slocombe, Child Protection Policy Officer

gails@eccq.com.au Phone: 07 3844 9166

Founded in 1976, ECCQ is Queensland’s member-based peak body representing the interests of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.