Hobsons Bay Intercultural Services Network

Refugee week image 1  HBSN-2  Refugee week image 2
Photos from Refugee Week and Cultural Diversity Week events run by the Network

The Hobsons Bay Intercultural Services Network welcomes and connects all relevant service providers together, to assist Hobsons Bay newly arrived, established migrants and refugees in successful settlement. The network celebrates cultural diversity and fosters intercultural connections in Hobsons Bay.

The Network’s objectives are to:

  • share information, programs, opportunities and research
  • identify local issues and needs of the newly arrived, established migrants and refugees
  • work collaboratively to address these issues through joint project work and events
  • advocate for and raise the voices of the newly arrived, established migrants and refugees
  • provide opportunities for professional development and skills sharing amongst local service providers
  • reduce race-based discrimination

The Network meets quarterly.

For more information about the Network, contact the Community Development - Multicultural Officer at Hobsons Bay City Council on 9932 1638 and commdev@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

Background

The Hobsons Bay Intercultural Services Network has had a long history, and been known by several names.  In 2011 the Laverton Settlement Services Network was established by Hobsons Bay City Council as part of the Laverton Renewal Project, with the aim to coordinate the provision of settlement services in Laverton. With the increase of new arrivals settling in other parts of Hobsons Bay and recognition that a range of services assist new migrants and refugees in successful settlement, this network evolved into the Hobsons Bay Settlement Network (HBSN) in March 2013.

In 2020, the network renamed itself to the Hobsons Bay Intercultural Services Network (HBISN). This was to recognise the changing migration patterns of settlement in Hobsons Bay and the types of service providers operating in Hobsons Bay.

Current Active Members and Participants

The following agencies are involved in the Network; they provide various settlement services and support to migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum who are connected to Hobsons Bay.

AMES
www.ames.net.au

AMES is a provider of humanitarian settlement services for refugees and newly arrived migrants and offers English classes, employment services, employment readiness programs and case work.

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
www.asrc.org.au
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre offers a range of support services for asylum seekers including legal assistance, health care, mentoring, orientation tours, vocational training, employment pathways, food assistance and guidance.

Australian Tax Office – Migrant Education Program

https://www.ato.gov.au/

The ATO Migrant Education program offers free webinars tailored for CALD audiences who are interested to learn about the Australian tax and superannuation systems.

Catholic Care
www.ccam.org.au

Catholic Care’s Refugee Settlement Program provides services for newly arrived refugee and humanitarian entrants including case work for individuals and families, homework support for school children, social support groups for adults, information, forums and orientation to Australian life.

Services Australia

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/

The department offers a range of health and social welfare payments and services through the following federal programs: Medicare, Centrelink and Child Support.

Hobsons Bay Libraries

https://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/

The Libraries team coordinates volunteer delivered English Conversation Clubs for all people wishing to practice English and connect with neighbours.  The libraries also manage a large collection of books, texts and resources in Languages other than English and run a range of programs to foster cultural and language pride in Hobsons Bay.

Hobsons Bay UP Youth Services

https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Community-services/Young-people

UP Youth Services run a range of local leadership and group connection programs for young people of migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. This includes a Youth Drop In in Laverton and Altona North, Youth Counselling, Music and Artist programs and more.

IPC Health
www.ipchealth.com.au/

IPC Health provides a Refugee Health Program that offers refugees and asylum seekers free support through education, advocacy and referral with priority given to complex health needs.

A refugee Health Nurse has a presence at the Altona Meadows campus on Thursdays and support from a nurse or community case worker and Karen/Burmese bilingual worker is available on-site or via outreach from the Hoppers Crossing campus.

All referrals to the Refugee Health Program should go through the Hoppers Crossing site on phone 8734 1400.

Laverton Community Education Centre
www.lcis.org.au

Laverton Community Education Centre provides English classes and educational training courses and skills for employment programs.

Laverton Community Hub

www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Community-hubs-centres/Laverton-Community-Hub

Laverton Community Hub is a centre for community services and programs.

Fire and Rescue Victoria
www.frv.vic.gov.au

Through a variety of community education campaigns and programs, FRV fire fighters work closely with Melbourne’s diverse communities, across all age groups, to promote community safety and coordinate emergency prevention activities.

Newport Community Education Centre
www.outletsco-op.com.au

Outlets Co-op Neighbourhood House Ltd provides English classes, pre-employment and computer classes for migrants and refugees at Newport Community Education Centre.

Mercy Health

https://health-services.mercyhealth.com.au/patients-and-visitors/supporting-your-visit/multicultural-services/

Mercy Health Services in Werribee and Footscray provides care for people in hospitals, clinics and community-based healthcare facilities. This includes the Health Happy Beginnings group pregnancy care for refugee women from Burma.

MiCare New Hope
www.newhope.asn.au/

MiCare New Hope offers a range of settlement services for newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers as well as Youth Settlement Services such as homework groups, holiday programs and support groups for primary and secondary students.

Seabrook Community Centre

www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Community-hubs-centres/Seabrook-Community-Centre

Seabrook Community Centre is a centre for community services and programs.

South Kingsville Community Centre

http://skcc.net.au/

South Kingsville Community Centre is a centre for community services and programs.

United – Spanish Latin America Welfare Centre

http://www.united.org.au/

United provides a wide range of aged care services and support and education services for the Spanish speaking community.

Utopia Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health

https://www.utopiarefugeehealth.com/

Utopia is a refugee and asylum seeker health service providing primary care (GP services) at no cost to refugees and asylum seekers regardless of their Medicare status.

Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/

Multicultural Affairs, Settlement Services and immigration.

Pronia

https://www.pronia.com.au/

Pronia empowers, advocates and cares for the Australian Greek community. This includes Aged care, child care, community education and training, disability services, casework for those experiencing family violence and  / or elder abuse.

Walker Close Community Centre

www.walkerbrooklyn.com.au/

Walker Close Community Centre is a centre for community services and programs.

West Welcome Wagon

www.westwelcomewagon.org.au/

West Welcome Wagon (WWW) is a team of 200+ core volunteers run by volunteer managers. WWW currently assists over 500 households of asylum seekers from over 30 different countries. WWW primarily provides material aid (good quality donated items) directly to asylum seekers in Melbourne’s West e.g furniture, bedding, clothing, children’s toys, appliances and kitchenware.

Women’s Health West

http://whwest.org.au/

Women’s Health West is committed to improving equity and justice for women in Melbourne’s western region. We deliver family violence services and undertake health promotion actions.

Western Bulldogs Community Foundation
www.westernbulldogs.com.au/community

Western Bulldogs Spirit West Services provides Youth Settlement Services for refugees as well as sport and employment readiness programs and community leaders mentoring.

Williamstown Community and Education Centre
www.williamstown-spotswoodcc.org.au

Williamstown Community and Education Centre provides English and computer classes for refugees and migrants.

WEstjustice
www.westjustice.org.au

WEstjustice provides legal advice and casework, financial counselling, criminal law advice and community legal education sessions on a range of legal topics.

Wyndham Community and Education Centre
www.wyndhamcec.org.au

Wyndham Community and Education Centre offers a range of settlement services to newly arrived refugees and migrants through case work, information sessions and community development programs.

Victoria Police

Victoria Police employs a Multicultural Liaison Officer whose role is to actively promote and maintain a harmonious relationship between the Police and Victoria's Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. This role is enacted through taking part in presentations, programs, projects, education and providing advice on issues that relate to CALD communities.