Chinese Australian Forum and Chinese Youth League BEIJING 2008 APPEAL DINNER

The Chinese Australian Forum and the Chinese Youth League are hosting the Supporting the Australian Olympic Team BEIJING 2008 APPEAL DINNER.

Meet Olympians, Parliamentarians, Community & Business Leaders

Celebrating the 1st ever Olympic Games to be staged in China

Dinner & Entertainment
Friday, 13 June 2008 at 7 pm
RSVP 30 May 2008. Booking Essential.

The China Grand Restaurant
Level 3, Market City, 9 Hay Street, Haymarket

Ticket: $100 per person
For a memorable evening and a noteworthy cause

All proceeds go to the Australian Olympic Team Beijing 2008

Enquiries & RSVP:

Tony Pang Tel: 0414512027 email: tonypang@tpg.com.au
Patrick Voon Tel: 9436 6088 email: patrickvoon@bigpond.com
Dominic Cheng Tel: 0412 440 863 email: chinatownpromotions@e-telcom.com.au

Chinese Australian Forum http://www.caf.org.au

Chinese Youth League http://www.cyl.org.au/

All correspondence to P O Box 876, Turramurra, NSW 2074
Cheques payable to: “Chinese Community Supports The Australian Olympic Team Fund”
GST Free

Macedonian play: "Fear & Shame" putting mental health issues in the spotlight

Above: St George Hospital Director of Mental Health David Pearce, Playwright of “Fear & Shame” Dushan Ristevski, and Ted Quan ECC Chair

Mental health is a prevalent issue in our community. Mental health professional and noted Sydney playwright Dushan Ristevski has written a ground breaking play “Fear & Shame” in his native Macedonian language highlighting the complexities that confront a family living with mental illness.

The award winning play opened to full houses. This is an issue that deserves such a creative medium for awareness-raising in all ethnic communities.

ECC Chair Ted Quan was pleased to offer the support of ethnic communities to encourage Mr Ristevski to have the play translated into other languages, along with the support given by St George Hospital in staging the powerfully written play. The barrier of language was transcended by a superb cast along with humour that was laced through the intensity of the dialogue.

We look forward to seeing the play published in English next.

Congratulations go to Dushan Ristevski, the cast, and to St George Hospital Mental Health Service for their support of a worthy initiative for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

ECC participates in 2020 Summit in Sydney

ECC Chair Ted Quan attended the Sydney 2020 Summit seen here with 2020 Summit convenor Tanya Plibersek MP (Member for Sydney; second from right), discussing issues affecting families and community, and affordablepreventative health care for an ageing Australian population.

Lively discussion on the future direction of Federal multicultural and immigration policies

The Chinese Australian Forum hosted a very successful community forum on 8 April 2008 on the topic of “Immigration & Multicultural Policies of the Rudd Labor Government”, which was attended by over 150 people and many leaders from the Chinese and Korean communities (including the first Korean Australian Community Relations Commissioner Vivian Pak).

The guest speakers for the evening were the Hon. Laurie Ferguson MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, representing the Federal Government, and Mr Gavin McCain, NSW State Director of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

For 2 hours, a panel comprising of Arnold Conyer, National President of Migration Institute of Australian , Kate Gauthier, A Just Australia's National Director, Ron Kessels, Principal of Kessels and Goddard, and Justin Li, Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia Youth Chair, as well as audience members asked Mr Ferguson and Mr McCain a number of tough questions regarding the new Federal Government's direction on multicultural and immigration policies.

Topics discussed included the "white flight" phenomena recently reportedly occurring in the State's public schools, 457 visas, the Federal Government's plans to more actively promote multiculturalism, family reunion programs, regulations for migration agents and lawyers, and Australia's immigration levels.

Mr Ferguson gave recognition to the contributions made by migrants in Australia and gave a renewed commitment on behalf of the Federal Government to the promotion of multiculturalism.

The Chinese Australian Forum is a non-partisan body dedicated to fostering advocacy and political discussion for the Chinese community. For future activities organised by the CAF, visit
http://www.caf.org.au/

Pictures from Colour Parade, Sydney

The Colour Parade is a small celebration of diversity, freedom of expressionand colour in the City of Sydney, supported by the ECC.

POSITION VACANT: Executive Officer for community organisation

Up to $65K p.a. package (depending on experience and skills)

The Ethnic Communities Council of NSW (ECC) is a non-government peak body representing thousands of people from ethnic communities throughout the State. The Council is looking to employ a full time Executive Officer at its Waterloo office to manage a small team of office and project staff and to oversee the day-to-day running of the organisation.

The ECC is an equal opportunity employer.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the ECC Chair and working under the broad direction of the Management Committee, the role is responsible for the effective day-to-day operation of the organisation and the co-ordination and promotion of ECC projects and work programs.
The position is required to exercise a significant degree of initiative, autonomy and judgement in undertaking the day-to-day management of ECC operations and staff.
Other key responsibilities include representation of the ECC and the migrant community in relevant forums, the development of policy and submissions in relation to CALD communities and liaison with media outlets, government departments, community organisations and members of the public.

Essential Criteria:
1. Experience and demonstrated commitment to working with CALD communities
2. Experience with writing policies and funding submissions
3. Effective interpersonal and communications skills to coordinate the work team, liaise with the Management Committee and coordinate media requests.
The position is subject to the availability of ongoing funding.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants should send an expression of interest addressing the criteria to : eo@eccnsw.org.au Enquiries: Helen Scott on 93190288
Applications close Thursday 17 April 2008.

Mental Health Festival at Manly

ECC gave support to the Mental Health Festival held at Manly 30 March 2008.

Pictured are Ted Quan with festival organiser Joan Hunt, and Australian Idol Casey Donovan who performed all day to help raise awareness for suicideprevention in the community.

Speakers included former MP John Brogden who has worked tirelessly making use of his own experiences in providing education to the public, and dispelling the stigma of depression and mental illness.