Advance Diversity Services (ADS) has lined up some great speakers for our Building LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Speakers’ Panel, a FREE forum at Hurstville Library on Thursday 8 June.
They bring a range of expertise and lived experience and will provide insights into:
The work they do with LGBTIQA+ people.
How you can better support LGBTIQA+ people in your own services.
What support and resources are available.
What meaningful inclusion looks and feels like to members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
You can also ask them questions during our Q&A and networking lunch.
Panel Speakers:
Daniel Comensoli(He/Him) – Relationship Manager, Pride in Health + Wellbeing
Daniel joined Pride in Health + Wellbeing in September 2022.
Daniel has a strong background in LGBTIQ+ health policy and advocacy, most recently working as a Policy and Research Coordinator at LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA). During his tenure at LHA, Daniel was instrumental to LHA’s responses to the Disability and Aged Care Royal Commissions, the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into mental health, the Australian Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into intersex human rights, the Australian Law Reform Commission’s inquiry into the Family Law System, and proposed federal religious freedom legislation. As a proud gay man, Daniel is passionate about promoting culturally safe health and wellbeing services to LGBTQ communities, as well as reducing discrimination, stigma and violence in an effort to improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Antoinette is highly experienced in the community services sector with more than 30 years’ involvement in a number of organisations, designing and delivering programs that have positively impacted a wide range of community groups. Since 1991, Antoinette has been actively engaged with organisations that deliver multicultural services. Before joining ADS, Antoinette worked as Settlement Service Coordinator with Gymea Community Aid, as youth worker with Cabramatta Community Centre and other roles with University of Technology and University of NSW. Antoinette is passionate about enhancing the wellbeing of CALD people from the LGBTIQ+ community and strongly supports building LGBTIQ+-inclusive workplaces, particularly in multicultural settings.
Anthony Scerri, (He/Him/His) – Manager, Settlement and Community Programs, ADS
Born and raised in Wollongong, Anthony Scerri has over ten years of experience working in the Illawarra and Sydney regions. Anthony’s Maltese background has played a significant role in shaping his commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity. His passion for this field stems from his multicultural upbringing in the southern suburbs of Wollongong and his close relationship with his Maltese grandparents. He is deeply inspired by the sacrifices they made to migrate to Australia post-WWII and their ongoing settlement journey. Anthony’s unwavering motivation to assist others in their settlement journey is a testament to his dedication and commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others. Before joining Advance Diversity Services, Anthony worked on youth development projects with the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra. He also served as a Visual Arts Teacher with the NSW Department of Education and the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong. In recent years, Anthony has been instrumental in driving LGBTIQA+ inclusion work at Advance Diversity Services (ADS). His efforts have contributed to ADS being recognised as the Health + Wellbeing Equality Index (HWEI) Service Provider of the Year in 2019 and attaining gold tier status in both 2019 and 2020.
(Lived experience speaker)
Epipola Taulafo (Pola) (She/Her)– Facilitator and co-trainer at STARTTS
Ms Taulafo is a facilitator and co-trainer in the STARTTS LGBTIQA+ project. She was a founding member of this project and has been instrumental in developing training and outreach. Her background is in teaching in her home country of the Kingdom of Tonga. Since being in Australia she has worked in a variety of positions including administration and as a support worker for aged care, disability and overseas aid agencies. She is a skilled communicator and an advocate for Trans people of colour and for all people who have sought asylum on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Ms Taulafo is committed to justice, human rights and equality. She is currently studying a Diploma in Community Services and Mental Health and works as a casual interpreter. She also designs and creates traditional Tongan attire and teaches traditional dance to nurture access to Tongan culture.
(Lived experience speaker) Cedric Yin-Cheng, (He/Him) – President at Australia & New Zealand Tongzhi Rainbow Alliance Inc (ANTRA) Cedric was born in Shanghai, China, and grew up in Hong Kong. He works professionally as a Lawyer in Western Sydney. Cedric founded the grassroots not-for-profit ANTRA in 2018 and currently serves as its President. ANTRA was founded as a ‘home away from home’ for the Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking LGBTQI+ people in Australia. ANTRA connects, represents, educates, supports and advocates for Chinese-speaking LGBTQI+ people and seeks to create a safe and proud environment for the community. ANTRA now has six executive committee members, 50 volunteers and more than 3,000 members nationwide, with officers present in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart and Perth. Some of ANTRA’s key work includes monthly social and educational workshops, Tong Xing (Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking LGBTQI peer support program) and involvement in several key events such as the WorldPride Coming Out Coming Home Queer Chinese in Australia Creative Portrait and the Mardi Gras-USYD-UniMelb Global Tongzhi Forum. Cedric was a winner of the DFAT National Foundation for Australia China Relations Community Service Award by the ACAA, and 30 under 30 Community Hero by Out for Australia. Cedric has recently been appointed as the Vice President of AGMC – the Australian GLTBQI Multicultural/faith Council.
Kimberley Mignacca – Client Services Supervisor, 2Connect Youth and Community
Kim has practised as a Social Worker supporting vulnerable young people in a variety of settings for 15 years. She facilitates the Glisten project, a monthly social group facilitated by 2Connect and Kogarah Community Services for young people identifying as LGBTIQA+. The Glisten project also supports young people through school advocacy and community capacity building. Glisten celebrates its 20th year in 2023!
Shefali Shah – Community Engagement Coordinator, Kogarah Community Services
Shefali Shah has completed her masters in social work and worked with young people and multicultural groups in community development. She is extremely passionate about creating an inclusive world for all and empowering the local community with programs to build social connection. She supports Glisten with facilitation and program planning and implementation. Kogarah Community Services funds the Glisten program and runs it in partnership with 2Connect and 3 bridges youth centre. Shefali says: ‘We have been extremely happy with the positive impact of the Glisten program on young people and the community and we hope to continue to make a difference together!’
Lisa Osborn (MC)
Lisa Osborn is a trainer and facilitator who has worked in the community sector for over 30 years. In her early career she worked as a frontline worker with women from a refugee background and then moved into training and facilitation. Her work career has led her to specialise in complex trauma. In recent years she has worked as a training consultant providing workshops on domestic and family violence, child protection, culturally responsive practice, and trauma-informed service delivery. Lisa has been employed as a trainer with ACON, STARTTS, Community Services, and Settlement Services International. Lisa is a long-time member of the Sydney LGBTQI+ community.
Don’t miss this special event proudly funded by Georges River Council and the HIV and Related Programs Unit of South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.
Migrant Information Day (MID) 2022 will be unique in highlighting the contributions of Ukrainian new arrivals who have settled in the local area over the past eight months.
‘The Bayside and Sutherland Shire LGAs make up the top settlement locations of the Ukrainian nationals that have arrived here since April,’ said Anthony Scerri, Manager, Settlement and Community Services at Advance Diversity Services (ADS).
‘This year’s MID will feature the distinctive crafts, artwork and food of ADS’s Ukrainian clients,’ he said.
More than 500 locals and 40 stallholders will celebrate MID at Rockdale Town Hall on Wednesday, October 26, from 10 am to 2 pm.
This free event – which returns ‘face-to-face’ after several years of virtual offerings – gives newly arrived migrants in the region the opportunity to gain information about health, government, education, employment, youth, community and CALD-specific services.
Mr Scerri said MID was an opportunity for new arrivals and migrants to connect with service providers and the community – regardless of what stage they were on in their settlement journey.
‘This year it is especially important as we welcome Ukrainian new arrivals who have settled in our community and are very much in the early stages of their settlement journey; learning English, registering with essential services and finding out about life in Australia.
‘Although the settlement journey can be difficult for many, there is a real sense of resiliency and also wanting to give back to the community among the Ukrainian new arrivals. For them, MID will be a great opportunity not only to find out about supports available to them but also to share their skills and contributions through artwork, food and jewellery stalls.’
A warm welcome and multilingual resources
MID has been an annual event in St George for more than 20 years and, in 2022, participants can enjoy:
A free and delicious BBQ cooked by the Lions Club of Lugarno.
Friendly chats with service providers and organisations in the local community, including TAFE NSW, Mission Australia, Royal Life Saving, the NSW Ombudsman, Sydney Water, Max Employment, Gymea Community Aid and Information Service, Headspace Hurstville and many others.
Cultural performances from local artists – with Chinese and Indigenous dancers expected to be highlights.
A range of guest speakers, including the Mayor of Bayside Council – Dr Christina Curry, the Hon. Linda Burney MP (via pre-recorded video), Steven Kamper MP, the Hon. Mark Coure MP, and Joseph La Posta, CEO of Multicultural NSW.
Multilingual information will be available from government and non-government organisations, and bilingual workers will be on hand to provide further language assistance in Nepali, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Bengali and Ukrainian.
‘Gathering the many services available in one place to easily share information with newly arrived migrants and refugees is a fantastic way to support those settling in our community,’ said Mr Scerri. ‘We’re excited to welcome new arrivals to this face-to-face event and we hope they make connections, have fun, and feel a sense of belonging in Australian society.’
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Cultural performances from local artists will feature alongside information stalls, speakers and the distinctive crafts, artwork and food of Ukrainian new arrivals.
MID 2022 showcases the cultural diversity of the St George region and is financially supported by a grant from Multicultural NSW – Stronger Together Grants Program and a range of organisations including: ADS, St George Community Transport, Georges River Council and South Eastern Sydney Local Health District – Priority Populations Unit. Bayside Council is host council for the event and has offered significant in-kind support.
Organising committee members include: Divesh Naryan – Settlement Services International, Sherie Skaines – Bayside Council, Marguerite Elson – Georges River Council, and Ronnie Wang – Asian Women at Work, and other ADS staff.
Mark Coure MP, Liberal member for Oatley in the NSW Parliament, discussed a wide-range of migrant and refugee issues when he met with senior executive staff and board members of Advance Diversity Services (ADS) in the ADS offices on May 5.
She said that without this COVID-related assistance:
Many CALD people in the region, who do not qualify for government benefits, would have struggled to access RAT tests and find support in understanding how to use them.
Many vulnerable temporary visa holders in the region who were facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 would have been without vital supplies, including medical support, emergency food and supplies, transport and essential housing.
Mr Coure acknowledged the continuing importance of ADS’s Learn to Drive Program after hearing an update from Anthony Scerri, Manager of Settlement and Community Services, about this driver education program for recently arrived refugees and migrants.
Mr Scerri said that while funding received from Transport NSW had facilitated an effective rollout, top-up funds would be required to keep the program running given the rising cost of fuel and vehicle upkeep.
Mr Scerri also broached building a stronger LGBTIQ network in the St George and Sutherland region, to which Mr Coure said ADS could find helpful details to assist with this in the NSW LGBTIQ Health Strategy and to seek the support of local councils and peak bodies.
MP Mark Coure (centre) met with staff and board members of ADS on May 5.
To help build links between CALD and Aboriginal communities in the region, Ms Chow asked Mr Coure to share contacts.
‘We’re asking for educational/support contacts in the area relating to Aboriginal history,’ she said, ‘because we’re hoping that our community groups – which include established and newer migrants – can be educated more effectively about Australian Indigenous history.’
Magdaline Shenton-Kaleido Team Leader, Emerging Communities, Settlement and Community Services for ADS, spoke about the Refugee Council of Australia’s (RCoA) Platform for Change, which outlines key areas that need reform over the next Parliamentary term, as well as three matters requiring immediate attention and action in 2022.
Ms Shenton-Kaleido said ADS was eager to see Australia’s Parliamentarians acting on allurgent refugee issues raised by RCoA but was pressing Mr Coure now to agitate for the repeal of the ‘unnecessary, expensive and unfair’ temporary protection system and for the reinstatement of Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program.
‘The temporary protection system is a legacy of a punitive system to stop the boats, but no longer makes sense,’ she said.
RCoA’s Platform for Change states that: ‘Australia has found more than 19,000 boat arrivals to be in need of refugee protection but has granted them only temporary visas (Temporary Protection Visas or TPVs, and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas or SHEVs), which bars them from ever becoming permanent residents or reuniting with their families.
‘They need to re-apply for protection after three or five years and engage in a full reassessment of their refugee needs, putting a significant and unnecessary burden on the already stretched resources of the Department of Home Affairs. The reassessment process also further harms people as they have to re-live their trauma repeatedly, hampering their ability to settle and move on.
‘When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban last year, Australia allocated 31,000 visas for Afghans over the next 4 years, but those who arrived by boat 9 years ago, fleeing the same violence / persecution, will only ever be granted temporary protection. The policy does not make sense anymore because AUS turns back boats now.’
Mr Coure agreed that the temporary protection policy no longer made sense, and would look more closely at the paperwork provided by ADS, including RCoA’s Platform for Change, to determine any action.
Chair of ADS, Ruth Fyfe, thanked Mr Coure for his visit to ADS and for offering to further explore issues raised by staff in the meeting.
Loc Nguyen from ACON worked closely with James Sabbagh during his student work placement with Advance Diversity Services (ADS) to expand and update the Multicultural LGBTIQA+ Support Directory.
The directory incorporates a vast array of counselling services, legal support, faith communities, media services, university groups, aged care, youth services, professional associations and more in the Sydney area.
It’s also a useful referral tool for social workers, case workers and organisations who work with CALD LGBTIQA+ people who are migrants or the children of migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless or internally displaced.
Loc and James brought the combined weight of their networking, coordination, research and editing skills to the exacting task of ensuring the new edition of the directory is user friendly and up-to-date.
Both say the new version is a vital resource for a CALD LGBTIQA+ person to find services and groups that can support their wellbeing.
Loc Nguyen was instrumental in updating the Multicultural LGBTIQA+ Support Directory – a new version of which will be launched in March 2022.
On the heels of its launch, Loc explains why …
Why is it crucial to continue to produce the directory and promote the accessibility of the services and groups, which exist to support the wellbeing of the CALD LGBTIQA+ community?
Many mainstream services and programs provide support to community members assuming that they either belong to the LGBTQ+ community or to a cultural group, and rarely do we see programs that meet the intersectional needs of those belonging to both or more groups.
For LGBTQ+ community members from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse backgrounds, it is important that they are able to see themselves in community groups and services that holistically and meaningfully understand their experiences of culture, gender and sexuality. This is even more important for those with migrant or refugee experience who are looking to build their social connections with peers in Australia.
The directory will support the social wellbeing of LGBTQ+ community members from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse backgrounds to get connected with the right community groups and services that are culturally safe and relevant to their needs and experiences.
What feedback have ACON, ADS and others had from users about previous versions of the directory?
Overall, feedback has been really positive for the resource with many community members expressing it has made it easier for them to find relevant community groups to get connected with. Service providers have also shared how useful the resource has been when referring LGBTQ+ community members from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to other services.
However, we have also received feedback that certain LGBTQ cultural groups have not been represented in this resource in the past. The beauty of the directory and website being updated frequently is that we can continue to expand and include groups that have been missing so that we can support as many community members when looking to the future.
What barriers can CALD LGBTIQA+ people face in finding the support they need, which could well be overcome by using the information provided in the directory?
Studies have shown that LGBTQ+ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse backgrounds and those with migrant and refugee experience are disproportionately faced with multiple forms of marginalisation in social and health settings. This includes racism, xenophobia, homophobia and transphobia.
This leads to poorer physical, social and mental health outcomes for these communities as well as reduced access to mainstream health services, which community members may not perceive to be for them if the service is seen to be for white or non-LGBTQ people.
However, evidence from studies shows that when LGBTQ+ community members from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse backgrounds are connected to their peers, there is an increase in confidence when accessing to health services.
This directory links LGBTQ+ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, migrant and refugee backgrounds, and LGBTQ+ people of colour into services and community groups that provide culturally safe and appropriate support that are specific to the diverse needs of community members, which is crucial to overcoming these social barriers and to improving health outcomes and literacy for these communities.
Rainbow Cultures is an online directory that expands on the physical Multicultural LGBTQIA+ Support Directory. This website was developed through a combined effort by ACON and community groups, SocialisAsians and ANTRA, with support from Advance Diversity Services and CALD Gay Men’s Action Group.
Being online, Rainbow Cultures is much more accessible to community members, and is potentially more shareable amongst peers. As a digital resource, the website also continues to be expanded and updated with the latest information around the multicultural LGBTQ+ community groups in NSW. This became even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns when community members were looking to stay connected with their peers through online events. We hope moving forward the website can house further resources for multicultural LGBTQ+ community members.
What was it like to work with James on the directory and where can people find the print version?
James was great. He brought his Social Worker training to the job and surveyed LGBTIQA+ groups and individuals – the feedback from which helped us to shape this edition. There’s a web viewable version of the directory here. Advance Diversity Services will also have a limited supply of printed copies, which people can get by contacting info@advancediversity.org.au and pick-up from its Hurstville office.
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Loc Nguyen is Community Health Promotion Officer –Multicultural Engagement and Community Development for ACON.
James Sabbagh completed his six-month student work placement with ADS in January 2022 as part of his Social Work honours degree at the University of Wollongong. He commenced his new role as Social Worker at Sutherland Hospital in early February.
James Sabbagh did his student work placement with Advance Diversity Services (ADS) from July 2021 to January 2022. Magdaline Shenton-Kaleido Team Leader, Emerging Communities, Settlement and Community Services for ADS said James gave stellar support to ADS’s programs in 2021 and made a big difference. James started in his new role at Sutherland hospital in early February.
What drew you to volunteer and/or to do your student placement with ADS?
I was very happy and excited to commence my placement with ADS. I was drawn to the idea of working with a service that was so connected to the local community. So much of ADS’s work is informed by the community for the community, which is amazing to see, especially when working with a culturally diverse population. ADS’s responsiveness and care for the needs of their service users is inspiring.
What are you studying and where? And how has your personal history and/or your cultural background informed your work with ADS?
I studied a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Wollongong. I come from a mixed cultural background, my mum Irish and my dad Maltese/Lebanese. Growing up with a culturally and linguistically diverse family was a great asset when working at ADS. I think because of my family background I was able to be more culturally conscious and receptive when working within a culturally diverse team and with culturally diverse service users. However, due to being born and raised in Australia, throughout my placement I resumed the role of a learner, committing myself to learning and hearing from others about their cultural background and identity.
What ADS programs have you assisted with and how have you been encouraged to apply your studies and/or expand your skills in your role?
During my placement at ADS I was involved in and supported the evaluation and update of the Multicultural LGBTIQA+ Support Directory, worked with the Specialised and Intensive Services (SIS) team, supported the Emergency Relief program and helped to organise online Migrant Information Day sessions. The staff at ADS were extremely supportive and continually encouraged me to participate in as many programs and roles as I could. Working in the evaluation, community development and direct client work spaces while at ADS enabled me to utilise a broad array of social work skills. I really enjoyed working with the SIS team and with clients of the SIS program, where I utilised skills of communication, advocacy, empowerment, cultural consciousness and team work.
What has been the most challenging work you have done with ADS during your time as a volunteer / student?
The most challenging aspect of my work at ADS has definitely been the advocacy work that is often required to ensure beneficial and meaningful service provision. When I say advocacy, I’m referring to the countless phone calls the SIS team makes, trying to overcome hurdles so that other services and resources are accessible to the SIS clients. It can be very frustrating navigating everyday services that constantly seem to inhibit the settlement journey for migrants and refugees.
What strengths have you brought to your placement?
I believe that my strengths in communication, teamwork and reflexive practice were essential to my placement at ADS. Working well in teams and being a confident and adaptive communicator meant that I could successfully work across multiple teams at ADS. I believe that these strengths enabled me to be a useful team member that put forward practical ideas and strategies to enhance service provision. Being a reflexive worker meant that I was always reflecting on my practice and trying to identify ways that I could better support SIS clients and develop resources for ADS.
What has been your proudest moment, greatest achievement, deepest connection in your time at ADS?
It is not a specific moment, but rather all the times a client and I have celebrated small wins. These are the moments when an Opal card has been successfully applied for, a MyGov account is set up or financial support is received. These are all seemingly small achievements but often come after many hurdles and complications. Sharing moments of joy and relief at minor successes with SIS clients has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work at ADS.
‘Be You With Us’ is ADS’s tagline, and it reflects the organisation’s commitment to welcoming and accepting everyone of all ages, gender, culture, sexuality, and religious beliefs. How have you been encouraged to ‘Be You With Us’ during your time with ADS?
Reflecting back on my placement and time volunteering, the tagline ‘Be You With Us’ perfectly encapsulates the environment at ADS. The staff were all so welcoming of me and took a genuine interest in me and my studies. I felt comfortable to speak with others about my cultural background and family, but similarly enjoyed hearing about the identities of other team members. While working on the Multicultural LGBTIQA+ Support Directory it was so amazing to see that the ADS commitment to diverse populations was not superficial in any sense, it was actually ingrained in the work culture.
What more should the Australian Government be doing to welcome migrants and refugees and to ensure they find the support they need to adjust quickly and well to life in Australia?
I think the Australian Government, among many other things, should make a commitment to reunite the families of migrants and refugees. Supporting migrants and refugees to have other family members join them in Australia would make a huge difference to their overall wellbeing and would help to create larger support networks, making migrants and refugees feel more settled in their new home.
What is your ultimate goal and how has the work you’ve done with ADS equipped you for what you would like to do next?
I do not have an ultimate goal as far as position or practice area, but I am committed to a continual journey of learning and professional development. I see it as inevitable that in the near future I will return to work in the settlement space. This placement has moulded my understanding of what proper community development work looks like. I hope that in my future career I can be in a position that elevates community members’ voices to rally for much-needed change. I have learnt a lot in this placement about how hard it is for migrants and refugees to settle in a new country and I hope that I can, in the future, assist to make that process easier.
Please finish this sentence: I love ADS because …
I love ADS because of their tireless and enthusiastic support for all community members no matter their age, gender, culture, sexuality, and religious beliefs.
James Sabbagh said, ‘My placement with ADS moulded my understanding of what proper community development work looks like.’
