Ethnic communities in St George and Sutherland Shire will have a louder voice as a result of the state government establishing a new advisory council.
South Sydney Regional Advisory Council is chaired by Professor Andrew Jakubowicz and includes six community members and seven government representatives.
There are two council community representative positions, including a youth member, still to be filled.
The advisory council covers the local government areas of Sutherland Shire, Georges River and Rockdale.
It will meet every three months to look at ways to strengthen the local community and discuss any concerns about the delivery of government programs and the effect of policies on culturally diverse groups.
Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka attended the first meeting of the regional council at Gymea.
Mr Ajaka said the government’s Multicultural NSW had expanded the number of regional advisory councils from 10 to 12 in response to an overwhelming positive community response.
“The councils aren’t just about listening to the community or identifying local problems,” he said.
“They are about bringing people and organisations together to develop local solutions.”
Advisory council chairman Professor Jakubowicz is a board member of Multicultural NSW and lectures in sociology at the University of Technology Sydney.
“Over the last three to four years, Multicultural NSW has reviewed how to best work with local communities and build participation to develop local solutions and provide advice directly to the government,” he said.
Professor Jakubowicz said an example of what the group might look at was housing availability, both for new arrivals and longer-term migrants.
Other areas could include domestic violence, settlement support, childcare services, National Disability Insurance Scheme, access to TAFE and youth issues.
Professor Jakubowicz said the 2016 Census, to be conducted in August, would be very helpful in “helping us understand our local communities and where they are at”.
Community members on the new advisory board include:
- Chura Mani Belbase has strong ties with the local Nepalese community and has organised charity events.
- Antoinette Chow has longstanding expertise in settlement services and community engagement.
- Jenny Grey,leads multicultural and settlement projects and has managed many community event projects.
- Kristal Kinsela works closely with the indigenous community and achieves positive outcomes for Aboriginal youth.
- Najla Turk has strong experience in community engagement with expertise in issues around diversity.
- Terrie Leoleos (Ethnic Communities Council NSW representative)
Government representatives include:
- Professor Andrew Jakubowicz – RAC Chairperson, Multicultural NSW
- Karen Burt, Network Specialist Facilitator Ultimo Operational Directorate NSW Department of Education
- Dan Simpkins – Senior Regional Coordinator, Department of Premier and Cabinet
- Skevi Panayi – Senior Manager, Sector Development, Department of Family and Community Services
- Detective Superintendent Jason Box – Central Metropolitan Region Sponsor for Cultural Diversity Portfolio, Commander Easter Suburbs LAC, NSW Police Force
- Ingrid Delfos – Safe and Inclusive Places Communities Unit Sutherland Council, Regional Organisation of Councils
- Lisa Woodland – Manager, Multicultural Health Service, NSW Health
More information on the criteria to become a community representative and to express interest: engagement@multicultural.nsw.gov.au