Integreat Queensland Newsletter February 2023

Integreat Queensland Newsletter Update Gladstone Rockhampton

Welcome to Integreat Queensland’s February newsletter.

Is it only February? Over the past month the Integreat Queensland team have been working hard cementing this year’s programs, events, and courses like our Cert III in Individual Support and Early Childhood Education and Care programs as well as our Skilling Queenslanders for Work program. However, I can’t go past the great work of our team and volunteers in holding our first official Pop-up Restaurant at ARTmatters.  What a night and what a great fusion of Indian and Cambodian flavours enjoyed by more than 60 people in attendance – thank you to everyone who came out and thank you to all our volunteers. Our next Pop-up restaurant will be held during Harmony Week on March 24.

With new beginnings like our Pop-up Restaurant brings new opportunities… please do call us or drop into our offices (Gladstone & Rockhampton) and let us know how we can assist you to achieve your goals.

Julie Pettett

Integreat Queensland Manager.


Flourish Festival nominated for Australia Day Award.

Integreat Queensland’s Flourish Festival received a nomination in the ‘Community Event’ category at this year’s Gladstone Regional Council’s Australia Day Awards.

Despite not taking out the award, it was an honour to have the Flourish Festival be nominated for the award and great recognition for Integreat Queensland’s staff and volunteers.

Integreat Queensland general manager Julie Pettett said the Flourish Festivals are all about showcasing the region’s pride and diversity of our multicultural community.

“Our Flourish Festival is about showcasing our pride in our multicultural community – who we are, where we’ve come from, and what we now share together,” Ms Pettett said.

“We believe art and culture are at the heart of diverse communities, and are powerful tools for creating social connections, boosting economic growth, and shaping a strong, healthy region.”

Over the past few years, Integreat Queensland has held the Flourish Festival in both Gladstone and Biloela. Ms Pettett said Integreat Queensland will not only continue on the success of those events but expand the Flourish Festival to the Central Highlands.

“We will be building on the success of our current Flourish Festivals by expanding our reach across central Queensland,” Ms Pettett said.

“In 2023 our Flourish Festival will not only be held in Gladstone and Biloela but will now also be held in Emerald.”

“The festival will continue to be a community-led event by helping people integrate and actively participate in a thriving community.”

Integreat Queensland would like to invite anyone who is interested in volunteering or becoming a part of the planning committee for the Flourish Festival to attend a community meeting at our Gladstone office on Wednesday, March 15, 5:30-6:30pm. At the meeting we will talk about the various volunteer opportunities and take expressions of interest for joining the planning committee.

Picture: The Integreat Queensland team at the Gladstone Regional Council’s Australia Day Awards in January.


Celebrating our Pop-up Restaurant

More than 60 people were transported around the culinary tastes and fusion flavours of India and Cambodia at Integreat Queensland’s Pop-Up Restaurantin February.
From large cities to rural towns and now Gladstone, our pop-up restaurant engages chefs from around the world to not only create international fast-casual fusion dishes to high-end gourmet meals, but to also tell their story and their love of creating good food.
Held at ARTmatters on Saturday the 11th of February, the fusion of Indian and Cambodian dishes delighted our guests’ tastebuds and was a great success. Thanks to everyone who came out and enjoyed the night and thank you to all our volunteers – without you, the night would never have happened.

From little steps friendships grow

Did you know attending a playgroup is a great way for parents and carers to regularly get together with their young children to connect, learn through play and most importantly, have fun.

At Integreat Queensland, we believe our Little Steps multicultural playgroup supports children’s emotional confidence while having a parent close by for encouragement, and a sense of stability while sharing the experience together.

With children, parents, and carers from all different cultures attending the playgroup, we believe the meeting of new people builds confidence and independence not only for the child but for the parents as well.

“We decided to enroll our child to improve his social skills and his communication with other children”, a parent of one of the children said.

“Going to playgroup on a weekly basis has made our little boy more sociable, and it makes him so happy where he looks forward to attending every week.”

For parents and carers, it offers opportunities where they interact with each other at the same time as their children. Forming connections with other adults who are facing similar challenges and have the same uncertainties, frustrations, and experiences of raising children of a similar age, can provide a valuable way for parents and carers to support each other.

“Meeting other families has helped me connect with the community where many of the parents are now our friends,” one parent said.

“My husband and I were only new to central Queensland and we have learnt so much as well as gained support through the many people that attend. At the end of each term, we usually gather together and share a plate of food and that has been so wonderful.”

The Little Steps multicultural playgroup are held every week during school term both in Rockhampton and in Gladstone.

To learn more or to enrol your child, email: contactus@integreatqld.org.au or phone 07 4903 1931

This program is an initiative delivered by Integreat Queensland Inc. in partnership with Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner. Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner is funded by the Australian Government and facilitated by The Smith Family.

Picture: At Integreat Queensland, we believe our Little Steps multicultural playgroup supports children’s emotional confidence while having a parent close by for encouragement.


 

Get your Cert III in Individual Support in 2023

In 2023, Integreat Queensland will again be offering training opportunities in Gladstone for those wanting to create a career assisting the community.

Commencing on the 28th of February and running for 12 weeks, Certificate III in Individual Support will be available for those wanting to gain the practical skills and knowledge to provide individual support in residential as well as home and community settings.

Facilitated by Simple Solutions Training and Consulting, the students learn via an holistic approach that’s focused on providing both physical aspects of care and social, emotional, and psychological support for people in need.

“Becoming a support worker entails a lot of challenges yet we believe it brings a feeling of accomplishment, and a sense of purpose every time an individual’s life is improved,” a Simple Solutions consultant said.

“Part of the role gives a support worker a lifetime experience and engraves great memories with the person or the family whenever they get to overcome their fears and challenges. They become part of the person or the family’s support group for them to regain their self-esteem and be a valuable part of the society.”

Integreat Queensland’s Certificate III in Individual Support goes much further that getting a qualification, we also assist participants in undertaking work placement, writing a resume and cover letter, searching and applying for employment, and other assistance participants may need.

An information session about the course will be held on Wednesday, 22nd of February from 10am to 11am at the Integreat Queensland office at 1 Manning St, South Gladstone.

To register or for more information, please contact 4903 1931 or email: contactus@integreatqld.com.au

This Skilling Queenslanders for Work project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.

Picture: An information session about Certificate III in Individual Support will be held on Wednesday, 22nd of February from 10am to 11am at the Integreat Queensland office at 1 Manning St, South Gladstone.


 

Micro-food business training course

Starting your own business can be a daunting task, but have you ever contemplated starting your own business overseas? Every country has its own rules and regulations, it’s hard to know where to start.

Integreat Queensland has had several conversations with community members who would like to start their own business but who don’t have the know-how or confidence to take those first steps. In particular, there are numerous of people who want to start food-related businesses but feel overwhelmed by the licensing and regulations.

Integreat Queensland Learning for the Future Coordinator said it’s a real shame, because everyone loves good food, and having a diverse range of cuisines available in Gladstone could contribute to liveability and add real value to the town.

“Last year, Integreat Queensland purchased a food van and started ‘the Moving Feast’ a social enterprise that creates training opportunities and pop-up restaurant experiences for the community. This year, we will continue to grow this social enterprise, and we will also be offering new training opportunities,” Jaclyn said.

Starting in March, Integreat Queensland will run micro-food business training course. The training will support six members of the culturally and linguistically diverse community to get their Food Safety Supervisor certificate to gain the knowledge and skills they need to start their own food business through a series of workshops. The training will culminate in the group planning and running three food-related events.

“We encourage the community to get involved in these events and support these up-and-coming business owners to make their food business dreams a reality.”

If you would like to be involved in this initiative, either as a participant or as a supporter, please contact us on 4903 1931 or email contactus@integreatqld.org.au

This initiative is proudly supported by the Gladstone Regional Council’s Grassroots Fund.

Picture: Sam, Simon, Rina and Jesse preparing food in Integreat Queensland’s “Moving Feast” food van for our Pop-up Restaurant event February. 


 

Living in the ‘Stone of Playfulness’

Integreat Queensland Community Engagement Facilitator Chang Nguyen may have worked as a program coordinator for NGO’s and lectured Fundamental Law at university however, Chang said she found it difficult to continue pursuing jobs that matched her previous experience when she relocated to Australia from Vietnam in 2017.

“I moved to Australia with my daughter when my husband was awarded a PhD scholarship at Curtin University in Western Australia and from there, we moved to Queensland in 2020, and then to Gladstone in 2022.

“Due to language, cultural, and Australia’s legal system, it was difficult for me to continue pursuing jobs that matched my previous experience and as a dependent visa holder, I was also not permitted to enrol in any course lasting longer than three months.”

Chang said due to the difficulty of finding work in Australia and Gladstone, she began volunteering which not only enhanced her English-speaking skills but allowed her to broaden her networks and get more engaged in the community.

“I began volunteering for Integreat Queensland and worked on their Multicultural Childcare project,” she said.

“I focused on data gathering, analysis, processing, and visualisation to answer specific project questions like why we need a multicultural childcare centre and how that would look.

“After four months of volunteering I was offered a position as a Community Engagement Facilitator for Integreat Queensland’s Flourish Festival.  I am currently working on a master plan for the event to deliver a cultural program for the community.”

Now settled in Gladstone, Chang said herself and her husband have grown to love the region and due to habit, has even given Gladstone a label.

“We have a habit of giving the regions we live a label,” Chang explained.

“For example, when my husband and I lived in the Shire of Pingelly in Western Australia, we used to call it ‘Pinglovely’, which in Vietnamese means ‘Yêu Dấu’, meaning when you offer someone a lot of love,” she said.

“Gladstone is known as the ‘Stone of Playfulness’, and in our language, Gladstone also means ‘luck, happiness, and power’.

Picture: Chang with her daughter Anh Le and husband, Tan Le.


 

Creating a sense of community

Did you know the most common countries of birth for people living in Gladstone are New Zealand, England, Philippines, South Africa, and India with many other cultures calling our region home from Vietnam, Iran, Afghanistan, and Indonesia?

The Gladstone region is extremely diverse in its people and its peoples’ cultures. In this day and age, global awareness is important for many reasons however, many cultures live in our region and Integreat Queensland is inviting you to learn about those cultures at our Culture Café.

“Cultural Café is an event Integreat Queensland holds bi-monthly at the Gladstone Library where we introduce a different culture and invite someone from that culture to come and share about their traditional clothing, foods, culture, and much more,” Integreat Queensland Coordinator Jaclyn Thompson said.

“We also encourage them to bring some cultural sweets and snacks that can be shared and we find it’s a really great free experience for people to learn more about different cultures from people living right here in Gladstone.”

One attendee of the Culture Café said she didn’t realise just how culturally diverse the Gladstone region was until she attended the Culture Café.

“It is so wonderful learning about other cultures and really interesting to see the similarities between cultures,” she said.

“I never realised just how many different cultures live in the Gladstone region and the event really give me a sense of community.”

Want to see Integreat Queensland’s Culture Café in action? Check out our promotion video below.

The Culture Café is held bi-monthly on the first Wednesday of February, April, June, August, October and December at the Gladstone Library from 9.30am to 11am. For more info and to RSVP, please email admin@integreatqld.org.au or call 07 4903 1931.

Picture: February’s Cultural Cafe was dedicated to Vietnam and the Vietnamese people.

Below: Check out our video promotion of the Cultural Cafe.


 

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Integreat Queensland are excited to announce applications are now open to obtain your Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Early childhood education involves caring for and teaching pre-primary school students to enhance their social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. Our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will equip you to provide high quality care and plan developmentally appropriate experiences to help children reach their full potential.

As more parents decide to stay in or re-enter the workforce, the demand for day-care, nannies, and before and after school care is increasing. Recent changes in educator to child ratios has further heightened the need for qualified early childhood education and care workers.

Commencing in late February 2023, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care course equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to implement learning frameworks, and support children’s development and wellbeing. You’ll also learn how to use an approved learning framework to guide practice, and how to work across a range of age groups by providing nurturing care for babies, toddlers, and children under direct supervision.

Funding is available for eligible participants. Student contribution fee will apply.

To find out more, please call 4903 1931 or email contactus@integreatqld.org.au

Picture: Our Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will equip you to provide high quality care and plan developmentally appropriate experiences to help children reach their full potential.


 

Programs and Events

Rockhampton

Nurturing positive childhood emotions: 123 Magic & Emotion Coaching (Online)

Do you want to learn how to nurture positive emotions and human strengths to realise your child’s potential? Integreat Queensland’s 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching program is designed to allow you to see yourself at your best and the value you can bring to your child.

They say it takes a community to raise a child which is true however, for many of us it can be difficult to control behaviour without arguing or yelling at your child. The 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching program offers easy-to follow steps to manage troublesome behaviour with reason, patience, and compassion. As one participant commented “It’s great to see a different way of doing things” – and that is exactly what the program is about allowing for open communication, encouraging individuals to identify value and assemble their strengths and capacities when raising a child.

Our 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching program is available either in person and online during the day or in the evening and depending on demand can be held at two locations – north or south Rockhampton. Expressions of interest for 2023 are open now so let us know your preferences and we will see what can be offered. Childminding will be available for daytime, in-person sessions.

  • Online: Starts on Thursday 9th March 2023 @ 5.30pm in a group session.

To find out more and/or to register your interest in attending, please email: contactus@integreatqld.org.au or click here.

This program is an initiative delivered by Integreat Queensland Inc. in partnership with Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner. Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner is funded by the Australian Government and facilitated by The Smith Family.


 

Strengthen your relationship with your child: Circle of Security Parenting 

Children and families thrive when they have access to safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. These relationships and environments are essential to creating positive childhood experiences. We all benefit when children have safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. It’s easy to say ‘positive relationships are essential to creating positive childhood experiences’ but as we all know, the reality can be much different especially when you are trying to put it into practise.

Integreat Queensland’s Circle of Security Parenting program is a relationship program for caregivers. We believe everyone can help prevent adverse childhood experiences and promote positive childhood experiences by supporting children and families to develop the skills needed to support and strengthen parent-child relationships.

  • Available in person and online, daytime or evening and depending on demand can be held in two locations – north or south Rockhampton.  Let us know your preferences and we will see what can be offered. Childminding will be available for daytime, in person sessions.

To find out more and/or to register, please email: contactus@integreatqld.org.au – phone: 4900 1617, or text 0434 298 551.


 

Sisters are doing it for themselves: Sisterlife Circle

A Sisterhood is defined as the state of being a sister and being involved with a strong community who are bound together by shared experiences or interests. To each person, Sisterhood may mean something different, however, as a whole it encapsulates an unconditional alliance between like-minded individuals who empower and lift one another. At Integreat Queensland’s Sisterlife Circle, we aim to strengthen this bond and encourage each other to become part of a community.

Our Sisterlife Circle program can help you become the best you can be by supporting each other to grow and develop in all aspects of life. Through personal struggles and feelings of defeat, we believe a Sisterhood can help encourage one another to achieve things that individuals might not have thought possible. Achievements, no matter how big or small, can help to inspire a Sisterhood collectively, and with the support of a powerful group who have each other’s best interests at heart, it can help to build confidence to reach new heights together.

Held fortnightly, SisterLife Circle is a safe and supportive environment for women to meet, share and connect.

  • When: Held every fortnight on Thursdays from 1pm-2:30pm.
  • Where: 223 Campbell St, Rockhampton.

For more information or to register by phone, please call 07 4903 1931 or email contactus@integreatqld.org.au


 

Learn through play and have fun: Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup

Did you know attending a playgroup is a great way for parents and carers to regularly get together with their young children to connect, learn through play and most importantly, have fun. At playgroup, families can learn new ideas for playing at home, make new friends and share their experiences in a relaxed environment.

Integreat Queensland’s Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup supports children’s emotional confidence while having a parent close by for encouragement, and a sense of stability while sharing the experience together. The meeting and interacting with new people stimulates children to learn to separate from their carers if even only for short bursts of time, building confidence and independence.

For parents and carers, it offers opportunities where they interact with each other at the same time as their children. Forming connections with other adults who are facing similar challenges and have the same uncertainties, frustrations, and experiences of raising children of a similar age, provides a valuable way to support each other.

  • When: Every Tuesday from 9:30am to 11:30am (during school term).
  • Where: Berserker Street Community Hub, 28 – 140 Berserker Street, North Rockhampton (Entrance – corner of Charles and Berserker St)
  • Free: Everyone with children from 0 to 5 years old are welcome.

To register and for more info, please contact us by email: contactus@integreatqld.org.au – phone 07 4903 1931 or text: 0434 298 551

This program is an initiative delivered by Integreat Queensland Inc. in partnership with Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner. Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner is funded by the Australian Government and facilitated by The Smith Family.


 

Gladstone

The Value of Women Coming Together: Sisterlife Circle 

Women talk about everything and anything. You name it. Women will reveal their insecurities, their latest diet, their dreams, and the list goes on. Any topic is fair game. Two women strangers sitting next to each other on a two-hour plane ride will arrive at their destination knowing how many children each has, their marital troubles, any school dilemmas, and what kind of birth control they each use.

Integreat Queensland’s Sisterlife Circle is a social, ethical, and emotional pact between women. It’s based on an understanding that together we are stronger than we are as individuals. That empowerment is only possible if we come together and treat each other as sisters, not opponents. It’s a relationship based on our value as a collective, determined to make true change in their lives and even the world.

Our goal is to create a deep, authentic connection amongst women to participate in topical discussions and where everyone has the opportunity to discuss a challenge they may be having or a success we can all celebrate.The SisterLife Circle is a safe and supportive environment for women to meet, share and connect.

  • Held on Wednesday (fortnightly) from 10:30am-12noon at Integreat Queensland, 1a Manning St, South Gladstone.

To register or for more information, please email contactus@integreatqld.org.au or phone 07 4903 1931.


 

Taking little steps to create friends: Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup 

Integreat Queensland’s Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup supports children’s emotional confidence while having a parent close by for encouragement, and a sense of stability while sharing the experience together. The meeting and interacting with new people stimulates children to learn to separate from their carers if even only for short bursts of time, building confidence and independence.

For parents and carers it offers opportunities where they interact with each other at the same time as their children. Forming connections with other adults who are facing similar challenges and have the same uncertainties, frustrations, and experiences of raising children of a similar age, provides a valuable way to support each other.

Everyone is welcome to join Integreat Queensland’s Little Steps multicultural playgroup which are held every Tuesday and Friday during the school term.

  • When: Every Tuesday & Friday from 9:30am to 11:30am (during school term)
  • Where: Philip Street Families and Communities Precinct – 1 Pengelly St, Gladstone.
  • Free: Everyone with children from 0 to 5 years old are welcome.

For more information, please contact Jess on email: playgroup@integreatqld.org.au or phone 07 4903 1931.


 

Have you attended our Picnic in the Park? 

With so much going on in each of our lives, there seem to be few opportunities where family and friends can be together and focus on enjoying each other’s company. Integreat Queensland’s Picnic in the Park events provides a perfect opportunity to stay engaged with your family and friends by helping build stronger bonds and foster warmth, security, and love, as well as feelings of belonging.

Held on the first Sunday of every month, our Picnic in the Park get togethers are not only a great way to relax and destress, but a great way to meet friends and make new ones in the Gladstone community. This event is about connecting with others and having fun over some food and drinks in a great atmosphere.

Integreat Queensland’s Picnic in the Park are social safe gatherings with like-minded people so come along to socialise, relax, meet people, create new friendships, and have a good time. Our next Picnic in the Park is on Sunday March 5 from 12pm onwards at Spinnaker Park – (Area C – near the swimming beach area. Please look for Integreat QLD signs.

This is a free event every month. Integreat Queensland will provide a sausage sizzle and some games. All ages welcome. Please BYO picnic food/, chairs, picnic mat etc.


 

Conversational English is the language used every day. 

If you asked most people why they want to learn English, the answer would likely be: I want to be able to hold a conversation with confidence. That, in essence, is conversational English. It is the ability to confidently speak English with native speakers. It is not necessarily about being fluent in English. They are very different skills and for most English learners, the goal is to learn conversational English.

Conversational English is the language used everyday. It is casual and informal. It is the type of English that is used in grocery stores, at the gym or when speaking with friends and family. It is, for most of us, the language used to communicate.

Integreat Queensland’s Let’s Talk Conversational English classes provide a safe and comfortable setting where those who might not otherwise have the opportunity, can improve, and gain confidence in their spoken English. Our classes offer the opportunity for people to practice their speaking skills in a supportive and non-judgemental environment in an informal setting to encourage connection and confidence in communicating, making new friends, and learning new things.

  • Time: 1pm – 2:30pm
  • Where: 1a Manning St, South Gladstone
  • Cost: Free. Registration required

*Participants can join anytime during the term.

To register or for more information, please contact Integreat Queensland on 07 4903 1931 or email contactus@integreatqld.org.au


 

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