20132013-- 14 ANNUAL REPORT14 ANNUAL REPORT

17 Children

regularly

attended our

Homework

Club

126 Volunteers in

our programs

Meals served

at MCT 981 1734+ Enquires

addressed via

our reception

125 Community

events

delivered

Social

media

followers 335

24 Ethno-specific

groups as

members 196 Clients accessed

our Program

services

2013

-14

in n

um

ber

s

CO

NT

EN

TS ABOUT US

Who we are 4

Governance 6

OUR FINANCES

Financial Summary 8

Full report available upon

request

OUR PROGRAMS

Member services 11

Healthy and Active

Ageing

12

Social Support 14

Education and

Information

16

Enterprise and

Employment

18

IN THE COMMUNITY

Highlights 20

Our Networks 22

Get involved 23

01

02

03

04

Who

are we BRMC is the peak

multicultural organisation

in Ballarat and Central

Highlands. We promote

cultural diversity and

harmony and offer a

range of services.

BRMC is the peak

multicultural organisation

in Ballarat and Central

Highlands. We promote

cultural diversity and

harmony and offer a

range of services.

To advocate on

relevant government

policy and practice

at the local, state

and federal level to

ensure appropriate

service provision.

To provide

government and other

bodies or agencies in

the Ballarat region with

an open channel of

communication with

cultural groups and

organisations.

To advise relevant

agencies in the region on

the social, legal, cultural,

educational, health and

welfare needs of residents

of culturally diverse

backgrounds with an

emphasis on equitable

access to services.

To promote a

greater awareness of

multicultural values,

the contributions and

the specific needs of

community groups

within the region.

To provide advisory

services, support

and advocacy for

the particular needs

of people of various

cultural

backgrounds.

To provide

opportunities for

people of all

cultural

backgrounds to

come together.

Aims & objectives

Our mission is to work in partnership with other community

organisations, cultural associations and

members to actively promote

multiculturalism, cultural diversity and the well

-being of all migrant communities throughout

the Region.

Our purpose is to actively promote and develop

goodwill, understanding and

harmony and a culturally diverse

community.

Governance

Ladies and gentlemen and

members of BRMC, I

welcome you to the

2013-14 Annual Report. It

has been a busy year with

over 100 events at the

same time very rewarding

fo r BRMC st ra teg i c

direction.

The collaborative creation of the Multicultural

Information Place by the City Council has

improved the multicultural profile in the

community.

Department of Health support and collaboration

has been of great value in improving our financial

position and further funds granted to us had

enabled improvements to our growing services

Closer links with Ballarat Community Health and

Centre for Multicultural Youth have also drawn

many benefits, including governance and joint

projects.

collaborative workshop, further joint programs are

explored with Centre for Multicultural Youth.

Recent work with Child and Family Services and

Federation University on Responsible Gambling,

created opportunities to explore similar research

to benefit BRMC ethno -specific organisations.

ongoing support for BRMC. BRMC input in The

of Australia maintains our ongoing relationship

through our Rural Regional Development

committee represented by Ann Foley (BRMC

Executive Officer).

The Victorian Multicultural Commission link

enables us to fund and provide partnership and

auspicing for 24 other incorporated organisations

we support under our umbrella. BRMC has taken

on a leading role in supporting issues for refugee

coordination in the region and working very

closely with several other organisations in Ballarat

and Victoria.

One current challenge that BRMC is addressing is

the GPlace building tenancy stability. I am glad

and confident that your support continues with

BRMC and remains strong as we move into the

future with many dreams yet to come to fruition.

Let me say the above mentioned successful

achievements and further aspiration would not

be possible if we did not have the support of ALL

volunteers (including the executive members),

ethno -specific organisations, the dedicated staff

of BRMC and our current organisational partners. I

sincerely thank each of you for the never tiring

support for the last 12 months.

Dr. Sundram Sivamala i

Position Name

Chairperson Dr. Sundram Sivamalai

Deputy Chairperson Igor Zovko

Secretary Carmel Kavanagh

Asst. Secretary Aisha Aboulfadil

Treasurer Kiarash Mostafavi

Asst. Treasurer Jeme Liang

Interfaith Officer Fr. Constantine Osuchukwu

Publicity Officer Georgina Vagg

Women's Officer Meeta Narsi

Youth Affairs Officer Meire de Mello

Brigette Kerrutt

Community

Representatives Ugo Lolacono

Sherley Hart

Immediate Past Chair Frank Williams

BRMC Executive Committee 2013-14

A Message from the Chairperson

Ballarat diverse culture, language, skills, resilience, spirit and global

connections. Migrants make a huge contribution to Australian social,

cultural and economic capital. Ballarat will benefit as our diversity grows.

We can be pleased that the 2011 Census indicates a growth trajectory

with a 40% increase in our overseas -born population.

As it grows Ballarat will benefit from better practice in culturally responsive

health and aged care service, employment, entrepreneurship and

community harmony. BRMC is well positioned to promote these objectives through active and

engaged community participation. Our research and consultation with our Local Government and

Community partners, as well as State and Federal peak partners, ECCV and FECCA, are helping

build the picture of future needs. Our local members generously contribute to this planning through

consultations.

From my perspective this has been the year of collaboration for our dynamic staff team, volunteers

and members. Our role as local peak has been significantly assisted through Office of Multicultural

Affairs funding to Multicultural Peak Organisations . Our services - to emerging communities, ageing

communities and our partnerships with local agencies - are expanding as we look ahead to meet

the challenges that Ballarat will face.

Successful collaborative projects and events with City of Ballarat, Centre for Multicultural Youth

(CMY), Settlement Grants Program (Ballarat Community Health Centre and CAFS) have produced

some very vibrant community service and events. In particular the City of Ballarat declaration that

own community work to develop a healthy community respect and engagement with people who

choose to live here having fled persecution in their homelands.

At our GPlace home we strive to create a

place that is both an engine room and a

Our GPlace partners, U3A and Mount Clear

Secondary College, provide BRMC with a rich

intergenerational and intercultural partnership.

We co -habit and also work together to

celebrate a place of community initiatives and

harmony. We continue negotiations to obtain

a permanent home here so we can develop

our vision for more education, enterprise and

cultural sharing.

A Message from the Executive Officer

Financial Summary

Private/

Community Grants

1%

Others

2%City of

Ballarat2%

Donations

2%

Fundraising

4%

OMAC/

VMC13%

DOHA

18%

Depart of

Health 58%

Income

I invite you to read our financial summary. Full

audited reports are available for Members through

our office in hard copy or electronic form.

In 2013/14 BRMC has maintained good financial

governance and management of our operational

budget. Our current financial investment strategy is

conservative with a term deposit maintained as

we look to build capital assets in 2015.

Higher costs for our food services have brought us

in a small operating deficit this year which is easily

absorbed. Overall equity is positive and continues

to grow and we are confident that recently

increased funding of funded programs: Healthy

Active Ageing Services, HACC Multicultural Tucker

and Planned Activity Groups will assist our

operations to be maintained at the high level of

demand for them.

Our expenditure is primarily in provision of social

support services to alleviate isolation and to

optimise health. BRMC plans to build these services

and also to diversify our streams of income and

self-funded enterprises. Global Garden Enterprise

was launched in 2014 with assistance from the

Office of Multicultural Affairs Commission.

I acknowledge our Financial Manager, Executive

Officer and Committee in managing and building

our budget and look forward to steady

management of our growing enterprises in 2015.

Kiarash Mostafavi

Treasurer

With Support from BRMC Finance Sub -committee

Multicultural

Community Grants

4%

Rent

4%

Super

5% Catering/

Food7%

Program

Costs7%

Admin

Supplies and overheads

15%

Wages &

Salaries58%

Expenses

ASSETS

Note 2014

$

2013

$

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and Cash Equivalents 3 214,370 100,803

Trade and other receivables 4 3,539 262

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 217,909 101,065

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Property, Plant and Equipment 5 58,617 34,033

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 58,617 34,033

TOTAL ASSETS 58,617 34,033

LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables 6 22,208 11,845

Provisions 7 16,831 9,384

Income in Advance 8 138,092 45,761

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 177,131 66990

TOTAL LIABILITIES 177,131 66990

NET ASSETS 99,395 66,108

EQUITY

Retained Earnings 99,395 66,108

TOTAL EQUITY 99,395 66,108

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2014

Organisations Individuals from

the community

BRMC

members

Subcommittees

Executive

Committee

Executive

Officer

Finance

Officer

HAA

Coordinator

Migrant English

Coordinator

Homework

Club Coord.

Social

Enterprise

Coordinator

Admin

Coordinator

HAAC

Coordinator

Aged Care

Supp. Workers MCT Food

Coordinator

Organisation Chart

Volunteers

Member Services During the year 2013 -2014 BRMC reviewed our membership lists resulting in a total of 80

current active members, including 48 Individuals, 24 General Members and 8 Associate

Members . We welcome new membership applications and we aim to support new and

existing members to help them keep active and engaged.

Among the hundreds of member activities BRMC coordinated four major projects this year in

partnership with members: Carnaval Colours and the Multicultural Arts Project with H.O.L.A.

(Home of Latin Association); Refugee Week involving collaboration with 21 organisations

member associations and a Statewide launch by City of Ballarat, CMY, Refugee Council of

Australia and ASRC (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre). MPlace at Harmony Fest was our

fourth major collaboration with 25 participating cultural groups and 2,000 community

participants.

Ongoing Member Services also include:

Consultation Services for Member Associations

BRMC offers consultation to existing and new organisations. We support new associations

with the process of writing a constitution and applying to become an incorporated

association. We advise existing organisation on changes in constitution, governance,

insurance or reporting. We also assist associations with budgeting, project financial planning

and acquittal.

Grant Application and Auspicing

BRMC provides support with grant applications and auspice to member organisations if these

organisations don't have an ABN or other requirements or if they simply prefer to have

support with the finances and reports. An auspice agreement is available in these cases.

Project Partnership

We regularly partner with member organisations for events and project management,

providing knowledge, mentoring new associations, or supporting big events with volunteers.

Venue Hire at discounted prices

BRMC is part of the GPlace Consortium with U3A and Mount Clear Secondary College.

Members of these three organisations have access to discounted prices for venue hire,

including classrooms, function rooms and an industrial kitchen. These rooms are usually

booked for meetings and social events. The discounted prices make all the difference

especially for major events.

Information and Advocacy

BRMC keeps members informed about grant rounds, events and consultations throughout

the region and Victoria. We publish and promote information for CALD communities on

topical issues and policies, services for clients and members. Members receive newsletters,

email bulletins and social media posts for this purpose, as well as invitations to community

events and consultations.

Healthy and Active Ageing While cultural diversity in Ballarat is increasing, the established and emerging CALD seniors groups in

Ballarat are significantly smaller and more isolated than in Metropolitan Areas and other regional

Victorian Centres (2011 Census Data). This creates a particular challenge as both communities and

services are more sparsely spread across the community and geographical area. The Healthy and

Active Ageing (HAA) Project funded by the Department of Social Services was initiated as a strategy

the access to aged care services by CALD communities; to promote a healthy and active ageing

lifestyle and to foster best practice in the delivery of culturally competent health and aged care.

Following communities from Non Main English Speaking Backgrounds have been identified to benefit

most from activities facilitated by the HAA project:

The smaller and dispersed Maltese and Hungarian communities

including members from Iranian, Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese backgrounds with growing

aged care needs

The main established ageing communities including the German/ Austrian, Italian, Dutch and

Croatian communities which have already been engaged with the previous Community Partners

Program.

Volunteers from those target communities fulfill the crucial role of Intercultural Facilitators who assist

their communities in making timely decisions on aged care options and promote healthy active

ageing by co -facilitating information sessions and healthy lifestyle activities. Following volunteers are

acknowledged for their ongoing commitment to the project: Nenita Drough and Connie Bonzon,

Filipino community; Monica Stanfield, Maltese community; Jean Goh, Pari Khadem and Angelka

Italiani di Ballarat; Brigitte Kerrutt, Secretary and Ron Males, President German/ Austrian

AssociationKlaudia Hochhuth, supporting diverse communities Maria Bessems and John Werts, Dutch

community; Boris Skontra, Secretary Ballarat Croatian Club

Throughout 2013/14 the HAA project has been part of various successful collaborations and

developed sustained partnership, as indicated in our list of Project Activities and Events. The ECCV/

BRMC Aged Care Forum with 62 participants marked a significant community consultation on

Strengthening Ageing CALD communities in Ballarat. The Report on the forum by ECCV emphasizes

the region specific needs and barriers ageing CALD communities and service provider face in

accessing and providing culturally competent care. The forum also informed future strategies and

funding applications by BRMC.

The HAA project has in many ways fostered capacity building of the CALD communities engaged: The

Filipino Seniors Young @ Heart Group has been founded and meets quarterly to share information on

health and aged support issues and participate in culture specific healthy lifestyle activities. Maltese

specific activities have been facilitate in partnership with the Maltese Community Council VIC and

Maltese seniors from Parkville which helped to better connect the Maltese community and overcome

social isolation of local individual community members.

Participation levels in our healthy lifestyle activities and health promotion training workshops have

been consistently high. On average 20 seniors attended our Tai Chi, Zumba, No Falls Sessions and

Group in the GPLACE Community Garden also shows a high interest of CALD seniors in ongoing

healthy ageing activities.

Katja Fiedler

Program Coordinator