Bayside Council and Georges River Council are partnering with Advance Diversity Services (ADS), and Settlement Services International (SSI) to host a free Migrant Information Day (MID) at Rockdale Town Hall on 26 October 2022.
Attracting attendees state-wide, the annual free event provides information on housing, health, employment, education, support, and government services to assist new migrants and refugees settling into the community.
This year’s festivities will be officially opened by the Minister for Multiculturalism and Member for Oatley, MP Mark Coure, together with Multicultural NSW CEO Joe La Posta, and the Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Stephen Kamper MP State Member for Rockdale.
Long-running event supporter, The Honourable Linda Burney MP will send a pre-recorded video message as she will be sitting in Parliament.
In a joint statement released this week the Mayors of Georges River and Bayside both stressed the importance of the event, and in particular, extended a very warm welcome to the Ukrainian community, participating for the first time.
Georges River Mayor Nick Katris said, “Many Georges River community members were once migrants, so we understand the importance of feeling supported when starting a new life in another country by choice or necessity.
“We hope this event assists our new community members especially our refugee families.”
Bayside Mayor Dr Christina Curry said she was proud to host the event at the Rockdale Town Hall, and stressed the importance of providing information and opportunities to help our migrants to settle in and feel included.
“Creating a sense of belonging is so important, and the first step is ensuring they all have the right information and advice.
“I urge all our new citizens to come along, as there will be something for everyone,” she said.
Both Mayors welcomed the return of face-to-face events, saying the previous two years had proved challenging particularly for this event which regularly attracts around 500 or more visitors.
Last year the event was cancelled due to the pandemic and in 2020 it was held on-line.
A first for this year’s event which has been held for more than 30 years, will see organisations tailoring their service delivery to the needs of Ukrainian new arrivals.
ADS representative Anthony Scerri said they are currently assisting at least 30 refugee families that have fled war-torn Ukraine and migrated to the Georges River district.
“This year’s event will be unique as we will be highlighting the contributions of Ukrainian new arrivals who have settled in the local area over the past eight months; They are on the move and looking for rental properties.
“The Bayside and Sutherland Shire LGAs make up the top settlement locations of the 937 Ukrainian nationals that have arrived since April. This year’s MID will feature the unique crafts, artwork and food of Ukrainian clients of ADS.”
He said the event will be a great opportunity for Ukrainian migrants in local services to engage with others from different multicultural backgrounds in Sydney.
The program will include information stalls, cultural performances, and a free barbecue with bilingual staff to translate on the day.
