Post on 20-Jan-2020
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Volume 4, October 2010
Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia
Akzente - accenten - accenti - उच्चारण - アクセント- akcentami - τονισμού - 악센트 - 口音 - naglasno - akcenty - acentos - accente - акценты - اللكنات
Multicultural Community Services of Central
Australia Inc.
2/20 Parsons Street PO Box 1160 Alice Springs NT
Tel: (08) 89528776 Fax: (08) 89525176
Email: info@mcsca.org.au ABN: 90 639 917 989
Accents Quarterly Newsletter
Editor:
Marguerite Baptiste-Rooke multic@mcsca.org.au
Management Committee 2009-2010
Office bearers
Acting Chair : MicheleCastagna Secretary: vacant
Treasurer: David Campbell
Committee Members Kamile Georgious
Jennifer Standish-White Michael Kanaan Teodora Yaneve
In this issue...
From the Acting Chair
MCSCA AGM Notice
Alice Springs Desert Festival
MCSCA Programs
Susu Mama Playgroup
Feature: Nigerian Independence Day Celebrations
Multi-cultural lunches at the Hub
Recipe: Nigerian Jollof Rice
MCSCA Christmas Celebration for 2010
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At Anzac Oval after the parade. Victor (on
left) danced his way down the Mall, much
to everyone’s delight.
Flourence’s
baby’s first
parade!
Glamorous Geane and friend.
Can you contribute to our newsletter? In this issue of Accents, we have a feature article on Nigeria, and the recent
celebrations to commemorate fifty years of independence. Would you like to
feature your country or a special event in our next issue of Accents newsletter?
Please contact us with your ideas and contributions. Come into the office, or ring
us on 89528776.
The Mabuhay crew looked and sounded
very impressive.
Ted keeps the rhythm at the
Alice Desert Festival Parade .
Sammy, painted up and ready.
Cathy (in red) and Ibu (in
blue) in Indonesian costume. Christina and Angelina.
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from the Chair...
Hello everyone,
A wonderful year of positive change
is in the air for MCSCA. The MCSCA Community
Hub space is now open and available for all
culture groups to use for:
Meetings
Information sessions
Family and social gatherings
Our multicultural lunches
Michele Castagna, Acting MCSCA President and Chairperson.
The beautifully decorated Hub space is already in great demand.
Do contact the MCSCA office on 8952-8776 if you want to use the
Hub—it’s your space.
The next twelve months funding from Office of Multicultural Affairs is
now safe in the bank, though some minor budget adjustments needed
to be made. There are some exciting, innovative and informative
activities and events planned for the CALD community for 2010/11.
Marguerite Baptiste-Rooke is now the overall Coordinator and
Director for all MCSCA programs, and for Settlement and Multicul-
tural Services. I will be retiring (with regret) from the MCSCA Man-
agement Committee this year, but believe it’s time to make a move to
explore other opportunities in my life. In the meantime, God Bless,
and keep yourself and your families safe.
Ciao! And don’t forget the MCSCA AGM. Make your vote count
towards selecting a new Management Committee to help MCSCA
develop and grow.
MCSCA Annual General Meeting
Thursday 25th November, 2010 MCSCA Community Hub Space
5.00 p.m.
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MCSCA Programs
Settlement Grant Program (SGP) Funded by Department of Immigration and Citizenship
The aim of the SGP is to deliver services which assist eligible clients to become self-reliant and participate as equals in Australian society as soon as possible after arrival. The program is focused on providing services to permanent residents who have arrived in Aus-tralia in the last five years as: humanitarian entrants (refugees) family stream migrants with low English language skills dependants (often family members) of skilled migrants in rural and regional areas with low
English skills Other people who are eligible for assistance from SGP are: Some temporary residents (fiancées, partners and spouses, and provisional interdepen-
dency visa holders) in regional areas. To be eligible, these groups must have arrived in Australia in the last five years, and have low English language skills.
Migrant communities which are getting significant numbers of new arrivals, and who need help to develop, plan and organise appropriate services and advocacy.
MCSCA receives funding from DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) to deliver the following services: Casework: helping individuals and families to get access to services and employment Referrals: to agencies and people that can help Group information sessions Mentoring of new and emerging migrant communities At the moment, the majority of MCSCA are Sudanese people, who have arrived in Australia as humanitarian entrants (refugees). MCSCA are open 3 1/2 days a week to help you with settling in to your new community. Monday: all day Tuesday: half a day Wednesday and Thursday: all day You are welcome to come and see us in the office when we are open, but if you need more than 15 minutes, or have complex issues that you need help with, please ring and make an appoint-
ment with Marguerite. The phone number is 8952-8776.
Marguerite Baptiste-Rooke SGP Coordinator MCSCA
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MCSCA Programs
Multicultural Community Development Program Funded by NT Office of Multicultural Affairs
The aim of the Multicultural Community Development Program (MCDP) is to provide support and help for the ethnic communities of Alice Springs. The Program can also assist individual people from ethnic communities who continue to need help after the initial five year period for SGP (Settlement Grant Program) assistance has finished. The Multicultural Coordinator (at the moment this is Marguerite) actively seeks to help ethnic communities and individuals by: Assisting with settling into Australian lifestyles Providing general information, counselling, support and referrals for people from cultur-
ally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds Helping long term migrants by finding ways to solve ongoing problems and difficulties Providing advice, education and consultancy to mainstream service providers Promoting multicultural values and community harmony Organising and participating in community events Promoting the use of interpreters to agencies and service providers Helping large CALD and ethnic communities to form their own associations and organi-
sations. MCSCA are open 3 1/2 days a week to help you. Monday: all day Tuesday: half a day Wednesday and Thursday: all day You are welcome to come and see us in the office when we are open, but if you need more than 15 minutes, or have complex issues that you need help with, please ring and make an
appointment with Marguerite. The phone number is 8952-8776.
Many thanks to Paul Phyland, Chairperson of MCSCA from
December 2009 to August 2010. Paul worked hard with MCSCA for many years to help new migrants and refugees settle into their new
homes in Alice Springs. MCSCA wish Paul and his family all the best for the future.
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Susu Mama Susu Mama is a weekly group for mothers
and their children. Susu Mama gets together on a Friday morning from 10.30 to 12.30 at
the Uniting Church Hall near Flynn Church in Todd Mall. Susu Mama is a social event
for mothers, and a playgroup for the children. Come and meet other mothers from
different places and their children. Share your stories, make some new friends, and
have some fun. Guest speakers are invited to provide information
sessions about parenting, health, legal
and other issues, and
to help you with
settling into your new
community.
Susu Mama is funded by Department of Families, Housing, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs.(FAHCSIA)
Any Questions? Ring us
on 8952-8776
The Uniting Church
Hall is behind Adelaide House, the
old building next to the Flynn
Church in Todd Mall. Go through
the gate next to the Op Shop, and
you will find Susu Mama.
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Coming up: LUNCHES at the MCSCA HUB Saturday 20/11/2010 1 to 4pm End of Year Christmas Celebration Saturday 11/12/2010 1 to 4pm
Multi cultural lunch time gatherings
The first MCSCA Multi-Cultural lunch time gathering was held on Friday 3rd September in the MCSCA Community
Hub. There was a varied menu of foods to sample, and it was a great opportunity for people to get together and have a chat. The second multi-cultural lunch took place two weeks later on the 17th September. People brought food they had cooked to share, including a Nigerian dish - Jollof Rice. You can find the recipe for this tasty dish on page 8 of this edition of Accents. MCSCA got feedback that more people would like to come to these events, but that it is tricky for people to get to lunches if they are on a weekday, due to work and family commitments. MCSCA are now going to have their multi-cultural lunches on a Saturday once a month, from 1pm to 4pm. Bring the family and some food to share!
Marguerite with two Sudanese newcomers
Christina and Geane
Helen, Michele, and Precy
Kamile, Michael, Blair and David
Flourence
Marguerite and Rebecca
Rebecca’s amazing hair took 3 days to do!
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Nigeria celebrates its 50th
birthday of Independence as
a Nation.
The African communities of Alice Springs all got together to celebrate Nigeria’s fiftieth birthday.
Dawuta Dede and Marguerite
Lanre Fanoiki, Michael Adeyemo, and Bukola
Ademiji dancing up a storm.
Dancing for all ages
On the 1st October 2010, Nigeria celebrated its fiftieth anniversary as an independent nation. The celebrations by the Nigerian and other African com-munities of Alice Springs were enjoyed
by all who attended. In this issue of Accents, we have a feature story on Nigeria. If you (or someone
you know) would like to write a feature story on your home country, please talk to us! We would love to publish more
of these features.
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Nigeria turns fifty By Reverend Adebisi Olanrewaju
Abraham
If you don’t tell your story, no-one will tell it for you. That
is why I, as a Nigerian, have decided to say a few things
about this country of 150 million people, the most populous
black nation on Earth, on the occasion of the fiftieth
birthday of Nigeria as an independent nation.
There is cause for celebration. 30 years ago, we fought a 30
month civil war but we survived and emerged as one nation.
Expectations of continuing trouble were justified, following
the tide of military coups and counter coups that rocked the
country after independence was declared, but this last
decade has witnessed the restoration of a thriving
democracy, and gradually, the rule of law.
In the beginning. Nigeria literally means “the areas around the River Niger”.
Nigeria was established as a country by Lord Lugard in
1914. Prior to this, Nigeria was a group of local kingdoms,
empires, emirates and city-states. Some of these were the
Oyo Empire, the Benin kingdom, the Kanem/Bornu empire,
the Sokoto Caliphate, the Nupe kingdom, Ibibio Efik, Ifaw,
Itsekiri, and many others. These were first made
protectorates of the British Empire and were later
amalgamated into the country that is now known as Nigeria.
Imposed colonialism did not really work in Nigeria, as there
were already strong democratic traditions, and solid
governance and social structures, so there was constant
agitation in defence of Nigerian people’s rights.
Even among the Ibo in the east, where there were not kings
or rulers per se, there was strong government based on the
clan system. (Read “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe
for further information).
This was why the British had to adopt what came to be
called indirect colonialism, or indirect rule. The local
leaders and institutions were engaged to rule the people,
while the British appointed the Governor General,
Governors, and the District Officers. Hence most Nigerians
never experienced direct colonialsm, but grew up to see the
British as friendly occupiers, who were bound to leave at
some stage so we could take our destiny as a country into
our own hands.
Before the arrival of the British, the local rulers were very
powerful and well respected by the people. For example,
among the Yoruba in the west, the Oba or King was the
head of the government. He had the kingmakers, known as
the iwarafa mefa, who were also his ministers and advisers.
They had considerable powers, including the power to sack
the Oba. There was a standing army called Emeso, and it
was commanded by one of the kingmakers, known as the
Basorum. Social structures such as the marriage,
inheritance and commercial/trading systems were well
established. Cowrie shells were used as money for buying
and selling.
The Nigerian people believed in a supreme God, called
Olodumare or Orisa Nla, the big deity. They worshipped
him through other lesser deities or orisas, and the chief
priest’s title was Oluwo. The same pattern of worship could
be found among all the peoples living around the Niger
River.
Education The first Nigerian indigenous lawyer, the late Christopher
Alexander Sapara Williams wa called to the bar in 1879. He
practiced law in Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria. The first
Nigerian language dictionary – in Yoruba – was written by
an indigenous Nigerian, Samuel Ajayi Crowther, in 1843.
Crowther was a former slave, who became the first
indigenous African Bishop of the Anglican Church, and
received a Doctor of Divinity at Oxford University in
England in 1864. The first Nigerian indigenous engineer,
Herbert Macauley, graduated in Plymouth, England, in
1894. He went on to found the first Nigerian political party
– the Nigeria National Democratic Party, in 1923. The party
won all the seats when they contested the elections in 1923,
1928, and 1933. Nigeria produced her first Queen’s Counsel
(QC), Chief Rotimi Williams, in 1958.
At Independence, Nigeria had one University at Ibadan, but
today Nigeria has 40 universities and 69 polytechnics,
Colleges of technology and education. Nigeria’s education
system has produced many intellectuals across a wide field
of endeavour, many of whom are working in countries
around the world, including Australia.
Nigerian community members in Alice Springs.
Rev. Abraham in green robes second from right.
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(continued from page 9)
Leadership
Nigeria has been a leader in African politics and the
world, working to resolve conflicts, support political sta-
bility, and move other African nations towards independ-
ence. In the words of former South African President
Thabo Mbeke, at a colloquium to commemorate Nigeria’s
50 years of independence, “We remember the key role
played by Nigeria in our fight against apartheid in my
country, and the economic, diplomatic and political sup-
port given to us accelerated the downfall of the racist re-
gime”. Nigeria chaired the Anti-Apartheid movement
from its inception until President Obasanjo negotiated the
release from prison of Nelson Mandela. For many years,
Nigerians paid a portion of heir taxes to support the ANC.
Over 250,000 black South Africans went to secondary
school or University free in Nigeria, or went to school
through scholarships provided by Nigeria, including for-
mer President Thabo Mbeke.
At the same colloquium, the current President of Zambia,
Rupiah Banda said “In spite of Nigeria’s size and re-
sources, she has never oppressed other African coun-
tries”. Nigeria has supported the liberation struggles of
many African countries, including Angola, Zimbabwe,
Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Nigeria has contin-
ued her role in mediating conflicts in Liberia, Sierra
leone, Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, and Ghana. Nigeria
chose to cede the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon instead
of going to war. This is a supreme example of Nigeria’s
quest for peace among African states, this is true leader-
ship.
In 1960 Nigeria began to contribute and participate in
peacekeeping efforts around the world, beginning with
the Congo. She has since been involved in peacekeeping
operations in Bosnia, Iraq, Kuwait, Western Sahara,
Rwanda, Somalia, Cambodia, Lebanon, Beirut, India and
Pakistan. Over 100,000 Nigerian troops have served in
UN peacekeeping missions around the world.
Economy
Nigeria is classified as an emerging market, and has al-
ready reached middle income status according to the
Worldbank, with its abundant supply of natural resources,
well-developed financial, legal, communications, trans-
port sectors, and stock exchange. The Nigerian Stock
Exchange is the second largest in Africa. In 2007, Nige-
ria was ranked 37th in the world in terms of GDP, with
GDP jumping from $692 per head of population in 2006
to$1,754 in 2007.
The restoration of democracy and subsequent economic
reforms have successfully put Nigeria back on track to-
wards achieving its full economic potential. Nigeria is the
12th largest producer of petroleum in the world, and the
8th largest exporter. Nigeria also has one of the fastest
growing telecommunications markets in the world. The
government has recently begun expanding this infrastruc-
ture to space based communications. Nigeria has a space
satellite which is monitored at the Nigerian National
Space Research and Development Agency headquarters
in Abuja.
The country has a highly developed financial services
sector, with a mix of local and international banks, asset
management companies, brokerage houses, insurance
companies and brokers, private equity funds and invest-
ment banks. Nigeria also has a wide range of underex-
ploited mineral resources which include natural gas, coal,
bauxite, tantalite, gold, tin, iron ore, limestone, niobium,
lead and zinc.
The potential for investment in Nigeria is high – however,
investors need to be aware of how the system works, as
corruption is a risk. Apart from mining, Nigeria also has
a thriving video industry. The Nigerian video industry,
known as Nollywood, has become the second largest pro-
ducer of movies in the world.
Health
The Nigerian health care system is continuously faced
with a shortage of doctors, a problem known as “brain
drain” due to the fact that many highly skilled Nigerian
trained doctors emigrate to North Africa, Europe, Austra-
lia, and New Zealand for the better pay. As far back as
1995, it was already estimated that 21,000 Nigerian
trained doctors were practicing in the United States alone!
Retaining a highly trained workforce has been identified
as one of the challenges for the current government.
Tourism
One in four Africans live in Nigeria, so it is a must for
any tourist to visit. The indomitable and resilient spirit of
the people is seen in the happiness in the air in spite of
challenges. The happiness is contagious as you travel the
length and breadth of Nigeria, interacting with this very
hospitable people. You will be fascinated by their fash-
ion sense as most people go about proudly wearing the
different Nigerian traditional designs of Babinrigidi, Ag-
bada, Buba, Iro, etc. There are different parks across the
country to visit, beautiful beaches such as Eleko beach in
Reverend Abraham (centre) with former Nigerian
President Olesugun Obasanjo and Governor Segun
Agagu
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(continued from page 10)
Lagos, and interesting urban architectural designs in cities such
as Abiya, Lagos, Kano, and Obitsha. This is not the Africa you
see on TV.
Conclusion Nigerians have twice been voted as perhaps the happiest people
on earth. They love Freedom, and are a people of great enter-
prise and an indomitable spirit. They have been at the forefront
of peacekeeping efforts throughout the region and beyond.
Wherever they find themselves, they are quick to make a home
away from home, and to contribute positively to their new
society.
Rev. Adebisi Abraham lives and works in Alice Springs,
Australia.
Email: adebisiabraham@gmail.com
Jollof Rice Serves 4 people
600 gms/1 lb rice 1 kg/ 2 lb meat or chicken 2 whole chilies (liquidised) 1 onion (liquidised) 1 ltr/ 2 pints of stock 1 onion (sliced) 3 fresh tomatoes (sliced) 4 tbsp tomato paste 200 ml groundnut or peanut oil Seasoning 1 bay leaf 1 tsp thyme 1 clove garlic 1 teaspoon curry 1 teaspoon nutmeg Salt to taste Wash the meat or chicken, and season with garlic and salt. Lightly cook until
tender. Wash the rice and leave to drain. Heat the oil and fry the
cooked meat until brown, remove meat from pan and fry ground onion and chillies for 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and seasonings and fry
for another 5 minutes. Add the washed rice, and gradually add the
stock, stirring continuously.
Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes until rice is
nearly soft. Add the sliced tomatoes, onions and fried meats. Stir, cover, and allow to steam until all the liquid
is well absorbed.
Serve hot, garnished with meat pieces and boiled eggs.
Our feature recipe this issue
is for Jollof Rice.
Thanks to Julian Adeyemo from
Nigeria for sharing her recipe with us.
Bon appétit!
MCSCA Annual General Meeting Thursday 25th November, 2010
5.00 p.m
MCSCA Community Hub Space 20 Parsons St
End of Year Christmas Celebration
Saturday 11 December 2010 1 to 4pm
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Important Information about Citizenship Changes to Resident Requirements for Australian Citizenship From June 2010 most applicants for Australian citizenship must meet the general residence require-ment. From June 30 there has been only one general residence requirement for everyone aged 16 and over. Requirements for Australian citizenship are: Four years of lawful residence in Australia before making an application, including at least 12
months as a permanent resident immediately before applying. Person applying must not have been in Australia as an unlawful non-citizen (illegally) during
any part of the four year residential period. Person applying cannot have been out of Australia for more than 12 months in total during the
four year period, including no more than 90 days absence in the 12 months before applying for citizenship.
For example, a person who applies for Australian citizenship in January 2011 will meet the new
residence requirements if they:
* have been living lawfully in Aus-tralia since June 2006 on either a temporary or permanent visa. * were a permanent resident on 1st June 2009. * have been outside of Australia for less than 90 days in the year before applying for citizenship, and not out of Australia for more than a year for the previous four years. The four year residency require-ment was introduced because it was felt that it was important for people to spend enough time in Australia to understand what life in Australia was like, and what it means to be an Australian citizen. It is also important the people fully understand the commitment they are making when they make the Australian citizenship pledge, and accept the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship. For more information on Australian citizenship, visit the website www.citizenship.gov.au or phone the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880 Monday to Friday during business hours.