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2011-12Melaleuca Refugee Centre
Annual Report
Melaleuca Refugee Centre acknowledges that we are on Larrakia Country. We pay our respects to all Larrakia people, both past and present. We are committed to working together with the Larrakia to care for this land and the sea for our shared future.
World Refugee Day Festival, 2012: African Brothers All Star Drummers
Cover Photos:
Top Left - World Refugee Day Festival, 2012: Somali women
Top Right - World Refugee Day Festival, 2012: Kath Mills and Karen artists
Bottom Left - World Refugee Day Festival, 2012: Santi Bhutanese Dancer
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CONTENTSWho We Are, Our Vision and Mission ............................... 4
Members of the Committee of Management .................. 5
Funding Bodies ................................................................ 5
Melaleuca Staff ................................................................ 6
From the Chair ................................................................. 8
From the Director ............................................................ 9
Administration Team Report ......................................... 11
Early Settlement Team Report ...................................... 12
Counselling Team Report .............................................. 16
Community Development Team Report ........................ 20
Financial Reports ........................................................... 29
Melaleuca Refugee Centre Shop 33, Rapid Creek Business Village 48 Trower Road Millner NT 0810
PO BOX 1226, Nightcliff NT 0814
P: 08 8985 3311 E: [email protected] W: www.melaleuca.org.au
Photos taken by Mark Norman and Melaleuca staff members
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WHO WE ARE, OUR VISION AND MISSIONORGANISATIONAL PROFILEMelaleuca Refugee Centre Torture and Trauma Survivors Service of the NT Incorporated is a community-controlled, not-for-profit association operating out of Darwin. The association was first established in 1996 as the Torture and Trauma Survivors Service of the NT Incorporated to cater for the small number of refugees and asylum seekers wanting to settle in the Northern Territory. In 2002 it expanded and became known as the Melaleuca Refugee Centre Torture and Trauma Survivors Service of the NT Incorporated (Melaleuca Refugee Centre).
OUR VISIONMelaleuca Refugee Centre is recognised as a leader in facilitating the recovery of refugee survivors of torture and trauma.
OUR MISSIONMelaleuca Refugee Centre provides an environment for resettlement and healing of refugee survivors of torture and trauma, their families and community through confidential, high-quality and holistic services.
World Refugee Day Festival, 2012: Burundi Join in Dance
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MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT
As at June 2012OFFICE BEARERSDr Vanessa Johnson ..........Chair Vacant .................................Deputy Chair Tony The .............................Treasurer Ailsa Purdon .......................Secretary David Blair ..........................Public Officer
ORDINARY MEMBERSElisabeth Armitage Tina Lambert Colin McDonald Andrew Vodic
Farewelled between Annual General Meeting 2011 and 2012:
William (Bill) Prendergast (Chair) Rachel Hinton (Secretary) Natalie Bellew (Ordinary Member) Kylie Dempsey (Ordinary Member) Ajout Ajout (Ordinary Member)
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FUNDING BODIESAUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTDepartment of Immigration and Citizenship Department of Health and Ageing Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENTDepartment of Children and Families Department of the Chief Minister, Office of Multicultural Affairs
Department of Justice Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport
FOUNDATIONSHonda Foundation Deckchair Cinema
MELALEUCA STAFFADMINISTRATIONAs at June 2012
Director Ali Nur
Deputy Director Mary Taylor
Finance Manager Peter Trayte
Administration Officer Dawn Blessing
Project Officer Anna Davey
Finance Assistant Emma Cameron
Receptionist Annie Nkiere Biongo
IT Manager Ali Baydoun
IT Support Officer Fiona MacLean
Office Cleaner Regina Andrua
COUNSELLINGCounselling Team Leader Sara De Luca
Counsellor/Advocates Cath Archer Kathryn Parle Albert Adakpoku Mariella Nicolosi Paul Fong Smitha Sugathan
Child-Focussed Therapist Alexandra Jordan
Intensive Family Counsellor Jan Wetzel
Youth Support Workers Xavier Lane-Mullins Angela Kofoed
EARLY SETTLEMENTCoordinator Early Settlement Sonya Schmidt
Team Leader Early Settlement Steve Hebblethwaite
Volunteer Coordinator Robert Butcher
Housing Maintenance Coordinator Vacant
Property Manager – Housing Mick Fox
Agency Liaison – Housing Pushpanjali Verma
Tenancy Support – Housing Katie Ottosen
Tenancy Support – House Cleaning Regina Andrua
Health Workers Marlene Kranz Susan Clunies-Ross Mie Mie Aung
Case Coordinators Esther Canmue Stephanie Howard Gener Lapina Tapiwa Mbakile
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTeam Leader Community Development & FICT Coordinator Louise Weber
TIPS Coordinator Suzie Marker
AVP Coordinator Justine Mickle
Communities Liaison Jenny Milne
Training Coordinator Joan Washington
The Melaleuca management team acknowledges all current and former staff for their contribution, and wishes those who left during the year the best for their future.
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Past Staff Members 2011–12Bhawana Chaulagain (Agency Liaison – Housing), Bronwyn Cruse (Administration Assistant), Kylie Dempsey (Operations Manager), Emily Fajerman (Youth Support Workers), Anita Gupta (Counsellor/Advocate), Joseph Karyee (Housing Maintenance Coordinator), Prue Keenan (Volunteer Coordinator), Isaac Moses (Housing Maintenance Coordinator), Frances Mulbah (Vehicle Maintenance Officer), Cecilia Pewee (Counsellor/Advocate), Cesarina Rocha (TIPS Coordinator), Joanna Thom (Counsellor/Advocate).
Casual Facilitators & Program StaffFaith Abio, Ajout Ajout, Jane Alia (Facilitator), Mahima Amy (Youth Leader), Ange Bachu (Youth Leader), Rodolf Bol, Shayne Carter, Bhawana Chaulagain, Susan Cloete (Facilitator), Mitra Lal Dhamala, Bhakti Mainaly Dhamla, Levin Diatshenko (Facilitator), Badidike Kabwe
Emanuel, Ibsa Obsa Gamachu (Youth Leader), Jaclyn Garbutt, Abraham Ghawu, Sally Herzfeld (Facilitator), Susan Jackson (Facilitator), George Jerue (Facilitator), Beatrice Justo, Joenitha Karyee (Youth Leader), Kani Kenyi (Facilitator), Logoro Kenyi, April Htet Htet Khaing, Baindu Kiazolu (Facilitator), Phateate Kiazolu (Youth Leader), Julei Korner (Facilitator), Ceacer Kute, Christine Kute, Elizabeth Kwan (Facilitator), Reuben Kwana (Youth Leader), Padam Lohar-Kami, Fatmata Mansaray (Facilitator), Odette Masalu, Therese Mbuyu, Marina Milvik, Fathya Elfadel Adel Moula, Clotilde Mupepe (Facilitator), Mohamed Mustafe Muse (Facilitator), Edouard Ndjamba (Facilitator), Leasy Debra Poe, Quewah Quartey, Nora Sharf, Gloire Shinkobo, Katherine Smith (Facilitator), Kadiatu Swaray, Harron T, Clement Taban (Facilitator), Nhinzy Than Than Khaing (Facilitator), Naw Hla Htey, Fatu Torbor, Frederic Wangezono (Facilitator), Ken Woods (Facilitator).
Melaleuca staff members
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FROM THE CHAIRIt has been my pleasure to chair the Melaleuca Refugee Centre’s Committee of Management (COM) during a year of restructure and reform.
We have successfully reached and implemented a new Enterprise Agreement with staff and their union, which the overwhelming majority of staff supported. This was approved by Fair Work Australia in February 2012. The COM also engaged an external and independent consultant to review the structure and operations of the organisation. The COM approved the consultant’s recommendations, and a new operational structure that better suits the current needs of the organisation was implemented in July 2012.
As part of this restructure, we created a new position of Deputy Director to better support executive management in Melaleuca. Mary Taylor joined us at a challenging time during the restructure, and I would like to thank her on behalf of the COM for all her tremendous work and skill in assisting in the management of this process.
COM members participated in a governance training workshop in February 2012 to expand our knowledge on the legal obligations of committee member and good governance practices. The COM is currently working in collaboration with key stakeholders and staff on the next strategic plan for the organisation to help us set our direction for the short to medium term. We plan for this to be finalised by the end of 2012.
In the background to all this activity, government policies on refugees and asylum seekers continue to evolve. I would like to thank staff and volunteers for their tenacity and professionalism in delivering first- class services to clients and communities in a time of change (both inside and outside the organisation).
In this year’s celebration of World Refugee Week, Melaleuca Refugee Centre hosted a community festival on 16 June 2012 with the theme of ‘Restoring Hope’. The day highlighted messages that champion human rights locally and globally in a fun, sharing, relaxed atmosphere, and brought together the varied and vibrant cultures within our community. Highlights included a cultural village setting of world music and dance performances, traditional costumes, crafts, ‘interactive’ stalls, food tasting from around the globe, and activities for youth and children. ‘Vibrant with community pride and spirit’ sums up the atmosphere of the day.
The festival truly showcased to the wider Darwin population what ‘community’ and being part of community means to people from a refugee background, and what refugees have to offer their adopted home in the richness of their experience and culture. It was a fantastic celebration!
This year Melaleuca, in collaboration with the Deckchair Cinema, screened the film, ‘The Lady’, the extraordinary story of Aung San Suu Kyi and her husband, Michael Aris. It’s an inspiring story of one woman’s peaceful quest for democracy and human rights in Burma.
We farewelled our long-standing Chairperson, Bill Prendergast, from the COM this year. On behalf of the COM I take this opportunity to thank Bill for his tireless work for Melaleuca over the years. The COM also said goodbye to Natalie Bellew, Kylie Dempsey, Ajout Ajout and Rachael Hinton, and I thank them for their efforts on behalf of the committee. We welcomed onto the COM team Andrew Vodic, David Blair, Colin McDonald and Ailsa Purdon.
Dr. Vanessa Johnson
Chair Melaleuca Refugee Centre
“I thank staff and volunteers for their tenacity and professionalism in delivering first-class services to clients and communities in a time of change and uncertainty.”
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FROM THE DIRECTORIt has been an eventful year in which both the characteristics and the numbers of our client groups changed drastically.
Melaleuca Refugee Centre was recognised for its volunteer program by Volunteering SA-NT and was awarded the 2012 for ‘Organisational Excellency – Large Organisation’. This was only possible with the support of our dedicated and passionate volunteers to people of refugee background in Darwin. Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers!
In 2011–12 we provided torture and trauma counselling support services to 750 people, compared with the previous year’s total of 476. This year 57% (428) of the clients who received torture and trauma counselling were asylum seekers in detention centres in Darwin. Sixteen people who received torture and trauma counselling support during the year were on Bridging Visas in the community.
Counselling people in mandatory detention has its challenges compared with those who are settled in the community. The aim of torture and trauma counselling for people in detention is to impart ‘maintenance’ and ‘coping’ abilities, rather than healing and recovery as is the case for to those settled in the community. As the number of people in detention rapidly grew throughout the year, the demand for counselling services also increased drastically. Recruiting and retaining sufficient numbers of specialist counsellors for clients in detention centres remained a challenge for Melaleuca.
The number of people we provided humanitarian settlement services to more than doubled in 2011–12 compared with last year: from 276 to 557. The majority of those people (75%) received transit assistance to settle interstate.
Of people who settled in the Northern Territory, 55% were granted protection visas overseas, and 43% were in Australian territories when they were granted protection visas. While positive, the high number of people who were granted protection visas created some challenges for Melaleuca. These mainly related to the short notice we received of people referred for settlement services, which did not allow Melaleuca to undertake all the necessary pre-arrival planning, such as securing suitable accommodation.
Our Welcome to Country program, the only one of its kind in Australia, expanded during 2011–12.
This program introduces people from refugee background to traditional owners of Darwin, the Larrakia elders. The program provides opportunities for cultural exchange between the traditional owners and people from refugee backgrounds. The Bhutanese, Karen and Sudanese communities participated in the program during the year.
The Catholic Diocese of Darwin has kindly leased one of its properties in Darwin city to Melaleuca on a long-term basis. Renovations to the property are currently underway, and we anticipate relocating to the new premises later in 2012. We are grateful to the members of the Diocese for their generosity. We are grateful to the members of the Diocese and Bishop Eugene Hurley.
Ali Nur
Director Melaleuca Refugee Centre
“Thanks to all those who supported Melaleuca throughout the year, including the Committee of Management, staff, volunteers, funding bodies, service agencies and, above all, people of refugee background in Darwin.”
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World Refugee Day Festival, 2012: Cambodian dancers
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ADMINISTRATION TEAM REPORTADMINISTRATIONMelaleuca’s role as a key provider of resettlement and torture and trauma counselling services has seen the governance requirements for the organisation increase significantly during the reporting period. The importance of being accountable in relation to our funding agreements and responsible for the rights of our clients mean we continually focus on improving our standard operating framework. We regularly review our policies and procedures based on information management, financial reporting and Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) standards.
Substantial work has been done on reviewing how policies are documented. The latest versions have now been loaded on the redeveloped Melaleuca intranet, which means staff have instant access to all policies, procedures and forms. We will now commence a review of the policies’ content to ensure that portray Melaleuca as a reputable organisation, a service provider of choice and a trusted and caring ally for our clients.
The administration team also commenced a program of major improvements to Melaleuca’s preparedness for emergencies. This has positioned us well to respond to the new harmonised Work, Health and Safety legislation that commenced on July 1 2012, and will be a continuing focus in the next reporting period.
STAFF NUMBERS at the end of the reporting periodStaff numbers at Melaleuca vary in relation to the centre’s program cycles. Casual staff are employed on short-term contracts for workshops and events, which means the total number of staff employed throughout the year is higher than those on the payroll at the end of the reporting period. However, the day-to-day program implementation number at June 30 2012 was 38 staff across programs as follows:
Number of Staff per Program
FLEET NUMBERS at the end of the reporting periodWe gratefully acknowledge the Honda Foundation that generously sponsors a vehicle for use by Melaleuca. The foundation pays for the vehicle and servicing. This support demonstrates the Honda Foundation’s good corporate citizenship and community support and is very much appreciated by all at Melaleuca.
The Melaleuca-owned fleet comprises nine vehicles: five small four-cylinder hatches, one 10-seater bus, one utility and two larger sedans. The average age of the fleet is seven years. Average fuel efficiency per month is approximately 9.4km/ltr. Average distance travelled by a Melaleuca-owned vehicle is 1250km per month.
Vehicles are used across the programs as shown in the table below. The primary purpose of travel is to support or provide services to our clients.
Number of Vehicles per Program
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Counselling Settlement CommunityDevelopment
Administration
00.5
11.5
22.5
33.5
44.5
5
Counselling Settlement Community Development
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EARLY SETTLEMENT TEAM REPORTMELALEUCA REFUGEE CENTRE EARLY SETTLEMENT PROGRAMThe Early Settlement Program provides essential information and support to people granted humanitarian visas and who are settling in the Northern Territory. The program’s objectives are to provide clients with initial knowledge and skill foundations on which to build new lives for themselves and their families.
This early support aims to assist newly arrived people in the first 12 months of settlement with immediate settlement needs, while strengthening their ability to actively engage and participate in the social, economic and civic fabric of Australia in the longer term. The Early Settlement Program is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship under the Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (HSS). This funding is current until April 2014.
Melaleuca Refugee Centre provided early settlement support services to 557 people over the last financial year. The Early Settlement Program includes case management services, referral and information, orientation training, housing and health support and social support through our volunteer program. Transit support is also provided to people transiting through the NT en route to other settlement destinations within Australia.
HUMANITARIAN ENTRANTSIn 2011–12 we provided settlement support to 141 people settling in Darwin, and assisted a further 416 with transit support. Those settling in Darwin comprised 60 individuals and 18 families. The majority of those were granted refugee visas from off-shore, meaning they were outside Australia when the visa was granted. There were 81 humanitarian entrants granted residency from off-shore, including two Women at Risk entrants. Sixty people were granted protection visas from the on-shore component of Australia’s humanitarian intake.
Visa Subclasses of People with Refugee Background Supported by Melaleuca in 2011–12
Humanitarian entrants to the NT were granted residency based on Refugee Visa (Subclass 200), Refugee Woman at Risk (Subclass 204), Protection Visa (Subclass 866).
Melaleuca Refugee Centre provided early settlement support services to 557 people over the last financial year.
Visa 200
56%43%
1%
Visa 204
Visa 866
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Cultural Identity of Humanitarian Entrants Settled in the NT 2011–12
Settling into a new environment is a difficult process, and some people choose to relocate to other regions to be closer to friends and family, or in the hope of finding employment. This year, 40 newly arrived people relocated from the NT to interstate; however, we welcomed 13 people from interstate who chose the NT as their preferred place to establish new lives. Reasons stated were to be close to family members already here, and a greater chance of finding employment.
People of Refugee Background movement after settlement through Melaleuca 2011–12
05
1015202530354045
Afghan
i
Burmese
Burundi
Congolese
Fijians
Hazar
a
Iranian
Iraqi
Karen/K
arenni
Kurdish
Liberian
Rohingha
Somali
TajikTam
il
Pakist
ani
Yem
eni 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Refugees Stayed in NT MovedInterstate
Moved to NT
Kwana family outside their new house
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SUPPORT: VOLUNTEERS, AGENCIES AND STAFFThe Early Settlement Program works closely with many other government and non-government agencies that provide essential services and support to people in a range of ways. Our work is complemented by the following agencies: Anglicare NT, Alice Springs Migrant Resource Centre, Adult Migrant English Program, Anula Primary School, Bahkita Hostel, Centrelink Casuarina Office and their Multicultural Services team, Commonwealth Bank, Darwin Community Arts, Darwin Dental Clinic, Darwin High School, Darwin Community Legal Service, DASSAN, Food for Life Food Bank, General Practice NT, Interpreting and Translating Service NT (ITSNT), Lin Andrews Real Estate, Multicultural Council of the NT, Medicare, NT Legal Aid, NT Shelter, Red Cross NT Division, Royal Darwin Hospital, Refugee Clinic based at Vanderlin Drive Clinic and Northlakes Clinic, Sanderson Middle School, Salvation Army and Darwin Red Shield Hostel, St Vincent de Paul Society, Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS), Territory Housing, Volunteering SA-NT and WISE Employment.
Each of these organisations plays a significant role, whether assisting with access to hard-to-find housing, navigating the employment market or simply giving a smile from behind a counter. They all make a huge difference to someone feeling overwhelmed by new systems and processes.
We are fortunate to have secured a group of staff with a diverse range of skills and experience, and whose dedication and compassion are our most valued resource.
Those whose contributions have the most significance are not on the payroll, however offer their time, care and whatever they have to share with others who need a hand. We recognise the number of Melaleuca volunteers who reach out the hand of friendship to those who are new in our community. We acknowledge the wider community, friends who throw a party, work colleagues showing the ropes, community members preparing a welcome meal. These are the people we thank and honour.
VOLUNTEERING SOCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMThe Volunteering Social Support Program at Melaleuca is designed to provide the most simple and perhaps effective means of support to our clients: friendship and social connection to the local community. This vital support greatly complements and enhances the work of the Counselling, Community Development and Settlement teams within the organisation. Our volunteers are the ‘finger on the pulse’ for both our clients and the wider community, and serve a vital role within the organisation.
People from all walks of the Darwin community approach me on a regular basis to offer their time, energy and goodwill to our often vulnerable clients, and I am regularly amazed and humbled by their commitment to the broader refugee cause.
Volunteers provide support to our clients in varied ways: taking them on outings in and around Darwin, helping with English lessons and general orientation to ‘Darwin life’ or simply dropping by for a cuppa and a chat. These simple acts help people, who have often suffered torture and trauma in their refugee experience, to smoothly settle into their new lives in a very new country and feel comfortable in their environment.
A number of volunteers also generously helped out at the 2012 World Refugee Day at Jingili Water Gardens. The day was a great success, with more than 1000 people in attendance, and it simply could not have been possible without volunteer support.
We wish to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers, their families and friends for their unwavering and continued support of the work of Melaleuca Refugee Centre and for people of refugee backgrounds. Their contribution to the wellbeing of individuals and the broader society is absolutely invaluable and deeply appreciated by all staff and clients of Melaleuca.
At year end we had more than 50 volunteers actively supporting families and individuals, another 50 who were recently trained and ready to start volunteering and a further 20 who had expressed interest in working with Melaleuca. This constant growth in volunteer numbers is encouraging and is generally in keeping with our client numbers. However, due to a recent increase in individual male clients, we are very much in need of individual male volunteers.
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Volunteer Jason and his daughter enjoying Christmas lunch together with Reza, Naeem and Yaseen
Volunteer Jacky with Amani on his 5th birthday
Hazara independent man keynote speech at World Refugee Day Festival 2012
Volunteer fishing with kids
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During 2011–12, the Counselling team at Melaleuca Refugee Centre continued to provide torture and trauma-based support and services to 750 people from a refugee background and asylum seekers.
COUNSELLING TEAM REPORTCounsellor advocates at Melaleuca work under the Torture and Trauma (T&T) Recovery framework with refugees and asylum seekers. This framework understands the link between what refugees have been through, the types of issues and behaviours refugees may present with and how to work in a way that promotes recovery and minimises the risk of re-traumatisation.
The experience of torture and trauma disrupts one’s sense of safety and trust. When tortured, an individual experiences profound vulnerability and finds the world to be unsafe. The ability to trust other human beings is displaced and people find that their own ability to take action to protect self, to escape, or to stop the abuse does not change what is happening. Consequently, the critical and primary experiences of trust, safety and the ability to impact the world are fractured. Thus, the importance of re-establishing trust in a safe environment is crucial—this is where a compassionate environment like the counselling space aids in the re-establishment of trust and assists in regaining control and, thus, a place in the world.
Direct Melaleuca Counselling Service to Clients by Program 2011–12
PASTT - Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and TraumaNAYSS - Newly Arrived Youth Support ServicesYOUTH - RECONNECT and Youth ProgramIFS - Intensive Family Support Services T&T - Torture and Trauma Counselling Services (Detention)
TORTURE AND TRAUMA COUNSELLING SERVICES (DETENTION) (T&T)During 2011–12 the Counselling team worked intensively and delivered T&T therapeutic services to 428 asylum seekers in detention. As the number of people in detention in the Northern Territory increased, the counselling skills and expertise of Melaleuca’s counsellor advocates were utilised to assist detainees suffering with torture and trauma. Counsellors needed to be flexible and adaptable in dealing with cancellations and changes due to the political landscape of detention, such as people transiting through detention and timelines. As the financial year ended, the changing face of detention (people being granted Bridging Visas in the community) heralds a change in administrative procedures and referral processes for these clients to the Counselling team.
050
100150200250300350400450
PASTT YOUTH IFS T&T(Detention)
BridgingVisa
Congolese women ‘peace makers’ and guest speaker Samah Hadid Australia’s United Nations Youth Representative for 2010
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MELALEUCA COUNSELLOR, wORkING wITH CLIENTS IN DETENTIONBy Kathryn Parle
The appointments are made and I am ready for anything; the client may arrive, if they are still in Darwin, if they choose to come, if transport arrangements go smoothly.
I try to make a pleasant environment for the session, to be welcoming and respectful. Getting an interpreter on the phone can take some time, and so much depends on skilful translations. I aim to be clear as I inform the client how Melaleuca might be helpful, to explain the purpose of counselling to someone who may never have encountered such a process, to make it their clear choice to engage.
Talking about family is usually a good place to start, and here there are usually strong emotions as asylum seekers have left many loved ones behind. Perhaps family members have been killed, parents have sent them away to be safe, or wives and children have been left for the sake of safety. The profound grief of loss of family, work, home and country, the uncertain future and the physical and psychological symptoms resulting from torture and trauma experiences, memories of a usually terrifying boat journey, the deep hope for a humanitarian response from Australia, the gratitude for safety, the pain of total displacement and the fear of being rejected, combine to make every counselling session an intense exchange, and an important opportunity to offer hope and healing.
Building a sense of trust in the relationship is the heart of the work. Basic listening skills and empathy are vital. There can be a sense of urgency for me as I don’t know how long a client will be in Darwin, so I want to offer something useful. I offer psycho education in some form that helps the client to understand that their symptoms are not a sign of being ‘crazy’ but a common response to trauma. My task has many aspects, including: completing a psychological assessment, developing a treatment plan, listening to the particular story and the concerns of each client, listening for and building upon their strengths and resources, creating a path towards recovery based on the Trauma Recovery framework. As we sit together and talk of human struggles in an uncertain world, we work to restore safety and control, to reduce fear and anxiety, to re-establish attachment and connections, to reinstate a sense of identity, meaning and purpose, to restore a sense of dignity and value.
Through this work I have learned that every simple human interaction can have value, that our clients are shattered but brave, they are scared but hopeful, and that respect and warmth underpin all healing, and that I/we need these things too.
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PROGRAM OF ASSISTANCE TO SURVIVORS OF TORTURE AND TRAUMA (PASTT) Melaleuca counsellor advocates delivered direct counselling services to 120 clients of refugee background in 2011–12. During this period the program underwent some changes due to visa eligibility, with clients being able to access the Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (PASTT) from their initial phase of re-settlement including those on a Permanent Protection Visa. The counselling team delivered the trauma module of the Families in Cultural Transition (FICT) to the Sudanese and Bhutanese communities.
The Torture and Trauma Recovery framework was used to deliver training to 15 different services in 2011–12, including schools, essential services and other agencies, to assist staff in understanding the refugee experience.
INTENSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES (IFS)An important element of our philosophy and practice at Melaleuca Refugee Centre is using the Torture and Trauma Recovery framework together with Strengths-Based Practice, Family-Centred Practice and the Narrative ideas in our work with clients.
Internal meetings with other professionals in Melaleuca’s Counselling team led to a more consolidated family-centred approach to practice. At year end we were refining processes and working collaboratively with other teams to ensure our work with families is consistent throughout the organisation.
Family issues generally relate to managing optimal child health and development, addressing social isolation, increasing confidence of parents by providing support or psycho-education and advocacy to access other specialist services.
The Child-Focussed Therapist works with children aged 0-15 and their families. The therapist’s work includes individual and group therapeutic work, as well as professional development and education to schools and other services to enhance support for refugee and asylum seeker children.
In 2011–12 the Child-Focussed Therapist completed a pilot program of intensive support based on the Victorian ‘Schools in for Refugees’ support and education program. The program was offered to two primary schools: Anula and Nightcliff.
In both schools, an increase in staff capacity to support students has corresponded with a decrease in day-to-day requests for support from Melaleuca staff.
The same period saw the conclusion of the National Australia Bank-funded Bridging Cultures project at Nightcliff Primary School.
Melaleuca counsellor advocates delivered direct counselling services to 120 clients of refugee background in 2011–12
The IFS program delivered direct services to 36 individuals within family groups during 2011–12. The Intensive Family Support (IFS) service includes:
• counselling
• advocacy
• therapeutic work
• group work
• individual home visiting and practical support, such as providing assistance in attending appointments and giving support to our clients while at the appointment
• liaison with service providers, including schools and other specialist services
• working in collaboration with the Child-Focussed Therapist, the Families in Cultural Transition (FICT) and Tips and Ideas on Parenting Skills (TIPS) Coordinators and the youth workers at Melaleuca Refugee Centre
• utilising skills and knowledge of the multi-disciplinary teams at Melaleuca
• assisting clients by providing emotional support, material support and practical support to them and their families
• developing strength-based case plans in collaboration with clients to best assist in meeting their needs and achieving their goals
• strengthening parenting skills and confidence to build upon their existing knowledge and practices which they bring to their new country
• building resilience and links for families to better cope with the differences in society’s expectations, laws and social norms
• strengthening parent/child relationships
• strengthening relationships between school teachers/staff and the families of children attending the school
• providing child-focussed support and counselling
• general family support and assistance.
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This community-based cultural development project focuses on developing support and understating for refugee students. Both the project manager and the bi-cultural worker, who were employed under this project, went on to employment with Nightcliff Primary School in 2012.
The Child-Focussed Therapist ran a range of therapeutic groups in 2011–12, including a ‘Mums and Bubs Dance Therapy’ group for kids aged 0-3 and their parents. This group assists with issues of bonding and connection within families. A range of therapeutic groups with primary school-aged children were also facilitated, including dance therapy programs for girls, a protective behaviours program and ‘Drumbeat’ for upper primary and recently-arrived refugees
NEwLY ARRIVED YOUTH SUPPORT SERVICES (NAYSS), RECONNECT AND YOUTH PROGRAM The youth program is one of Melaleuca’s most popular programs. In 2011–12 the youth team engaged with 150 young people of refugee background and asylum seekers. The youth program under RECONNECT supports young people who are at risk of homelessness and enhances refugee youth engagement with family, education, training and community.
In 2011–12 the youth team provided:
• individual support
• focussed group work
• School-based support at Sanderson Middle School, Nightcliff Middle School and Darwin Senior School
• community development activities
• capacity-building initiatives
• action-based research
• holiday program activities.
The youth team facilitated several interactive group programs throughout 2011–12, including:
• Play Stations
• Swim Survive program
• school holiday activities
• youth-led programs and events
• a holiday camp.
These group initiatives were delivered in collaboration with other agencies to facilitate new networks for young people and provide them with important social connections and extra support.
World Refugee Day Festival, 2012: Darwin High School SIEU Hip Hop
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM REPORTCommunity development acknowledges that the impact of torture and state-sanctioned violence may result in distrust and conflict, and aims to build social cohesion and strength. It identifies and builds on individual and community assets. It links the community with others in collaborative partnerships, and empowers individuals and communities who are particularly disadvantaged within the resettlement country.
Community development principles underpin Melaleuca’s work in the delivery of programs such as Peace Leadership Training, Families in Cultural Transition (FICT) and Tips and Ideas on Parenting Skills (TIPS). Community engagement and participation are central to these programs’ success. Melaleuca’s Community Liaison role is a pivotal point of connection for people from refugee communities, whether newly arrived or established. Through Community Liaison, people communicate, make connections, share their knowledge, skills, ideas and energy to mobilise their communities to actively engage with issues affecting their lives.
Training and education is integral to Melaleuca’s commitment to improving people’s access to the services and resources they require to live well and take back control of their lives. Service providers, schools and community groups have benefited from the vast knowledge and experience Melaleuca holds as a long-term provider of torture and trauma counselling and working with people who, due to circumstances outside their control, lived as refugees and asylum seekers.
The training and education modules delivered in 2011–12 include:
• The Impact of Torture and Trauma
• Introduction to Working with People from Refugee Background
• The Refugee Experience
• Working Cross-Culturally
• Cross Cultural Communication
• Working with Men Post Detention and the Affects of Trauma
• Accidental Counselling.
An advantage commonly cited in the NT is that relationships can be firmly established because working together, pooling tight resources and building collaborative networks is the strength of the local community sector.
2011–12 saw increased participation in the service providers’ forum, the Refugee Support Network (RSN). Facilitated by Melaleuca with funding from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the forum is attended by a diverse array of organisations and service providers who share information, discuss issues and form collaborative partnerships to improve service provision and tackle challenges. Melaleuca continues to value these partnerships and acknowledges the contributions of the following: Multicultural Council of the NT, Darwin Community Arts, NT Council for Human Rights Education, Australian Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Alliance, Darwin Asylum Seeker Support Network, City of Darwin, Batji Enterprises and all Refugee Support Network Participants.
Melaleuca has been fortunate to benefit from having resourceful staff with a high level of energy, commitment and mindfulness.
Melaleuca Refugee Centre delivers a range of community development programs that are underpinned by the key principles and values of community development: social justice, participation, democracy, advocacy and strategies of community empowerment and strengthening that build social capital and community capacity.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is when a simple introduction is made between an energetic person from refugee background and someone who likes a good idea and off they go!, Doing amazing things and completely without Melaleuca’s assistance…..it’s great!” Jenny Milne – Community Liaison, Melaleuca Refugee Centre
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COMMUNITY LIAISON Melaleuca facilitates engagement and capacity building among people of refugee background and their communities. The Community Liaison role supports this through:
• continuous communication between communities, support networks and the wider community through increased public awareness
• building strong links by creating opportunities and making connections between individuals, groups and organisations
• community engagement through coordinating and facilitating community events using a community development participation approach.
COMMUNICATIONAt year end, Melaleuca’s Communication and Engagement Plan was developing in consultation with communities. Effective and efficient communication pathways were established between Melaleuca and refugee groups, and links between refugee groups, connections with service organisations and the Darwin community. Methods used are Melaleuca newsletters, monthly community information e-bulletins, the Melaleuca website, circulating information from Refugee Support Network members and maintaining strong relationships with local and national media.
CONNECTIONRelationships have been strengthened between participants of the Refugee Support Network and organisations such as AusdanceNT and Darwin Community Arts. These have been pivotal to building capacity in the areas of event participation, performance and catering business management. Facilitating relationships that encourage participation in local community events enables new collaborations between community members and other organisations. Examples from 2011–12 include:
• A new partnership with AFLNT encouraging youth and community involvement in sport. Highlights included Come ‘n’ Try days, Acholi dancers in a multicultural preliminary final match and AFL activit at the World Refugee Day Festival.
• The prestigious biannual AusdanceNT MoveMeNT Dance Expo in March, with dancing and workshops from Sudanese Acholi, Congolese, Bhutanese and Burundi groups.
• A Bhutanese performance and Congolese food stall at Harmony Day at the Waterfront (Office of Multicultural Affairs).
• The debut of Thingyan Burmese and Sudanese Madi dancers at the Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival in May.
World Refugee Day Festival, 2012: Madi Sudanese Dancers
Monitoring shows that Melaleuca has regular contact with more than 550 people across 22 diverse refugee community groups.
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Melaleuca’s Welcome to Country program for the Karen community
Robert Mills, Larrakia Traditional Owner welcomes Naw Hla Htey and the Karen to country
Sudanese community Welcome to Country
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EVENTSA community development approach to events that revolves around participation has proven successful. Strong partnerships with Darwin Community Arts, Multicultural Council of the NT, NT Council for Human Rights Education and the Australian Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Alliance have developed.
Communities are deeply involved in planning and take a leading role in events like the World Refugee Day Festival ‘Restoring Hope’ in June. ’A vibrant community festival with powerful messages, pride and spirit’, it has become a catalyst in bringing togetherall the year’s efforts by everyone in one place. This maturing community event was the culmination of months of collaboration and an increasing ownership of the event by the community, who managed the delegated responsibility with confidence. The strengthening of Melaleuca’s partnerships with organisations such as Darwin Community Arts and the Multicultural Council of the NT is deeply valued. Both committed heavily to planning roles and the key feedback from communities was how much they enjoyed working with each other!
As an official event of the National World Refugee Day Council, the festival was a shining example of how hope can be restored and people from different cultural backgrounds can come together and celebrate their contribution to an Australian society, free of fear.
In collaboration with community and other organisations, the following events featured throughout 2011–12:
• Human Rights Day in December featured the Burundi dancers, Karen singers, mixed African youth hip hop and Bhutanese dance as well as 234 ’peace cranes’ that were made for the community art installation.
• Women’s Day Awards in March with several award winners involved with Melaleuca. Congolese fashion emphasised the role of women as peace makers.
• 1000 ’peace cranes’ art installation started at World Refugee Day 2011 has migrated onto other events with its message of PEACE!
FAMILIES IN CULTURAL TRANSITION (FICT) PROGRAMThe cornerstone Families in Cultural Transition (FICT) Program is a series of workshops for those who have met their initial basic needs and now face the challenge of settling into a vastly different culture. Participants find out about Australian culture and systems, identify their own cultural strengths, explore
the effect of trauma and change and learn where to get help. It builds on existing strengths and skills, gives concrete information and helps people make friends and connect with community groups.
In 2011–12, two programs were delivered to the Sudanese and Bhutanese communities. For the participants, each program involved a significant commitment to weekly sessions over three months. The program is only made possible through the support of community members who provide transport, food, and childcare. Every program is anchored by trained facilitators from the community who prepare and co-facilitate the sessions each week. Melaleuca is fortunate to work with facilitators from the Bhutanese and Sudanese community who capably facilitated the 2011–12 workshops.
FICT facilitators are required to undertake an intensive training course. In January 2012, 19 participants from newly emerging communities completed a five-day facilitator program, including five men who have settled in Darwin via the detention centre. Melaleuca recognises the need to provide appropriate support to the increasing number of individual men who are being released from detention to settle in Darwin, many with family overseas. As FICT was created for and around the family unit, this will require some adaptation of the program.
Another achievement was Melaleuca’s collaboration with a committed group of government and non-government agencies to pilot a sexual and reproductive program for men and women of refugee background. A series of sessions were created, delivered to the Somali community and then evaluated with a view to including selected activities within future FICT programs.
For some time much value and effort has been placed on building ties with the traditional owners of this land, and an understanding of Indigenous culture and history. The program coordinator Louise Weber built an invaluable collaboration with local traditional owners resulting in a ‘Welcome to Country’ session unique to the Northern Territory. The entire community group is led by Robert Mills and the extended Mills family, and meets with Larrakia families to discover and share important local sites and understandings. These ground-breaking sessions form the final FICT module and have been experienced by the Bhutanese, Sudanese, Karen and Burmese FICT participants and their children.
Special thanks to Batji Enterprises, Robert and the extended Mills family, plus Yolngu, Ingurra and Tiwi, who have truly ‘welcomed’ these new communities to Darwin.
“When other people from different lands place their feet on our lands in peace and meet with the traditional owners, they are blessing our country with their presence. Mamak!” - Robert Mills, Larrakia Traditional Owner
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TIPS AND IDEAS ON PARENTING SkILLS PROGRAM (TIPS)For parents and other caregivers, negotiating a new culture with different family values and parenting practices, along with the differing acculturation rates of parents compared to their children, parenting is quite a challenge! (Renzaho et al.2010).
Melaleuca Refugee Centre delivers a parenting program that is funded through the Northern Territory Department of Children and Families called Tips and Ideas on Parenting Skills (TIPS). The TIPS Program is offered to refugee families from 12 months post arrival when unanticipated issues around adapting to the new cultural environment emerge.
The TIPS Program is designed for parents, aunties, uncles, grandparents and other carers of children. The program is group based and is led by trained community facilitators in the community language. It focuses on the simple and practical matters of parenting, while creating the space for self-discovery through the sharing of parenting experiences. The sessions usually end with a meal that brings families together to strengthen new and existing community relationships.
The TIPS Program has had its challenges in 2011–2012 with the Coordinator’s position vacant for five months due to ongoing recruitment matters. The key activities for the year are as follows:
• Cultural communities were engaged in the planning phase for TIPS in 2012. Meetings were held with the Liberian, Congolese, Sudanese, Somali and Karen community members to plan priority groups for 2012.
• The home visiting component of this program continued from July to October 2011 to address the need for a snapshot audit of child safety in the new home environment. Resources in language were used and families supported when necessary through referrals to the Counselling team.
• Meetings were conducted with Bicultural Facilitators to identify further training needs leading into the TIPS Program for 2012. Facilitators from Burmese, Bhutanese, Congolese, Liberian, Sudanese, and Karen communities were consulted, with Liberian facilitators supported for program delivery.
• Members of the Liberian community participated in ‘Liberian TIPS’, which was conducted from March through to May 2012. Thirty-five community members attended TIPS sessions: 21 women, 6 men and eight teenagers. Eighteen participants attended all eight sessions. The sessions were so well received the community requested another group to be run in August/September 2012.
Andre M N Renzaho and Sonia Vignjevic (2011). ‘The impact of a parenting intervention in Australia among migrants and refugees from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Congo, and Burundi: Results from the African Migrant Parenting Program.’ Journal of Family Studies: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 71-79.
Liberian TIPS Participants March to May 2012
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‘it made me know that there is another way to manage our kids’
‘listen to your children more, show concern and love and respect their view and make follow up’
‘Understanding western culture and blending it with my Liberian culture about parenting.’
‘to help my child to build up her self esteem’
Parenting can be one of the most difficult challenges for refugee families in Australia.
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Liberian TIPS graduation evening
Certificate presentations for the completion of the first Liberian TIPS program
Cultural Facilitators Esther Canmue and George Jerue applauded for their energy, expertise and commitment in delivering the Liberian TIPS program
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Facilitator training, February 2012
Facilitator training, September 2011
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ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE PROGRAM (AVP) - ‘PEACE LEADERSHIP TRAINING’During 2011–12 this project really gathered momentum, delivering nine of these intensive experiential workshops to newly emerging communities in Darwin, including a specialised program for young people. The model is based on the Alternatives to Violence Project, a model developed over 35 years and delivered in more than 50 countries.
Melaleuca was fortunate to receive funding from the NT Department of Children and Families to deliver this alternative model of conflict resolution to newly emerging communities of refugee background. The 18-month pilot finished in June 2012, and it is greatly appreciated that funding will continue in 2012–13.
The workshops comprise two days of intensive experiential activity and learning.
Each individual takes time between workshops to reflect on the experience and build their own insights about responding to conflict in alternative ways.
The Growth of Peace Leadership Training: Participants by workshop Level
From the original group of 25 graduates, 12 individuals chose to continue with advanced and then facilitator training; a significant commitment given the intensity and length of the workshops.
A committed seven people joined facilitator teams to deliver a further three workshops to members of their communities in 2011–12. The community facilitators guide the program coordinator in every way; how to invite participation, selecting activities, responding to cross-cultural and multiple language challenges, creating new exercises and in evaluation. Experienced local and interstate volunteers have also devoted their wisdom, energy and expertise to anchoring these workshops.
While facilitating is a major commitment to community and to peace building, participating in any workshop and finding ways to ‘commit non-violence’ is the core value of the program. From February to May 2012, 33 participants completed a Basic workshop.
Twenty-four young people at Sanderson Middle School also took this path, participating in workshops held in February and May 2012. The team was bolstered by the addition of a facilitator from the community who had trained through the Peace Leadership Training Program.
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One participant described the workshop as follows: “At first, the presentation of the games appeared bizarre, like simple children’s games, but afterwards I discovered the profound wisdom that was behind the games.” Students have shared stories of what happened for
them after the workshop. Perhaps their words are the best way to explain the program:
“Care for others – I have been really caring more for my brothers and sisters and my mum too. I feel that I have started to care more for my family after the workshop, it helped me to think about getting along…”
“Faced big stuff at school in the past. Now I feel I can handle it better.”
“Learnt how to control my anger. I would usually shout or hit at others. Now after the workshop I have learnt to think before I react.”
“It changed my feelings towards being nice to others. It has helped me manage my feelings when I’ve been bullied…respect myself, respect my teachers, and respect my brothers… respecting ME.”
“So before, when I would get angry…I’d just get angry. Now I have learnt new ways to work in a non-violent way.”
“If I didn’t do the workshop, I think things might be different now.”
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World Refugee Day Festival 2012: Esther and Grace from the Congolese Community
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Melaleuca’s Deckchair Cinema fundraiser, ‘The Lady’
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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World Refugee Day Festival, 2012: African Brothers All Star Drummers
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Melaleuca Refugee Centre Shop 33, Rapid Creek Business Village 48 Trower Road Millner NT 0810
P: 08 8985 3311 E: [email protected] w: www.melaleuca.org.au
World Refugee Day Festival, 2012: Making kites with Restoring Hope messages – interactive stall run by Relationships Australia
