Migrants
Blue Mountains Migrant voluntary groups contacts:
"BM Multicultural Residents Association "(MRA) formed in 1994 to combat social isolation for migrants living in the Mountains. This group has organised annual Carnivale celebrations since 1995 as well as Connecting Cultures concerts since 2000. It puts out a regular newsletter and organises social events for interested residents of all cultures.
Multicultural Residents Association contact 4788 1159 bmulticulturalra@yahoo.com.au
Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group
This is a project auspiced by the Blue Mountains Family Support Service which support local refugees and raises support and funds for refugee families and individuals.
phone:02 4782 7866 or 4751 2120
website:www.bluemountainsrefugeesupport.net email: bmrsg@aapt.net.au
East Meets West
East meets West: Exploring Cultural Diversity in the Blue Mountains 2006 presents the findings of cultural research into the everyday experiences of residents from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds (CALD) in the Blue Mountains and to services seeking to better address access and equity issues for the CALD community.
The research involved interviews with CALD residents and service providers in order to understand and highlight potential opportunities to strengthen the relationship between health, community and government services and CALD residents.
It aims to foster new and creative initiatives to address cultural and structural barriers to service use, and to increase cultural understanding and harmony between cultures in the Blue Mountains. MCRN, MRA and Sydney West Area Health Service collaborated on the Report, which will available on the website as a pdf file in early 2007 or from Carol Tingate tingatc@wahs.nsw.gov.au.
Nature Through Fresh Eyes Project
The project Nature Thru Fresh Eyes was created to provide opportunities for migrant and refugee residents to become more familiar with the fragile and irreplaceable World Heritage environment and to realize and celebrate the universal value of the Blue Mountains.
It involved bushwalks with indigenous guides and art making from the interpretation of those experiences. The project involved over 60 CALD residents.
Cho Kyung-mi was the originator and project co-ordinator of the project which was funded by the Australia Council with support from MCRN, BMCC Cultural Partnerships and the BM World Heritage Institute. The project was mentored by Cheryle Yin-lo, community cultural development worker with the Institute. The project ran from September 2005 to June 2006. A CD is available on the project 4759 3599.