February 2007 NEMA Recognised for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs The excellent work being done by Victorians in support of migrants was recently recognised with the presentation of the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Awards for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs. The awards were presented at a reception hosted by His Excellency Professor David De Kretser AO, the Governor of Victoria. The reception was held in the Ballroom of Government House on Thursday the 7th December 2006 with over 500 guests in attendance. The Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, Mr Daniel Andrews MP, said in his address to the gathering, “Victoria is one of the most culturally diverse and harmonious societies in the world. Cultural Diversity is one of our greatest social and economic assets…the backbone of our society.” There were over 80 individuals selected throughout Victoria for their work with multicultural communities and one very worthy recipient was our own Mrs Jan Callias from Wangaratta. Mrs Callias was awarded a medal for Meritorious Service to the Community for her outstanding contribution to the Greek Community of Wangaratta and District. In the category of the VMC Ambassador Award, only two organisations in the whole state were recognised and one of them was NEMA. Mrs Rozi Parisotto, the President of NEMA, proudly accepted the award on behalf of our members. NEMA was formed only 18 months ago as an ethnic council in North East Victoria and already has a membership base of 450 members and the support of five local governments (Alpine Shire, Benalla Rural City, Indigo Shire, Mansfield Shire and the Rural City of Wangaratta). The VMC award recognised NEMA as a significant ambassador for multiculturalism and acknowledged its outstanding contribution to the region. Mrs Callias’ award was presented by the Governor of Victoria, His Excellency Professor David De Kretser AO and the NEMA award was presented by Mr Telmo Languiller MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services. The ceremony concluded with refreshments in the Ballroom and the Government House Gardens. Issue 4 NEMA NEWS Rozi Parisotto receiving NEMA’s award from Mr Telmo Languiller MP Mr Daniel Andrews MP, Minister for Gaming, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs; Mrs Jan Callias; Mrs Rozi Parisotto; Mr Telmo Languiller MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services
Transcript
February 2007
NEMA Recognised for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs
The excellent work being done by Victorians in support of migrants was recently recognised with the presentation of the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Awards for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs. The awards were presented at a reception hosted by His Excellency Professor David De Kretser AO, the Governor of Victoria. The reception was held in the Ballroom of Government House on Thursday the 7th December 2006 with over 500 guests in attendance.
The Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, Mr Daniel Andrews MP, said in his address to the gathering, “Victoria is one of the most culturally diverse and harmonious societies in the world. Cultural Diversity is one of our greatest social and economic
assets…the backbone of our society.” There were over 80 individuals selected throughout Victoria for their work with multicultural communities and one very worthy recipient was our own Mrs Jan Callias from Wangaratta. Mrs Callias was awarded a medal for Meritorious Service to the Community for her outstanding contribution to the Greek Community of Wangaratta and District.
In the category of the VMC Ambassador Award, only two organisations in the whole state were recognised and one of them was NEMA. Mrs Rozi Parisotto, the President of NEMA, proudly accepted the award on behalf of our members.
NEMA was formed only 18 months
ago as an ethnic council in North East Victoria and already has a membership base of 450 members and the support of five local governments (Alpine Shire, Benalla Rural City, Indigo Shire, Mansfield Shire and the Rural City of Wangaratta). The VMC award recognised NEMA as a significant ambassador for multiculturalism and acknowledged its outstanding contribution to the region. Mrs Callias’ award was presented by the Governor of Victoria, His Excellency Professor David De Kretser AO and the NEMA award was presented by Mr Telmo Languiller MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services. The ceremony concluded with refreshments in the Ballroom and the Government House Gardens.
Issue 4
NEMA NEWS
Rozi Parisotto receiving NEMA’s award from Mr Telmo Languiller MP
Mr Daniel Andrews MP, Minister for Gaming, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs; Mrs Jan Callias; Mrs Rozi Parisotto; Mr Telmo Languiller MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services
Page 2 NEMA Multicultural Buffet and Show 9 December 2006
NEMA celebrated another successful year with a Multicultural Buffet and Show at the Wangaratta Turf Club.
Page 3
Multicultural Moments
The successful Greek Taverna Night held in October 2006 at the Wangaratta Turf Club. Congratulations to the Greek Community of Wangaratta and District for organising this fantastic event.
The annual Panayeri of the Greek Community of Wangaratta and District which was held in September 2006.
Gala Dinner in September to celebrate the Australia-Japan Year of Exchange. NEMA members with the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Cr John So and Mrs So, the Consul General of Japan, Mr Shisei Kaku and Mrs Kaku and Ito En Executive Director, Mr Yoshiaki Tanoura.
Page 4
More Multicultural Moments
November saw a visit to our region by the Italian Consul General, Dr Francesco De Conno and his wife, Mrs Yukiko Imada. Dr De Conno and Mrs Imada were warmly welcomed by the Rural City of Wangaratta and the Italian community.
Left: Rita Trewin (middle) and the gorgeous Russian girls at the Russian Dinner Show held in November 2006 in Benalla. Below: A splendid display of Russian memorabilia.
Page 5
A group of NEMA members attended the Pasko Sa Canberra (Christmas in Canberra) at the Philippine Embassy in December 2006. The group comprising Chris, Lorna, Angela (Lorna’s mum), Evangeline, Angela (Evangeline’s daughter), John, Geraldine, Joe, Rozi, Peter and Lucy went by bus to Canberra the day before the event and had a good time shopping and sightseeing as well.
Pasko Sa Canberra 3 December 2006
News from the Italian Pensioners Club
On Monday the 11th of December 2006, the Italian Pensioners Club once again held their very successful Christmas Lunch with 102 members and guests in attendance. There would have been more participants if not for those members from the King Valley region who were absent as they were busy protecting their properties from the bush fires.
Amongst the guests present were Cr Rozi Parisotto and Moya Smith from the Rural City of Wangaratta; representatives from St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish; and Mr Ken Jasper MLA, Member for Murray Valley, who aptly used the occasion to present the Club with the Victorian Flag.
All present enjoyed a delicious three-course meal prepared by Cardamone Catering and many members donated items to contribute to our annual monster raffle.
Once again, the Italian Pensioners have a busy 2007 calendar of social events including our annual picnic which will be held in Yackandandah this year, regular monthly lunches, trips to the pokies, weekly bingo, social afternoons, day trips and hopefully another games and activity day. We will keep everyone informed of all social events throughout the year. Best Wishes to everyone for 2007 from the Italian Pensioners Club! Maria Bevacqua
Two of NEMA’s key members, Jim and Helen Lane, announced their move from Benalla to Melbourne at our November 2006 Meeting. Yen Ng met up with Helen to find out more... Yen: Helen, we are very sad to see you and Jim go. Please tell us why you are moving. Helen: Jim and I are sad to leave NEMA too. We are moving back to Melbourne because Jim has been promoted to General Manager of Human Resources for Land Ordinance. Jim will be based in the city and, once a month, he will get to go to Benalla, Bendigo, Lithgow and Sydney. Yen: That’s great news. Please convey our congratulations to Jim. Are you looking forward to the move?
Helen: Jim and I are very excited about his promotion. Furthermore, moving to Melbourne means that we will get to see our two sons more. Yen: Helen, before you leave, would you share with
us some of your significant NEMA experiences? Helen: Jim and I have had a lot of fun in NEMA and we have both forged many friendships. The people are great…they are family to us. We will miss our NEMA family very much and we promise to keep in touch. When any of you come to Melbourne, please don’t forget to contact us!
Yen: We will definitely contact you when we go to Melbourne. The NEMA family wishes you and Jim all the best!
Farewell to Jim and Helen Lane
From left: Frank Bevacqua, Ken Jasper MLA, Cr Rozi Parisotto
Page 6
Members’ News
Program Date Day Time Venue Cost
DutchCare Meeting - Gezellige Afternoon Tea and Card Games
25 February 2007 Sunday Leave at 12 noon from Wangaratta
Baranduda Community Centre
Nil
NEMA General Meeting 19 March 2007 Monday 7.00pm to 9.30pm
Benalla Rural City Council Chambers
Nil
DutchCare Meeting - Salads Sunday and Card Games
25 March 2007 Sunday Leave Wang at 12 noon
Baranduda Community Centre
Nil
NEMA General Meeting 14 May 2007 Monday 7.00pm to 9.30pm
Mansfield Shire Council Chambers
Nil
DutchCare Meeting - BBQ and Card Games
27 May 2007 Sunday Leave Wang at 12 noon
Baranduda Community Centre
Nil
DutchCare Meeting - Afternoon Tea & Cards
29 April 2007 Sunday Leave Wang at 12 noon
Baranduda Community Centre
Nil
NEMA General Meeting 16 April 2007 Monday 7.00pm to 9.30pm
RC of Wangaratta Council Chambers
Nil
Celebrate our Cultural Diversity Week - Multicultural Concert
23 March 2007 Friday 6.00pm to 9.00pm
Merriwa Park - Sound Shell, Wangaratta
Nil
NEMA General Meeting 18 June 2007 Monday 7.00pm to 9.30pm
RC of Wangaratta Council Chambers
Nil
Chinese New Year NEMA Karaoke Night
17 February 2007 Saturday 7.00pm to Late
Wangaratta Club $1.00 per song
Leukaemia Foundation Fund Raiser Lunch (refer to advertisement)
25 March 2007 Sunday 12 noon to 4pm
Sam & Mary LaSpina, 195 Whorouly Road,
Whorouly
$20 pp/$50 per family
Vicentini Carnevale Dinner Dance
17 February 2007 Saturday 7.00pm to Late
Myrtleford Savoy Sporting Club
$40 per person
Premier’s Gala Dinner 24 March 2007 Saturday 7:00pm to late
Crown Complex Melbourne
$60 per person
leukaemia foundation · fund raiser luncheon·
Don’t miss a scrumptious authentic Italian lunch at Sam & Mary LaSpina’s!*
Sunday, 25 March 2007 from 12 noon to 4 pm $20 per person/$50 per family
Bookings essential: (03) 5727 1218
Lunch and Dessert - BYO Drinks - Live Music - Auctions - Raffles & Attractive Prizes
