Midwest Multicultural Association opens office and employs engagement officer following government grant

The Mid West Multicultural Association has opened an office space and employed an engagement officer for the first time in more than six years, to improve services for multicultural communities in the Mid West. The association is open for visits two days a week after receiving a three-year grant from the State Government’s Office of Multicultural Interests, making themselves more available to the public. In July, Rosemary Weber began her new role as the association’s engagement officer and will help direct new migrants to multicultural groups, assist the existing community with any issues or concerns and help groups become incorporated. Ms Weber will encourage network growth across the culturally and linguistically diverse community in Geraldton. Office opening hours are 9am-2.30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Ms Weber said the new office would improve communication to more than 60 cultures, helping the association better understand the needs of the community who are seeking out particular events in Geraldton. “A lot of the mothers were saying when they first arrived in Geraldton — and that’s their first time in the country — they didn’t know anyone. They had little children and wanted to know if there was a multicultural mothers group that they could feel comfortable at and meet new friends,” she said. Born in Geraldton, Ms Weber said her parents were Italian migrants who met in Geraldton in the 60s and she was passionate about improving connections and helping those in unfamiliar territory build confidence in the community. “I just love multiculturalism. It could be anything, can’t it. Surfers have their own culture, BMX riders have their own culture, it’s all-inclusive. It’s not just a nationality, it’s what your culture is and what you love, so if we can involve the community, get some ideas on how we can bring people more together, that would be wonderful,” she said. The MMA will launch a multicultural mother’s group on Thursday, September 7. Parents and children under five can attend to meet friends, socialise and learn more about the community. Guest speakers will be in attendance to provide information on health services for women. Volunteer-led English classes are available for those with English as a second language on Friday afternoon at the QEII Centre. Ms Weber said the demand for those classes were growing and the association were seeking additional English teachers willing to volunteer. Other multicultural events on the calendar include The Festival of Lights, wine and pizza nights, multicultural dinners, a member’s drive and the annual general meeting. For more information on the MMA or their events, visit the Centacare building at 3 Maitland Street.