This year SICMAA celebrates its 41 years of
providing community services for the
Vietnamese people residing in the South
Eastern Region of Melbourne.
Established in 1982 with mainly settlement and housing programs for Vietnamese refugees who escaped the Communist Regime in Vietnam, SICMAA at the beginning has helped so many Vietnamese Refugees to rebuild their lives in Australia. SICMAA staff at that time, with refugee background, they understood the pain, nostalgia as well as the hope and dreams that Vietnamese refugees expected in this new country, with all their hearts, commitments and professionalism, they assisted Vietnamese Refugees step by step to resettle and have a better life in Australia.
In the meantime, with on-going support from the City of Greater Dandenong, we have our office at 11-13. Morwell Parade, Springvale. We have just received good news. We have a new contract for another 5 years until 2029 ! This ensures that our clients receive our best care and support through a continuous, stable base and foundation without any interruptions.
We are very grateful and thank you to the Mayor of City of Greater Dandenong Cr. Eden Foster and all councilors , Mr. John Bennie CEO, Mr. Martin Fielder, Mrs. Jacqui Wheatherill, Mrs. Peta Gillies the Director of Community Strengthening , all officers from Community Facilities Property Rebecca Alberse , Kim Bernado who provided to us an excellent office so we can serve our community in many ways and services.
We are so happy to still receive funding for In-language Gambling Counselling and Support Services, Integrated Family Violence Support Service. The Integrated Family Violence Support Services is a big demand for this service and a very serious issue, but we only have one worker, who gets pay for only 1day per week. However, she volunteers her time and effort 1 more day per week. A great effort from our staff and Thank You.
Other programs were carried out successfully:
-South East Family Service
-SICMAA’s English Language Program.
-Tax Help
-The power of linguistically and culturally program: Vietnamese Active Living Group;
In 2022 , SICMAA and Alfred Health has been working in partnership with Alfred Health – CHSP to establish the “ Vietnamese Active Living group” program for Centre Based and Community Access Group Respite. It is obvious that this program has met the needs of the Vietnamese care recipients as we have more referrals request from other organisations and service providers. We create this very special program for the Vietnamese care recipients , not only assist them to be happy and more confidence in their life but also help their carers to alleviate the burden as well as restore their physical and mental health
We continued to support the Royal Children Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal and raised money for them in the streets, malls and shops in Springvale.
We also is partnered with so many organisations, groups and network in the South Eastern Region in many ways to carried out many, many, many activities.
SICMAA has a dream 16 years ago until now, we love to set up a cooking school to introduce our Vietnamese cooking and exchange our Australian cuisines.
We hope one day with a strong support from the local government, business associations and volunteers we will achieve our goal.
Many years we thank and dedicate our love and thanks to our volunteers who give up their time with their families to lent us their knowledge, wisdom and expertise, and their love and compassion to help another human being to make this world a better place to live in
On behalf of the Management committees’ members and staff of SICMAA, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to :
My fellow Executive Committee of Management members for their tremendous support.
Miss My Dung Nguyen , Co-ordinator of SICMAA for her caring and professional service to the community.
SICMAA’s staff , co-located staff, visiting workers, volunteers and students for the support and assistance to our association.
We are in eternal debs to the late Mr. Nguyen huu Chu , English Teacher passed away on 29th September 2022.
Mr. Mai Thanh Lap The President of Vietnamese Language School passed away on 18th June2023 who lives and generosity had touched us all in so many ways. Let’s We forget from SICMAA’s committee of Management and Staff and Volunteers.
Thanh you for all your support and attending 2023 AGM.
We are looking forward to receiving on -going support from you all in the coming years.
We hope you enjoy this year’s AGM and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year
BE HA OAM, JP
President
Springvale Indo-Chinese Mutual Assistance Association
SICMAA 