Distinguished guest, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of Sicmaa’s Committee of Management, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to each and everyone, guests and members alike, who is here tonight.

Tonight, we are celebrating another great milestone that

Sicmaa has chalked up in the service of disadvantaged and multicultural people in the South-Eastern region of Melbourne. 42 years may not sound that long, but if you put your mind into it, it represents a whole generation of people and families that we have served.

Sicmaa, in it’s roles and services, has been integral contributor to this great success stories of the Indo-Chinese people in the South-East Region of Melbourne from the early days 42 years ago.

It has never been an easy task to maintain a charity, a voluntary welfare organization, which relies totally on the work of volunteers and the continuation of government funding for 42 years. There were times when we thought our services and association would have to close down , but spirit of “never say die “ and “never give up “ of a refugee/migrant had kept us going and helping.

Our programs were carried out successfully:

– Integrated Family Violence Support Service

– In-Language Gambling Counselling and Support Services

– We proudly produced the wonderful 2024 Sicmaa’s Calendar “The beauty of Flowers“

it has been funded by Department of Health – Gamblers Help – Gambling Harm

Prevention and Response.

– South East Family Service

– Sicmaa’s English language and Computer program

– Tax Help

– The power of linguistically and Cultural program : Vietnamese Active Living Group and

Carers group. It has been funded by Alfred Health . 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

( Tin shaking )

– We also is partner with so many organisations , groups and network in the South East Region in many ways to carried out many, many, many activities

42 years have passed for Sicmaa and it has been a long and hard but rewarding journey. So many things have happened, staff come and go, programmes and services star and end but one thing does not change and that is Sicmaa’s compassion , kindness, commitment, drive and passion to work tirelessly for the disadvantaged Indo-Chinese people in Victoria. With all your support and help, we will continue for another 42 years and beyond to serve for the community. Our goal is to create a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

Without their compassion. kindness and generosity to help another fellow human being, SICMAA would not be here today.

On behalf of the Management committees members and staff of Sicmaa, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to :

oMy fellow Executive Committee of Management members for their tremendous support.

oMiss My Dung Nguyen, Co-Ordinator of Sicmaa for her caring and professional service to the community.

oSicmaa’s staff, co-located staff, visiting workers, volunteers and students for the support and assistance to our association.

Thank you for attending this 42^nd AGM and celebration with us. We are looking forward to receiving on-going support from you all in the coming years.

Springvale Indochinese Mutual Assistance Association ( SICMAA )

BE HA OAM/JP President