Multicultural Health Week a resounding success

On Thursday 8 September, community groups united at Yagoona Senior Citizen's Centre for a free public event to celebrate Multicultural Health Week (5 - 12 September). Highlighting the importance of New South Wales Health Services providing equitable access to information and resources, the event attracted culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities from across NSW. Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Greek and Vietnamese communities along with members from the Turkish, Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian and Korean communities participated in the event.

The open day was launched by Rev. Harry Herbert, Chairperson of the Responsible Gambling Fund Trustees, who welcomed the audience and spoke about the range of help materials available for problem gambling within the community. This was followed by a presentation from Pino Migliorino, Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA), who talked about promoting good mental and physical health and discussed some of impacts on family and community.

A representative from the six CALD organisations briefly introduced their services to the public and handed out resources and promotional materials. The successful community event showcased performances of traditional music and dance, which included Vietnamese and Chinese dancers, singers and musicians from the Italian and Turkish communities, Greek singers and an accordionist and a traditional Arabic drummer.

Following the performances there was a sausage sizzle and salads provided. The day was full of energy sparked by both the performers and the audience who helped to make it a success. More than 41 per cent of callers to the Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) speak a language other than English, which highlights a community need for resources to be available in a variety of languages.

Many CALD communities suffer significant problems from gambling or are at risk of developing problems including financial distress, relationship issues and family breakdown, as well as physical and mental health issues such as sleeplessness, anxiety, depression and suicide. The Responsible Gambling Fund provides more than $1.28 million for gambling counselling, research, education and awareness programs within the CALD communities.

For more information contact Lee Holmes on 0401 417919 or email lee.holmes@communities.nsw.gov.au