1 Clarke Street, Sunshine VIC 3020
T: (03) 9313 0444 F: (03) 9312 0425
MEDIA RELEASE
9 October 2008
New program helps Vietnamese community adjust to life in Australia
Members of the western suburbs Vietnamese community have the opportunity to gain new skills
and insights to help them make the best of their family life in Australia.
A five week program of information sharing and activities has been developed by the Vietnamese
Advisory Group, a coalition of organisations led by the Sunshine Family Relationship Centre.
Other group members are the St Albans East Primary School, the Vietnamese Welfare Resource
Centre, the Indo-Chinese Elderly Refugee Association, Centrelink, Western Region Health Centre,
Nang Hong Group and Isis Primary Care.
The program will be launched on Thursday 16 October at the St Albans East Primary School by
Jule Harris, Manager of the Sunshine Family Relationship Centre, and Anne-Maree Kliman, School
Principal. There will be live entertainment provided by Tu Duy, Thao Le and Anh Thu.
“The western suburbs have a large and vibrant Vietnamese community, with one in five Sunshine
residents alone being Vietnamese speakers,” Ms Harris said.
“The Vietnamese Advisory Group has recognised a need to engage more effectively with this
community. We have designed a varied workshop program which provides information on a range
of legal and health issues, as well as the opportunity to take part in craft and other activities.”
All workshops will be held at the St Albans East Primary School. The program comprises:
16 October: program launch 10 am; art and craft gift wrapping part one, 1 pm
23 October: The effects of change to family law, 10 am; cooking lasagne, 1 pm
30 October: Career pathways long and short courses, Centrelink benefits and how to contact
Centrelink, 10 am; art and craft card making for different occasions, 1 pm
6 November: New changes in migration/sponsorship/ visa, 10 am; art and craft gift wrapping
part two, 1 pm
13 November: Self breast examination/menopause/mental health;The relationship between the
police and the community, 10 am.
Ms Harris said all workshops were free and refreshments would be provided.
Those who want to enrol or seek more information should contact Tina Nguyen on 9366 2071; Mai
Cao on 9364 0135; or Rose Vu on 9313 0444.
Media enquiries: Jule Harris
9313 0444
NEWS 
