The last two months have surely been busy with many community events and information sessions that MCSCA has hosted and supported, around the planning and running of our annual multicultural celebration, Big Day Out In Harmony. We welcomed a team from the Indonesian Consulate, who also took part in Big Day Out in Harmony (above left) and the Ambassador Morales, the Philippines Ambassador to Australia, who was also the honoured guest at the Philippine Independence Day celebration.
 
In June we recognised Refugee Week and acknowledged that Australia has welcomed one million refugees to Australia since 1947.  During the week we shared some stories of refugees who have made Central Australia their home, and brought people together for our Refugee Week lunch.
 
As we reflect on such a milestone of welcoming refugees in Central Australia and across our country we can focus on what binds us as Australians although the ongoing rhetoric in society is trying to divide us. Our common values of community, unity, humanity, respect and peace bind us. Central Australia has a rich and long standing history of multiculturalism that goes back centuries with the Afghan cameleers, early Philippine and Chinese workers and many waves of migrants and refugees that have come and contributed to the Central Australia that we know and love today.
 
As we look around today in Alice Springs you will see how rich and diverse our community is with culture, religion and heritage. We are all working together to build up Central Australian society for the best, as teachers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, support workers, business owners, volunteers, community leaders and more.  We at MCSCA are proud to support migrants and refugees to settle, thrive and contribute to this region.
Apajok Biar

A Million Stories, and the Ones We Share Here: Reflecting on Refugee Week
There is a special kind of magic that happens when we sit around a table together. Passing plates of food, hearing different languages blend into a beautiful hum of conversation, and sharing a meal. It's the fastest way to turn a stranger into a friend.

Last month, at our Refugee Week lunch on June 18th, Mparntwe/Alice Springs felt like the most welcoming place in the world. We were deeply grateful to share this day with the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative. Their presence was a beautiful reminder that finding your feet in a new country isn't just about getting a house or a job. It‘s about healing and feeling safe enough to breathe in a community that truly cares.

It was an afternoon filled with wonderful connections, bringing together familiar faces and new friends, including community members like Richard, who attended with his wife.

Community Spotlight: Richard's Journey
"When you arrive in a new country, you carry your past, but you are looking for a future. I arrived in Australia as a refugee in 1982, and the welcome I received shaped my entire life here. Spending decades working among Aboriginal people and immersing myself in the local art space allowed me to truly connect with the heart and old stories of this land. Now, I am writing a book about my life experiences, because I want people to know just how deeply welcoming Australia can be when you open your heart to it." — Richard, Alice Springs local and 1982 arrival

Richard‘s story is a vital piece of this year‘s powerful national theme: "A Million Stories, which began 79 years ago in July 1947, when 4,000 people displaced by the devastation of World War II were given a chance to start over. Over the decades, that initial agreement blossomed into the refugee program we celebrate today. "One million" isn't just a statistic. Behind that number are a million courageous decisions to rebuild a life from the ground up.

MCSCA's History of Open Doors
Here in Central Australia, MCSCA's own story is rooted in the quiet, everyday dedication of locals who, just like the community that welcomed Richard in the 80s, simply wanted to extend a hand and say, "Werde.  Welcome."

1985 | A Quiet Beginning
Started as a passionate, volunteer-run branch of the Darwin Migrant Resource Centre.
Created by locals to help the very first arrivals navigate life in Central Australia.

1992 | Putting Down Roots
Officially incorporated as the Migrants Resource Centre of Central Australia.
Secured a dedicated, permanent space for new migrants to seek help in Alice Springs.

2003 | Growing Together
Renamed to Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia (MCSCA).
Rebranded to reflect the wonderfully diverse and vibrant community we had become.

Finding Your Village in the Desert
Moving to Central Australia is a leap of faith. The red dirt is beautiful, but the sheer distance from the rest of the world can feel incredibly lonely when you first arrive.
That is why we do what we do. We want to make sure that the overwhelming early days trying to rent a home, open a bank account, or figure out how to drive in a new country are met with a friendly face. Whether it is helping someone get their overseas qualifications recognised so they can return to the career they love, or watching new parents find their village at our SusuMama Multicultural Playgroup, our goal is to turn this vast landscape into a true home.

Stories on the Library Walls
The most moving part of Refugee Week wasn't just spoken; it was put on display for our whole town to see. Throughout the week, the real, lived experiences of our community members were exhibited at the Alice Springs Public Library.
These beautiful, vulnerable conversations were gently guided by Apajok Biar, who sat down to interview each person, listening to and honouring their journeys. Walking into the library and seeing the results of those interviews on the walls was profoundly moving.

Hiwot and Yihun, Martha, Ted, and Tin and Lan so generously opened their hearts to Apajok and to all of us. Their stories captured the grief of what was left behind, but more importantly, they highlighted the vibrant life, resilience, and strength they bring to Alice Springs today.

To everyone who came to the lunch or stopped by the library to read these stories: thank you for showing up for your neighbours. If you missed the library exhibition, we would love for you to read these incredible stories online.  Or visit us at 5B Wills Terrace—the kettle is always on, and we would love to hear your story, too.
Bashitha Samarakoon 

Part I: The Rhythm of the Mother Tongue
I began with the original Hindi story. Even for those in the audience who didn't understand the vocabulary, the rich, rhythmic cadence of Hindi wove a spell. The inflections, and animated gestures of the storytelling painted a vivid picture. The audience enjoyed the musicality of a language that carries centuries of tradition.
Part 2: The Bridge of Translation
I didn‘t just pick up a commercially translated book, I shared a translation crafted by myself. Transitioning into English, I tried to breathe a new life into the story. Translating is never just about swapping words; it‘s about translating a soul. I carefully carried over the humour, the subtle emotional nuances, and the core essence of the Hindi tale, reshaping it so that everyone could feel its heartbeat. As I spoke, I could see the sparks of recognition and connection lighting up the room. Smiles broken across faces, nods of understanding, and the barrier between two distinct cultures simply dissolved. Alice Springs Library became a crossroads where Delhi met the Outback, proving that no matter how far apart our languages might seem, a good story is a universal home.
Mukesh Choudhury

MCSCA was happy to collaborate with the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative (AMHC) which operates at the national level to advocate for the health and wellbeing needs of Australia‘s multicultural communities. It is an initiative of FECCA, the Federation of Ethnic Community Councils of Australia. 

As it was their first visit to Alice Springs, MCSCA supported the consultations by organising a Multicultural senior‘s lunch. This was an opportunity for seniors from Multicultural backgrounds who live in Alice Springs to raise their concerns to a national level. One immediate outcome of the consultations is that MCSCA has supported some participants to register for the 'my aged care' package that they are eligible for but were not aware of. This was a great first step towards improving the health outcomes for multicultural communities in Alice Springs through education, advocacy and collaboration. MCSCA is working with AMHC on another series of consultations later this year.  
Apajok

MCSCA has been funded by NTPHN support primary health care access by people in the Central Australian region from multicultural backgrounds. Our goal is to help overcome the barriers for community members to access health care services, and to work with service providers to help them meet multicultural community needs.

MCSCA organised a Multicultural Health Mini Expo & Healthy One Pot Economical Lunch on Thursday, 11 June, bringing community and health service providers together. We hosted twelve local service providers including Flynn Drive Community Health Clinic, Infectious Diseases Clinic, NTAHC / Clinic 34.  Providers talked with attendees providing information, resources and answered their questions. Attendees were able to receive free diphtheria vaccinations during the event. 8CCC Radio was on-site interviewing both attendees and service providers who discussed and shared their experience around health and wellbeing.  We thank all the attendees and health service providers who provided valuable input to our health program by completing MCSCA‘s surveys.

The expo was also a celebration of culture through food and flavours. Everyone sampled affordable, healthy, and culturally diverse one-pot meals, as well as scrumptious desserts and fresh fruits. Attendees could take the recipes to try at home.  Here is recipe from Cambodia I invite you to try.
Leakhena Chum

After the session, the Settlement Team provided a checklist of the required documents to help clients prepare for the next stage. Following this, many community members contacted MCSCA or visited in person to book appointments and received one on one help lodging applications.

Preparing for the Citizenship Test
The next step for many clients is to wait for an invitation to sit the citizenship test or attend an interview. Some of our clients have shared that language barriers, limited access to reliable internet, and limited computer access will make this stage challenging.

Clients have suggested that MCSCA host practice test and interview sessions while they wait for their invitation. These sessions would provide a valuable opportunity for clients to build confidence, strengthen their knowledge, and prepare for the test or interview.

MCSCA understands how important this step is and what it can mean for our clients. We are committed to supporting clients throughout the citizenship process and helping them succeed. If you have lodged your citizenship application and are waiting to be invited to sit the test or attend an interview, please contact MCSCA with your name and phone number so we can plan suitable dates and times for practice sessions. For further information please contact us.
Liz Jok and Jessye Blake

Ambassador Morales met with MCSCA's board and reaffirmed the strong links between the Philippines and Australia as both countries celebrate the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The meeting included Alice Springs Mabuhay Multicultural Association Vice President and MCSCA Deputy Chair Hilda Reeder, and President of the Filipino Australian Association of the Northern Territory Emcille Wills. Hilda raised some issues from the now 600 strong Filipino community including the challenge involved in travelling interstate for consular services. MCSCA highlighted the growing presence and valuable contribution that Filipinos make in Alice Springs and across the region as part of the workforce in healthcare, aged care, hospitality, education and community services and through cultural exchange, community-led festivals, volunteer initiatives and civic engagement. 

Alice Springs Mabuhay Multicultural Association (ASMMA) were delighted to have Ambassador Morales as their special guest at the 128th Philippine Independence Day celebration on 27 June - a huge night filled with cultural performances, fashion, dance, food and joy.  
Joy

COMING UP IN JULY AND AUGUST
July - August  Census information sessions and fill in the form sessions
17 July  Community meeting with Peruvian Ambassador, MCSCA, Mparntwe Alice Springs 
18 July  Supporting South Sudanese Youth meeting, MCSCA, Mparntwe Alice Springs 
19 July  Welcome to the Wild - walk at Simpsons Gap
25 July  Employment training program for migrants, MCSCA, Mparntwe Alice Springs 
31 July - 3 August  Desert Harmony Festival, Tennant Creek
8 August  SLAAS Gee Padura 2026 (Music Night) 
11 August  Australian Census
17 - 23 August  Red Dirt Poetry Festival - workshops at MCSCA with visiting poets

REGULAR EVENTS at MCSCA
Monday and Friday SusuMama Multicultural Playgroup - Higgins Hall, ASYC 9.30am-11.30am
1st and 3rd Wednesday Lunchtime drop in for women workers, with NT Working Women's Centre  - MCSCA 12.30pm-1.30pm 

Since 1985, Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia Inc (MCSCA) has been the only organisation that solely focuses on supporting migrants, refugees and multicultural communities in Central Australia. MCSCA works with new, emerging and established communities and provides outreach, settlement and support services and programs to help people settle and thrive in Central Australia. MCSCA is an independent, non-religious, non-partisan, community-based, not for profit organisation and registered charity. Multicultural News is produced by MCSCA.