Janmastami Festival

Janmastami is one the most significant events on the Vedic cultural calendar. Celebrated in most countries around the world, it commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, exploring his many past times and the heritage underpinning India's culture through the preparation of exotic foods, dance, music and theatre.

The Janmastami Festival of Life 2008 will include the following activities:
* Classical Indian Dance. Dance is an important aspect of both traditional and contemporary Indian culture. In India dance and drama is central to the completion of the Janmastami festival with one of Krishna's most famous pastimes incorporating dance.
* Classical Indian Music. The classical music of northern India is exemplified by such instruments as the Sitar and the Tabla. Krishnapada, a local classical Indian music group, will be performing at the Janmastami Festival of Life.
* Traditional Bhajans and Kirtans. Bhajans and Kirtans are the folk music style associated with the festivals of India and the devotional tradition of Krishna. Musicians from the Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai Mandira Brisbane will be performing with traditional folk instruments such as the Mrdangam and the Cartals.
* Krsna Katha. Hear transcendental stories of Krsna's pastimes as described in the ancient Vedic literature.
* Traditional Indian Food. Traditional Indian food will be provided by Govinda's Vegetarian Cafe Maroochydore.

WHERE: Coolum CWA Hall, Coolum Beach
WHEN: August 30th
TIME: 5.00pm - 9.00pm

For more information see the website - http://janmastami.bbainc.org.au

FESTURI

FESTURI is a yearly celebration held for your enjoyment.

It starts with the launch on Saturday 23rd August at the Sunshine Plaza, dance to the latin beat at the J Noosa on Saturday 30th August and ends with the big celebration at the University of the Sunshine Coast at Chancellor Park on Sunday, 31st August 2008.

Come and have a wonderful time with dance, music, shows, prizes, a parade and delicious food of the different nations of the world.

For more information check out the Festuri website - http://www.festuri.org.au/

Free Tutoring Course

A free course in tutoring English as a second language (ESL) to support Migrants and Refugees in your community. This course will be delivered by an experienced ESL teacher from TAFE over three Monday afternoons during October 2008.

WHERE: Solutions Adult Learning Centre, 22 National Park Road, Nambour
WHEN: Monday 6th, 13th & 20th October
TIME: 12.00noon - 3.00pm

To register phone (07) 3244 5488 or contact Anita Baschin by email Anita.Baschin@deta.qld.gov.au

Multicultural Grant Information Session

Information Session about MAQ Grants available in 2009 under the Multicultural Assistance Program for projects and events that promote multiculturalism.

When: Thursday 21 August 2008 from 6.30pm
Where: Multicultural Development Association, 512 Stanley Street, South Brisbane.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Ms Alice Orozco, Grants Access Worker, MDA on 07 3337 5419 or email aliceo@mdabne.org.au .

Further information about the Multicultural Assistance Program is available on MAQ’s website.

Qld Multicultural Awards

Nominate now!

Nominations are now open for the 2008 Queensland Multicultural Awards. The awards celebrate, recognise and thank individuals, groups and organisations for their outstanding contributions to multiculturalism in Queensland. Nominations can be made under five categories: Individual, School, Community Based Organisation, Business and Government.

For more information on the awards or to obtain the nomination form and guidelines visit www.multicultural.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.

Nominations close Friday 5 September 2008

Multicultural Dinner

This month’s theme “Learning Mother Language” celebrating your cultural diversity through language will be presented by Minh & Linda. Also we will be focusing on Festuri the multicultural festival.

It is lovely to discover new flavours from different cultures at these dinners and enjoy the food of the world which could be a simple meal or a desert. The dinners are family friendly and are non alcohol events.

WHERE: Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre, 2 Fifth Avenue, Cotton Tree
DATE: Friday 29th August
TIME: 6.00pm onwards
Please bring a plate to share.

For more information please contact the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre on 5443 6696 or Community Development Worker David on Ph: 5443 9706
Or email us at:
msp@maroochync.org.au or cdp@maroochync.org.au

Healthy Fact Sheets in 10 Languages!

The good people at NSW Sport and Recreation have provided six useful fact sheets for tips and ideas for supporting healthy lifestyles for children in 10 languages!!
Free downloadable facts sheets are available in Chinese, Filipino, Greek, Italian, Arabic, Hindi, Korean, Macedonian, Spanish, Vietnamese.

Fact sheets cover the following topics:
* Choosing Healthy Snacks
* Reducing Television Time
* Choosing Healthy Drinks
* Get Active
* Fruit and Veg
* Setting the Scene

Click here to download the fact sheets

Multicultural Assistance Program Grants Now Open

The Multicultural Assistance Program grants are allocated to events and projects that strengthen multiculturalism, foster harmonious community relations and participation, and build community capacity, including improved access to services in Queensland.

Grants will be available for events and projects in 2009 in the following categories:
· Major multicultural festivals
· Cultural celebrations
· Community development projects
· Small community projects

If you have difficulty understanding the Funding Information Paper, or would feel more comfortable discussing the Information Paper in your own language, please telephone Multicultural Affairs Queensland on 13 13 04 and ask for an interpreter who speaks your language. Wherever possible, we will engage an interpreter and discuss the Information Paper with you.

For more information contact Multicultural Affairs Qld 13 13 04 or email info@multicultural.qld.gov.au or click here for the website.

Caloundra Music Festival

The second annual Caloundra Music Festival will be held over the weekend of 17 -19 October. This not for profit family-friendly community event celebrates the environment, cultural achievements and community pride of the Caloundra area. The beautiful Kings Beach and surrounds will come alive to the sounds of a diverse line-up of entertainment featuring the best of the Australian music industry as well as famous international artists. A colourful street parade, roving performers, beach-side carnival, buskers, free children's entertainment and a stroll in 'The Village' complete the experience.

DATE: 17th - 19th October
WHERE: Kings Beach Park, Kings Beach, Caloundra
COST: Festival Familiy (2 Adults + 2 Children) $250, Festival VIP $175.00, Weekend Pass: $89.00 Adult, $65.00 Youth (13-15yrs), $65.00 Concession

For more information contact (07) 5491 4240 or click here

Cross Cultural Training at Nambour

This training offers participants an exciting, self-reflective opportunity to develop cross cultural
competency skills. The program takes a straightforward look at the impact of cultural difference and language barriers on interactions between human service workers and their clients. This program is a lively, enjoyable program which is designed to provide practical skills, useful information, and workable strategies for enhancing the ability of workers and organisations to provide excellent services to a culturally and linguistically diverse clientele. It will provide learning outcomes that enable the individual to gain:-
* Sensitivity toward and an increased understanding of the migrant/refugee experience
* Strategies on how to work effectively with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse clients
* A greater awareness of your own (cultural) identity
* Cross-cultural communication skills & effective use of interpreters (Overcoming language barriers)

Cross Cultural Awareness
DATE: Thursday 4th September
TIME: 8:30am - 4:30pm
WHERE: Nambour Community Centre, 2 Shearer Street, Nambour

Overcoming Language Barriers
DATE: Friday 5th September
TIME: 8:30am – 12:30
WHERE: Nambour Community Centre, 2 Shearer St, Nambour

COSTS:
Cross Cultural Awareness - $65 (non-profit/individual) $80 (Government)
Overcoming Language Barriers $40 (non-profit/individual) $50 (Government)
Both Sessions - $95 (non-profit/individual) $120 (Government)

For more information contact Nambour Community Centre - (07) 5441 4724

Would you like to become an interpreter?

The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd is pleased to
announce a new national project funded by the Australian Government to increase the number
of interpreters in new and emerging languages in metropolitan areas, and languages where
there are shortages in rural and regional areas.

Eligible applicants will attend a workshop to help them prepare to work as an interpreter and
apply for a NAATI accreditation test and/or recognition.
This project is fully funded and eligible candidates will be subsidised for the full cost of the
workshop and application and assessment fees.

Contact your local NAATI office now to obtain information on workshop locations, eligible languages and enrolment details.

Qld NAATI office - (P) 3393 1358 (E) biroff@naati.com.au

Click here for more information