Tag: Muslim Women’s Association of SA

MWASA Team Training

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The team at the Muslim Women’s Association of SA continually strives for improvement in all areas: better programs, better services, better events. The first step towards improving in these areas is for staff and volunteers to upskill, diversify and network through training opportunities. 

Recently Amanda, Marketing and Communications Officer, undertook the Suicide Prevention Workshop offered by Wesley LifeForce. The workshop is delivered free of charge to service providers and community members. 

Amanda found the workshop to be comprehensive, starting with how personal beliefs can affect how we would potentially help someone who is having thoughts about suicide, going through which questions need asking and how to ask them, through to making a short term plan to protect someone in a crisis and where to refer them for continuing support.

Preservation of life is a basic principle of Islam, as demonstrated below in a direct quote from the Quran. 

“And do not kill yourselves [or one another].”

– Quran, Sahih International English Translation, Surah (chapter) 4 An-Nisa (The Women), Ayat (paragraph) 29

As Muslims we believe that every life has value and must act accordingly. Learning about the warning signs and prevention strategies is useful. 

Help and resources are available. Lifeline is a free 24 hour telephone crisis support service, they can be reached on 13 11 14. 

Bringing the Love to you in your own Home

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Earlier this month our office received a call from Sister Fadilah, a participant in our program which specifically supports senior Muslims in the community. She requested for someone to visit as she was feeling a little lonely. June Aini Hussain, Community Development Officer, visited immediately the next day. 
 
Sister Fadilah shared that she had experienced a fall and as a result was not able to move around. She had broken her hip and the Doctor had asked her to minimise movement so that it can heal quicker. 
The Sister’s conversational skills had not deteriorated at all and both thoroughly enjoyed chatting about many things across a couple of hours – and across some famous Bosnian coffee and scrumptious home-made cake!
 
Fadilah showed June some photos taken at past MWASA events; she enjoyed her younger days when she participated in many different MWASA activities. Fadilah’s daughter, who is also her carer, was also present. Sister June updated them on the current program and is investigating how MWASA can further assist in this case. 
 
If you know a senior community member aged 65 years and over who could benefit from MWASA/CHSP services and programs, please visit the program page for further details on eligibility and registration. Alternatively, please call our office during office hours on 08 81212 0800 and ask to speak to June.
 

Parliament House Lunch with Katrine Hildyard MP

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Some of our team attended lunch last Thursday at Parliament House with Katrine Hildyard MP (Member of Parliament). Katrine’s portfolio includes being Shadow Minister for the Status of Women, as well as Multicultural Affairs, and also for Recreation, Sport and Racing.
 
Katrine has prioritised several issues pertinent to South Australian women. We look forward to positive movement in this space in the near future.
 
 

Community Resources from the ATO

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Multilingual ATO Publications

The ATO (Australian Taxation Office) has translated their 2019 tax time resources into 7 different different languages, including Arabic and Hindi. 

Resources include posters and handy guides on working from home, education expenses, gifts and donations and expenses which can be claimed back (car, travel, clothing and laundry).

The ATO (Australian Tax Office) has also released a Scam Warning Flyer in 8 different languages, including English and Arabic. 

In 2018 more than $2.8 million was reported as being lost to scammers impersonating the ATO.

FREE Tax Help program for eligible taxpayers

The ATO’s Tax Help program will feature around 800 ATO-trained and accredited volunteers at more than 600 locations across Australia, including local libraries, community centres and organisations in metropolitan, rural and regional areas. Tax Help is available from July to October in all capital cities and many regional areas across Australia. Click or tap Tax Help for more details, or if you’re ready to make an appointment phone 13 28 61.

The ATO will also be providing face-to-face guidance at pop-up shops around Australia at community hubs, libraries, shopping centres, shows and universities starting on 28 June and ending on 17 October. Find your nearest pop-up shop.

First CHSP Tai Chi Session

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This is the third year that the CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Program) has run a Tai Chi program. 

Tai Chi is a form of gentle exercise that is described as meditation in motion. Having originated from China as a form of martial arts, Tai Chi has long been popular among individuals in order to keep fit and prevent disease.

Vivien, Susan and John demonstrated the basic movements for everyone to follow. They went on to demonstrate some martial arts movements and proper breathing techniques. 

Ten participants were present at this first session, a good number considering the gloomy weather outside. Overall the class was very successful, both the men and women were keen to learn and participate. 

After class, the seniors continued the mindful health theme by sharing a balanced, low calorie, nutritious lunch. 

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Best CHSP Eid Lunch at Best Zaika

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Valued members of the CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Program) celebrated Eid together by sharing lunch at the Pakistani restaurant Best Zaika (located in the Brickworks Marketplace, Torrensville). 

Almost 30 senior members attended, which exceeded expectations.  

Community Development Officer June welcomed everyone with a short speech, thanking them for attending and letting everyone know about some very exciting activities coming up. 

Everyone was so pleased with the day, the feedback was that the buffet food was amazing, the ambience was great and the members thoroughly enjoyed catching up with good company.

Thanks must go to the restaurant owner Ijaz, who was very kind and hands-on in assisting and serving our group throughout lunch. 

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Parliament House 2019 Eid al Fitr Reception

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A Reception was held in June at Parliament House to mark the end of Ramadan. 

The Reception was hosted by The Honourable Steven Marshall MP, Premier of South Australia, and The Honourable Jing Lee MLC, Assistant Minister to the Premier. 

Chairperson Dora Abbas and Project Manager Shaista Kalaniya were invited to attend and represent the Muslim Women’s Association of SA. 

The Reception was well attended by a diverse array of Muslim community members from different community organisations and places of worship. 

MWASA appreciates the opportunity to share this joyous time of year with our friends in Parliament.