Our Services

Ballarat Welcome Centre

Strategy and Settlement

The BRMC Strategy and Settlement Programs offer individual and group support to newly arrived individuals with migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker backgrounds in our region. Our services include the Settlement Engagement Transition Support (SETS) program, the Strategic Engagement Coordinator (SEC) project, and various community support programs, including welcoming initiatives. Please find the information below for your reference.

For more information, please contact Heeyoung, Strategy and Settlement Manager: 03 5383 0613 or hy.lim@brmc.org.au

Settlement Engagement Transition Support (SETS) – Free Individual Client Support

BRMC SETS program provides free settlement support to eligible visa holders from refugee and migrant backgrounds who have been in Australia for less than 5 years. We assist them in establishing a new life in regional Victoria.

Our settlement services encompass the following areas:

• Understanding Australian systems and forms
• Housing
• Employment
• Education
• Building stronger communities and fostering meaningful connections to the community
• Groups and casework to support young people
• Bilingual settlement workers and interpreter support and other support if needed

We collaborate with our partners in the Regional Multicultural Consortium to deliver these services across regional Victoria.

For further information, please contact Abrar, Settlement Support Coordinator: a.dham@brmc.org.au or 0491 066 246.

Migrant English Support

Trained volunteer tutors assist BRMC in providing help with the English Language for people who have migrated to Australia. The Migrant English Program (MEP) provides free English learning support to eligible clients in Ballarat, Ararat and Horsham.

We are proud of our committed team of volunteer tutors whose untiring efforts continue to empower individuals find better work and social opportunities.

Eligible migrants can also take English classes at Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre or under the AMEP and SEE programs delivered by Djerriwarrh.

We can provide information about English tutoring and conversation classes available in the Ballarat region.

For more information please contact Sarabjit on 03 5383 0613 or email s.kaur@brmc.org.au
Or contact Djerriwarrh on info@djerriwarrh.org.au

Good Governance

Helping community organisations be their best

Good Governance creates stronger, more cohesive and more resilient communities by boosting good governance practices in community organisations.

Are you someone who wants to make a difference in the community?
Would you like to help and empower community organisations be their best?

If the answer is yes, then this is your opportunity to utilise your skills and experience to make a real difference to new, emerging and established community organisations in matters relating to Good Governance.

This initiative is hosted by local peak bodies, councils and community development organisations, and it is free for community groups to take part. BRMC is the host for the Good Governance Program in Ballarat.

Under this program, trained volunteers skilled in governance are matched with small community organisations. These volunteers act as mentors over 12 months, working with the entire governing committee to empower the organisation, making sure the organisation gets the individualised support to overcome challenges and reach the set goals.

Free training will be provided to the mentors. A brochure with detailed information for mentors is available here:

Mentor Information BrochureIf you are interested in taking part in Good Governance as a participating group or mentor or would like more information about the program, please contact Sarabjit on 03 5383 0613 or s.kaur@brmc.org.au

Stepping Stones Program

Stepping Stones to Small Business is a micro-enterprise program for women from CALD backgrounds as well as those over the age of 50. Stepping Stones builds upon the women’s existing strengths by providing education and training about small business in Australia.

Through a suite of culturally-tailored training, workshops, mentoring and holistic support, the program supports women over three years to:

• Increase their business skills and knowledge of business in Australia;
• Increase their financial capabilities;
• Enhance their economic and social participation, as well as networks in the wider community; and
• In the last two years, reach key milestones towards establishing a small business.

The program is auspiced by and part of the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s (BSL) work to achieve the full social and economic inclusion of refugees in Victoria. BSL will centrally coordinate the state-wide delivery and evaluation of this program. The Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council is a local delivery partner for this program which will be open to women in Ballarat and the broader North West region of the state.

For more information or to Apply Online visit: www.bsl.org.au/services/refugees-immigration-multiculturalism/stepping-stones

For more information or to apply contact Deborah Sonenberg on 03 5383 0613 or d.sonenberg.org.au

Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Services

BRMC welcomes refugees and people seeking asylum. We offer volunteering opportunities, referrals for employment and training, information links to services, as well as fundraising for critical support at the Ballarat Welcome Centre.

Ballarat Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Network (BRASSN) meet monthly at 1pm on the first Monday of each month at the Ballarat Welcome Centre. This group plans support, social engagement, financial support and mentoring through community partners.

Eligible migrants are also assisted through our Settlement Services Program.

Member Support

Auspiced Activities and Support

If your group or association is not yet registered we can help you with your funding applications. We can assist you or apply for funding on behalf of your association

For more information please contact BRMC on 03 5383 0613 or email admin@brmc.org.au.