English for All:
FLN offers twice a week a free English class for people who don’t
have access to government support for learning English. Thank
you to our coordinator/teacher Claire Taylor, our volunteer/
teacher Tessa Jones and our volunteer Miranda Lucas.
However, too often we see the same people unemployed, under-
employed and/or precariously and casually employed. Some of
the barriers to employment include a lack of:
Australian work experience
knowledge of Australian workplace systems and culture
In the last year, FLN developed an employment support service to
overcome some of the issues stated above. Each week we have
regular employment support volunteers to help with resume,
cover letter writing, job search, job applications and interview
practice. We’re also on the lookout weekly for job opportunities in
a variety of fields such as childcare, hospitality and labour work.
Employment support volunteers: Jo McDonald, Jenny Norvick,
Annabelle Goldworthy,
Family Law & Violence Service:
Too many of our female clients have experienced domestic vio-
lence including partner/spouse abuse, death threats, physical
injury and assault. Their safety, their readiness to take action in a
family law matter, their willingness to go to court and their ability
to achieve settlement of their dispute through negotiation is often
affected. This year, FLN commenced a partnership with Fitzroy
Legal Service (FLS) to provide legal assistance and advice to female
clients on a range of issues relating to family law and family
violence. Every fortnight an FLS family lawyer comes to FLN to
assist with parenting matters, family violence intervention order
matters and divorce.
Family Lawyer: Ella Crotty
Australian Citizenship Test:
Becoming an Australian citizen is important for refugees and
humanitarian entrants and for all those who have experienced
persecution in their country of origin. Australian citizenship means
having access to full participation in Australian society and enjoy-
ing rights and responsibilities such as voting, studying, working,
holding an Australian passport and travelling freely in and out of
Australia.
Since 2007, it is a requirement for anyone applying to be an
Australian Citizen to sit a test. The test is an assessment of
someone’s ability to understand basic English, knowledge of
Australia, the responsibilities and rights of being an Australian
citizen. The test has created many barriers for refugees, newly
arrived migrants, and the language used is one of them.
This year, FLN created an Australian Citizenship class to over-
come some of the obstacles. During class, students are support-
ed to prepare for the test by studying individually as well as in a
small group the Australian Citizenship resource called “Our
Common Bond”. They learn at their own pace, studying topics
such as:
Australia and its people
Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
Government and the law in Australia
Australia’s history and culture and;
Australia today
Australian citizenship test mentors: Julianne McNally,
Irene Opper, Marion Singer
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