0397671900
smrc@smrc.org.au
Unity in Diversity
We’re bringing back our popular Unity in Diversity Festival to celebrate our 30th anniversary! Join us for a FREE, jam-packed, family friendly festival on Sunday 22 October on the grounds surrounding 39 Clow St Dandenong.
Term 4 Program Guide
Our term 3 program guide is now available to download! Click through to find out when our classes are running such as: Learn to Sew, English Classes and Intro to Bicultural Work
Healthy Mind, Healthy Life Podcast
Listen now to our premier of the Healthy Mind, Healthy Life (ذهن سالم. زندگی سالم.) podcast delivered in Dari to hear about mental health and wellbeing challenges and support services for newly arrived communities from Afghanistan.
Diverse Care
Quality in-home care services delivered in a culturally sensitive manner by workers who speak the language of those for whom they care.
Supporting and empowering migrants and refugees since 1993 through delivery of settlement and community-based services that are innovative, inclusive and impactful.
Testimonials
Computer skills
The people at SMRC are kind and good. I am happy to be able to study and learn language. I have learnt a lot from them and really like the class and group, I have got a lot of information from the class. It has helped me feel comfortable and SMRC has welcomed me to my country. I have improved my English and computer skills and I am able to get help with my school/tafe work.
Belong to a community and family
English classes and the teacher are very good, I can join an educational program that allows me to be part a community. The volunteers are very patient and do their best to explain things for us. The programs not only helped me to learn language but also improve my ability to communicate my daily need. I am able to go shopping, enjoy the daily conversation with people. I feel like a belong a community and family. I meet new people and I am able to enjoy daily life a lot more than before as I am able to communicate with others better than before.
Beginner English class
The program allows me to be part of a group. I like the teacher and volunteers as they are very helpful and understanding. They help me to learn English and start with the very basic information. The volunteers and teacher explain things very clear and helps me a lot. I am able to study and learn language and SMRC people has always encouraged and helped me to become more independent and learn. The program has helped me to communicate my daily needs. Now I can at least write my name and speak with others.
Efficient and thorough
Next Generation Services is a cleaning service that provides cleaning to aged care organizations. Our company values workers from migrant and refugee backgrounds so we contacted SMRC Employment Xchange to fill cleaning positions in aged care facilities.They were efficient and thorough in finding the right people for us who had the skills suited to our needs. We would highly recommend and use SMRC Employment Xchange again for future recruitment.
Tutor’s are great at explaining
They’re not giving you answers. They’re showing you how you do it, so next time you won’t be stuck on the same question. They’re so helpful that when I go to school I show off to my friend, ‘this is how you do it the easy way’ and they’re like that’s amazing and my friend gets impressed by it. I was a bit behind on Maths but after I came here, I started catching up. My last test I got was 87, such a difference.
Volunteering makes a difference
When my husband was in the hospital I noticed how some patients had no one visiting them and I thought to myself, “I should do something for these people”. Even just five minutes of my time with them – I’m so happy that I cheer them up. Volunteering with SMRC makes a difference. You let them know that someone cares for them. Your time is precious to them.
Service navigation support
I was given all the advice and help at that time when I didn’t know where to look. Whenever I call her, she never once turned me down or say I have no time, or I am busy. Godette was the one who guide me, advise me, even show me how to go into the computer and look for the care provider by comparing six or seven of them.
Beautiful experience
The carer group rang me and told me about what they do and invited me to their meetings. I love how there is an opportunity for to support the carer and give them breaks. It is a beautiful experience to meet other people and hear their stories and go on outings together. I feel more supported an clearer in my thinking. I have been able to go back to work as a teacher two days a week.
I feel very special
I take this opportunity to thank you & all your helpers for the “FANTASTIC” very well organised DAY, the room was FILLED with LOVE, LAUGHTER, special attention extended to each and every one of us I look forward to these events because I FEEL VERY SPECIAL that someone is Caring & thinking of all of us so that we are not forgotten 😊 THANKS once again, HAVE A BLESSED DAY 🙏
Praise for staff
I would really like to take this opportunity to praise your staff Nazira and Lara for calling me and pay me a welfare check. I have not been coming to the program for a while due to my caring commitments, but to know that someone out there was thinking about me make me feel so happy. Thank you so much, this program is fantastic.
Get Involved
Latest News
SMRC STRATEGY 2022-26
Purpose
We support and empower migrants and refugees through our delivery of programs and services that are innovative, inclusive and impactful.
Vision
Migrants and refugees are enabled to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Values
Integrity l Compassion l Accountability l Respect l Excellence
Recent Social Posts
Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
🐐🐖How cute!! We will have a FREE interactive farm yard at our Unity in Diversity Festival. Come meet, pat and feed a variety of farm
Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
💌Teresa and Mar Reya's cross cultural connection was ignited through the pair being matched based on their interests through our Aged Care Volunteer Visitor's Scheme
Teresa and Mar Reya's cross cultural connection - SMRC - Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
Teresa and Mar Reya share a very valuable cross cultural connection through the Aged Care Volunteer Visiting Scheme (ACVVS).
Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
📣Reminder that the SMRC offices will be closed from 5pm tonight for the AFL Grand Final long weekend and reopen on Monday 2 October at
Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
🌍We can't wait to celebrate the vibrant multicultural community in Melbourne's south east with a FREE Cultural Village to explore at our Unity in Diversity
Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
🤩SMRC's term 4 program guide is now live! Packed to the brim with popular favourites such as the STAR Homework Club, Learn and Grow, free
Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
🤩Have you bought your Unity in Diversity Festival Raffle tickets yet?! We've recently added MORE prizes to the list! 1st Prize: $1000 travel voucher with
Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
🎨🥁Our friends from Paint What You Hear will be bringing a FREE fun, musical, interactive art activity to our Unity in Diversity Festival. By combining
Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
🎖️SMRC's STAR Homework Club was privileged to be shortlisted and attend the awards ceremony as part of the MY Education Awards 2023 presented by the
Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
🏉Every FREE family festival needs a Sports Zone! We are thrilled that AFL Victoria will be joining us at our Unity in Diversity Festival. The