New Victorian community officers get to work
Victoria media release
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Centrelink is celebrating the achievement of Dandenong-based MSO Rick Comfort, who was last week awarded a Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence.
Rick was recognised by the Victorian Government for outstanding service to Victoria’s multicultural and wider community at a special ceremony held at Government House on Tuesday 21 September 2010.
The annual awards program was established in 2002 to recognise and reward the contributions of individuals and organisations that promote the social, economic and cultural benefits of Victoria's multicultural community.
Rick was nominated by Windermere Child and Family Services in the category ‘Service Delivery to Multicultural Victoria Award – Recognising excellence in the portfolio of Community Service’ for his work with multicultural groups, including migrants and refugees.
"I feel honoured to have been included in a category alongside so many great people who have done so much for multicultural Victoria," Rick said.
"This award also acknowledged the important role that Centrelink MSOs play in the community.
"For one in five people living in Australia, English is not the primary language spoken at home. The MSO Program – which recently celebrated 20 years – helps to break down language and cultural barriers, while fostering positive relationships between government and Australia’s diverse multicultural communities."
As well as providing staff with cultural awareness training, Rick said that Centrelink MSOs are committed to social engagement and take an active role in the community.
"This includes activities such as linking newly arrived refugees with employment and education opportunities, educating multicultural communities on Australian Government assistance through community forums and ethnic radio interviews, and providing a presence at community celebration days like Harmony Day and Refugee Week," Rick said.
"With around 70 Centrelink Multicultural Service Officers nationwide, the program is an integral part of Centrelink’s service delivery and the Australian Government’s social inclusion agenda."
Having worked as an MSO since 2002, Rick said every week still brings a new challenge.
"The multicultural make-up of Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, like many other communities throughout Australia, is continuing to change," Rick said.
"In my role, I have the freedom and flexibility to evolve service delivery to meet the changing needs of these new and emerging communities.
"For example, recent months have seen an increase in the number of refugees released from Christmas Island settling in the Dandenong area – including a number of unaccompanied minors.
"There are currently over 70 of these young people living in and around the Dandenong and Narre Warren area. In conjunction with other youth-specific providers, I have worked extensively with this group.
"I have run information sessions for this group as part of their introduction to Australia, and have also developed four sessions on pathways to part-time employment.
"The sessions involve individual assistance with resume and job applications, along with information about what employers are looking for, where to look for work, jobs that are currently available and the benefits of continuing to study whilst working part-time.
"The group has really benefited from the sessions, with many now working part-time and continuing their study, and many more showing an interest in apprenticeships."
Rick said he derives great satisfaction in knowing that the information he helps to deliver will make a big difference to someone’s future.
"It’s about making sure these communities have all the information they need to adapt to their new life in Australia and to make a real go of the future."
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.