In this issue: Message from Founder & CEO, Theresa Sengaaga Ssali Upcoming Event: Voices of the African Child – Empowering Youth, Families and Carers 20 June 2026 Leadership Recognition: Mother Africa Award Thrive Multicultural Women’s Festival 2025 AWAFN programs and services update AWAFN Day of the African Child event, 21 March 2026 Women’s wellness programs update Carers respite support (2025–2027) Social work student mentoring Welcoming Australia Symposium, May 2026 ECCV

Stallions - the champions! In this issue: Stallions win the 2025 Premiership! Additional Carers Respite Support Program 2025–2027 Program update: Empowering women and girls in sport AWAFN Day of the African Child event Beach safety training African Australian Seniors Anti-Racism Project Somali Australia Day and cultural celebration award night Oromo community nutrition training Social work students mentoring Upcoming events, news and articles - various Newsletter contribution

Former ECCV Chairperson, AWAFN's Abiola Akinbiyi with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan at the recent ECCV AGM. Celebrating and Recognising Community Empowerment The 2025 Thrive Multicultural Women’s Festival The Thrive Multicultural Women’s Festival was held at Melbourne's Federation Square on 1 November 2025. Veteran social worker and founder of African Women's and Families Network (AWAFN) - Theresa Sengaaga Ssali - was honoured as Thrive 2025’s Empowerment Pioneer

Stallions Netball Team is supported by AWAFN and Welcoming Australia (story below). Spring Edition of the Quarterly African Women's And Families Network (AWAFN) newsletter Premier's Multicultural Gala Dinner 2025 Unity in diversity where community is connection 🤝 Last Saturday night - 30 August 2025 - the Premier’s Multicultural Gala Dinner celebrated the vibrant contributions of Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith communities. Afterwards, AWAFN member Sarah Chong post