eNews #12, September 2025
- AWAFN eNews
- Jan 2
- 30 min read
Updated: Feb 12
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 posted on-line:
"Last night’s Victorian Premier’s Multicultural Gala Dinner was both a celebration and a powerful reminder of what makes Victoria thrive — our multicultural communities. It was a night filled with laughter, dance, food, and friendship. We celebrated new connections while cherishing long-standing ones, all while recognising that there is strength in togetherness that transcends faith, race, and age. Events like this not only highlight the vibrancy of our diverse communities, but also reinforce the importance of inclusive leadership, cultural recognition, and policies that allow every community to belong and contribute. Here’s to building a Victoria where multiculturalism is not just celebrated on one night, but lived every day. 🌏❤️"
AWAFN members celebrated unity in diversity at the Victorian Premier’s Multicultural Gala Dinner along with the wider multicultural community. A beautiful night of connection, harmony and culture — a reminder that in our diversity, we find strength, and by standing together as one, we create a community where everyone belongs.
AWAFN Funded For Additional Carers Respite Support
We are pleased to announce that the African Women's and Families Network (AWAFN) has been successful in its application to the Victorian Government’s Additional Respite for Carers 2025–27 initiative. Funding has been secured for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 financial years, enabling AWAFN to continue delivering respite support for diverse African Australians and members of newly emerging communities who are unpaid carers in Victoria. Through this funding, AWAFN will provide support to 25 carers per year from all ages, backgrounds and circumstances, and 20 hours of respite support per carer annually.
Currently, more than 45 unpaid carers are on our waiting list, many of whom face significant barriers in accessing mainstream services. While this funding is a welcome boost, it does not cover essential costs such as administration, meeting spaces, public liability insurance, or reimbursement of volunteers’ expenses. AWAFN continues to seek partnerships, additional funding, and other forms of support to sustain and expand this vital program. We warmly welcome suggestions, collaborations, and guidance from our community and stakeholders. For further information or to get involved, please contact us at awafn11@gmail.com. Together, we can make a difference for carers in our community.
The Active Women Project: Empowering Women Through Sport
AWAFN is proud to partner in the rollout of Welcoming Australia’s Active Women Project, funded through the Australian Government’s Play Our Way Grants. Through this initiative, AWAFN is supporting the establishment and growth of three exciting programs: Multicultural Women’s Wellbeing Group (Dandenong), Stallion – Young Sudanese Women’s Netball Team (Casey – South East), and Western Region Netball Team.
All programs commenced in July 2025, with the goal of reducing barriers faced by women from migrant and minority ethnic backgrounds in accessing and participating in community sport. This project is about more than sport—it is about creating safe, inclusive spaces where women can connect, grow, and thrive. Recognising challenges such as limited childcare and a lack of community sporting pathways, the program includes child-minding support so mothers can participate without added stress. By combining participation, leadership, and community education, the Active Women Project helps break down systemic barriers and builds pathways for women to thrive—on and off the court.
For more information or to get involved, please contact: Theresa Sengaaga Ssali – AWAFN's Project Coordinator - at email: awafn11@gmail.com
Congratulations to Valedictorian Tolu Akinbiyi
Tolu Akinbiyi was selected from hundreds of graduates to deliver the valedictory address at her recent Melbourne University graduation ceremony, held at the historic Exhibition Building. Tolu Akinbiyi graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, and Diploma in Languages. Throughout her university journey, Tolu demonstrated her leadership capabilities through being President of her student society as well as engaging in various cultural and education-based volunteering initiatives.
She was an inaugural student representative of the FBE/MBSL Joint D&I Committee at University of Melbourne. Having joined 'SAMM' – the Students’ Association of Management and Marketing – in her first semester, she served as a member of its executive committee and later became the President of SAMM. A highlight of her university career includes representing her graduating class as the Student Speaker for her recent graduation ceremony. In the future, Tolu aims to take what she has learned at university and use it to create a positive, tangible impact in the world. Every success to you Tolu!
Nominations for VMC MAEs Extended!
The Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence (MAEs) honour outstanding individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to strengthening multiculturalism in Victoria. Now in its 24th year, the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) proudly coordinates the MAEs to celebrate those who champion cross-cultural understanding and support Victorians from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to thrive and fully participate in all areas of life. This year, 14 award categories are open for nomination, shining a light on individuals and organisations who are empowering communities, building cultural bridges and creating lasting impact. For our communities, this is a meaningful opportunity to highlight the leadership, creativity and resilience that continues to enrich Victoria’s multicultural story.
Nominations have been extended for the 2025 Awards. There is still time to celebrate the incredible contributions of Victoria’s multicultural communities. The extended deadline gives us the chance to recognise the local legends, quiet achievers and bold change-makers whose work makes our state stronger, fairer and more inclusive. Nominations are now open until this Wednesday, 3 September 2025. By nominating someone, you are helping to elevate their work, amplify their voice and inspire the next generation of community leaders. If you know someone who deserves recognition, submit your nomination today: click here.
All-African Interschool Basketball Tournament – A Historic First
On Friday, 15th August, Stand Out Basketball proudly hosted the first-ever All-African Interschool Basketball Tournament at Narrandjeri Stadium in Thornbury. The historic event brought together 8 schools and over 170 students from across Melbourne, creating a powerful day of culture, pride, and community. The atmosphere was electric — from the opening speech by Ladan Ahmed (Senior Project Officer) to the fast-paced games that showcased the incredible talent of our young people. More than just basketball, the tournament was a celebration of identity, unity, and belonging, reminding us of the role sport plays in shaping confidence and leadership in the next generation.
This milestone was made possible through the support of the Victorian African Communities Action Plan (VACAP) and partners, including Frazer Bekele, Mahamed Ahmed, Luke Smith, and the Narrandjeri Stadium team. Special recognition goes to the Stand Out crew — especially Fahma Bushra and Duoth Makuac — whose dedication ensured a memorable success. You can read more about the day and view highlights here. - Sukart Alex, Founder/Director, Stand Out Basketball.
River Nile School's Youth Fest
Join River Nile School (RNS) from Monday, 15 September to Friday, 19 September 2025 for Youth Fest—a week of creativity, expression, and shared stories led by our young people from refugee backgrounds. With workshops like the Art Workshop and Collage Poetry Session in our school library, young people from refugee backgrounds can explore their identity in a welcoming and relaxed space—everything is free, materials provided, and lunch included. These sessions offer a meaningful opportunity for young people from refugee backgrounds to create, reflect, and connect.
The celebrations continue at the Queen Victoria Market, where our RNS students will host a Live Radio Broadcast and the wonderful Jonasi from Acts of Random Kindness will lead Refugee Youth Voices Summit—a dynamic mix of storytelling, interviews, and collective idea-making. We’ll then come together for the Talent Quest & Cultural Celebration at the Multicultural Hub Drill Hall—an inclusive event showcasing performances, food, and cultural pride led by youth, for youth. Young people from refugee backgrounds, outside of RNS, are welcome to register to share their talents, and community members are invited to come along to enjoy the Talent Show event too! The week wraps with a Beauty & Pamper Session run by our caring VET Retail Cosmetics students—because young people from refugee backgrounds deserve moments of self-care and celebration.
All events are FREE and all cultures are welcomed and celebrated! Visit the events section on our website homepage to learn more about the program and register your interest! Community members interested in hosting a free stall or activity at the Talent Quest can register HERE and those who may be interested in being guests on the RNS live radio broadcast can register HERE.
RMIT Business and Law Centre for African Engagement
Congratulations to the RMIT College of Business and Law on the launch of the Centre for African Engagement. This inspiring and globally minded initiative will serve as a hub for African engagement across Victoria and beyond. Exciting times ahead as the Centre advances its work in research, innovation, mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy. The centre aims to increase Australia's knowledge of Africa and dispel misconceptions by placing education at the forefront.
By connecting African communities in Victoria with RMIT and partners across Africa, the centre will be focusing on sharing knowledge, building opportunities, and making sure African voices help shape the future. Opportunities for scholarships specifically for members from African communities here in Victoria who wish to pursue a PHD will be available soon. Scholarships will also be available for bright individuals from African Countries to undertake courses within business and law at RMIT. These will be announced in the very near future. Further information can be found on their website or by emailing cae@rmit.edu.au
Australia Africa Dialogue & Enterprise Showcase
🚀 The Australia Africa Dialogue & Enterprise Showcase is back this 30 October 2025 – and you’re invited. This year, it’s all about Enterprise & Development → turning ideas into partnerships, and partnerships into impact. Join us for: ✨ A curated Partner Showcase – spotlighting local enterprises & institutions shaping Australia–Africa collaboration ✨ High-level discussions with policymakers, business leaders & innovators ✨ Real opportunities to connect with the African diaspora business community in Australia📅 Date: Thursday, 30 October 2025 📍 Melbourne Business School 🕒 3:30pm – 8:00pm.
🎟 Secure your place now → Click here. We are shaping the next chapter of Australia–Africa enterprise for a shared prosperity.
Culturally sensitive in-home care
Since 1998, Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre (SMRC) Diverse Care™ has been providing compassionate, language-appropriate home support tailored to the multicultural communities of southern and eastern Melbourne. Backed by trusted partners and supported by over 80 multilingual care workers, our services are designed to respect and celebrate your unique cultural needs.
Comprehensive Care Services include Personal Transport, Respite Care, Home Care, Personal Care, and Meal Preparation. Each of our SMRC care professionals holds a Certificate III in Individual Support and have comprehensive checks including Police Check, Working with Children Check, and NDIS Working Screening. We’re fully insured and licensed, ensuring your safety and peace of mind. Want to learn more or arrange support? Contact us at (03) 9767 1900 or email diversecare@smrc.org.au
Western Region Ethnic Communities Council (WRECC) is an advocacy organisation for ethnic communities in the Hobsons Bay, Wyndham, Melton, Brimbank, Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong Council areas. We seek links with African Australian and other ethnic organisations and individuals in these areas and are always open to exploring ways we could provide support. We meet on zoom on the third Tuesday of every month and you are welcome to join us. We also publish a fortnightly newsletter of items of interest to communities in these areas. If you would to join us for a meeting, or want to subscribe to our newsletter, please contact us by email at admin@wrecc.com.au
Organisations and Individuals are Invited to Become ECCV Members
The Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV) membership base is broad and diverse; it includes AWAFN. Membership is open to both organisations with an ethno-specific or multicultural focus, and other organisations with a commitment to addressing cultural diversity issues. ECCV membership is also open to individuals who support the work we do. Find out about member benefits here.
Have you, or the organisation you work for, thought about becoming a member of the ECCV? Maybe standing for a position on the ECCV Board later this year (elections will be held in conjunction with the 2025 AGM)? Find out more about about who is eligible to nominate candidates to stand for the Board, and who is eligible to vote. Sign-up to become an ECCV member here.
Anti-racism support services and reporting
There are various services in place in Victoria where people can speak out against racism and access support after an experience of racism. It is not always easy to find and choose the ‘right’ service. It depends on many factors, such as what kind of experience it was and what kind of support is needed.
Other News from Around Australia
Community leaders say weekend rallies stir memories of White Australia policy
Multicultural Australians have described the fear, hurt and disappointment sparked by the anti-immigration rallies held across Australia this weekend, even comparing it to memories of the White Australia policy. March for Australia demonstrations took place in capital cities and regional centres on Sunday, with known neo-Nazis speaking at events in Sydney and Melbourne and large counter-protests formed in many locations.
The demonstrations brought back memories of the White Australia Policy, said Peter Doukas OAM , the head of FECCA (Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia). "It brought together the experiences of the newly arrived migrants, to the very early migrants, those that arrived during the White Australia policy," he said. "It reinforces the need for constant advocacy for multicultural Australia and the strength that the broader multicultural communities give this country." Meanwhile, experts are raising concerns about the strategies far-right groups are using to attract ordinary Australians. Read coverage by ABC News social affairs reporter Isabella Higgins - click here.
New resources challenge myths and misconceptions about racism
Widespread myths and misconceptions about racism can prevent us from coming together to understand and identify racism, and to take meaningful action. The Australian Human Rights Commission has released new factsheets that explain and address 5 common myths and misconceptions about racism, from the myth of meritocracy to the misconception of ‘not seeing race’.
Each factsheet unpacks where these ideas come from, why they’re misleading and what we can do instead. Find out more.
Workplace racism costs economy $37b a year: AHRC
The race discrimination commissioner has called on the government to pass changes to the act that would require companies to safeguard against racism in the workplace, saying it was costing the Australian economy $37 billion a year. “Racism is a work, health and safety issue,” Commissioner Giri Sivaraman கிரி சிவராமன் told The Australian Financial Review. “Racism makes workplaces unsafe. It can be profoundly damaging to a person’s mental health and sense of self.”
The commission’s investigations showed one-fifth of Australians reported experiencing racism in the workplace, but underreporting for fear of retaliation was commonplace – a feature also at play in the under-reporting of sexual harassment. Read the full article.
Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman recently addressed the National Press Club of Australia about the harm racism causes to communities across Australia, calling for a nationally coordinated, whole-of-society response. Commissioner Sivaraman outlined the path forward, shared insights from current projects, and called for systemic change that centres First Peoples voices and protects all communities. Watch the address on ABC iView. Read further coverage on SBS News here. Also, read this opinion piece by Giri - 'Why anti-racism needs to be part of economic reform in Australia'. It was published by The Mandarin on 15 August 2025 - click here.
The new Commonwealth Office for Multicultural Affairs unveiled
A new Office for Multicultural Affairs (OMA) has now been established within the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs. The Hon Dr. Anne Aly MP is the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Reflecting on the meaning of multiculturalism at the launch of the new OMA, she said: "... it's not just about those exotic looking people that come from overseas, but it's about each and every one of us, because each and every one of us has culture. And for each and every one of us, even again, within our own families and within generations, those cultures are different, they're multicultural. We are all within our own family structures, within our own communities, there is multiculturalism". Read Minister Aly's full address on the occasion of the opening of the Office for Multicultural Affairs on Monday, 21 July 2025 - click here.
'This is a step in the right direction, although falling short of the recommendations of the Multicultural Framework Review. Other announced changes to immigration administration might provide clearer leadership', writes former Immigration Department Deputy Secretary Peter Hughes in the public policy e-journal 'Pearls and Irritations'. Read his article here.
Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance - new branding and website is live
The Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance has launched their new branding and website. Membership is officially open and AMWA would love you to become a member (for free!) and stand with them as they amplify the voices and leadership of migrant, refugee, and CALD women. If you haven’t already, explore the site and sign up to become a member: Get Involved | Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance. Learn more about AMWA's purpose and people: www.amwa.net.au and follow AMWA on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook to stay connected. Together, we’re building a more equitable and inclusive future. Whether you’re an individual, community advocate, organisation, or ally - AMWA would love to have you join them. Your support will help build a powerful movement.
💡 The Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance (AMWA) 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 is for a thriving, equitable Australia where multicultural women are empowered to shape their own futures, fully participate in all aspects of society, and be celebrated as valued leaders and contributors to an inclusive community. Be part of a powerful movement transforming Australia for multicultural women. Join AMWA to support our work, connect with others, share your insights or simply stay informed. Together, we can shape a future where every woman’s story, strengths and potential are recognised and valued. Find out more.
Sydney Celebrates!
"On July 19th, the African Australian Advocacy Centre (AAAC) was proud to present the inaugural African Australian Multicultural Celebration under the theme “Honouring Heritage, Celebrating Diversity.” This landmark event brought together African and non-African community members in a powerful expression of unity, identity, and inclusion. More than a cultural celebration, it was a tribute to the enduring legacy and invaluable contributions of African Australians to the nation’s social, cultural, and economic fabric from the arrival of John Randall on the First Fleet in 1788 to the resilient communities that continue to enrich modern Australia..."
"... Supported by the Department of Home Affairs through the Multicultural Grassroots Initiatives (MGI) program, the celebration amplified voices often unheard while honouring pioneers past and present from sailors and scholars to refugees and youth who have helped shape the multicultural Australia we know today. As a testament to the strength of grassroots organisations like AAAC, the event reflected our mission to empower, advocate, and inspire African communities to thrive while building bridges across cultural boundaries. Together, in a full town hall of Parramatta, we celebrated the beauty of diversity, the power of heritage, and the promise of a united future”. - Noël Zihabamwe, AAAC Founder & Executive Director.
Mariam Issa chats about female leadership and friendship
Zione Walker-Nthenda recently posted on LinkedIn: In a past episode of 'Like Us', we had the honour of speaking with Mariam Issa — author, speaker, and founder of RAW (Resilient Aspiring Women). Mariam shared her powerful journey of arriving in Australia as a refugee from Somalia and rebuilding her life in Brighton. What began as a simple backyard garden became a vibrant space for storytelling, healing, and connection — a space where women from all backgrounds could come together to grow. “The garden became more than a garden. It was a place where women could plant new beginnings" - said Mariam. Her story is a testament to what’s possible when we create space for one another to lead, heal, and be seen.
Zione chats with inspiring community builder and storyteller Mariam Issa about escaping war in Somalia, tapping into her resilience, and bringing people together.🎧 Catch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eGcBGwy2
Caring for Children with Sickle Cell Disease: A Mother’s Perspective
This new book by Agnes Nsofwa RN MSN BBA DipAcc is a deeply personal and powerful guide that sheds light on the emotional, physical, and everyday challenges of raising a child with a chronic illness. Written from the heart of a devoted mother, this book offers an intimate view into the realities of caring for children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), from diagnosis and hospital visits to navigating school, emotional resilience, and advocating for your child in a complex healthcare system.
Blending memoir with practical advice, this book is both a comforting companion for parents walking a similar path and an educational resource for caregivers, educators, and medical professionals seeking to better understand the lived experience of families affected by SCD. With honesty, strength, and unwavering hope, the author shares her journey to empower others with the knowledge, strategies, and encouragement they need.
Whether you are a parent, a loved one, or a healthcare provider, Caring for Children with Sickle Cell Disease: A Mother’s Perspective is a compassionate, eye-opening, and essential read. Buy it here.
Prof Mimmie Watts, PhD., Academic, Global Public Health: Leadership in Advocacy for (Black) Women in Australia
Professor Mimmie Claudine Watts stands as a transformative leader in advocacy in Australia, leveraging her global platforms and academic expertise to advance equity and inclusion. As an Associate Professor at Federation University Australia, the first Black person in the University’s Professoriate, an institution with an education history of plus 150 years, a former Senate candidate, her work spans public health, leadership, governance, and policy, with a dedicated focus on addressing systemic barriers faced by Culturally And Racially Marginalized (CARM) women. Her leadership roles, such as Chair of the Australian Chapter of the African Science Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC) under the African Union Commission, Director of Industry Cooperation (former), and Director at laGuapa Outerwear, enable her to bridge academia, government, and business to foster inclusive growth. Through her research, she highlights issues like workplace discrimination, limited career opportunities, and the intersectional challenges faced by Black women, advocating for policies that promote their visibility and advancement. Her advocacy is deeply informed by her own experiences as a Black woman and her Harvard-trained executive background, which she uses to empower others through initiatives like the African Diaspora Women Summit, workshops, mentoring, and advisory roles in organizations such as Media Diversity Australia.
Foreign-born Black women are one of the most educated migrant groups in the USA, and this is not dissimilar in Australia. Black women are taking their place in Australia, and their presence is making some uncomfortable. Some suggest that they leave, to make others feel comfortable.
There is a new buzzword, ‘imposter syndrome’, to undermine these women‘s sense of belonging; they should be grateful. Yet, there is a woman who feels she belongs, does not feel like an imposter; she is not posing as anyone else, but herself; that is Prof Mimmie Claudine Watts, PhD. She identifies as a Black woman and not as a woman of colour. The word ‘Black,’ she states, ‘carries with it a weight that no other race carries.’ Calling her Brown or a Woman of Colour, or anything other than Black, ‘diminishes that weight’, she notes. The irony is that she only realised she was a woman and was Black, following migration to Australia as an expatriate. Expatriate, another term not often associated with Black expats. There are only a few Black women in visible positions of influence in Australia, comparatively.
For example, of all the 37 public and six private universities in Australia, not a single Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, nor Deputy Vice Chancellor, is Black, at the time of this article. Yet, the success of Black women in education in Australia remains significantly higher, comparatively.
This is not accidental; it is designed. Promising leaders are pushed out before they can get there. We have seen the public outcry of some of our respected, flourishing Black women, Nyandol. Her story is repeated, but most of those voices are silent because their cries fall on deaf ears. She refused to be silent. I hear, I see it, and I have experienced it myself. I just could not be silenced! With nearly half a million Australians identifying as African (Black), with about 120,000 of them calling Victoria home, Black people are here, and united in demanding ‘respect’ and the acknowledgement of their contributions in their chosen home, Australia, as they rise.
Prof Watts’s advocacy is further amplified through her global engagements and travels, which reinforce her commitment to centring Black women’s narratives and histories. Her recent visits to Egypt, including reflections on the Grand Egyptian Museum, emphasize the importance of reclaiming Africa’s legacy and challenging historical erasure. She notes how the museum’s acknowledgment of Egypt as a "Black Land" accentuates the often-overlooked contributions of Black civilizations, thereby empowering Black women by connecting them to a profound heritage. Similarly, her travels to Geneva and the USA, including her participation in the Emerging Executive Women in Health Care Leadership course at Harvard, have equipped her with strategic tools to address health inequities and leadership disparities affecting Black women in Australia. These experiences enable her to integrate global insights into local advocacy, ensuring that her work is both culturally grounded and internationally informed.
In addition to her academic and global efforts, Prof Watts drives tangible change through community-centered research and policy interventions. Her groundbreaking studies, such as those on African Australian teenage mothers and aging African Australians, reveal systemic gaps in healthcare, social support, and economic opportunities. She advocates for an Afrocentric approach in services like aged care, emphasizing the need for culturally competent workforce frameworks that respect communal values and intergenerational living traditions. By highlighting the resilience and ambitions of CARM women, who often face higher barriers, racism, and isolation in workplaces, she calls for intersectional strategies that ensure equity initiatives benefit all women, not just those from majority backgrounds. Through her upcoming role as a speaker at the 14th World Chambers Congress in Melbourne, she continues to champion leadership models that prioritize purpose, inclusivity, and global partnerships, ultimately shaping a more equitable future for Black women in Australia and beyond.
Curtin University’s engagement with African communities in WA
Curtin University, based in Perth, Western Australia, was recently awarded the national Stakeholder Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Advancement of African Australians at the African Australian Multicultural Celebration 2025 convened by the African Australian Advocacy Centre (AAAC) in Sydney. Over recent years, Curtin University has developed an extensive portfolio of engagement with African diaspora communities in Australia as well as with partner organisation on the African continent, including through its Centre for Australia-Africa Relations led by Director, Associate Professor David Mickler, who also serves as Curtin’s Dean Global, Africa.
One of Curtin’s successful partner activities has been the hosting and co-convening of the WA African Women’s Leadership, Empowerment & Development Program (A-LEAD) in partnership with the Organisation of African Communities in Western Australia (OACWA). This community-led program provides training, networking and professional capacity-building to existing and emerging African women community leaders, and the program has now graduated over 80 women. OACWA, led by its first woman President, Dr. Casty Nyaga Hughes (CPA) , works to support African communities in Western Australia integrate and thrive across a range of social, cultural, and economic dimensions. Curtin and OACWA also work closely with Hon. Ayor Makur Chuot MLC , Member for North Metropolitan Region, the first African woman elected to the Western Australian Parliament.
Curtin Mauritius, the only Australian university campus in Africa, represents Curtin’s enduring commitment to higher education partnerships in the region. Find out more.
Did you know there is a Wikipedia entry on 'African Australians'?
Migrants from Mauritius have been arriving in Australia since before federation in 1901. They came as convicts, prospectors who sought Victoria's goldfields, or skilled sugar workers who significantly helped to develop Queensland's sugar industry.
The Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plan enabled students from British Commonwealth African countries, including from Ghana, to travel to Australia during the mid-1960s. More than 70 percent of those from West African countries remained in Australia following military coup d'états in their countries of birth. Find out more! Read the full Wikipedia entry here.
News from Around the World
Gout Gout prepares for international championship in Tokyo
The World Athletics Championships will be held in Tokyo from 13-21 September 2025. More than 2000 athletes from some 200 countries will come to Tokyo to take part in one of the world's biggest sporting events. You can watch all the action LIVE on SBS - click here.
Ipswich's 17-year-old sprint sensation Gout Gout recently stopped the clock in an unofficial time of 9.94 seconds at a “low-key” school carnival in Queensland. While this race won’t go down in the official record books due to the fact that it was hand timed, there’s little doubt the sprint prodigy is in excellent form for this month's international championship in Tokyo where he will compete in the 200m. His latest effort will do little to quell the expectation surrounding him as he prepares for his first senior international championship. The men’s 200m heats at the 2025 World Athletics Championships take place in Tokyo on 17 September, with the final following two days later on 20 September. Read more.
Nairobi rises as UN global hub
Kenya’s capital Nairobi is set to become a major global hub for the United Nations, as the organization moves to decentralize operations and cut costs by relocating key offices from expensive cities like New York and Geneva. By late 2026, Kenya’s capital will host three new global offices — UN Women, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) — adding to its existing UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat headquarters.
The decision, part of the UN@80 reform agenda, positions Nairobi alongside New York, Geneva, and Vienna as one of only four cities globally with multiple UN headquarters. With a $340 million investment, the expansion includes a state-of-the-art 9,000-seat Assembly Hall and 30 advanced conference rooms. Source: The North Africa Post.
Women and girls of African descent: Celebrating contributions, recognising challenges
Friday 25 July 2025 marked the first observation of the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent, following a declaration last year by the UN General Assembly. The International Day recognises their immense contributions to society, but also acknowledges the challenges they face due to the double burden of racism and sexism.
Although woman and girls of African descent embody strength, resilience and untapped potential, they remain among the most marginalised groups globally due to the intersection of racial, gender and socioeconomic discrimination. Find out more.
Arts & Culture Round-Up
Introducing Kgomotso Sekhu
Shap Shap is a South African short film currently in development as a feature. The film has begun its international festival journey, officially selected for the South African Film Festival (SAFF) in Australia & New Zealand and SAFF Online / Eventive Streaming in May 2025, marking its first showcase to audiences abroad. It will also have its U.S. It Premiered at the 32nd New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) in May 2025, followed by screenings at SAFF Canada in November 2025. Kgomotso Sekhu
Kgomotso Sekhu is an award-winning writer, director, and DJ from Ngobi Village, South Africa, now based in Melbourne. His acclaimed work includes the award-winning music video with Teargas, and the three-time officially selected short film Shap Shap. He has collaborated with global brands such as Disney, Nike, Uber Eats, and HBO’s Real Sports. His diverse portfolio spans music videos, short films, a documentary - 67 Days From Cape to Cairo - and major ad campaigns like Nike’s Never Done Rising. Beyond his film and music career, Kgomotso is dedicated to community impact, currently teaching young people in prison how to record music and develop DJ skills. Visit his website!
AfriKaleidoscope - Celebrating Africa’s Stories
AfriKaleidoscope is an independent multidisciplinary exhibition series reimagining how African art and culture are seen, understood, and valued. For us, art is more than expression—it is a vessel of history, tradition, resistance, and transformation, inseparable from culture itself. We aim to advance the discourse in cultural spaces where mainstream narratives often flatten or distort African and Afro-diasporan identity. Ours is not the burden of explanation, nor the need for permission to exist, but the freedom to speak the truths of who we are.
Our work is rooted in Afrocentric identity and self-determination—curating experiences that merge tradition, philosophy, and heritage with contemporary expression. By bridging the traditional with the contemporary, AfriKaleidoscope fosters dialogue across generations and cultures, connecting communities, artists, collectors, and institutions in ways that centre authenticity and context. Visit our website!
This makes our work vital not only for people of African descent seeking to see themselves reflected authentically, but also for wider audiences with the curiosity to engage with questions of advocacy, resilience, and cultural truth.
Our upcoming exhibition - culdesac, culdesac, culdesac - examines Hip-Hop as more than entertainment. It invites audiences to confront the systemic forces that have shaped—and often distorted—the culture, while honouring four of its foundational elements: Breaking, Emceeing, Graffiti, and DJing. By unpacking its socio-political contexts, we challenge mainstream narratives, explore the tension between authenticity and commodification, and reaffirm Hip-Hop’s essence as a movement born of resistance and resilience.
This exhibition carries forward AfriKaleidoscope’s vision: to advance African art and culture, in all its forms, in Australia and beyond, while building spaces where communities define, control, and celebrate their own stories. - Fungai Mutsiwa
The Boite Portfolio Project 2025
The Boite Portfolio Project 2025 professional development program for emerging artists has begun! This year’s program includes five artists we’ll be working closely with and supporting for the next couple of months. We had our first two workshops a couple of weekends ago at our office for which included our artist members. Workshop mentors included Elle Young, Publicist at Midnight Snack and Hope St Recordings as well as Al Parkinson from APRA AMCOS and our good friend Joe Malignaggi, Music Coordinator at 3CR Community Radio and Co-presenter of The Boite’s Music Sans Frontieres 3CR radio program. Stay tuned for more updates on the program, and look out for their performance on Sunday 28th September at The Evelyn Hotel (to be advertised). The Portfolio Project 2025 is: Caitlin D'Souza (Caisha Sprout), Evelyn Fong, Olivia Brasil, Ru Mugayapi (Miss Understood) and Sebastian Lugo. The Portfolio Project is proudly supported by Yarra City Council, Community Bank Clifton Hill-North Fitzroy, Music Victoria and Folk Alliance Australia.
Miss Understood (real name: Ru Mugayapi) is a multi-disciplinary conceptual artist with British Zimbabwean heritage - a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, dancer, model and also seasonal actress who plays piano, drums and guitar. Her work aims to convey complex emotions, boldly exclaim her own socio-political commentary and inherently explore meaningful dialogues aimed at reflecting the co-existing themes of clarity and confusion naturally embedded in the human experience. She is a part of The Boite's 2025 'Portfolio Project' supporting emerging culturally and linguistically diverse artists in Naarm/Melbourne. The Project is supported by City of Yarra, Community Bank Clifton Hill-North Fitzroy, Music Victoria and Folk Alliance Australia.
Rock-A-Bye Baby with Wrong Way Up at Darebin Arts Centre
Rock-A-Bye Baby - PBS 106.7FM’s #1 kid-friendly music event - returns this Thursday 4 September for one hour from 11am at as part of Fuse Darebin! For 'morning people' and fans of a babycino or two, this one's for you. Taking place at Darebin Arts Centre (401 Bell St, Preston) from 11am ‘til midday this Thursday September 4. This special edition of Rock-A-Bye-Baby will feature a live performance from Afro-disco-psychedelic-boogie duo Wrong Way Up.
What is Rock-A-Bye-Baby? It's a no frills day-time concert designed for both adults and kids alike, and is PBS' way of connecting the youngest music lovers to the bands and artists that make up our city's diverse and ever-expanding music community. We welcome noise, encourage crawling, and expect dancing! Kids & PBS members: $5 Future members: $10. Infants under 12 months and concession card holders FREE! Get tickets here.
Spring launches Maribyrnong's vibrant festivals and events season
Maribyrnong Council will invest $418,500 to support an extensive mix of festivals and activations throughout the 2025/26 events season. This funding, approved during the August Council meeting as part of the Signature Festivals and Activations Grants Program, aims to invigorate public spaces and strengthen neighbourhood identities through creative, inclusive celebrations. Council is supporting 19 unique events, including the Little Africa Night Market for its second edition.
For details of the free Ethiopian New Year celebration in Footscray this Saturday 6 September, email info@ethiopiancommunity.org.au - for other information about Maribyrnong's vibrant festivals and events season, click here.
Casey African Food and Music Festival
The Casey African Food and Music Festival is a vibrant one-day outdoor celebration that brings the rich heart of Africa to the City of Casey. Enjoy mouthwatering traditional dishes, sizzling BBQs, and an exciting lineup of live performances featuring drumming, dancing, and African DJs on rotation. With fun attractions like a petting zoo, jumping castle, and face painting, families are in for a culturally immersive day filled with music, laughter, and unforgettable memories. This festival offers something for all ages and backgrounds. Register here.
Proudly presented by Afrimate Incorporation Australia and supported by the City of Casey, the festival is more than just a showcase — it’s a movement to unite communities, honour African heritage, and embrace diversity. Whether you’re an African Australian or a curious culture lover, this is your invitation to celebrate, connect, and support local talent and businesses. Entry is free, and all are welcome. To get involved as a vendor, performer, or volunteer, contact Enock Buranda at afrimateinc@gmail.com or visit www.afrimate.org.au. Be sure to follow @afrimates on social media for the latest updates.
2025 African Music & Cultural Festival at Fed Square
This three-day celebration of the very best of African culture is a spring highlight and the only place where you will see over 35 African countries and community organisations represented through music, food, fashion, film, dance, art, and culture – right in the heart of Melbourne.
With the rhythms, sounds, and tastes of Africa spread throughout Federation Square, the atmosphere is electric and guaranteed to make you feel good. With so much happening throughout the three-day festival, it can be hard to know where to start! We recommend grabbing breakfast, lunch or dinner on the River Terrace at one of our African street food stalls and then immersing yourself in the incredible main stage live performances and shopping at the many market stalls.
The essence of AMCF lies in embracing the theme of “Celebrating Diversity and Harmony,” through cross-cultural awareness, mutual respect, education, understanding, and unity, while providing locals and visitors with a unique opportunity to experience and celebrate Africa’s diversity. Find out more!
West African Blues Meets Greek Rebetiko in Melbourne
On 29 November, Australians of both African and Greek heritage will come together to explore the common threads of their music and cultural heritage at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Mande Blues Ensemble and Estudiantina of Melbourne will create a poignant musical conversation, where shared themes of hardship and triumph unite across cultures. This performance will celebrate the enduring power of music to transcend boundaries, a tribute to the strength and spirit that connects us all. Book your tickets here.
Stani Goma and Con Kalamaras - two champions of Melbourne’s vibrant multicultural music scene - are working on this project to bring West African and Greek roots music together in the one performance. Musicians with African and Greek heritage will come together for a one-hour performance – ‘Streets of Bamako to the ports of Piraeus’ - at the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Primrose Potter Salon on the evening of 29 November 2025. Don't miss this ground-breaking performance! Back-story in The Greek Herald.
Be transported to Africa every Sunday afternoon on the radio...
34 years ago, Stani Goma started radio program Flight 1067 to Africa, on Melbourne community radio PBS 106.7FM, to help African Australians remain connected to traditional and contemporary African music. Today, it’s still going strong, broadcasting live 3-5pm every Sunday afternoon; or listen back later here.
Stani Goma is a respected cultural curator, radio presenter, and music promoter with a long- standing reputation for connecting audiences to powerful, genre defying sounds from across the world. Visit Stani's new website. Stani’s path to Australia wasn’t like most. He arrived in Australia in 1989, not directly from his native Republic of Congo, but from China where he’d been studying pharmacy. Read his back-story here.
Pasa Faho film review: a complex, moving portrait of a Melbourne less-seen
Pasa Faho is a quintessentially Melbourne film about life in a migrant community. Starring beloved Nigerian stand-up comedian Okey Bakassi and impressive young actor Tyson Palmer as father and son, it premiered at last month's Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). It is a down-to-earth, moving and gently funny portrait of suburban African-Australian life. It’s a vibrant tribute to the city of Melbourne, to a cinematically underrepresented local community and to how, no matter where we’re from, we all ultimately constitute parts of a whole.
Pasa Faho is a heartfelt film about a Nigerian father and son finding (re)connection in a rarely seen side of Melbourne. In Pasa Faho, Kalu Oji ’s feature film debut about a complex relationship between a Nigerian immigrant and his Australian-born son, we see that Melbourne far less-seen on screen – but one that rings more true than most movies about this beautiful, multicultural urban sprawl.
"Pasa Faho is not just an achievement for Kalu as a debut director and for all of the actors involved – it’s also a simply beautiful film to behold." Read the ScreenHub review by Silvi Vann-Wall - click here. Look for a commercial release of this movie in cinema's around Australia this Summer.
Africa Film Festival Australia: in Sydney on 4-7 September 2025
Africa Film Fest Australia commences this Thursday, 4 September! It is a community driven film festival that presents films from Africa, its diaspora and Afro Australian filmmakers. The festival will showcase the depth and complexity of African heritage, curated and coordinated by African-Australians, and offer attendees a unique and genuine perspective of African stories and the chance for audiences to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of African cinema.
A bold, joyful and thought-provoking celebration of African cinema on in Sydney this week 4-7 September. Find out what's screening and about related events here. Organisers are planning to bring this festival to Melbourne in 2026!
MAV Seeking New CEO
The MAV Board is now welcoming candidates to consider the role of Chief Executive Officer with Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV). MAV is a not-for-profit, arts and cultural organisation in Victoria. We champion culturally diverse artists and communities to create systems of cultural production and participation that uphold equity and self-determination. Led by a passionate Board and dedicated team, MAV is now looking to how the organisation can service and support artists, creatives and key community stakeholders to ensure we see arts as diverse as our people.
The new Strategic Plan is in development and will be finalised once the new CEO is on board. Read the current Strategic Plan here. We are seeking a CEO who has significant governance experience, understands and engages with a wide range of community, industry and government stakeholders and has demonstrated experience in leading a small but impactful team with a focus on cultural safety and a positive work culture. For a confidential discussion, please reach out to Jade Lillie on hello@jadelillie.com after having read the Candidate Pack in full - find it here. Expressions of Interest close next Sunday 7 September 2025.
Tamaduni Festival Celebrated in Springvale last month
This extraordinary celebration of culture, heritage, and unity was held on Saturday 23 August from 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm. Hosted annually every August by Kenya Community Victoria Inc, Tamaduni Festival is a vibrant gathering that brings together Kenyan communities across Victoria for a colourful showcase of our diverse ethnic traditions.
“Tamaduni” means culture in Swahili and that’s exactly what this festival is about: honouring where we come from, sharing who we are, and building bridges through the joy of cultural exchange. Participants Experienced a kaleidoscope of Kenyan life from the rhythmic beats of traditional dance, to bold fashion, heartfelt stories, vibrant crafts, and delicious cuisine that blends old with new. It was more than an event. It was a living expression of identity a platform where diversity is celebrated, talents are spotlighted, and community is strengthened.
🗞Editor's Notes
AWAFN eNews Seeking a New Editor to start in the New Year
AWAFN is seeking a new editor to start in early 2026 - a wonderful volunteering opportunity! Current Editor Con Pagonis will be available to assist a new Editor to get started. If that is something you would like to discuss doing with us, please email your expression of interest to awafn11@gmail.com
The AWAFN eNews is e-published quarterly; want to receive it in your email inbox? Just send us an email at awafn11@gmail.com and we will add you to our distribution list!
To find previous editions of the AWAFN eNews - click here.
Disclaimer: The AWAFN eNews generally publishes content as it’s contributed or sourced with minimal editing. Material included does not necessarily reflect the views of the editor nor the AWAFN Board, nor should its inclusion be seen to necessarily constitute an endorsement.
The Summer Edition of the African Women's And Families Network newsletter (No.13) will be e-published via LinkedIn on 1 December 2025.
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