Townsville Intercultural Centre is our January Member of the Month!

Each month we will be highlighting the value and diversity of our members and the fantastic work they do in the community mental health sector.

Read on below to learn more about Townsville Intercultural Centre, including their history, values and mission. 

Please tell us a little bit about your organisation.

In 2020 the Townsville Intercultural Centre is celebrating 40 years delivering high quality community services in the North Queensland region. Over the years we have supported thousands of refugees, migrants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, long term unemployed, seniors, disabled and displaced. We are the host agency for the Townsville Cultural Fest, celebrating 25 years in 2019.

Our inaugural Unity in Diversity National Conference was held in 2019. Our next conference will be held in Brisbane from 1 – 3 July 2020.

Our agency is the go-to place for all matters relating to: refugees and migrant settlement; training and employment; communication across cultures training; mental health and wellbeing support, community engagement; social cohesion and engagement.

What are three words to describe your organisation?

 Compassion, Inclusion, Support

 How/why/when did your organisation get started?

Our agency is celebrating 40 years in 2020.

What inspires your work and what sets your organisation apart from everyone else?

The Townsville Intercultural Centre works with the most vulnerable and needy in our region – and we never turn anyone away from our door. If we can’t directly help someone, we go above and beyond to make sure that we connect them to the right agency so that they receive the help they need.

Outside of our government funded projects we have the flexibility to help to resolve an identified need in the community. This is exemplified by our partnership with Secondbite. Over a three-year period, we rescued more than four tonnes of surplus food and distributed to people who could not afford to eat. Distribution included to anyone hungry who came to our office, mental health support services, employment services, local primary schools, sector agencies such as Red Cross and Salvation Army. 

Where does your organisation provide services? What type of services are offered?

Our office is located in Townsville, North Queensland but we work throughout Queensland. Our Unity in Diversity National Conference will be held in Brisbane from 1 – 3 July 2020. The Townsville Cultural Fest will be held from 14-15 August 2020.

Our services including supporting people to access training and employment outcomes, settlement services, cross cultural training, community engagement and development.

How many employees do you have? How many offices, and where are they located?

We are currently located in Townsville with a staff of 7 and have plans in place to open a new office in South East Queensland soon.

How has your organisation changed over the last few years – and what has driven this change?

Our agency responds and reacts to the changing needs in our region. We are a dynamic team who can shape our services to meet emerging community needs.

Looking forward, what do you see as the main challenges/opportunities for your organisation, and why?

Our agency will continue to look for opportunities to support the most vulnerable in our community.

Tell us something about your organisation that most people wouldn’t know? 

Our agency was originally a Migrant Resource Centre before becoming Townsville Intercultural Centre in 1985.

The Townsville Cultural Fest was established by our Executive Director Dr Farvardin Daliri OAM in 1994.

Contact Details:
Website – http://www.townsvilleic.com.au/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/townsvilleinterculturalcentre/
Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/company/townsville-intercultural-centre/                                                                                         
Phone – (07) 4772 4800