NMC wraps up 2011

Sabai dii, (Lao for hello) everyone!

2011 has been a very busy and successful year for us at NMC, with twelve successful cooking demonstrations, lots of highlights with the Multicultural Women's Morning Tea, and arts and crafts. The Multicultural Men's Group has also enjoyed exciting outings including a visit to Maleny, a local men's shed, and an art gallery.

On behalf of all NMC staff and clients, thank you all for your support and efforts to help us to help others. I would also like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

We will finish for the year with a celebration and a delicious lunch on Thursday, 15th December 2011 from 12noon to 2pm at Zillmere Community Centre. If you can attend, please come and help us celebrate everyone's hard work for the year.

All of our programs will resume in February 2012. Please look out for more news on our blog (nmcinc.blogspot.com,) Facebook and the Bayside & Northern Suburbs local newspaper.

In late January 2012 we will be holding a planning meeting. If you wish to make any contribution or suggestion please do not hesitate to contact us on talk2nmc@gmail.com.

Last, but not least, thank you all of our volunteers who have dedicated their time and effort in helping to make NMC a success. I look forward to working with you all in 2012 to plan for lots more exciting programs including our first International Dinner fundraising event in early 2012.

Kind regards,

Seng McMahon



President / Coordinator,
Northside Multicultural Community, Inc.
northsidemulticultural@gmail.com

Arts and crafts and morning tea for women

This is the last Women's Morning Tea for 2011. NMC will resume this and other activities in early February 2012.

We would like to thank all members and supporters for their participation—Thank You.

From all of us at NMC, have a wonderful Xmas and Happy New Year.

Ikebana Demonstration at 'Springtime in the Park'

The theme was 'Springtime in the Park', hosted by Red Cross and 139 Club and held on Wednesday, 12 October 2011 at New Farm Park.

It was a very windy day, so it was rather difficult to arrange the flowers. However, the audiences enjoyed the Ikebana experience.

Kind regards,

Chieko

For more information about Ikebana, visit: http://www.ikebanabrisbane.org.au/

Volunteer picnic

NMC rewarded its valued volunteers with a picnic lunch by the beach at Shorncliffe. It was a wonderful few hours spent with new friends, the sounds of the ocean nearby, and a cool breeze.

NMC Newsletter, Sep / Oct 2011

The latest newsletter from NMC is now available for viewing and download:



Click on the image above to open and view in Google Docs (then click on File-Download original to save a copy to print out). You may also contact us to request that a copy be posted out to you.

Past and present newsletters can also be viewed and downloaded from the Resources page of this blog.

Mental Health Week 2011

On Wednesday 12th October, NMC will be participating at 'Springtime in the Park' in celebration of Mental Health Week.

This event is hosted by the Australian Red Cross and 139 Club. The venue is New Farm Park Rotunda, New Farm, 11am to 3pm.

Our program is:

• Ikebana, Japanese Flower Arrangements Demonstration by Chieko Klerkx from 11.15am to 12pm.
• Belly Dancing by Marlene Faisal from 12pm to 12.30pm and 2pm to 2.30pm.

Mental Health Week is an annual national awareness event held every year to coincide with World Mental Health Day, which is held on 10 October each year.

Mental Health Week aims to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the wider community.

Local and regional Mental Health Week events organised by local groups and communities contribute to reducing the stigma associated with mental ill health and offer a platform to engage the community in dialogue regarding help-seeking behaviours and mental health promotion.

For further information or to get involved in Mental Health Week 2011, go to www.mentalhealthweek.com.au

Dates for 2011 

• Mental Health Week: 9-15 October 2011
• World Mental Health Day: 10 October 2011
• Mental Health Achievement Awards: 14 October 2011

Iraqi cooking demonstration

The cooking demonstration at Zillmere went really well. Hifa prepared four dishes: ground beef parcel, a vegetable dish, mixed salad (which was very colourful), and pita bread.

We had 20 people who participated from many different cultural backgrounds including NZ, Fiji, Japan, Columbia, El Salvador, Egypt, Laos, Australia, Iraq, Bosnia, and PNG.

It was a wonderful conclusion to our 'Culinary Delights' demonstrations, with great food, friendly people, with lots of conversation, laughter, music and dancing to end the day. It was just lovely!

Thank you to everyone who came along to each of the days, the chefs from the various nationalities, and especially to the staff and volunteers from NMC.

NMC AGM, 2011

Hi All,

Hope you are well. Just a friendly reminder about the upcoming NMC Annual General Meeting (AGM). If you have not renewed your NMC membership yet, please do so by either paying for your renewal on the day or requesting a renewal form and posting it to us before the AGM.

If you have renewed and would like to come to our AGM, it will be held on Thursday 15th September, 2011 at Banyo Library, meeting room 2 upstairs, from 10am to 12pm. I hope you can join us.

We will be electing new Committee Members for the following positions:

• President
• Secretary
• Treasurer

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards,
Seng McMahon
Interim President and Coordinator, Northside Multicultural Community, inc.
email: northsidemulticultural@gmail.com

Springtime: Levantine cuisine

At the second-to-last 'Culinary Delights' cooking demonstration for this year, held at Zillmere Community Centre, Marlene made three Levantine cuisine recipes for us to enjoy: hommus (with lightly toasted pita bread), tabouli salad, and Lebanese lamb pizza. They were all very delicious—thank you, Marlene!

And thanks also to NMC volunteers Aruna, Charles and Mark who helped on the day; and to Bronwyn, one of the cooking demonstration participants, who assisted in the kitchen.

Download: Marlene's Recipes

FINAL COOKING DEMONSTRATION FOR THE YEAR: Thursday, 22nd September. Iraqi/Mesopotamian cuisine will be on the menu at Zillmere Community Centre, 54 Handford Road, Zillmere.

If you're interested in coming along to this free demonstration, please call 0451 794 929 or email talk2nmc(at)gmail.com to book your place.

Pakistani cooking demonstration, 25th August

On the Menu: Lamb Curry and Roti

Our chef for the day Mona cooked traditional lamb curry and roti (flat Indian bread), which she skillfully explained how to prepare, step-by-step. However, Mona also explained that we can also put all the ingredients for the lamb curry into a pot or slow cooker, cover it with a lid and leave it for an hour to cook.

It was really fascinating to watch her explain to all the participants about her passion for the food. The smell of the curry was so wonderful and made my mouth water!

All the participants shared the delicious meal together afterwards while Mona sat and watched us eat, as she's fasting for Ramadan*.

*(During the month of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk. It is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. Source: Wikipedia)

-Seng

NEXT COOKING DEMONSTRATION: Thursday, 1st September—Marlene will be making some Middle Eastern food for us at Zillmere Community Centre. If you're interested in coming along to this free demonstration, please call 0451 794 929 or email talk2nmc(at)gmail.com to book your place.

Spring in the garden

Hi everyone,

I visited the Banyo Community Garden this morning with Bryan, who is interested in becoming a volunteer with us. It was such a nice surprise to see that our orchard area is ready for planting our favourite fruit trees.

With last week's rain, all the greens including carrots, tomatoes, parsley, sweet basil, sweet potatoes, mints and lettuces are looking so lovely and healthy and are ready to be harvested.

If you are in the area please pop in and check it out. The garden is at the end of Earnshaw College’s sports ground which is on Earnshaw Road, Banyo.

If you would like to join us for the Spring Working Bee or to find out more information about the Garden, please call us on 0451 794 929 or email talk2nmc(at)gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

-Seng

Lao cooking demonstration, 6th August 2011

We had a lovely morning at the Sandgate PCYC Community Garden—the cooking went really well. 19 adults and three children attended, and Councillor for Deagon Ward Victoria Newton was also there to sample the cooking. Everybody enjoyed the session, though a few people had some trouble finding the garden.

The food was enjoyed by everyone as some of them haven't had Lao food before, especially the green paw paw salad and coconut rice.

The Community Garden was a great setting for the cooking demonstration. A few people asked for more cooking sessions in the garden.

Our next 'Culinary Delights' cooking demonstration will be at Zillmere Community Centre on Thursday 25th August, 2011, from 10am-12pm.

For more information please contact us by phone or txt on 0451 794 929, or email talk2nmc(at)gmail.com

Dates for 'Culinary Delights' Cooking Demonstrations *updated*

-Seng

Cooking demonstration dates *update*

The cooking demonstration for the 18th of August, 2011, has been changed. Please find the updated information in the link below:

Dates for 'Culinary Delights' Cooking Demonstrations *updated*


‎NEXT: 'Culinary Delights' Zimbabwean cooking demonstration:
Thursday 18th August, 2011. For details, click on the flyer below.

Einbunpin 2011 wrap-up

What a Festival that was yesterday—great day— stacks of people and quite a

deal of interest in our work.

Thanks to those who came down and helped out. We made a small profit from the day, including some generous donations. Part of the aim was the promotion of NMC, and this festival certainly gives us more of an idea on how to organise for future events.

Our next stall will be at Earnshaw College at the end of October,

and we now have an event coordinator to help put it together.

'Culinary Delights' cooking demonstration

Northside Multicultural Community (NMC) invites you to join us for a Lao cooking demonstration. Learn how to make delicious green paw paw salad, lemon grass beef and steamed sticky rice, and explore the tranquil Sandgate PCYC Community Garden.

You might be inspired to start your own cooking in the garden.

When: Saturday 6th August 2011

10am–12pm

Where: Sandgate PCYC Community Garden

Kemster St, Sandgate

Cost: donation welcome

BYO hat and water bottle

Contact: 0451 794 929

• Dates for 'Culinary Delights' Cooking Demonstrations

Latest NMC Newsletter

The latest NMC Newsletter is now available for download:

NMC Newsletter, June-July 2011

Print copies can be obtained by visiting our office at Zillmere (by appointment), or by contacting NMC and supplying a postal address.

Einbunpin 2011

NMC will have a stall at Sandgate's Einbunpin Festival with information, crafts, and origami demonstrations.

Festival Details:

Festival Date: Sunday, 31 July 2011

Times: 9am–4pm

Location: Einbunpin Lagoon Parklands, Brighton Road, Sandgate

Information

The Sandgate annual community Festival, the Einbunpin Festival, is held every year on the last Sunday of July and is to celebrate those things that make this area special—the environment, the village atmosphere and strong sense of community.

The Einbunpin Festival which began in 1992 is held in the Einbunpin Lagoon Parklands and showcases local talents and the diversity within the community, with more than 140 stall sites, entertainment as well as many games and activities.

http://www.sandgate.com.au/einbunpinfestival.htm

Well-Being Program

'A Harmony Place initiative for people from multicultural backgrounds to embrace and maintain positive well-being.'

Date:
22nd July 2011

Time:
10am to 11am - Stress (presented by: Shidan Toloui-Wallace)
11am to 12pm - Yoga (presented by: Julie Gibbs)

Where:

Banyo Library
284 St Vincents Road, Banyo QLD 4014

Register now, it's FREE

Please contact NMC at talk2nmc@gmail.com or 0451 794 929

For more information, please contact:
Shidan 0421 964 173 or
Harmony Place Office, 3848 1600

Family Fun Day, Zillmere Community Centre

A Family Fun Day was held on July 9th to celebrate Zillmere Community Centre’s (ZCC) 21st birthday. We had a lovely time on the day, with lots of interest about NMC’s programs, which include cooking demonstrations, women’s morning tea and men’s group.

We also made just over $100 on pot plants, books, crafts, etc. that were donated by our members and supporters.

Thanks to ZCC staff for the opportunity to be there. Also a big thanks to our volunteers for giving up their Saturday to help out.

Kiran's Indian cooking held at Multicap on 7/7/11

I am Kiran. I come from India.

I migrated to Australia with my family in 2008. My husband has a banking background and my daughter is studying in Grade 6. Before coming to Australia, we were in New Zealand for five years.

I am in fond of cooking. I make a lot of tasty Indian vegetarian dishes:

Vegetable Curry

Ingredients:

250 Grams Cauliflower

250 Grams Broccoli

400 Grams Tomatoes or Tomatoes Puree

2 Tablespoons of Butter

1 Teaspoon of Oil

2 pieces of Green Chillies

Some (as desired) Salt and Coriander

2 Tablespoons of Grated Coconut

½ Teaspoon of Turmeric

1 Teaspoon of Garlic, Ginger paste

1 Chopped Onion

½ Teaspoon of Mustard Seeds, Cumin Seeds each

1 pinch of Asafoetida

1 piece of Bay leaf

Method:

Put 2 tablespoons of Butter and 1 Teaspoon of oil in a pot on a gas stove. When it is slightly hot, add chopped onions, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, bay leaf and green chilli. After two minutes, add tomatoes puree or chopped tomatoes, turmeric, garlic and ginger paste, asafoetida. Then after two minutes, put cauliflower and broccoli. Lastly after a few minutes, put salt, coriander and grated coconut.

Grants are a big help

As a new volunteer group we rely on fundraising, membership and grants to finance our work, and so far we have received three grants that are really helping.

One helps with the cooking demonstrations; one helps the men’s and women’s group activities; and a large grant from the Gaming Commission has helped us buy laptops and stationery supplies for the office, as well as materials and a water tank for the community garden.

We have other submissions that are in the pipeline and will keep looking out for funding opportunities.

Culinary Delights, 16th June

The Karen-Burmese chef was unfortunately unable to present the Thursday, 16th cooking demonstration... However, the delightful Patrizia stepped in at the last minute and presented a wonderful Italian class at the same venue—Zillmere Community Centre—preparing bruscetta and penne with broccoli.

Molto gustoso!

Indonesian Cooking Demonstration

The Indonesian cooking demonstration held at Sandgate Community Centre on the 2nd of June was a great success, despite chef Triani being unable to attend.

Many thanks to Anne Hobbs who stepped in at short notice to prepare several tasty dishes (with the help of participants) which were enjoyed by everyone who attended. Thank you, Anne!

Below are a couple of photos from the day:

Thai Cooking Demonstration

On May 26th, 2011, NMC held its second 'Culinary Delights' cooking demonstration—Thai cuisine. This was held at Multicap at Banyo, and NMC would like to thank them for the use of their kitchen facilities and friendly staff.

Some photos from the day can be seen below:

Culinary Delights *update*

The 'Culinary Delights' Thai cooking demonstration due to be held at Banyo on the 26th of May is now fully booked, with 13 people. So unfortunately we can't take any more participants.

However, we are taking bookings for the next demonstration which is Indonesian cooking. This will be held at Sandgate Community Centre, 153 Rainbow St, Sandgate, on the 2nd of June from 10am to 12pm; close to bus and train.

Contact: Seng McMahon 0406 874 650 or northsidemulticultural@gmail.com

NMC's Culinary Delights featured on the front page of the Bayside & Northern Suburbs Star newspaper (Wednesday, May 11, 2011):

'Culinary Delights' Sudanese Cooking Demonstration

Hi Everyone,

I am really pleased to tell you that our first cooking demonstration, Sudanese went really well with about 12 people plus 8 staff from Zillmere community centre, 3 clients from the computer class, and 3 NMC staff enjoying Zelabia, a Sudanese traditional dough fritter, freshly made and very light and tasty, sprinkled with icing sugar—very nice with tea and coffee.

We had Sudanese traditional music playing in the background and with a few people dancing to it. It was like a mini family party with everyone enjoying the food, taking photos and chatting. It was just lovely and I am so happy to share this success with you all, and hope you can come to one of our next cooking sessions.

I'd also like to thank Petra, Teresa and Mark for helping to make this morning a very enjoyable and successful one.

Please check your calendar and see if you can help out with our stall on:

June 4th 12-6pm Zillmere Multicultural Festival O'Callaghan Park, Zillmere Rd, Zillmere, Zillmere Community Centre family fun day on June 9th 10-3pm and Einbunpin Festival at Sandgate at the end of July.

Please let me know asap if you can help for a couple of hours or if you can donate anything such as small gift items to be sold for fundraising.

If you would like more information about our current office, activities and etc, please do not hesitate to call me on 0406 874 650—I'll be more than happy to provide you with more information.

If you are in the Zillmere area on Thursdays and Fridays please come in and say hello; I'd love to show you around.

Till next time, take care and have a lovely afternoon.

Kind regards,
Seng McMahon
Coordinator, Northside Multicultural Community, inc.

NMC Newsletters available online

You can now view current and past NMC Newsletters online. Click on the text link or newsletter image to open them.

Google Docs allows you to read them, save a copy to your computer, and also print them.


(Check the Resources page of this blog for new and past editions.)

• NMC Newsletter - April-May 2011 (Online Edition)
  
  

Dates for NMC Cooking Demonstrations

NMC now have some confirmed and yet-to-be-confirmed dates for the multicultural Cooking Demonstrations. We hope you can come and join us.

• Dates for Cooking Demonstrations (updated)

Contact Seng McMahon on 0406 874 650 or email northsidemulticultural@gmail.com

NMC recently featured in an article in the Bayside & Northern Suburbs Star newspaper (page 6 - Wednesday, April 6, 2011):

Bayside & Northern Suburbs Star Newspaper

Volunteer Position Descriptions

Two volunteer positions are currently available at NMC. Position descriptions for both can be found below:

• Admininistration Officer (Volunteer)
• Fundraising Assistant (Volunteer)

(PDFs open in Google Docs, and can be printed and/or saved.)

Culinary Delights

We have just been granted some funding from Multicultural Affairs Queensland to run a cooking demonstration.

It’s a multicultural and cross-cultural learning and celebration event. The project will provide the opportunity for 12 migrant cultural groups in Brisbane’s Northside to run one cooking class each which will demonstrate the food, cooking techniques and food traditions of their culture.

The fortnightly cooking classes will be held at the premises of 2057 Gympie Road, Bald Hills, and possibly in a community garden.

Starting April 2011 (date TBC)

Working Bee

The Banyo Community Gardens Working Bee was held on Saturday the 26th of February, 2011. Below are some photos from the day: