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THRIVE Garden Project

While our garden beds at the Welcome Centre are being prepared for spring, we have been hard at work on a new project. Building on our existing partnership, BRMC now has a garden plot at Ballarat Community Garden. The bed has been cleared, prepared and planted with silverbeet, parsley, coriander and spinach, quick growing, cold hardy crops. With fresh food prices skyrocketing for households across the regions, we wanted to be able to grow healthy green leafy vegetables to include in our household support programs.

We also have several boxes of tomato seedlings propagated and potted up for our annual distribution when the weather warms up. We’ve focused on Tigerella and Jaune Flamme for salad eating and Amish Paste and Roma for cooking.

Email Rebecca at thrive@brmc.org.au if you are interested in getting involved in gardening at BRMC. If you are a recent migrant or refugee, we are particularly interested in hearing from you. We have resources to share to help you get growing in Ballarat’s climate quickly and cheaply.

Strategy and Settlement

Welcome Morning Tea Program

Every last Wednesday, 10.30am – 12pm
Ballarat Welcome Centre, 25-39 Barkly St, Ballarat

We invite multicultural people who have recently settled in Ballarat and community members who would like to welcome and say ‘Hello’ to new arrivals. At our August Welcome Morning Tea, we were lucky to have our guest Valanga Khoza, who entertained us with his captivating performance with his music and storytelling.

RSVP to Heeyoung by the 24th of every month: hy.lim@brmc.org.au or 0491 066 247.

Settlement, Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) Program

Ballarat Welcome Centre, 25-39 Barkly St, Ballarat

Are you a new arrival in Ballarat and do you need any help from us?
Our Settlement, Engagement and Transition Support program (SETS) is FREE to eligible visa holders from migrant and refugee backgrounds who have been in Australia less than 5 years. We support you to build life in regional Victoria.

  • English Language
  • Employment
  • Family support
  • Community engagement
  • Understanding Australian systems and forms
  • and much more

For more information about any of these services, please get in touch with the Settlement Support Coordinator, Abrar Dham: a.dham@brmc.org.au or 0491 066 246.

Social Support

BRMC Social Support are running all face-to-face programs again from September. Our first event will be Multicultural Tucker with a Filipino theme.

September Programs

  • Multicultural Tucker: Wednesday 14 September, 12pm ($10)
    Ballarat Golf Club, 1800 Sturt St, Alfredton
  • Social Hub: Thursday 22 September, 10am – 3pm ($10)
    Brown Hill Cricket Club, 30 Reid St, Brown Hill
  • Health and Wellbeing Seasonal Lunch: Friday 30 September, 11am – 2pm ($10)
    Ballarat Golf Club, 1800 Sturt St, Alfredton
  • Tai Chi: Tuesdays, 1pm ($5 – first class free)
    Brown Hill Cricket Club, 30 Reid St, Brown Hill

Registrations are essential – please call 03 5331 1123.

If you would like to know more about our programs, contact Teresa on 0417 109 052.

$250 Electricity Government Rebate

The BRMC Social Support Team can assist you with your online application for the $250 rebate for winter electricity bills. You will need to provide a copy of an electricity bill, your bank account details and provide an email address.

Contact our team to make an appointment or for more information – BRMC Social Support Office 03 5331 1123.