What’s on

Cooking Program

Join Our Cooking Program – Become a volunteer at ASC : New Group Starting 5th March

Are you passionate about food and want to give back to the community? Want to develop your skills in food handling and commercial kitchen operations while sharing traditional recipes from your culture? Then this is for you!

We are inviting ASC clients to participate in our cooking program, where you’ll get hands-on experience in preparing meals for community lunches hosted at ASC Newtown.

Start Date: 5th March 2025
End Date: 23rd April 2025
Sessions: Every Wednesday for 8 weeks from 10:00 to 2:00
Commitment: You’ll need to commit to the full seven weeks.
How to Get Involved: If you’re interested in joining the cooking program please email novela.corda@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

*Participants receive phone and travel reimbursement weekly.

International Women's Day Workshop & Celebration - Newtown

Join us for a fun and creative Japanese tie-dye workshop facilitated by Shibori (25 tickets only).

Then join us for celebratory International Women’s Day lunch. All are welcome! to lunch and the workshop.

When: Friday 7 March
Workshop: 10:15am
Lunch: 12.30pm

Where: ASC Newtown

Bookings: To register click HERE.

International Women's Day Yoga & Celebration - Auburn

Join us for lunch, yoga and beauty treatments.
Bring a tasty treat if you can! Free professional childcare provided from 12.30pm

When: Wednesday 12 March, Lunch 12:00pm and Women’s activities: 12:30pm

Where: Auburn Community Centre

Bookings: To register click here.

Mother and Daughter, Iftar dinner hosted by Auburn Youth Centre and Woodville Alliance

Woodville Alliance invites you to a heartwarming Mother & Daughter Iftar Dinner on 12 March at the Auburn Youth Centre. This event is open to all females, and boys under the age of 12 are also welcome to join their mums.

Come and enjoy a delightful evening filled with bonding, delicious food, and engaging activities, all hosted by the Auburn Youth Centre and Woodville Alliance. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in our community.

When: Wednesday, 12 March 2025, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Where: Auburn Youth Centre(Wyatt Park, Sport Con, Church St, Lidcombe).

Bookings: Click this LINK.

Free Native Plant Giveaway - Auburn Botanic Gardens

Cumberland City Council is giving residents the opportunity to take home up to 2 native plants at our free plant giveaway.

Residents get to pick from a selection of 7 native species of trees, shrubs and groundcovers to take home.

When: Sat, 29 Mar 2025 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Where: Auburn Botanic Gardens

Book tickets HERE.

Community Cafe Outreach Service Store

The Cafe service that provides FREE food, pantry items, toiletries, vegetables, fruit, bread, meat, meals and cold items such as milk eggs cheese etc. They also provide clothing, shoes, and all other household items and white goods.

When: They are open 3 Days a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 11am to 4pm.

Where: 54 Celebration Road Sadleir 2168

For more information call 0493 048 650 or visit this LINK.

Sewing group at Newtown Tuesday and Fridays

Be part of a fun and creative sewing community, learn new skills and have a good time.  Bring in your mending or any sewing project you are working on. We will provide all supplies, equipment, and a supportive and friendly learning environment.

When: Every Tuesday (1:30pm-3pm) and Friday (10:30am-12:30pm)

Where: ASC Newtown

Booking: To join the sewing group please email ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

LGBTQIA+ Peer Group

The ASC supports a safe space for our clients who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. The group meets regularly, providing opportunities for social connection with access to events, dinners, nights out and guest speakers.

For more information you can contact our LGBTQIA+ Community Coordinator via this email.

Free Homework Help (During School Term)

The Cumberland Multicultural Community Services (CMCS) and Merrylands Youth Centre (MYC) Homework Support program has recommenced at Merrylands Youth Centre. The homework help is for children aged 12-18 years old.

When: Every Monday from 3-6 pm at the Merrylands Youth Centre,

Where: Address, 289 Merrylands Road,Merrylands

Bookings: To register please call Erick from CMCS on 9637 7600 or Seini from MYC on 9637 1535

Addi Road Food Pantry

Visit Addi Road Food Pantry for very low cost groceries. Once you spend $5 or more, you receive free fruit, vegetables and bread.

When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
12 noon – 4 pm and Wednesday
12 noon – 7 pm

Where: Addison Road Community Centre
142 Addison Road, Marrickville

or

When: Monday to Saturday
12 noon – 4 pm

Where: 31 Pyrmont Bridge Rd, Camperdown

For more information visit this LINK.

Auburn Food Pantry

School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)

The School Student Broadband Initiative is providing one year of free NBN access to eligible participants.

• To qualify families and carers must:
• Have a school age student at home (full or part time), enrolled in an Australian school
• Not have an active NBN network internet service at your current residential address now or in the past 14 days
• Live in a premise that can access the NBN network through a standard connection

Families can directly contact the National Referral Centre (1800 954 610) to check if they qualify or be referred by a participating nominating organisation.

The organisation Think + Do Tank can also provide assistance to apply. You can contact Think + Do Tank via this LINK.

Talk to an ASC University Advisor

Do you want to apply for University and Scholarships for 2025? If so, you can get help applying for university courses and tuition fee scholarships.

Contact us at employment@asylumseekerscentre.org.au to talk to a University Advisor at ASC.

TAFE online courses

Explore TAFE online courses. Study anywhere anytime.

TAFE Digital offers a wide range of nationally recognised, online study options, across a range of modern industries. You can study online and enjoy flexible learning to fit your lifestyle, with our online short courses, certificates, diplomas, and degrees.

More information here.

TAFE - Book to talk to a career counsellor

TAFE offers hundreds of courses to choose from. Many courses up to Cert IV may be fee-free for people seeking asylum.

TAFE NSW provides free counselling about education and careers to current and future students.

TAFE counsellors can help you to:

• clarify your career goals;
• find a course that meets your needs;
• identify obstacles you may be facing – and help you to deal with them; and
• develop skills to manage your career into the future.

Call TAFE on 131 601 (Option 5, then Option 2) to make an appointment with one of the TAFE Counsellors.

For more information click here.

Study at TAFE

Semester 1, 2025 is now open for enrolments.

TAFE offers flexible study options, industry experienced teachers and nationally recognised courses to ensure you are job-ready.

There are many courses up to Certificate IV offering government subsidies – talk to a TAFE Career Counsellor today!

Enrol Now

Adult Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons for Adults on Monday Nights.

When: Mondays starting the 17th of February, 6.40pm

Where: Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, 458 Harris Street, Corner William Henry Street Ultimo

Bookings via this FORM.

Free Counselling Sessions for Palestinians aged 18 years and over

Community Based Mental Health Program offers Free Counselling Sessions for Palestinians aged 18 years and over.

Face to face and online options available. Service offered in Arabic and English.

For bookings follow this LINK.

Water Safety Day at Penrith Beach

Royal Life Saving NSW and Surf Life Saving NSW are hosting a FREE Community Water Safety Day to empower people in Greater Western Sydney with essential water safety knowledge and lifesaving skills.

Who: Adults and children in Greater Western Sydney

Where: Penrith Beach

Castlereagh Road, Castlereagh NSW 2749, Australia

When:

• Event 1: Thursday 30 January/2025 10am – 2pm (DONE)
• Event 2: Thursday 27 February 2025 10am – 2pm
• Event 3: Thursday 20 March 2025 10am – 2pm

Cost: FREE (includes lunch!) 

Street Soccer

Street Soccer for 16+ all abilities

Free, inclusive social soccer in multiple locations. Get exercise, have fun and meet others.

When (Date and time)/Where:

Mondays – The Rocks – KGV Rec Centre – 2.30 – 4pm

Tuesdays – Mt Druitt – Town Centre Reserve – 1.00pm – 3.30pm – basic skill level

Thursdays – Parramatta – Robin Thomas Reserve – 3.30pm – 5.00pm

No need to register – just turn up – email ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au if you have any questions. More info HERE.

Free Swim Program

Impowerfull is proud to announce the launch of SwimHER.. This 10-week, fully subsidised learn-to-swim program is designed exclusively for multicultural women to break down barriers to water safety and swimming education.

SwimHER provides a culturally safe and inclusive environment, including:

•  Female-only lessons with female instructors
•  Private indoor facility
•  Free rash shirts, goggles & swim caps
•  Translated educational resources
•  Essential water safety workshops

To learn more or register, visit: www.impowerfull.com.au/swimher

Yoga in the Park (Free)

ASC English classes - new dates and times

Learn English at Auburn and Newtown. Classes are available for a range of learner stages including basic, beginner, upper beginner, intermediate and advanced students.

For more information and to book: Email ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

English and computer classes

Drop in to Auburn Centre for Community to join a Computer class or English class run by Cumberland City Council.

Computer and English class: Wednesdays, 9:00am – 3:00pm

For more information visit this LINK.

TAFE English courses

Do you want to study English full-time? You may be able to study Certificate I-IV English for free at TAFE. You will need to have study rights and be on a bridging visa. Register your interest in the courses listed under ‘English for Further Study’