This year, a small group of 4-5 dedicated volunteers, with a little help from our friends, has worked in the veggie garden and delivered organic veggies on a weekly basis to Jarjum College in Redfern. Jarjum is a school for urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who are not participating or coping in mainstream primary schools as a result of their domestic circumstances. They cook lunches for the kids and our veggies contribute to a healthy weekly community lunch for kids and parents. We’ve been providing silverbeet, lettuce, mountains of cherry tomatoes, leeks, bok choy, kale, heaps of fresh herbs and other delicious veggies when as available. Every week’s delivery is a little different and the college is very happy with our offering.
We’re constantly learning more about what we can grow well in our location. We’ve tried germinating our own seed but have not had a lot of success. We’re also planning to invest in nets for a couple of the garden beds to help us get ahead of the voracious aphids and caterpillars. We started the year with funds from our previous sales of our much sought-after pesto but we haven’t had the resources this year to make pesto – it’s very labour-intensive.
In the coming year we will purchase seedlings, manure, netting, etc.to continue with our efforts.
Our group is now eleven years old. While most of its members have been active since the beginning of our project, not only have other people joined as needed, but somebody new has popped up offering help to the team when required. In other words, the group is healthy and flexible and thriving. The VDSA Lunch Group is also financed entirely by members providing the food on the day.
At the Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC) where our activity takes place, there have been some changes, for example when our lunches are scheduled one of their volunteers is assigned to us to provide a bit of help in the kitchen, and most importantly useful information regarding the equipment and/or other practical things. Another change is that the allocation of the dates for our group is not given to me at the beginning of the year but in two six months lots, which complicates the planning.
As always how many people will participate in each lunch is a guess; this year the average number has been 25-30, but any left-overs get carefully packed and eagerly taken home by the ASC’s clients, so no food is ever wasted.
In summary, especially if compared to the COVID years, in 2023 the VDSA Group has worked smoothly and successfully, leaving ASC clients looking contented and smiling after each lunch. They always thank our teams in way that makes us feel like valued support.
In addition to the regular enthusiastic letters of thanks received from the ASC after our lunches, I wish to thank all of the group’s members warmly and strongly for their amazing contribution to our Association.
VDSA’s work with refugees continues as usual in 2022-23 despite a reduced number of volunteers due to ill health.
Nevertheless, a lot of good work has been done with the following individuals/families:
VDSA helped a Pakistani woman, who receives counselling from the Salvation Army’s Modern Slavery group; she has a working visa but she can’t read or write in English and is too traumatised to be able to keep a job at present;
VDSA helped a Somali single mum who is in community detention and can’t work or study;
VDSA helped a Tamil single mother who, having suddenly lost her young husband to heart failure, is still unable to work;
VDSA helped a Tamil single mother still traumaised by the killing of her husband in Sri Lanka, followed by subsequent violence to herself and her son. She is unable to work;
VDSA helped a family of persecuted Kurds still unable to obtain a temporary visa;
VDSA helped a Tamil family whose landlord has increased the rent enormously. They can’t afford it and they presently cannot find cheaper accommodation;
VDSA helped a Malay stay at home mother of two very young children whose husband cannot presently find work;
VDSA helped a Tamil family of three. The husband is working very hard as a panel beater to make a living but it is still difficult for them to make ends meet;
During the year VDSA volunteers organised several successful picnics with refugee families, around Coogee. Kids swam and delicious food was prepared and enjoyed.
The End of The Year Picnic in Bronte was attended by many refugees and volunteers. It is a VDSA tradition to hold the picnic in December before Christmas on the little hill behind the playbround in Bronte Park. People now know the special place, bring family and friends, there is always good food and it is a pleasure to catch up. It is a great way to make refugees feel welcome and for volunteers to feel at home with people from a different culture and background.
Since February 2023, some of the people we visit obtained their permanent visa. Others are still waiting. Others still, know that they are not going to get it. We have been focussing our material help towards the last group of refugees, knowing that psychologically and practically it is a real challenge for them.
Lastly, we initiated a competition at Central Sydney High School with refugee youth which was successful and we intend to replicate it in the same school and in other schools including with Aboriginal students. It brings together Valerio, his writing, young refugees or Indigenous Youth, VDSA and its purpose as an Association.
Overall VDSA has really contributed to “the relief of poverty, sickness, distress or helplessness of refugees and asylum seekers”, as our Constitution sets out.
On Sunday, June 18, VDSA celebrated the grant of a permanent Visa to longstanding client and friend Nathan with a picnic at Bronte Park. Clear skies and bright sunshine made the day even more special.
Central Sydney High School refugee students were thrilled to be invited to enter a Creative Expression Competition initiated by the Valerio Daniel De Simoni Association. Their President, Vittoria Pasquini attended the school where she met with the school’s Deputy Principal, Kathie Power, Head Teacher Wellbeing, Kylie Stamos and Student Support Officer, Elizabeth Weblin to discuss the concept of the competition.
Students were then invited to compose a creative piece on the theme of “The Journey” such as a story, a diary, a poem, a music piece with lyrics, a video with a script or an artwork to express their idea of a journey which could be a physical journey, an emotional journey, a fantasy or a fictional journey. They were supported by the school’s Ukrainian speaking School Learning and Support Officer, Anastasiya Shefer who provided first language assistance.
Students also learned about Valerio’s journey and read extracts from his diaries and travel journals.
Students worked hard during the term to compose an engaging piece that showed how their journey impacted their lives. Ten entries were submitted and a panel of staff was formed to select the winning entries. All students were acknowledged for their efforts and were presented with certificates by Vittoria Pasquini and Coordinator of the Refugee Group, Charity Haynes who attended the school on Wednesday 5 April. Four students were also presented with vouchers to the sum of $1000 as their entries were judged as outstanding – three students received $300 and one student a $100 voucher.
The school librarian, Chris Murphy was also very pleased to be able to add to the school’s library collection, Valerio Daniel De Simoni’s diaries, Real Love for the Turning World and his Travel Journals, kindly donated to the school by the association.
The school wholeheartedly thanks Vittoria Pasquini and the Valerio Daniel De Simoni Association for their generous support of our school’s refugee students.
Written by Deputy Principal, Kathie Power
Below is reproduced one of the winning entries:
My travel to Lviv
It was October… A great time to travel! Someone say that autumn is a time of boredom and depression, but if you do not get bored at home, but spend an interesting time, then no blues will even come close!
It is a beautiful city located in the west of Ukraine. The incredible atmosphere of Lviv attracts tourists from all over the world. It is considered one of the largest and most unique cities in our country. Lviv deserves the title of the cultural capital of Ukraine. The city owes its majestic name to King Danylo Halytskyi, who named it in honor of his son Lev. It is no coincidence that the sculpture of the king of beasts is often found on the facades of buildings and cultural heritage, as Lviv is also called the city of the Lion.
In the center of Lviv’s square is the town hall, guarded by stone lions. There are very beautiful fountains on the sides. The city has many architectural treasures, and there are monuments everywhere, unfortunately already restored. The walls of ordinary houses are decorated in the Baroque style, which to this day retain the imprint of the past. Walking through the streets of Lviv, you imagine that you have returned to another century and live according to their customs.
I started my acquaintance with Lviv with its business card, the Solomiya Krushelnytska National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. It is the theater that is depicted on the 20-hryvnia bill. I even took a picture with the 20! It was a lot of fun!
After the theater, I went to the Lviv Historical Museum.
I thought it would be very boring, but thanks to a cheerful guide it was fun, the time passed quickly and I learned a lot new things.
Then I visited another museum – the Pharmacy Museum “Under the Black Sky”. I was very interested to see the pharmacy exhibits, and I remember the pharmaceutical scales the most. Then I walked around the city and looked at incredibly beautiful buildings, churches and cathedrals. I liked the Dominican Monastery, the Armenian Cathedral and the Church of Saints Olga and Elizabeth.
I found myself in the heart of the city, on Rynok Square. It is extremely colorful here! Of course, I went up to the City Hall. The view of Lviv from the Town Hall is just incredible! It took my breath away from this beauty!I decided to have lunch in the famous Lviv Croissants and I was not mistaken with my choice – they are extremely tasty! I chose a sweet croissant with raspberries and mint – I really liked the unexpected combination of sweet raspberries and fresh mint! Next, I visited the Italian Courtyard. It’s very beautiful there! I took an incredible amount of photos! And then I went to the Vernissage market and bought a lot of souvenirs! In the evening, I went to the “High Castle” mountain. It was quite difficult to climb – I was already a bit tired, and the climb was quite steep. But from the top I could see an incredible panorama of Lviv! I also managed to see a magical sunset! In the evening, I warmed up with hot chocolate at the Lviv Chocolate Workshop, another delicious place in Lviv.
The atmosphere in Lviv is unique. Every street and square speaks of the beauty and majesty of this city.
There are many cathedrals, museums, and galleries in Lviv.
I spent the whole day wandering around the city, visiting each of them.
And the evening was simply unforgettable… I walked around the city in the evening, forgetting about all my worries and anxieties. Throughout the walk I was accompanied by the bright glow of the moon.
This trip to Lviv will never be forgotten… It was amazing.
After 10 years of consistently excellent work managing VDSA’s administrative and accounting matters, Robbie Woolf has made the difficult decision to resign. We are immensely grateful for her meticulous and comprehensive help in navigating the association’s journey from beginning to becoming a registered charity and NGO. We are also pleased to welcome Zorana Milosevic as the association’s new treasurer. Zorana has already shown herself to be a positive and capable colleague, and we look forward to working together going forward.
This year the VDSA Lunch Project Group, nicknamed The Foodies, celebrates its 10th birthday. The team includes approximately twenty people, and while there are members who had to leave because of life circumstances, the core of the group has remained untouched in time. Equally untouched has remained their generosity, enthusiasm, and steady collaboration in providing our monthly lunches for the clients of the ASC.
Notwithstanding also in 2022 COVID’s ongoing spectre has caused anxiety, and has required recurrent checking, revision of our schedule and some adjustments, we have managed to keep our commitment without cancelling any lunch.
Only on two occasions there was a variation in our usual routine of preparing food at home and then working at the ASC to organise the meal. In one case we prepared and delivered the full lunch menu but had to leave it at the desk for the ASC staff to take charge, and on another the VDSA offered $250 to the Centre to cover our scheduled lunch as we were unable to serve it in person.
In conclusion, and once more, the VDSA Lunch Group has been able to overcome obstacles, cope with the volatile situation created by the pandemic and fulfill our pledge, thus maintaining our successful cooperation with the ASC.
As mentioned, ten years have gone by since the Foodies began working on behalf of VDSA, and I feel deeply grateful to its members, past and present, for what we have managed to achieve together.
2022 has been a year of change and refocus for the orto team. In the first half of the year we supplied weekly veggies to a new charity, Our Big Kitchen, that provides over 120,000 meals a people in need of food support, including asylum seekers, Indigenous people and the homeless. Over winter we let the garden lie fallow while our members made the annual pilgrimage to Italy and we took advantage of the break to rebuild our soil with green manure topped up with compost. We are reaping the benefit of our replenished soil with newly productive garden beds and in 2023 we will be going back to our previous charity, Jarjum College, a primary school for Indigenous kids in Redfern, that makes lunches for the kids. We have a new supplier of quality organic seedlings, QPS, who donated 50 seedlings to us when they learnt of the charity work we do. Thanks Jye!
In 2022, a number of long-term members of our group moved away or had other commitments, leaving a nucleus of four committed workers. This change led us to restructure the garden so that we can bring in more people from outside. We’ve divided the garden into four beds for a communal garden and the other five for the charity garden. This has proved a great success so far, as the communal garden has been providing a fabulous harvest for our willing workers and we have now welcomed Zorana, the treasurer of the association, as a new member.
We all sorely miss our dear friend Rosi, who has moved back to Italy to live close to her sister. Rosi has been a committed member of our group since the beginning of the garden and we wish her well. We also thank Jill, Mimi, Pia, Marisa and Ann for the years of work they put into building up our orto.
Visiting refugees in their homes has continued in 2021-2022 but we no longer visit the Villawood Detention Centre. Families have been helped in many ways, including rent assistance, paying for doctors bills & electricity accounts.
Highlights of visits include delicious lunches, seeing the progress of the children, several starting school for the first time & proudly showing us their school uniform & even reading us a story. For the families who moved recently to better accommodation, developments include setting up an online business to sell clothes imported from India and for another family a flourishing veggie garden, which shows how a better environment enables a more productive life. Another family, where both parents work, one of their sons has enrolled in an IT course at Macquarie University.
By contrast, those without visas cannot attend TAFE, & have no work rights. Even their children, who have attended High School here, and in one case gained an Arts Degree, are not allowed to work. The frustration caused by lack of visas leads to anxiety & many health problems.
The change of government had been a source of hope, but though there was the well publicised case of the Biloela family, the situation has worsened for others. Only last month a family was sent an ultimatum…accept an offer to go to New Zealand by 4 Oct. or return to your home country, in this case Iran. Only to be contacted a month later, after suffering a great deal of distress, to be told that the letter had been sent in error & has since been withdrawn by the Immigration Dept. Those refugees who have been in the community for over 10yrs, need safety & stability instead of living in fear. They really appreciate any support that we can give them.
VDSA has an invaluable role supporting refugees not just financially but also emotionally, such as when a mother was recently widowed, when her husband died of a heart attack, leaving her with a 6yr. old son. It is a privilege to be able to assist them, especially at such difficult times.
On October 16 at the Wanderers Football Park in Sydney a friendly soccer match between newly arrived young Afghani refugees and an Italian Australian soccer team was played. VDSA sponsored the game together with the Massoud Foundation, Amnesty International, Filef, Comites, NSW Government and Grandmothers for Refugees. It is the second match VDSA has sponsored to provide support for the Afghani refugees and their community and promote multiculturalism. Sport plays an important role in helping to overcome traumas, and the spirited match demonstrated how positive energy and healthy competition can emerge from even a friendly match.
