Latest News

In early 2024, a young Vietnamese woman enrolled in SMECC’s ACFE Beginner English and Computer Skills classes in Swan Hill. In just a few months, she has demonstrated how crucial and transformative learning English and acquiring new skills can be for newly arrived community members and their personal growth.

In the past year, our Emergency Food Relief Hub has distributed more than 132,000 meals to people in need, provided 151 school deliveries, and launched the Nourish Sunraysia Welcome Shop. With new cooking classes and educational tours, we are proud of our development in reducing food insecurity and supporting our community.

Marth was 15 when he arrived in Australia from the Philippines in early 2023. Although Marth had learnt some English at school in his home country, he arrived with only enough to speak the basics. Now 17, he is well on his way to achieving his dream to be a fully qualified chef.

A CONGOLESE migrant with a background in farming and gold mining has spearheaded the creation of a community garden. In David Nteziyaryo's home country of the Republic of Congo it is commonplace for people to grow their own food and work alongside neighbours during...

SUNRAYSIA Mallee Ethnic Communities Council and the Seymour family have presented their first Emily Seymour Memorial Scholarship to local student Georgie Martin, for her extensive contributions to the community. Created in memory Mildura woman Emily Seymour, who...

  HELPING the region's new arrivals learn English has earned Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council two awards. The conversation reading cafe class at SMECC started in early February 2020, providing a setting for volunteers to help people from a refugee...

  STUDENTS at Chaffey Secondary College have teamed up with Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Community Council, creating The Pantry Project 2022 to encourage the community to donate non-expired, unopened food. Roza Taz, 16, who as part of the Student Representative...

THE Mildura food bank is looking for new and inventive ways to procure more supplies as it works to meet a swift increase in demand. Andrew Kilroy, who runs Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council's food bank, said requests for assistance have doubled over just...

SINCE 1979, Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council (SMECC) has provided local migrant and refugee communities with a range of services. It also offers a free service to connect people over the age of 65 with supportive services in the district. SMECC is also an...

CULTURALLY and linguistically diverse communities are showcasing their COVID stories and messages, with a new exhibition at the Mildura Arts Centre. Arts exhibition coordinator Emmie Dowling said the exhibition focused on a range of COVID-related issues and ideas....