ATTACHMENT 1 CL……. COMMUNITY CARE

MINUTES OF THE MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN GROUND FLOOR MEETING ROOMS, COUNCIL CHAMBER BUILDING, CIVIC PLACE, PARRAMATTA ON WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2005 AT 6.07 PM

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PRESENT

Melissa Monteiro in the Chair, Quang Dao, Jane Ho, William Ho, Mlinder Kumar, Prabir Maitra (arrived 6.30pm) and Dr Ahmad Qasem (arrived 6.35pm).

IN ATTENDANCE

Ms Annalee Fortunado - Community Development Worker - Multicultural and Mr Stephen Leslie - Committee Secretary.

04/05 ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON & DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON

It was agreed that this matter be deferred to the next Meeting to be held 6 April 2005 due to lack of Committee Members in attendance.

05/05 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON FOR THIS MEETING

The Meeting agreed unanimously that Melissa Monteiro be the Chairperson for this Meeting.

06/05 APPOINTMENT OF NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS

A brief overview of the situation regarding Membership was provided particularly now that the Committee could comprise of twelve (12) members with a quorum of four (4).

Recommendation (Quang Dao / William Ho)

(a) That Ms Samira Ghabar and Mr Mlinder Kumar be appointed as Members of the Multicultural Advisory Committee.

(b) Further, that in accordance with the Terms of Reference 3.6 Membership-the matter be forwarded to Council for ratification, and, if approved Samira Ghabar and Mlinder Kumar be advised accordingly

WELCOME

The Chairperson Melissa Monteiro welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending.

INTRODUCTIONS

Each Committee and Staff member introduced themselves and gave a brief overview of their involvement with the Community and Committee.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS

There were no Conflict of Interest declarations at this meeting.

APOLOGIES

An apology was received and accepted for the absence of Samira Ghabar.

MINUTES

07/05 Multicultural Advisory Committee Minutes - 19 January 2005

A copy of the Minutes of the Multicultural Advisory Committee Meeting held 19 January 2005 had previously been forwarded to each member with the agenda prior to this meeting.

Recommendation (Quang Dao / William Ho)

That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Multicultural Advisory Committee Meeting held 19 January 2005 be taken as read and confirmed as a true record of the Meeting.

08/05 Feedback from Council

Annalee Fortunado advised that the Terms of Reference (December 2004) had been approved by Council at the Council Meeting held 13 December 2004 Minute No 7602.

09/05 Planning for the Committee’s Direction for 2005

Discussion took place regarding issues to be addressed during 2005 such as One Stop Shop.

It was agreed that this matter be deferred to the next Meeting to be held 6 April 2005 and a list of issues/priorities be listed for consideration.

ACTION REQUIRED (Annalee Fortunado)

Priorities and issues to be summarized and circulated to all Members with the next Agenda.

GENERAL BUSINESS

10/05 Parramatta Citizen of the Year 2005 – Master William Ho

The Chairperson Melissa Monteiro advised the Meeting that Committee Member William Ho had been awarded Parramatta’s Citizen of the Year for 2005.

She congratulated him on being named and having the honour of Citizen of the Year for 2005 bestowed upon him and on behalf of the Committee wished him all the best in the year ahead which she said would no doubt entail attending many functions representing Parramatta.


11/05 Election of Chairperson & Deputy Chairperson

Whilst it was decided to defer the above elections to the next meeting due to lack of Committee Members in attendance when the Meeting commenced, refer 04/05 page 1, it was now prudent to proceed with the elections as two (2) members had since arrived at the Meeting.

It was agreed that Annalee Fortunado would be the Returning Officer if an Election was necessary for either position.

Nominations were called for the position of Chairperson. There was only one (1) nomination that being Dr Ahmad Qasem who accepted the nomination, was declared elected unanimously as Chairperson and accepted the position.

Nominations were called for the position of Deputy Chairperson. There was only one (1) nomination that being Quang Dao who accepted the nomination, was declared elected unanimously as Deputy Chairperson and accepted the position.

INFORMATION SHARING

1. Blood Donation and Fundraising for Tsunami Victims

Committee Member Prabir Maitra tabled a handout for this matter.

2. Chinese New Year - Update

William Ho advised that there would be a meeting on Wednesday 9 February 2005 with celebrations on Saturday 12 February 2005.

3. Migrant Resource Centre – Coming Event

Melissa Monteiro advised that the Centre would be conducting a Family Court Consultation on Family Law on Thursday 10 February 2005 from 10am to 12 Noon.

12/05 STRATEGIES & ISSUES – PROGRAM FOR 2005

ACTION BY COMMITTEE

Discussion took place regarding the need to achieve results and have a program of issues and strategies.

It was agreed that each Committee Member provide three issues / priorities / strategies for the next meeting.

NEXT MEETING

6.00pm to 8.00pm

Wednesday, 6 April 2005

Ground Floor Meeting Room 1

Council Chamber Building

Civic Place, Parramatta

The meeting concluded at 7.23 pm.

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