NEWS
September Newsletter 2024
We hope you enjoy reading our September issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 3 months, you can subscribe below.
TRUTH RECOVERY - PUBLIC CONSULTATION
The Northern Ireland Executive Office launched a 12-week public consultation on proposals to establish a statutory Inquiry for those affected by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, Workhouses and their pathways and practices; and an associated Financial Redress Scheme.
The public consultation commenced on 27 June 2024 and will run for a period of 12-weeks until 19 September 2024.
This may be an issue which will be of interest to those formerly resident in Northern Ireland, including those affected by the institutions, and we would be grateful if you could bring the consultation to their attention. We are keen to hear from as many people as possible.
The consultation documents and the schedule of online events are available on the Truth Recovery website which can be accessed by clicking Truth Recovery – Public Consultation[1].
Please contact us at trpconsultation@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk or phone 02890 520 063 to request a hard copy of the questionnaire or with any other queries.
Support services for those affected are available through the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS). Information on the range of services and supports can be viewed on their website Emotional Support for Victims and Survivors of Mother & Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundry Institutions - Victims and Survivors Service (victimsservice.org) or by telephoning 02890 311678 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm).
[1] https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/consultations/truth-recovery-public-consultation-statutory-public-inquiry-and-financial-redress-scheme
We’re Hiring
Outreach Worker (Full time 37.5 hours, 12-month contract, renewable)
This is an incredibly rewarding and enriching role - see the full job description below.
If you know someone who might be interested, please share amongst your networks.
Applications close 1st August 2024.
Raffle - Win a $1000 Travel Voucher
WIN A $1000 TRAVEL VOUCHER
Just in time to book your flights home for the Irish Summer, or take yourself off to a luxury Australia destination- the choice is yours!
Enter our raffle to win a $1000 travel voucher, kindly part-sponsored by our friends Emerald Travel .
Tickets are only $10 each and there are multiple bundles available.
Tickets are on sale online, and in person at the ISA Tea Tent at the Sydney St Patrick’s Day Festival on Sunday 17th March.
☘ All funds raised will go directly towards the ISA's mission of providing front-line support, to anyone in the Irish Australian community who finds themselves in circumstances of vulnerability and distress. ☘
SAVE THE DATE
SAVE THE DATE
📅Saturday 27th July 2024
📍Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney
Yes, Christmas may just be over but we are thrilled to unveil our most anticipated fundraising event of 2024 – introducing our Christmas in July Ball and Community Appreciation Awards🎄🎖
Amidst the challenges of the past few years, the ISA is beyond excited to host this event, providing a festive opportunity to celebrate Christmas in July in style whilst seeking to recognise incredibly hard-working individuals in our community.
The Irish Australian community in NSW is incredibly fortunate to have such a rich and diverse variety of community groups and businesses, who go out of their way to support the community and one another. We will be seeking nominations across a number of categories.
So put the date in your calendar and stay tuned as tickets will be released in the upcoming weeks.
We really hope you can come out to support us and support the nominees, who will be voted for by you!
Lifestory Project 2023 Wraps Up
The Irish Support Agency launched a brand new initiative ''A Lifetime of Stories'' in early 2023.
A Lifetime of Stories is a series of storytelling workshops aimed at the senior members of the Irish Australian community in the Greater Sydney Area.
Participants are invited to document their own personal life story, history and legacy.
This project aims to provide meaningful and lasting social connection opportunities for older people who are socially isolated or at risk of isolation. Storytelling allows us to form deeper social connections, by evoking empathy, which naturally brings people together, through shared life experiences.
We have held 2 groups of 5 participants, and we have found this to be a thoroughly enriching experience to date, for both participants and volunteers.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the Department of Foreign Affairs' Emigrant Support Programme for kindly supporting this project with a grant.
We would also like to thank our cohort of Salesforce volunteers who work side by side with our seniors, to ensure that they feel heard and seen.
December Newsletter 2023
We hope you enjoy reading our December issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
October Newsletter 2023
We hope you enjoy reading our October issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
August Newsletter 2023
We hope you enjoy reading our August issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
HSE Recruitment Drive - June 2023
Consultant contract campaign to attract over 400 doctors to practice in Ireland in 2023
The HSE has launched a national and international recruitment campaign to support the recruitment of consultants for the Irish health service.
The new campaign showcases the benefits of the new public consultant contract, which carries an attractive salary, a range of training benefits, and the chance to be part of the expanding and improving health service in Ireland.
June Newsletter 2023
We hope you enjoy reading our June issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
A Lifetime of Stories Initiative
In early 2023, we launched a brand new initiative ''A Lifetime of Stories'', a series of storytelling workshops designed for senior members of the Irish Australian community residing in the Greater Sydney Area.
This project aimed to provide meaningful and lasting social connection opportunities for older people who are socially isolated or at risk of isolation. Storytelling allows us to form deeper social connections, by evoking empathy, which naturally brings people together, through shared life experiences.
Our goal was to provide a platform for participants to document their personal life stories, history, and legacies, ultimately creating cherished printed storybooks which were presented today. The outcomes of this endeavour have surpassed our expectations, affirming the profound and timeless power of storytelling. By sharing our narratives, we forge enduring social connections and explore the depths of the human experience.
We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Salesforce volunteers who worked hand in hand with our seniors, ensuring that their voices were truly heard and acknowledged. This initiative flourished with your support and we thank you!
Thank you also to the Department of Foreign Affairs' Emigrant Support Programme for kindly supporting this project with a grant.
If you, or someone you may know, is interested in participating in future workshops, please call Una on 02 9300 8019 to express your interest.
The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse
The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse (COSICA) has established a goal to raise awareness among Northern Ireland victims and survivors of historical institutional childhood abuse who may be resident in Australia and who may be eligible for: support services offered by the Victims and Survivors Service and financial redress compensation through the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board.
The application process for financial redress compensation and access to support services are available to any victim or survivor who suffered or witnessed abuse while they were a child (under 18 years) and were living in a residential institution for example, a state or religious body, training school or borstal etc, in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995 or were sent to Australia from Northern Ireland as part of the Child Migrant Programme. Applications for financial redress compensation can be made by victims, or if they are deceased, by a surviving spouse, partner or child.
For further information, please visit - www.cosica-ni.org
April Newsletter 2023
We hope you enjoy reading our April issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
Oz Labour Solutions Golf Day in Aid of the Irish Support Agency 2023
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our fundraising Golf Day on Friday 3rd February 2023 in Moore Park which was organised by Paddy McTigue of Oz Labour Solutions.
We had 31 teams out in force, with plenty of healthy competition and great craic on the course.
Cormac McAnnallens GAC - First Place
Congratulations to the guys from Cormac McAnallens GAA - Sydney who took home first place and Patrick Saint Phadraigh GAC who narrowly missed out on the top spot, coming in second place.
Congratulations to Alan Duggan who got a hole in one on the 5th hole and took home the prize for closest to the pin.
Thank you also to our massive 31 hole sponsors, without who, the day would not have been such a huge success.
Lastly, we are entirely grateful to the tireless efforts of Paddy McTigue who brought the entire day together, raised a huge amount of money on our behalf and made the day what is was.
February 2023
We hope you enjoy reading our February issue of the newsletter, our first of 2023!
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
Important update for WHV holders
Visa condition 8547 - 6-month work limitation
On 19 January 2022, the 6-month work limitation was temporarily relaxed. The relaxation of this condition was initially in effect until 31 December 2022, and it has now been extended until 30 June 2023.
This change allows Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) to work with any one employer for the duration of their visa without requesting permission, and any work that is carried out before 1 July 2023 will not be counted towards the 6-month limitation period. This means that from 1 July 2023 onwards, WHMs may work for any employer for up to an additional 6 months even if they worked for that same employer before 1 July 2023.
This applies to anyone in Australia who either holds any kind of WHM visa, regardless of when they arrive, or holds a Bridging visa with condition 8547 imposed.
Read release: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/6-month-work-limitation
Service NSW Savings Finder
With the cost of living continuously on the rise, there might be some ways in which you could be saving money.
The NSW Government is helping reduce the cost of living with more than 70 rebates and vouchers.
Click below to get started and find out if you are eligible for some of the savings.
December Newsletter 2022
We hope you enjoy reading our December issue of the newsletter.
It’s a great way to catch up on some Irish community news and upcoming events.
If you would like to receive the newsletter direct to your email every 2 months, you can subscribe below.
AGM 2022
The Annual General Meeting of the Irish Support Agency NSW Inc. will be held on Monday 12th December in the Green/Ulster Room of the Gaelic Club, 64 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills commencing at 6.30pm.
AGM Agenda
Record Attendance and Voting Rights
Record Apologies
Approve Minutes of 26th Annual General Meeting held on 15th Dec 2021
Financial Report
President’s Report
Special Resolution 1 - 7
General Business
Election of Council
All financial members are invited to be present at this Meeting, when an election of Office Bearers will be held.
Yours faithfully,
Alan Humphreys | Secretary