Coogee Voice Podcast with Marjorie O'Neill MP and ISA President Marian Schaffer

Coogee Voice is a podcast, hosted by Dr Marjorie O'Neill, the Member for Coogee. This podcast is dedicated to our local community. Each episode we'll be chatting with local identities, from all walks of life but all from our eastern suburbs community.

On this episode, Marjorie sits down Marian Schaffer, Eastern Suburbs local and the President of the Irish Support Agency NSW Inc.

BBC documentary series / Art & Mental health

The BBC Studios Australia is producing a new factual series in Sydney which will explore the science of how art can benefit those who have lived experience with mental health conditions like depression, chronic anxiety, bipolar, PTSD and trauma related disorders.   

We are looking for a small group of people who are based in Sydney and available during the month of November to share their individual stories. The group will explore exactly how being creative has the ability to lower stress levels, provide a calmness to an otherwise hectic mind space, and most importantly, express what some can’t do in words, on camera, through this series.  

With the guidance of industry professionals and the Black Dog Institute, the program will bring together 8 individuals who will share their experiences with some of Australia’s best-known artists.  

This factual series is based on the Art on Prescription program run & developed by the Black Dog Institute.  Participants will be measured during the beginning, middle and end of the series as a means to illustrate exactly how being creative changes the mind space.  

We will look to highlight exactly how creativity allows the mind to find its calm place, and the science behind it. Through the guidance of industry experts we will gain a second hand understanding and appreciation of 8 individuals who each have travelled a separate path. We expect that these participants will inspire hope in others who have similar shared stories.  

We are looking for people of all ages and backgrounds from the Greater Sydney area who have a diagnosed, or self-identify, with a mental health illness to apply to be involved with this series.  Ideally, applicants will have no experience with arts or creative pursuits. What we are looking for is a willingness to try something different. Filming will take place throughout the month of November and participants will be required for approx. 15 days over the course of 4 weeks.  

Coming Home In Crisis – Experiences of Irish emigrants returning in crisis situations

Crosscare Migrant Project’s research and policy work raises awareness on many issues and presents evidence-based research to inform policymakers in support of the needs of Irish migrants.

Irish emigrants return to Ireland in many different circumstances, including in crisis. ‘Coming Home In Crisis‘ explores the lived experiences of people who have returned home in need of support. It draws on interviews with returnees and Emigrant Support Programme funded organisations worldwide, as well as our own case-work in this area. The report presents an in-depth study of the impact of return migration on emigrants who face risk or vulnerability, setting out recommendations to address the range of challenges they encounter on return.

22 occupations added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)

Did you know that 22 new occupations were recently added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)?

To see the occupations that have been click below.

To view the full list of occupations on the PMSOL click below.

Returning to Ireland- Updates from DFA.ie // July 2021

If you have plans to return to Ireland, please familiarise yourself with the current updates regarding PCR testing and quarantine requirements. These will depend on your vaccination status and the route in which you will travel home.

The requirements are ever-changing, so please keep up to date - https://bit.ly/3wKVHvV

July 2021 Newsletter

Multicultural Problem Gambling Service NSW

Earlier this week we sat down with Multicultural NSW Problem Gambling Service to look at the supports and services available to ALL residents of NSW.

Some key takeaways from our chat:

⊛ The supports and services including counselling, are free to all residents of NSW regardless of visa status or Medicare status.

⊛ There is a multi-venue self exclusion program that anyone can apply for and is easy to do.

⊛ One of the services they offer is to act as a financial liaison officer between you and certain organisations to support you through financial hardship.

If you, or anyone, you may know, would like further information you can contact the ISA for a confidential chat, or Multicultural Problem Gambling Service - https://www.dhi.health.nsw.gov.au/mpgs

Returning to Ireland in Crisis during Covid 19 Pandemic

Crosscare Migrant Project is a Dublin-based NGO providing information and advocacy support to Irish emigrants and people who have moved to Ireland.

They are on the pulse of what is happening back in Ireland and are aware of the updated restrictions around travel and quarantine as it develops. They have put together this information document to help you make the journey home that little bit easier.

If you have further questions beyond that you can contact us or them directly through their website.

Federal Budget Analysis 2021/2022

Earlier this month the federal government released the 2021/2022 budget.

Here is a great analysis of what it all means and how it may affect you.

Further reading can also be done at https://budget.gov.au/

May 2021 Newsletter

The Great Outdoors- Seniors Day Trip to the Blue Mountains

On Wednesday 12th May, we took 25 of our senior community from our Cara Club and Tír na nÓg, for a wonderful day trip to the Blue Mountains.

We departed Central Station and took the train to Katoomba where we were met by coach. We then travelled to Govett’s Leap, a spectacular lookout point with sandstone escarpments, sheer cliff walls, the deep canyons of the Grose Valley, and tall waterfalls. We then proceeded to another beautiful lookout of the Megalong Valley, the Aboriginal word Megalong means ‘valley below the cliffs’. Finally, we couldn’t have departed the Blue Mountains without visiting the wonderous Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley. The Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark. The Three Sisters is essentially an unusual rock formation representing three sisters who according to Aboriginal legend were turned to stone.

We were then ready for a refuelling lunch and we headed back to Katoomba to Plantbased Wholefoods owned by the lovely John and Robin Healy. John, originally from Co. Dublin also organised some musical entertainment which was an absolute delight. The whole experience was fantastic, the lunch was delicious and our seniors left very happy and very full!

It was then back to Katoomba station for our return journey to Central Station.

All in all, it was a lovely day out in the Blue Mountains. The sun was shining and the air was clear and crisp.

Thank you to everyone who made this day possible and to our seniors who were a pleasure to escort.

Expressions of Interest Sought- Bookkeeping and Accounting Services

The ISA is seeking expressions of interest/recommendations for Bookkeeping and Accounting Services commencing FY 2021-22.

Please contact Paula via admin@irishsupportagency.org.au

Expressions of Interest Sought - Irish Counsellor or Psychologist

The Irish Support Agency is seeking to expand our referral support network for our clients who express a preference for an Irish Counsellor or Psychologist. We are seeking expressions of interest for Irish Counsellors registered in Australia with professional membership of an organisation such as ACA/PACFA or Psychologists registered to practice in NSW with the Psychologist Registration Board. Please contact Paula via admin@irishsupportagency.org.au

Mandatory Hotel Quarantine Ireland - 23rd March 2021

**Important Update** for all passengers returning to Ireland via the UAE:

Mandatory Hotel Quarantine is now in place - https://www.gov.ie/.../a6975-mandatory-hotel-quarantine/

You must book and pay for the hotel quarantine yourself prior to your departure, it is an offence to travel without making a booking in advance.

Regardless of your departure/transit airport, you must also have a negative/‘not detected’ result from a pre-departure COVID-19 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test carried out no more than 72 hours prior to your arrival in Ireland so please be careful if booking flights about your total transit time, allowing sufficient time for PCR test validity.

Returning to Ireland- Important updates on PCR test

Some important updates to anyone arriving into Ireland effective immediately:

Negative RT-PCR test required within 72 hours of ARRIVAL into Dublin, with evidence of same required at departure and arrival. If there is a genuine humanitarian emergency and you can’t get a test done in advance, contact Consulate/Embassy for advice.

Passenger Locator Form remains for the purposes of contact tracing and can be done online/in advance.

14-day quarantine period must be undertaken at the address specified on the Passenger Locator Form.

If you do not fulfil the legal requirement for mandatory quarantine you are committing an offence, and can be fined up to €2,500 or get a prison sentence of up to 6 months, or both.

You can only leave the nominated accommodation for unavoidable reasons of an emergency nature, to protect a person’s health.

Full details here - https://www.gov.ie/.../b4020-travelling-to-ireland.../

ISA News and Events January 2021 Edition

PRESIDENT'S WELCOME

Dear All,

2020 was an extremely challenging year globally and here, at the Irish Support Agency, we were able to support the Irish diaspora affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. Many of our community faced financial hardship, concerns relating to their VISAs, difficulties with returning to Ireland and travel exemptions, housing and accommodation issues and so much more.

Yet, there were some key learnings from the year.

In difficult times, the community rallies. We had an outstanding response to our Covid 19 appeal, and it has been truly heartwarming to receive such support from the Irish community groups and businesses as well as the vast number of people who contributed personally, during what is an uncertain time for us all. Please be assured the monies raised have been and continue to be directed to those most in need and have helped house, feed and support a vast array of people through very difficult circumstances.

While we encounter all sorts of restrictions, we are able to stay engaged electronically more than ever before. Apart, but stronger together. 2020 saw the launch of The Irish 30, a series of free informative online mental health and wellbeing webinars led by Irish born volunteers, experts in their respective fields.
Our baile as baile initiative opened up a new realm of possibilities with a host of online events from baking, storytelling to meditation! Our seniors also got involved with our Irish music sessions. There are so many possibilities to what we can achieve online and we look forward to exploring this more in 2021.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Warm Regards,
Donna
ISA President

DECEMBER AGM 2020

The Annual General Meeting of the Irish Support Agency took place on the 21st December in the Gaelic Club. Donna McKiernan delivered the President's Report outlining the work of the agency in the preceding year. All office bearers and committee members were returned for the coming year. Thank you to Tony Kenny and Patrick McCarron who officiated in the elections of Officers.

BAILE AS BAILE (Home away from home)

baile as baile is an initiative of the Irish Support Agency being run in partnership with members of the Irish Australian community of NSW. The phrase, meaning ‘home away from home’, aims to support and strengthen the Irish community by offering a range of activities where people can safely connect with others.

The initiative was a result of an understanding that for many, this time of year would be particularly difficult. The aim was to broaden horizons and to expose people to new friendship groups and activities. Throughout December and January, we have had an ardent response to our series of events, holding a total of 52 online and in-person events!

Something for everyone

There was a huge variety of community events on offer and almost all of them were free!
From online and in-person meditation, macramé, online storytelling to pilates, personal growth workshop, outdoor yoga, children’s arts and crafts, online baking, baby massage, coastal walks, stand up paddleboarding, online Christmas carols, trivia nights, and trad night, we had it all!

Thank you to all of the volunteers, representatives and attendees for making this initiative a great success. We could not have done it without you. It is amazing what you can achieve through difficult times when we pull together. Ní neart go cur le chéile indeed. We hope that the sentiment and endeavour of this initiative will continue throughout 2021 as we seek new opportunities to support each other. It was truly wonderful to see the community coming together after a very difficult year.

SENIORS CHRISTMAS LUNCH

We were delighted to have had the opportunity to convene for our annual Christmas Senior’s lunch on Wed 16th December. Thank you to Penrith Gaels Cultural and Sporting Association for their generous grant and sponsorship of this special lunch, which is an annual highlight for many of our Seniors. We were extended sincere welcomes by John Grieve, Club Chairman and Adrienne Hickey, Deputy Consul Ireland, Sydney who had her first opportunity to meet with many of our lovely Seniors. We had an absolute ball in terms of reconnecting, craic and banter and were musically accompanied across the afternoon by the lovely and accomplished duo Rebecca Harkin and her recent fiancé Kurt Russell. Congratulations to the pair. Thank you to all at Penrith Gaels for looking after us so well.

CHRISTMAS DAY MASS

We had a full congregation for our 11am Christmas Day Mass in St Brigids, Coogee led by Bishop Terry Brady. Thank you to everyone who participated and assisted, especially our readers, musician, and Eucharistic minister. We have been invited back next year by the parish - perhaps we can make this an ongoing annual event!

NOLLAIG NA MBAN

On January 6th we held the inaugural Nollaig na mBán in association with The Prankqueans and The Gaelic Club.

The Prankqueans are a group of incredibly talented women from across Ireland and Australia. Taken from the famous ‘Finnegan’s Wake’, the Prankqueans are musicians, poets, writers, and actors who collaborate on culturally rich performances. It was a pleasure to work with them on this project and we look forward to making this an annual event in Sydney.

We miss these faces!

We are missing our regular catch ups with our seniors at Cara Club and Silver Surfers but we must consider the best interests of our members at this time. 

We have instigated a new outreach program for our seniors whereby the Committee / Staff are reaching out by telephone to offer social support during what is undoubtedly a difficult time. This allows us the opportunity to make sure they are adequately supported in their home environments but also to offer a chat to those who may feel isolated. If you know of some one who might benefit from this program, please ask them to give us a call.  

CARA CLUB

In November, we were delighted to welcome back members of the Cara Club for the first time since March. It was so wonderful to see everyone again and we look forward to seeing what opportunities 2021 will bring. We discussed all aspects of COVID safety at the first reunion meeting and developed a specific COVID safety plan in the aftermath. As we all now fully understand, the Covid 19 situation is extremely changeable so we will update you all should our gatherings be affected in any way. We would encourage you or a nominee to register a contact email address and follow us on social media so we can relay messages to you in a timely manner.

FOND FAREWELL

We were recently (and belatedly) able to say a fond farewell to Liz Kenny (front right) who joined the Irish Support Agency committee back in 2006! Liz has been with the committee in many capacities, including President from 2012-2015. Liz is known for her warmth and empathy and she will be a big loss to the committee. We thank her so much for all her hard work, especially with our Seniors and wish herself and Tony (our BBQ maestro and also ex ISA Committee) all the best in the days ahead. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

CONGRATULATIONS AND FAREWELL

We are delighted to announce the safe arrival of baby Lily, on the 2nd January to Elske and John. Both Mum & bub are doing well and adjusting to life as a family of four. It was fantastic for us to share a last hoorah before her departure and we very much look forward to meeting the little one at some of the upcoming Cara Club meetings as restrictions lift. We are all so appreciative of the commitment and empathy Elske has brought to the role of Outreach Worker with the ISA and we very much look forward to having her onboard as an ISA volunteer!

THE IRISH 30

For our final Irish 30 webinar of the year, we were joined by Lochlann Scott from Helplink Mental Health. Lochlann joined us to explore how we can look after our mental health as we approached a very different festive period. Helplink is a valuable resource, the service is available for all Irish citizens living abroad or returning home from living abroad, who are in need of some culturally sensitive, emotional support from trained, qualified, insured and Garda vetted Irish based Counsellors.
All of our Irish 30 sessions can be watched back online, go to www.youtube.com for our full video library

SAMARITANS INTERNATIONAL HELPLINE

Samaritans provides a 24-hour freephone helpline service to Irish people living in Australia following a new partnership between Samaritans and the Government of Ireland's Emigrant Support Programme.
Anyone suffering from emotional distress, or who needs a listening ear, can call Samaritans in Ireland anonymously 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the number below.
No matter what someone’s reason for calling is, Samaritans offers a space to explore how they are feeling, in their own time and their own way.
Callers may join a short queue when all volunteers are on calls but will be transferred to a volunteer free of charge. Samaritan’s Freephone number for Australia: 1800570699 (No dialling code is necessary).

FRIDAY PILATES

Paddy Coary, who hails from Coalisland, is offering free community Pilates every Friday at 1.15pm in the Gaelic Club, Surry Hills.
Pilates Mat Classes are structured in a way that all participants can benefit regardless of age, physical ability, or prior pilates experience.
Please bring your own mat, water and towel.
Classes will run until the 5th March.

TECHNOLOGY DONATIONS

If you have an old device with internet capabilities - smartphone, tablet, laptop, notebook- that you no longer use, please consider donating it so that we can facilitate training for our seniors, who do not as yet appreciate the benefits of digital connectivity. 2020 has shown us that there are huge benefits and opportunities to online communication and we want to share this with our seniors. If you have a device to donate, please email us your details- project@irishsupportagency.org.au.

FINANCIAL WELLBEING SERIES: THE IRISH 30

For our next Irish 30 session, we will begin a new series on financial wellbeing which will cover topics such as budgeting, saving, planning and protection for the future. The series has been developed to examine the life cycle on one’s relationship with finance and to explain and understand how we can all manage better. Our first guest presenter is Ciaran Davis, who has over 20 years’ experience in the financial sector. Join us on zoom on Monday 1st February at 7pm.

NEW MONTHLY BOOK CLUB

We held our first monthly book club hosted by Rebecca Harkin on Wednesday 9th December at 6pm. It was a lovely evening of chat and joviality and we look forward to catching up at our next meeting and discussing our next read. The next meeting is 17th February at 6pm. Please contact the office if you wish to participate or email project@irishsupportagency.org.au

SINCERE THANKS

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the generous efforts of The Bacon Bros who donated the proceeds of their sales of fabulous Irish Fayre on the 12th December 2020. Check them out at 30 Burrows Road, St Peters on Saturdays and 50 O'Dea Avenue, Waterloo on Sundays from 8am -12.30pm. Cheers lads!

They were supported in terms of produce by Shay ‘The (wonderful) Irish Butcher’ and the team at Taste Ireland, both of whom also generously contributed to the creation of beautiful hampers we distributed to some of our most vulnerable before Christmas.

The Grand Hotel also hosted their New Year’s Day ‘Bringing in the Irish New Year’ event and kindly donated the proceeds from the entry fee.

Caroline McKenna has been a wonderful advocate of the baile as baile initiative and also donated the proceeds of her raffle from the Christmas Eve Eve dinner at The Grand Hotel on 23rd December. Thank you all, your kindness is truly appreciated.

BRIGID 2021

The Prankqueans return with their celebrated Brigid program after great success in 2020.
In association with Consulate General of Ireland, Sydney,
this promises to be another wonderful evening. The program features Cliona Mullins, Aine de Paor, Rosie McDonald, Jacqui McPhee, Anne Casey and many more.

Sunday 31st January at 7pm in the Gaelic Club and Sunday 7th March at 2.30pm in Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, NSW 2170. Tickets can be purchased here - https://brigid2021.eventbrite.com/

SYDNEY ST PATRICK'S DAY 2021

Save the date! All going to plan, Sydney St Patrick’s Day Committee will be hosting an event on Sunday 21st March 2021!

The committee is focused on working hard and of course will be operating under the NSW Health guidelines. If you would to participate in any capacity, (committee, performer, musician etc) please contact us on secretary@sydneystpatricksday.com.au.

Seniors' Christmas Lunch 2020

We had a fabulous day yesterday for our Senior's Christmas Lunch in Penrith Gaels Cultural and Sporting Association. Thank you to John Grieve, Chairman, for generously sponsoring this special lunch. We were also joined by Adrienne Hickey, Deputy Consul General of Ireland, Sydney.

Everyone had an absolute ball and we were musically accompanied by the lovely Rebecca and Kurt. Our seniors look forward to this every year and it is great to see people coming together again, Tír na nÓg and Cara Club had a great turnout.

baile as baile || home away from home

baile as baile is an initiative of the Irish Support Agency in partnership with members of the Irish Australian community of NSW. The phrase, meaning ‘home away from home’, aims to support and strengthen the Irish community by offering a range of activities and events where people can safely connect.

Over the coming months, baile as baile will offer a vibrant and inclusive program of events to meet the needs and interests of our diverse community and will feature both online and face to face interactions in locations across Sydney.

Each event will be led by a host who has kindly volunteered their time to allow people to share a new experience or learn new skills. There will also be opportunities to explore, to socialise and establish new connections. 

2020 has provided us with an awareness of the importance of kinship amongst our peers and community. Now more than ever, it is time to reach out, to participate and share experiences and I would encourage you all to get involved as much as possible. 

We’re in this together, in our home away from home.

Go to www.baileasbaile.com.au for our full calendar of events and more information.

Sydney St Patrick's Day explores The Rocks

The ISA team were delighted to be able to host a stall at the Irish Markets as part of the Sydney St Patrick’s Day explores The Rocks event last weekend. It was great to see so many people out and about despite the inclement weather, enjoying the day and taking the opportunity to reconnect with friends, old and new.

Thank you to all who came to visit us to get a better understanding of what we do, those who donated or purchased one of our warm and snuggly sweatshirts or those who took the opportunity to become ISA members. We very much look forward to welcoming you to the ISA family.

World Mental Health Day

October 10th marks World Mental Health Day.

The past year has brought many challenges for us all, as we adapt to life in the midst of COVID-19.

It's more important than ever to take time for yourself and check-in with family and friends as we navigate through the coming months.

If you're in need of support, remember that help is close at hand.

Beyond Blue is a great resource or alternatively ring our team for a confidential discussion