COMMUNITY NEWS
Creating jobs
A NEW report by a major Australian insurance company has found that migrant small business owners are entrepreneurial , innovative and ambitious and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the Australian economy .
The survey by CGU Insurance , part of the giant IAG group , notes that one in three of all Australian small businesses are owned by migrants and that migrants to Australia are ‘ very enterprising … resourceful , demonstrate grit and build internal resilience ’ in their decision to move to a new country for a new life .
The Federation of Ethnic Communities ’ Councils of Australia ( FECCA ) chairwoman Mary Patetsos said : “ This report confirms what we have always known - that the determination of migrants to make a better life for themselves in a new land makes them great , hardworking contributors to Australia .
The CGU survey of 900 business owners finds that :
• Eight out of 10 migrant business owners stated their first business venture after moving to Australia ;
• One in every two migrant business owners is aiming for higher revenue in the next five years ( 47 % compared to 38 % of non-migrant business owners );
• A quarter of the businesses are training young people ( 25 % compared to 19 % of non-migrant business owners ); and
• One in every three migrant business owners is planning new hires ( 33 % compared to 25 % of nonmigrant business owners ).
“ This report finds that migrant business owners lead the way in optimism , foresight and new ideas ,” Patetsos said .
“ There are over 620,000 migrant-owner businesses in Australia and they employ over 1.41 million Australians .
“ We congratulate CGU in conducting this objective assessment of their contribution to our society .” •
Active kids – $ 100 for every child to play sport
More than one million school children across the state are now eligible for the NSW Government ’ s new annual $ 100 Active Kids voucher .
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said from today all parents with school-aged children will have help to cover the cost of sports and active recreation fees .
“ This is a fantastic boost for parents because we know the cost of kids ’ sport and activities can really add up . Active Kids is one of the ways the NSW Government is easing cost of living pressures on families ,” Ms Berejikilan said .
“ We have allocated $ 207 million over the next four years to help parents with the costs of getting their kids into sport .”
Active Kids will contribute $ 100 for every child
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BIRTH OF SAMAR ASSOCIATION
THE latest addition to the community of Filipino-Australian organisations was established on January 7 , 2018 . At an induction of officers at the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney , the Samar Association of Australia elected Ethel Singzon ( president ), Mercy Jones ( vice president ), Cleo Baltazar ( secretary ), Judith del Prado ( treasurer ), Ligaya Zapalla ( auditor ), Julieta Sabarre ( PRO ); directors Gina Figueroa , Daisy Lopez and Nancy Paull . Pictured with the officers are Acting Consul General Marford Angeles , Consul Emmanuel Guzman and Consul Melanie Diano .
SENIORS MARK OZ DAY
ABOUT 100 members of the Association of Golden Australian Pilipinos Inc ( AGAPI ) danced ( in pucture ), sang and celebrated Australia Day at the Rooty Hill School of Arts on Saturday , January 27 , 2018 . AGAPI president Dorothy del Villar encouraged members to think about how Australia had changed them and to wear Australia-themed outfits on the day . Sarah Dawson won the best costume contest . Photo : EVELYN OPILAS
towards the cost of sports registration , membership expenses and fees for physical activities such as swimming , dance lessons and athletics .
Sports Minister Stuart Ayres said parents can now register online with Service NSW to receive their $ 100 voucher to provide to their approved sport or physical activity club or organisation .
“ Active kids are happy and healthy kids and this is going to make a difference to many families . This program means that every child in the State has the opportunity to be fit and active in their community ,” Mr Ayres said .
“ From today parents can visit the Active Kids website to see a list of approved providers . More organisations will be added in the weeks ahead .”
Active Kids is a key initiative of the 2017-18 Budget and will not be means-tested . It supports the Premier ’ s Priority to reduce overweight and obesity rates of children by five per cent over ten years .
Parents have until 31 December 2018 to claim and use their voucher .
More information : sport . nsw . gov . au / activekids or by phoning Service NSW on 13 77 88 . •
Chynna off to international quest
KOGARAH ’ S Chynna Sandra Palis , 25 , is representing the Philippines at the Miss Asian International 2018 in Bangkok , Thailand . Coronation is scheduled for Friday , March 2 , 2018 . Chynna , who works at the Versace store at Centrepoint in Sydney , was crowned Miss Eastern Sydney 2017 and was First Runner-Up at the 2017 Miss Philippines Australia .
AK NewsMagazine , Vol 8 No 5 | FEBRUARY 2018 13