Vivid Lights is one of Sydney’s most anticipated events. A festival of light, music & ideas it bathes the iconic Sydney Opera House in a thrilling light show. This year, Vivid Lights is bound to be bigger and better than ever. Experience the largest light show in the Southern Hemisphere and grab front row tickets aboard a Vivid Lights Cruise.

Your Event includes:
– 2 hr cruise
– 1 drink on arrival. Cash bar for all beverages thereafter
– Canapes on arrival
– Cocktail buffet
– Professional Staff
– Front row seats to Vivid

WHEN: 25th May 2019
TIME: 6:00pm to 11:00pm
WHERE: Sydney City Casino Wharf
COST: All tickets include cruise and transportation from Sutherland Shire. Concession $79pp, Adult $99pp.

Tickets are non-refundable once purchased. Payments can be made at our front desk reception or over the phone via EFTPOS.
For more information, contact Joanne Cracknell on 0295249559 or, joanne.cracknell@gcais.ngo.org.au

Join us for a day trip to Homebush and visit Newington Armory.

Newington Armory has evolved from its military-industrial origins into a unique arts precinct, including a theatre, outdoor amphitheatre, artist studios and an exhibition space, which features the longest continuous gallery wall in Australia! The Armory has free exhibitions throughout the year, plus film festivals, public art, cultural activities and kids activities.

Your day includes:

• A 2 hour guided tour and ride on the heritage train
• Travel
• Morning tea

BYO LUNCH to have at Blaxland Riverside Park OR, purchase a lunch picnic hampers for $30 per couple or $20 per person which must be ordered at time of booking.

WHEN:    26th February 2019
TIME:      8:30am to 3:30pm
WHERE:  Bus pickup and drop off, Gymea Community Aid and Information Service
COST:      $50 for over 65; $65 for under 65. EFTPOS is availbale over the phone or at our front desk.

Bookings are open now and  capped at 21 bookings. Reserve and pay for your place by 1/02/2019. Pay at Gymea Community Aid & Information Service’s front desk or your Team leader.

Cancellations- Cancellations with-in 24 hours are non- refundable

For more information, please contact Christine or Rita, Community Connections on 0295249559 or email christine.valentine@gcais.ngo.org.au

We are pleased to announce that Tradies has again supported our Drivetime Learner Driver Mentor Program. This program supports Refugees in gaining their P1 driver’s licence. Without their support, this funding that contributes to supporting independence, inclusion, participation and transitions to employment , members from this Community may not receive such a great opportunity.

We thank Tradies for their continued support and commitment to our Community.

This guide has advice and safety tips to help people in our community aged 65 or over make safer choices when driving, riding, walking, using a mobility scooter or catching public transport.
It profiles the changes to our health that can come with age, and how conditions such as vision impairment and dementia can affect our abilities as road users.
Checklists are included to help develop safer driving habits and make better choices when walking and crossing the road.
The guide also explains the NSW older driver licensing system, including information for those who want to transition from full-time driving to other transport options. Whether you’re currently experiencing changes to your mobility or planning for the future, this guide will help you stay independent and safe.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE

NSW Centre for Road Safety
roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au

I am very proud to report that Gymea Community Aid and Information Service have again been announced as a Finalist in the 2018 Local Business Awards in Sutherland Shire.

We would like to thank all of those who voted for us and have joined us on our journey to understand what we are doing well for our Community and, what we can do to improve. Getting through this first stage into the finals was our first goal and we have achieved that with your help!!!

The winner will be announced on 22nd August 2018

GCAIS is proud to have joined forces with some of Australia’s leading businesses, sporting bodies and NGO’s to support the “Racism. It Stops With Me” campaign.
Our organisation has committed to preventing racism by pledging to undertake activities in support of the campaign.
“Here at GCAIS we open our doors to people from all walks of life and are pleased to be a supporter of an initiative such as this which reflects our organisation’s purpose of celebrating inclusiveness, independence and participation”. Joanne Cracknell, General Manager .

Research from 2011 shows that one in seven Australians say they experienced discrimination because of their colour or background. This figure that has been increasing steadily in recent years.

Research has also shown that 70 percent of people agree that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people are prejudiced against each other.

The national “Racism. It stops with me” campaign, which is being led by the Australian Human Rights Commission, has been developed by a partnership of government and non-government agencies.

For more information about the campaign go to: http://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/

Or follow the campaign on Twitter @ItStopsWithMe.

Not wanting to carry around as much as cash or, make the effort to ensure you have the right change? We are pleased to be able to offer our Clients, access to EFTPOS when making payments for day excursions and group outings.

EFTPOS is now available at our front desk and, through our group leaders when participating in day groups. Debit, Visa and Mastercards are accepted.

Please see your group leader for more information, email aged@gcais.ngo.org.au or, call Rita Napolitano or Joanne Cracknell on 95249559 .

The NSP have published their latest report and have highlighted the work facilitated her at GCAIS on the Community Friends Project. Go HERE to read the report.

The NRMA honoured learner-drivers from refugee backgrounds at a DriveTime graduation ceremony in Wollongong, helping them gain the skills and confidence they need to drive safely on Australian Roads.

Go here for the full media release

We were delighted to celebrate the graduation of 26 participants of the DriveTime program from the Fairfield area on Monday 17th July. The event was attended by the Honorable Ray Williams, Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Disability Services, NSW Government who spoke to the participants  about how fortunate we are that they chose Australia as their country to migrate to. NRMA’s CEO, Rohan Lund also spoke about how, as Australians, we take getting a license and driving a vehicle as a natural part of growing up. Without the support of organisations like NRMA, gaining a license as a refugee may not have been possible.

The ceremony was organised by GCAIS in partnership with the team from the NRMA and MC’d by our General Manager, Joanne Cracknell. DriveTime was a program piloted in 2015 in the Sutherland Shire after the Southern Sydney Refugee Support Group nominated it as a project of value and high impact. 5 learners gained their licenses through the pilot and as a result, caught the attention of large organisations like the NRMA.

Go here for full details of the graduation. 

To view photos from the event, go to the Photo Gallery tab on our home page.

I am very proud to report that Gymea Community Aid and Information Service have been announced as a Finalist in this year’s Local Business Awards.

We would like to thank all of those who voted for us and have joined us on our journey to understand what we are doing well for our Community and, what we can do to improve. Getting through this first stage into the finals was our first goal and we have achieved that with your help!!!

Stay tuned as we make our way towards the announcement of the winner to be disclosed on 6th September 2017.

I am pleased to announce the appointments of two of our key support roles:

Maria Rogers has commenced in the contracted role of Bookkeeper. Maria’s previous roles have been with some of the more significant financial and banking organisations being JP Morgan Chase UK , Cornelius Barton & Co and Credit Suisse. She is currently connected with The High Tea Party organisation in sponsor relations and finance administration.  Maria’s role at GCAIS will be anything financial being payroll, accounts receivable and payable, bank reconciliations etc.

Katrina Vavdinos commences on 21^st March in the role of Corporate Services Coordinator. Katrina has been working with the Young Adults Disabled Association (YADA) as a consultant and administrator since 2013. Gaining great insights into customer experience. Katrina comes from an extensive career with Westpac where she held roles in business lending operations and cards. Katrina’s high level of detail and organisational skills set her up well to deliver on tasks such as business process and systems, administrative requirements, common facilities maintenance and basic I.T to name a few.

Please join us in welcoming both Maria and Katrina to the GCAIS organisation.

We are very proud of our Settlement and Multicultural Service who are “driving” this program for newly settled refugees who require the confidence and skills required to obtain a NSW driver’s licence.

READ article here

Attached is a great article about the origins of “The Pickers” a men’s group auspiced by GCAIS and founded by Peter Cahill. The Pickers meet every Thursday and full details can be found under our EVENTS tab, Senior Men’s Guitar Group

The Pickers newspaper article march 2017

Change is in the air here at GCAIS!!! We are excited to advise that 2 of our management level positions have been appointed.

General Manager
Joanne Cracknell has been appointed to this key role, commencing 20th March. Many of you would have met Joanne in her role as President of the GCAIS Management Committee. This role gives her a thorough understanding of the business and a unique insight into the strengths of our organisation and the challenges we face going into the future.

Joanne has worked as an independent consultant since 2015 and has engaged in a diverse range of roles as a senior learning and organisation development specialist. She has guided teams through change processes, worked to deliver business solutions and facilitated strategic planning processes. Joanne brings a wide range of valuable skills, knowledge and experience to the position of General Manager and this will place our organisation in a strong position going into the future

Community Connections Operations Manager
Rita Napolitano brings 17 years of experience working in the Aged Care Sector to the position of Community Connections Operations Manager. Most recently, Rita held the position of Operations Manager with Wesley Mission. Rita’s experience of managing a team delivering the CHSP across Sydney will be extremely valuable as we work towards sustainability and growth for GCAIS. Rita will commence on 7th March.

Stay tuned for an opportunity to meet with our new staff and share in the future plans for GCAIS. In the interim, take a look at our Strategic Plan under the RESOURCES tab.

The program provides English driving support and driving practice with volunteer mentors, for people on humanitarian visas to help them obtain a NSW driving licence.

Volunteering Opportunities:

Driver Knowledge Test Mentor: help improve learner’s language related to driving and road safety. prepare learner to conduct their Driver Knowledge Test.

Driving Supervision Mentor: Provide supervised driving practice to participants to gain confidence behind the wheel.

Free training For further information, contact DriveTime Project Coordinator on 0478748387 or email drivetime@gcais.ngo.org.au.

DOWNLOAD brochure here

Do you know any students from Refugee or Migrant backgrounds who need extra support with their school work?

Our volunteer tutors, many of whom have teaching backgrounds, provide homework support to refugee and newly arrived migrant children and young people.

The club includes:

• Healthy afternoon tea
• Individual homework tuition
• Social activities during the holidays
• Transport can be provided to and from certain areas

WHEN: Mondays during school terms
WHERE: Gymea Community Aid, 39 Gymea Bay Rd Gymea
TIME: 3:30pm-5:30pm
COST: Free

We can arrange one-on-one tutoring for young people in high school, college and university.
If one of your students could benefit from this service, or if you would like to volunteer, please call us on 95249959 or email Helen Ledlin helen.ledlin@gcais.ngo.org.au

Due to popular demand, Fitness and Computer Programs for Seniors are on again!   

• Zumba and Active Exercise Classes for Seniors.
• Tai Chi for Carers.
• One- on- one technology tutoring for beginners – 5 weeks program. Please call CHSP 95249559 for details and eligibility. Alternatively, go to the EVENTS tab for dates and times of these classes.