Western Sydney MRC

✨Celebrating Excellence at the ZEST Awards 2026✨

was honoured to attend the ZEST Awards 2026, a wonderful celebration of the individuals, organisations, and initiatives making a positive difference across Western Sydney communities.

A huge congratulations to our Play Our Way Program for being named a finalist in the Outstanding Project – CALD Communities category. This recognition reflects the dedication, passion, and hard work behind the program, as well as its positive impact in supporting women and girls aged 12 and above to participate in swimming and other recreational activities.

We are also incredibly proud of our dedicated volunteer, Jamal Al-Mindawy, who was nominated for Outstanding Community Sector Leader.

We also congratulate our Building Confidence, Creating Futures project, facilitated by Nagham Shallal, for being nominated in the Project – CALD Communities category.

The evening highlighted the dedication, resilience, and innovation of people and organisations working to support and empower communities across Western Sydney.

Congratulations to all finalists, nominees, and winners on your well-deserved achievements. ✨

🌏💙 Refugee Week 2026 Celebration 💙🌏

It was another full house event at Whitlam Leisure Centre for our Refugee week celebration. Western Sydney MRC as part of the Liverpool Refugee Migrants Interagency (LRMI), including Liverpool City Council Australia, SSI - Settlement Services International, MTC; AMES, LMA, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Services Australia, Mission Australia, Matchworks, TAFE NSW, SBS Arabic, Belgravia, Zen Tea lounge, Lifeline, Navitas Skilled Futures, The Sabian Mandaean Association, and local community organisations.

The event brought together community members, families, service providers and local leaders to honour the strength, resilience and contributions of refugees in our community.

Through cultural performances, storytelling, community connections and shared experiences, we celebrated the rich diversity that makes our region stronger and more inclusive.
Refugee Week is an opportunity to recognise the journeys of people seeking safety, acknowledge their achievements, and reaffirm our commitment to creating welcoming communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong and thrive.

As part of the Western Sydney Region Settlement Consortium, we celebrated with our clients and communities.

A heartfelt thank you to our VIP's - Charishma Kaliyanda MP; Dai Le MP, , Tina Ayyad MP, Emmanuel Adjei on behalf of Mayor of Liverpool City Council Councillor - and all who participated through sharing their stories and lived expertise, performances and stalls which helped make this celebration a success.
Together, we continue to build a community that values diversity, inclusion and respect for all.

🌟 Make Your EOFY Donation Count – Tax-Deductible Giving That Changes Lives 🌟

As the End of Financial Year approaches, now is the perfect time to make a meaningful impact in your community while receiving a tax-deductible benefit.

Your donation helps us continue delivering essential programs and services that support people at every stage of life:

🤝 Settlement Services – helping newly arrived migrants and refugees build confident, connected, and successful lives in Australia.

💙 Resilience and Wellbeing Programs – supporting individuals, families, and communities to overcome challenges and thrive.

👵 Aged Care Services – enhancing wellbeing, independence, and social connection for older Australians.

🏘️ Community Capacity Building – strengthening community leadership, participation, and inclusion.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families and Children Programs – providing support, education, and opportunities for families to flourish.

🌱 Youth Services – empowering young people through engagement, leadership development, and pathways to success.

Donate before 30 June to make a difference and claim a tax deduction this financial year. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your records.

Every contribution helps create stronger communities, greater opportunities, and brighter futures. Together, we can support those who need it most and build a more inclusive, resilient community for all.

👉 To make a donation, please visit our website via the QR code below or at www.wsmrc.org.au/donate or contact us at 02 8778 1200.

Together, we can continue to make a profound impact on the lives of those who need it most.

Samoa Day 8th June 2026

Western Sydney MRC were delighted to participate in the Samoa Day celebrations this year at Liverpool Whitlam Leisure Centre, hosted by Fono Samoa NSW joining our Pacific Islander communities in a day of culture, connection, and community spirit.

As a Settlement service provider, we are committed to welcoming, supporting, and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds. Events like Samoa Day provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with community members, share information about available services, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our Pacific communities.
It was especially meaningful to engage with participants from the PEV (Pacific Engagement Visa) and Falepili pathways, strengthening relationships and supporting successful settlement and community participation.


Thank you Fono Samoa NSW for the opportunity to share our service and to everyone who stopped by to say hello, share their stories, and celebrate together, including: Pacific Officers Law Enforcement Network - POLEN - NSW Police Force, NSW Council for Pacific Communities; Elevated Culture Foundation ; Pacific Way Gift Shop.

We look forward to continuing to work alongside our Pacific Islander communities to build connections, belonging, and opportunities for all.

Engaging on migration, settlement, and social cohesion in Western Sydney

Yesterday, our CEO, Dor Akech Achiek participated in a roundtable with the Assistant Minister for Immigration, Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP, hosted by Hon. David Moncrieff MP (Member for Hughes). The discussion created a valuable space for community leaders to share perspectives on how immigration settings impact communities across South‑Western Sydney and the services that support them.

At the roundtable, Dor highlighted that Western Sydney navigates social cohesion challenges every day—shaped by rapid population growth, cultural and linguistic diversity, and persistent gaps in access to services, jobs, housing, and infrastructure. When growth outpaces investment, trust and inclusion are put under strain.
Drawing on decades of place‑based settlement experience in one of Australia’s largest settlement regions, Western Sydney MRC reaffirmed that sustainable migration programs must be place‑based, inclusive, and skills‑focused, aligned with the region’s growth and diversity.

Key priorities raised included:

1. Targeted skilled migration aligned to local labour shortages (healthcare, construction, education, logistics, clean energy), with clear pathways to permanence.
2. Strong settlement and language support, including adequate funding for specialised services, English classes, employment mentoring, and recognition of overseas qualifications.
3. Community‑led integration, investing in local organisations to build cross‑cultural connections and prevent social isolation.
4. Infrastructure and housing alignment, ensuring migration intakes match capacity in transport, schools, health services, and affordable housing.
5. Youth and family‑focused programs to support education, mental health, and employment pathways for second‑generation migrants.
6. Predictable, responsible humanitarian program growth through a multi‑year intake framework aligned to settlement capacity.
7. Protection‑focused humanitarian pathways that prioritise family unity as essential settlement infrastructure.
8. Sustained investment in settlement systems, strengthening coordination across community organisations, mainstream services, and government.
9. Complementary migration pathways that are truly additional to the core humanitarian program and do not shift costs onto refugee communities—while keeping accessibility and equity central.

We appreciate the opportunity for open dialogue and look forward to continued collaboration to ensure migration settings support strong, inclusive, and cohesive communities in Western Sydney.

We have our Permanent CEO!

Western Sydney MRC (WSMRC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dor Akech Achiek as Chief Executive Officer, effective 27 April 2026.

Following a comprehensive recruitment and selection process, the Board is pleased to confirm Dor’s appointment. He brings significant depth of experience, a strong understanding of the sector, and a deep commitment to the communities WSMRC serves. Dor has more than 17 years of experience, most recently serving as Head of Settlement Services at SSI - Settlement Services International.

Dor is a highly respected leader with a genuine commitment to purpose-led work, aligning closely with our organisational values and strategic priorities.

Having served as Interim CEO for the past six months, Dor has demonstrated his leadership, values, and commitment in action. During this time, he has provided stability, clear direction, and thoughtful leadership, while maintaining a strong focus on our mission to support culturally and linguistically diverse communities across Western Sydney.

The Board has full confidence in Dor’s ability to lead WSMRC into its next strategic phase—strengthening our services, deepening partnerships, and delivering enduring impact.
Dor expressed his enthusiasm and commitment to the organisation’s mission:

“I am honoured and excited to be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre. WSMRC has a proud history of delivering responsive and impactful services that support culturally and linguistically diverse communities across Western Sydney. I look forward to working closely with our dedicated staff, Board, partners, and community to build on this strong foundation—enhancing our services, strengthening connections, and creating lasting, positive impact for the people we serve.”

The Board has full confidence in Dor’s leadership and vision for the future of the organisation.
“Dor’s extensive experience and passionate commitment to our values and mission make him the ideal leader to guide WSMRC into the future,” said Rola Hijwel, Chair of the Board.
“We are excited to work with Dor on the next chapter of WSMRC’s journey—building on our legacy, empowering communities, and creating lasting, positive change across Western Sydney.”

Dor’s leadership comes at a pivotal time as WSMRC continues to expand its services and reach, responding to the evolving needs of migrant and refugee communities across Western Sydney. Under his leadership, WSMRC is well positioned to continue its vital role in supporting individuals and families and strengthening inclusive, connected communities.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Rola Hijwel, WSMRC Chairperson,
0414656172 [email protected]

Western Sydney Mrc Harmony Week Celebrations across Liverpool, Campbelltown, Blacktown & NSW Premier's dinner

WSMRC celebrated Harmony Week with our diverse communities across Liverpool; Campbelltown and Blacktown. We also had the privilege to attend the Premier’s Harmony Dinner at ICC Sydney, hosted by Multicultural NSW with members of our Board; Staff and Community

These vibrant celebrations highlighted the richness of culture, diversity, and community connection, all while embracing the message of belonging and continuing to strengthen unity and inclusion across our communities.

From colorful performances to powerful shared stories, people from all walks of life came together celebrating what makes each culture unique and showing how we can truly thrive in harmony.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making these events so meaningful and memorable.

Let’s continue embracing diversity, fostering understanding, and making harmony part of every day.

🎉 Gala Day Concert & Seniors Week Celebrations 🎉

WSMRC celebrated and honoured our elderly clients with a fantastic day out at the Gala Day event at Darling Harbour. The concert featured an incredible lineup of diverse performances by Dami Im, Nathan Foley, Jay Laga'aia, Olivia Fox, and Tarryn Stokes—creating a truly memorable experience for everyone. A heartfelt thank you to the Department of Communities and Justice for organising such a special event to celebrate and honour our seniors.

The celebrations continued in Liverpool, with a meaningful day dedicated to recognising the wisdom, strength, and invaluable contributions our seniors have made in shaping our communities. We honour their stories, experiences, and resilience, which continue to inspire us every day.

Through our Aged Care programs—ACVVS, CHSP, and ElderConnect ( and ); WSMRC remains committed to celebrating and supporting our elders, whether through a kind word, a visit, or simply spending time together. 💛

🌏✨ Celebrate Harmony Day with Us! ✨🌏
Join us for a day of connection, culture, and community! 🎉

WSMRC invites you to our Harmony Day Celebration, where we come together to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the amazing cultures that make our community shine.

Registrations here:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1984437778816?aff=oddtdtcreator