Wagga Wagga City Council welcomes people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as a valued part of our community.
Wagga Wagga is a diverse community with 6.7% of our community born overseas and over 30% of residents able to speak another language other than English.
Council supports people from culturally diverse backgrounds through a variety of projects, programs and partnerships each year and works with key organisations to hold events such as Refugee Week, Naidoc Week and our Multicultural Festival as well as conducting regular Citizenship Ceremonies.
Council invites participation and representation from CALD people through all its boards and its Multicultural Advisory Committee and welcomes input into all its strategic planning processes to ensure that meets are identified and met.
Local Multicultural Community Groups, Services & Information
There are many local Multicultural Community Groups, Services & Information in Wagga.
See the Community Directory for contact details.
Emergency Numbers (24 hours)
Police, Ambulance, Fire: 000 Access Line: 1800 800 944
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Poisons Information: 13 11 26
Telephone Interpreter Service 131 450
Parent Line: 132 055
Wagga Wagga & Region Suicide Prevention and Support 02 69 233178
Wagga Refugee Health Assessment Clinic
Piercy Place
1/185 Morgan Street
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
02 6923 3120
Fax: 02 6923 3144
The Wagga Refugee Health Assessment Clinic provides newly arrived refugees with a comprehensive health assessment and appropriate follow-up prior to transfer to the GP of their choice for all ongoing care. Attendance at the clinic is on Mondays by appointment only.
The Smith Family
Learning for Life Program
PO Box 10500, Mount Austin, NSW, 2650
02 69255381
Fax: 02 69254052
mary.harvey@thesmithfamily.com.au
www.thesmithfamily.com.au
At The Smith family we link disadvantaged children with education and learning programs, opportunities and supports, and connect them with Australians who have the capacity, skills and resources to help. Our programs not only support the children but also their families and communities, who provide crucial nurturing relationships and supportive learning environments a child needs.
TAFE STEPS Program
Currently: TAFE Child Studies training session room
Ann Leske
TAFE NSW RIT
Vocational Access Department
Cnr Colemean and Macleay Sts
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
69381449
Fax: 69381309 Ann.leske@tafensw.edu.au
A community supported Parentgroup/playgroup for families with young children (pre-school age with an education and parenting focus. Planned sessions implemented by Adult Literacy teachers. Transport available for most participants where possible. Participants access variety of resources and activities. Morning tea provided.
TAFE NSW Riverina Institute - Wagga Wagga Campus
Cnr Macleay and Coleman Streets
Wagga Wagga
02 6938 1353
Fax: 02 69381425
TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, Wagga Wagga campus, provides English Language tuition for Wagga and its surrounds. The campus is the local provider for the Adult Migrant Education Program (AMEP), provides both day and evenings classes, English Language proficiency testing again the International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR), and short courses (Preparation for IELTS).
Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga Inc
18 Station Place, PO Box 222
Wagga Wagga
02) 69216666
Fax: 692166669
The IHSS provides intensive settlement support to refugees and Special Humanitarian Program entrants.
The MCWW within the IHSS program are responsible to provide Case Coordination, Information and Referrals On Arrival Reception and Assistance Accommodation Services. The SGP assists all new arrivals who have come to Australia after their initial six months of intensive support provided by the IHSS for a period of 5 years after their arrival. Assist new arrivals to orient themselves to their new community Help new communities to develop Promote social participation and integration.
Multicultural Services
Nearly 30% of residents in the City of Wagga Wagga speak languages other than English at home.
Multilingual Interpreter
Wagga Wagga residents from non-English speaking backgrounds can be connected immediately with an interpreter who speaks their language.
Telephone Interpreter Service Call 131450.
Community Relations Commission
The Community Relations Commission For a Multicultural NSW has responsibility for promoting community harmony, participation and access to services in order that the contribution of cultural diversity to NSW is celebrated and recognised as an important social and economic resource. As the leading government agency, it builds strong relationships with ethnic community groups and develops and fosters extensive networks throughout various communities through its programs and services.
As such, the CRC is positioned to provide comprehensive advice to government on multicultural issues. A Link to the Community Relations Commission Guide for services is here
Living in Australia
For information on living in Australia in 37 community languages, visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at Beginning a Life in Australia. This resource provides useful national, state/territory and local settlement information for migrants, humanitarian entrants, their sponsors and service providers.
Cultural and Religious Dates Calendar
For a full listing of cultural and religious days of significance, visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Calendar.
Multicultural Web
Multicultural Web is a broad based community education project aiming to provide basic internet training and access to disadvantaged Non English Speaking Background people in our community in a range of languages. The site has lots of practical links and LOTE Online resources. See www.multiculturalweb.org.
Australian Citizenship
If you are considering applying for Australian Citizenship, you can obtain an application pack from the Department of Home Affairs by downloading one from the website or by calling the Citizenship Hotline on 13 18 80.
Your application must be lodged with the Department of Home Affairs. To make an appointment, please contact the Citizenship Hotline on 13 18 80 or visit the website for further information.
Upcoming Citizenship Ceremonies
Citizenship Ceremonies are held approximately every 4 - 8 weeks at various venues within the municipality. Dates for upcoming ceremonies held in Wagga Wagga are as follows:
- TBC - 15 May 2020
Recipients will receive an invitation advising the date and venue for their Citizenship Ceremony once it has been approved by the Department of Home Affairs. Wagga Wagga City Council does not hold details of new citizens until approx. 3 weeks prior to a ceremony.
For further information regarding Australian Citizenship Ceremonies please read the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code
Please click here for the Wagga Wagga City Council Citizenship Ceremony Fact Sheet
Use council@wagga.nsw.gov.au to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online.
If you prefer phone, call us on 1300 292 442.
Useful Links
Human Rights
- Refugee Council of Australia
- Amnesty International Australia (refugees)
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (available in 10 languages)
Government
More Information
Contact Us to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online.
Wagga Wagga Community Directory
The Wagga Wagga Community Directory is an online directory of community groups, services and facilities, providing up-to-date information for community organisations who provide services in the Wagga Wagga, area as well as showing upcoming events in the area.
The directory provides residents, visitors and organisations the opportunity to easily find contact information for community-based services in the local area.
Please note: The information contained in the directory is the responsibility of the organisation or group. Council takes no responsibility for information being accurate or complete.