Last night, she was named the 2017 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year after winning the ‘For Purpose and Social Enterprise’ category.

Following her recognition among Australia’s top business women, Ms Roumeliotis implored corporate Australia to tap into the out-of-the-box thinking and start-up mentality in the not-for-profit sector in order to solve pressing business challenges such as workforce shortages.

“Now begins the time when corporate Australia needs us in the not-for-profit sector to access the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking needed to advance our country — the exact things we’ve built our sector on for so many years,” she said.

“Many would be surprised to know just how effective community organisations are at developing world-class initiatives that address key social challenges and provide a win-win for business and community.”

At SSI, this is exemplified by a range of self-funded social enterprises that, in addition to providing services, also give job seekers work experience opportunities in a real workplace environment.

“Our low cost supermarket, The Staples Bag, actively reduces Australia’s food wastage problem and addresses the growing issue of food insecurity. We have distributed over 500 tonnes of food in the last 12 months alone. At the same time, it provides work experience to help people break the cycle of unemployment,” she said.

This innovation is similarly present in SSI’s partnerships with businesses ranging from Google to Woolworths to Allianz Australia.

“Eighteen refugees and migrants with existing skills and qualifications who were matched to Allianz’s business needs embarked on a 12-month program that includes two job rotations in areas such as marketing, claims, finance and IT,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

“The mutual success of the Settlement Services International-Allianz partnership has been recognised by Australian Human Rights Commission as a finalist in the Human Rights Awards 2017.”

Ms Roumeliotis called on other business leaders to consider the innovation and commercial impact to be gained from partnership with the not-for-profit sector.

“Let’s work together to solve commercial and social challenges,” she said.

Media enquiries:

SSI Communications Coordinator Hannah Gartrell 0488 680 287

Recognised for her social entrepreneurship and raising awareness of the economic value of migration, Roumeliotis is the brains behind various initiatives that have seen companies such as Allianz Australia run employment programs, as well establishing Australia’s first bespoke refugee entrepreneurship initiative, Ignite Small Business Start-ups (Ignite).

“The not-for-profit sector is thriving with social entrepreneurs, driven by passion and determination. Many would be surprised to know just how effective community organisations are at developing world-class initiatives that address key social challenges and provide a win-win for business and community.

“Settlement Services International works in partnership with leading corporations to implement ground-breaking Sustainable Employment Programs that support refugees and migrants entering the workforce and providing business with rich talent. 

“Eighteen refugees and migrants with existing skills and qualifications who were matched to Allianz’s business need, embarked on a 12-month program that includes two job rotations in areas such as marketing, claims, finance and IT.

“The mutual success of the Settlement Services International-Allianz partnership has been recognised by Australian Human Rights Commission as a finalist in the Human Rights Awards 2017.

“In only four years, our award-winning small business start-up program, Ignite, has supported 90 participants to financial independence and developed over 45 jobs. This saves an estimated $1.8 million in Centrelink payments each year.

“I call for leaders from across corporate Australia to look at the innovation and commercial impact of the work of the not for profit sector. We want more partnerships, so we can expand our reach and help to solve commercial and social challenges of Australia,” said Roumeliotis.

Roumeliotis will compete for Telstra Australian Business Women of the Year: Purpose and Social Enterprise Award at the national ceremony in Melbourne on Tuesday 21 November 2017.

Media enquiries:

SSI Communications Coordinator Hannah Gartrell 0488 680 287 

Formed in 2015, the NSP is a wide-reaching consortium led by community-based not-forprofit Settlement Services International, which includes 22 other organistions, ranging from migrant resource centers, to generalist neighbourhood centres and ethno-specific organisations.

SSI Settlement Services Manager, Loukia Zinopoulos, said that this diversity allowed the NSP to build on good practice, to reach further and do more.

“We can also deliver services in a more nuanced way. Our partners’ grassroots service delivery supported by SSI a solid combination,” she said.

“SSI’s statewide perspective combined with partners in-depth practice knowledge allows us to identify opportunities for innovation and collaboration.”

Since the NSP began, through collaboration and cross-pollination, partners have achieved significant outcomes. There has been a renewed focus on delivering services and activities that foster the three Es — employment, English language and education.

“Our NSP partners are all experts in their fields. They deliver quality, innovative services at a local level that are informed by their extensive commitment and experience in supporting migrant and refugee settlement. ” Ms Zinopoulos said.

Media enquiries:

SSI Communications Coordinator Rebeka Selmeczki; 0468 998 300
SSI Communications Coordinator Hannah Gartrell; 0488 680 287

The Community Hubs program operates nation-wide with nine established Community Hubs in primary schools in the Bankstown Local Government area alone including Bankstown, Banksia Road, Chester Hill, Georges Hall, St Brendan’s Sacred Heart,Yagoona and Villawood East.

Each Community Hub offers a welcoming place for parents and members of the community to connect with each other and share knowledge and skills. Local state MP Tania Mihailuk and Principal Melissa Proctor launched the new Bass Hill hub, which gives parents a chance to connect with the school and to strengthen their community.

“It is with great excitement that we officially open our Community Hub today. Our Hub is a safe and welcoming space for parents, families and local community members to come together and participate in a range of programs.” Ms Proctor said.

Each hub is managed by a Hub Leader who coordinates programs to meet the needs of their local community. Francesca Marinos, Hub Leader at Bass Hill, showcased personal stories from local parents Kristie McCudden and Tanzeel Kamran.

“The Hub provides a warm and welcoming place where I feel supported and valued, and where I am able to build new friendships and skills.” Ms McCudden said.

Tanzeel Kamran has found a support network and a sense of belonging. She enjoys coming to the playgroup with her pre-school aged children. 

“It is a place where ideas can be shared and taken up to generate new programs for the community” Ms Kamran said.

Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Coordinator Rebeka Selmeczki; 0468 998 300

Along with an array of stalls showcasing food and craft from around the world, a jam-packed program of musical and dance performances will include:

• Kween G: Renowned for potent content, Kween G delivers dynamic style as an MC, performer and hip hop artist. Born in Uganda, Kween came to Australia after her family was granted asylum. 
• Sako Dermenjian: Born and raised in Syria, Sako’s guitar has been the one constant in his life since war broke out in his homeland. Since coming to Australia, he’s resumed his musical studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is back on track to achieving his goal of becoming a world renowned classical guitarist.
• Hani Abdile: A writer and spoken word poet, Hani made her way to Australia by boat and spent 11 months on Christmas Island. While detained, Hani found healing in writing poetry.
• The Human Sound Project: Originating in New York to help communities unleash their purpose through the universal language of music, this high energy group will debut a song created in collaboration with hundreds of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia.

Now in its third year, the New Beginnings Festival in Spring is the brainchild of Carolina Triana — the 2017 recipient of the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Community Medal for Arts & Culture, which recognised her work with refugees and people seeking asylum.

“New Beginnings gives people from refugee and migrant backgrounds an opportunity to showcase the artistic talent and rich cultural heritage they bring to their new homes. For everyday Australians, it’s a chance to experience something new and learn about our neighbours,” said Ms Triana, who is the Arts & Culture Program Manager and festival producer at not-for-profit Settlement Services International (SSI).

“Bringing people together to bond over the shared enjoyment of music, dance and other cultural expressions is also one of the ways we can fight stereotypes about newly arrived communities. Getting to know someone through their art makes us focus on their creativity and potential – labels like ‘refugee’ or ‘migrant’ are no longer relevant.”

For more information on the New Beginnings Festival in Spring, click here.

About the New Beginnings Festival in Spring:

The New Beginnings Festival in Spring is the second installment of SSI’s 2017 New Beginnings: Refugee Arts and Culture Festival, an initiative of Settlement Services International (SSI). The festival kicked off in June, with the New Beginnings Festival for Refugee Week, which comprised an art exhibition, workshops and film screenings. Now in its third year, the New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival is a celebration of the artistic vibrancy, cultural expressions and heritage of people from refugee backgrounds. The New Beginnings Festival in Spring was supported by funding from the City of Sydney Council and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Coordinator Hannah Gartrell 0488 680 287
SSI Communications Coordinator Rebeka Selmeczki 0468 998 300

Ms Roumeliotis credits her success as a business woman to a values-driven, entrepreneurial mindset.

“The organisations in which I’ve always taken an interest — both in the business world and not-for-profit sector — are those that operate like honey bees. They collaborate and generate value for themselves, their communities and their environment,” she said.

“Others serve their own interests, consuming whatever lies in their paths, like locusts. I like to think that as a person who has led teams in successful organisations, we have employed honey-bee-type practices that have seeded fruitful, sustainable organisations with positive outcomes for communities.”

Ms Roumeliotis said that at times, this has meant walking away from lucrative ventures that did not align with the values of herself or the organisation she heads, Settlement Services International (SSI).

“I’m inspired by a sector and peers who don’t play hard ball and compete ruthlessly. The main game for me is to create enduring value for everyone involved. By applying such principles, the organisations I have been a part of have thrived,” she said.

“At SSI, this approach has seen our organisation break the traditional not-for-profit mould and operate as a social business. We run efficiently and effectively so that we can reinvest to maximise our social impact.

“For example, we run five social enterprises that give new arrivals and other job seekers work experience opportunities. The most significant of these is our low cost supermarket, The Staples Bag, which also actively reduces Australia’s food wastage problem and addresses the growing issue of food insecurity. We have distributed over 500 tonnes of food in the last 12 months alone.”

Ms Roumeliotis will join other state and territory category winners in Melbourne on Tuesday 21 November for the National Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

About SSI:
Settlement Services International is a community-based not-for-profit organisation providing a range of services in the areas of refugee settlement, migrant support services, asylum seeker assistance, housing, multicultural foster care, disability support, employment services and youth support in NSW.

Media enquiries:
SSI Communications Coordinator Hannah Gartrell 0488 680 287

Carrying out the work of the Alliance will be the inaugural Alliance Council, which comprises community representatives and organisations that either represent or work with migrant and refugee women, including not-for-profit Settlement Services International (SSI).

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the establishment of the Alliance was the culmination of several years of advocacy by women’s groups across Australia.

“This is a critical first step to migrant and refugee women taking the lead in conversations with decision makers about the issues that directly affect them — whether that be employment, education or health and wellbeing,” she said.

“Migrant and refugee women have always been active within the Australian community, and there is strong appetite for community representatives themselves to advance migrant and refugee women’s participation in economic, social, cultural, civic and political life.

“The formation of a policy and strategy body just amplifies the reach of those voices, enabling migrant and refugee women to better engage in driving change.”

The Alliance Council also includes representatives from United Muslim Women Association, African Women Australia, Tongan Association of Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australian National Committee on Refugee Women, Access Community Services, InTouch, Multicultural Youth South Australia, Migration Council Australia, Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network, Refugee Council of Australia, and Settlement Council of Australia.

The Alliance is now one of six National Women’s Alliances that give voice to women, particularly those from marginalised or disadvantaged groups.

Media enquiries:

SSI Communications Coordinator Hannah Gartrell 0488 680 287

“Finding employment is often the primary goal for refugees of working age, but due to barriers – including the need to professionally retrain and lack of English language proficiency – many face occupational skidding and welfare dependency,” said SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis.

“This situation is compounded for young refugees who, through major life disruption, may not have completed formal education or gained work experience.”

The Allianz Ladder program includes a series of workshops and mentoring sessions that will help participants develop foundation business skills such as problem solving, innovation, communication and teamwork.

The concept is a leadership and innovation pathway, providing access to employment opportunities for refugee youth who have exited compulsory education and are seeking their first job in Australia.

It will be delivered in a simulated learning environment known as the Experience Centre, to help familiarise young refugees with a realistic business environment.

SSI has been partnering with Allianz Australia for a number of years, and the relationship has had concrete outcomes; the Sustainable Employment Program established last year has provided 15 refugees with tailored development and career management plans, leading to permanent employment.

“At Allianz we are committed to social inclusion and tackling refugee employment is an important part of this,” Allianz Diversity and Sustainability Manager, Charis Martin-Ross said.

“This has only been possible through close partnership with SSI given their deep expertise in addressing barriers to employment for refugees and migrants.”

Martin-Ross added that it also makes good business sense for companies to build a culturally diverse workforce.

“Australia is a multicultural nation: four out of five people were born overseas or have a parent born overseas. In this regard, understanding and responding to the needs of our culturally diverse customers is vital,” she said.

Media enquiries:

SSI Communications Coordinator Hannah Gartrell; 0488 680 287

CEO Violet Roumeliotis said SSI would provide essential support and information to assist refugees to live independent, meaningful lives in Armidale, but she also encouraged the local community to get involved.

“We’ve already seen that welcoming spirit demonstrated in the strong push from within the community for Armidale to be a settlement location for refugees. Continued support and engagement from the community is critical to ensuring refugees feel at home in Armidale and can become independent, successful members of the community,” she said.

“Other critical factors during settlement include access to employment and education, and English language proficiency. The three ‘Es’ are areas SSI has emphasised during the current settlement program, which we have delivered for the past six years. We’re pleased that these have now been formalised as a key part of the HSP contract.”

Ms Roumeliotis said she had no doubt the settlement of refugees in the Armidale region would have dual benefits for both new arrivals and the local community.

“We’ve seen this play out on a smaller scale in Mingoola, north of Armidale on the Queensland border, where a small group of refugees have settled” she said.

“One big benefit of settling these families in that township was that the local primary school could stay open. It also meant that the newcomers, who were originally from rural areas in Africa, were living and working in an area that was a good match for them. I have no doubt that the settlement of refugees in the Armidale region will be similarly fruitful.”

Media enquiries:

SSI Acting Communications Coordinator Hannah Gartrell 0488 680 287