Newcomers Network celebrates 10 years since our start on 15/9/99

**See the photos and guest list and download the audio of the guest speaker presentations here**

1. Special Event to celebrate 10 years since the research for Newcomers Network began

On Wednesday 15 September 1999, Sue Ellson met with Fabian Fiore who convinced her to take her idea of a 'From Out of Town Club' into a meaningful project for people who have moved to Melbourne.

Shortly afterwards, Sue Ellson gained permission from her final undergraduate university subject lecturer to complete a research project where she surveyed 96 people who had moved to Melbourne within the last five years. This research formed the basis of the formation of 'Newcomers Network.'

Since then, an enormous range of:
. events have been organised (social, business, networking and information sharing)
. advocacy work has been completed
. information has been published on a variety of editions of this website
. further research has been undertaken and useful publications produced
. friends and networks have been established
. expansion has occurred with representation now in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide

This event has been designed to bring together people in the 'relocation and settlement' industry who are in some way connected to the issues facing newcomers. It will be an opportunity to celebrate some of the achievements that have occurred in the last 10 years in this industry and to network with the 'movers and shakers.' It will also be a time to honour those individuals who have supported Newcomers Network in various ways and have contributed to its ongoing success.

We have a maximum of 80 spaces available for this event. Priority will be given to invited guests and people who register early.

This event is proudly sponsored by Toll Transitions - Your Complete Relocation Partner.

Toll Transitions - Your Complete Relocation Partner - special thanks to Julie Wyatt, Wendy Allgood and Franca Napoli.

Special Quote

Sue, I thought you might be interested in this anecdote.

Many years ago, at a Newcomer's Network event I met a young graduate who had done her thesis on Failed Relocation. Julie was keen to join the mobility/relocation industry.

At that time I was working as a Cross Cultural Training consultant for Cartus (previously Cendant Mobility) and spent a lot of time in their Melbourne office. I recommended this young graduate, Julie Yuen, and told her to persist in her job application. She got the job and is still working with Toll Transitions (Toll Transitions bought Cartus', Australian operation a few years ago).

I now run my own Cross Cultural Consulting company, Interculture and Julie now gives me jobs.

Newcomers Network really works... and not just for newcomers!

Congratulations on a brilliant effort.

Many thanks for your support.

Anna Koren. 13/8/09

2. Host and Guest Speakers

Host - Sue Ellson, the Founder of Newcomers Network
Mobile/Cell Phone 0402 243 271

Guest Speaker - Sally White

Sally will be discussing:
1) The story of her ‘Understanding Australia’
2) The essential components of effective settlement in Australia (from the perspective of government, the individual and the society)
3) Students and migrants settling in Australia

Sally White is the author of two journalism textbooks, a history of Australian families and the recently released Understanding Australia: a guide for international students.

She was a senior journalist and executive on The Age in Melbourne for 16 years before moving into journalism education. She coordinated the journalism course at RMIT in the mid-1990s and later taught at the China School of Journalism in Beijing.

Her interest in international affairs and cross-cultural communication led to her being a member of the Australian National Commission of UNESCO in the early 1980s, a member of the Australian Red Cross committee on humanitarian law and a member of a four-person UNESCO Monitoring Committee on Communications Policy in Asia and Oceania.

She has travelled widely, particularly in Asia.

Sally holds a BA Honours in history and politics and a MA Honours in history and philosophy of science from the University of Melbourne. She also holds a Cambridge certificate in teaching English as a foreign language to adults.

In recent years Sally has expanded her knowledge of Chinese culture through Chinese brush painting. She has just held her first solo exhibition and was a finalist in this year's Corangamorah Art Prize.

Guest Speaker - Mark Wright

Mark will be discussing migration/movements in/out of Australia both historically and the current/future trends.

Mark Wright is the Managing Partner and Director of Greenberg Australia, a global corporate immigration firm. As Managing Partner, Mark has overall responsibility for the Greenberg Australia operations and strategic direction.

Mark has worked as a Human Resources Director with a major Commonwealth Government organisation and has held management positions with the Department of Immigration in Australia.

Immediately prior to working with Greenberg Australia, Mark was a founding partner with Fragomen in Australia, and prior to this was a partner with the Global Visa Solutions Practice in PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mark is a Registered Migration Agent in Australia (MARN 9793644) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, as well as being a former member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, and the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce in Australia.

Mark has advised on immigration law since 1994 and is widely respected as one of Australia's leading corporate immigration advisors. His clients include many of the world's largest multinational corporations from the United States of America, United Kingdom, and Europe. Clients also include major Australian corporations, small and medium size enterprises and start up companies.

Mark has significant experience in providing immigration legal advice and visa services to companies in sectors such as financial services, mining and resources, including off-shore oil and gas, information technology and telecommunications, retail, science and engineering and health.

Guest Speaker - Caroline Pampling

Caroline will discuss:
1) Her role in a bit more detail
2) A brief overview of the recent past and current plans in relation to immigration policy in Australia (statistics on numbers, countries of origin, formula for working out policy etc)
3) What DIAC in Victoria does in relation to helping migrants settle here
4) How Australians can help new arrivals settle in Australia

Caroline Pampling is the Regional Outreach Officer for the Victorian office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Her principle role is to assist employers, plus state and local government stakeholders with information about skilled entry visas. She has worked with DIAC since February 2004 and has worked in various client service and case management roles in the department before starting her outreach role in January 2008.

3. Venue, date and time

Toll Transitions Boardroom
Level 8, 380 St Kilda Road (corner of Park Street)
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Melways map 2KA ref J1

Tuesday 15 September 2009

5:30pm - 7:30pm

It is near the Domain Road tram interchange. Some street parking is available on St Kilda Road and in nearby streets.

4. Transport

See the Metlink Melbourne website for public transport details. Mid week car parks with entry after 4pm are usually around $10 for the evening (but beware as some close at 7pm)

5. Cost

There is no cost to attend this event.

6. Refreshments

Light refreshments will be served and you are encouraged to join other guests and share a meal after the event too.

7. This event is designed for

. past supporters, advertisers, guest speakers, employees, contractors, assistants, contacts, colleagues, committee members, newcomers and friends of Newcomers Network

. people in the global mobility, relocation and settlement industry including relocation professionals, HR managers, migration agents, service providers, trainers

. industry and government representatives, recruiters, employers, organisations representing newcomers and migrants

. students, advocates, networkers

8. Event Description

This will be a largely informal event where you will have an opportunity to mix and mingle with many other people in the room.

However, at the beginning, you will be given a short moment to introduce yourself to the group and mention your reason for attending.

Sue Ellson, the Founder and Director of Newcomers Network will be providing a short presentation to officially launch the third major upgrade of the Newcomers Network website.

Sally White, well known journalist and author of 'Understanding Australia - A guide for international students' will be presenting a topical and timely tribute to the issue of settlement in Australia in 2009 and beyond.

Further details of additional speakers and information will be provided closer to the event.

You may like to bring your own business or personal card to insert in a name tag and share with other people you meet and a small notepad and pen if you are given information from others that you would like to keep.

We always encourage everyone to move around during the evening so you can meet other people. You are also encouraged to attend any of our other upcoming events including:

11/9/09, 9/10/09, 11/12/09 Welcome to Melbourne, Second Friday of Every Month free event pay for your own drinks 6:00 - 8:00pm

10/9/09, 8/10/09, 10/12/09 Living, Working and Networking in Melbourne, free event bring your notebook 6:00pm - 7:30pm

25/12/09 Christmas Day Picnic Lunch, free event bring your own lunch 12:00pm - 3:00pm

30/12/09 Welcome Home Party for Australian Expatriates and Repatriates, free event pay for your own drinks 6:00 - 8:00pm

9. On arrival

You can collect a name tag holder and then start mixing and mingling with other guests.

10. Assistance received from

Toll Transitions is our Official Sponsor for this very special event.

You can contact Sue Ellson directly via melbourne@newcomersnetwork.com or telephone 0402 243 271

11. Other events and information

At Newcomers Network Events and also at Newcomers Network Event Listings in Melbourne

You may like to connect virtually with people via the Newcomers Network Melbourne Australia Facebook Group

As mentioned above, we also host free Welcome to Melbourne events on the second Friday of every month, Living, Working and Networking in Melbourne events, the Christmas Day Picnic Lunch on 25 December 2009 and the Welcome Home Party for Australian Expatriates and Repatriates on 30 December 2009.

12. How to tell us you are coming

Alternatively, if you prefer, you can send an email directly to melbourne@newcomersnetwork.com.

We look forward to meeting you! Several people attend on their own - so don't be shy - you can talk to anyone wearing a name tag or ask your host to introduce you to people.

You are more than welcome to share this information with other people you know.

Advertisers on this Newcomers Network Ten Year Celebration Event page

Links on this Newcomers Network Ten Year Celebration Event Page

Ebooks you can buy

Upcoming Events

In Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Dublin and London

Melbourne, Australia
8 July 2010
Welcome to Melbourne

22 July 2010
Living, Working and Networking

29 July 2010
Expatriate Tax Seminar

5 August 2010
Job Search Group

Sydney, Australia
8 July 2010
Welcome to Sydney

8 July 2010
Expatriate Tax

12 August 2010
Welcome to Sydney

Brisbane, Australia
8 July 2010
Welcome to Brisbane

12 August 2010
Welcome to Brisbane

Adelaide, Australia
8 July 2010
Welcome to Adelaide

22 July 2010
Living, Working and Networking

12 August 2010
Welcome to Adelaide

Perth, Australia
8 July 2010
Welcome to Perth

12 August 2010
Welcome to Perth

Dublin, Ireland
9 September 2010
Launch Welcome to Dublin

London, United Kingdom
9 September 2010
Launch Welcome to London