CASS Care

05/09/2026

How many lives can one volunteer touch in a single week? For Lian, it could be dozens.

You might have met her at the reception of CASS Campsie Head Office, where she answers phone calls and greets visitors with a bubbly smile, creating a welcoming experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

Beyond the reception desk, Lian volunteers every Saturday through our Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS), offering meaningful companionship to older people who may be experiencing loneliness and isolation.

As a Social Justice student, she spends much of her time examining complex social issues and global challenges. Volunteering has given her a different perspective and allowed her to put her values into action.

“My studies have taught me about the importance of equity and social connection, but volunteering allows me to see the human side of those issues,” she explains. “It reminds me that small acts of kindness can have a real impact on someone’s wellbeing.”

04/09/2026

On 28 August, CASS Kensington Indonesian Group came together with distinguished guests to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day.

The celebrations commenced with the Australian and Indonesian national anthems performed side by side, accompanied by a striking display of both nations’ flags. The Indonesian Consul-General's address further enriched the occasion as he expressed his sincere appreciation for CASS's longstanding support of the local Indonesian community and acknowledged the significant contribution the organisation continues to make to the wellbeing and inclusion of Indonesian Australians.

The festivities continued with a traditional tumpeng-cutting ceremony, authentic Indonesian delicacies and vibrant cultural performances that delighted the audience. The celebration also shone a spotlight on community champions, with two dedicated volunteers were presented with certificates for their nomination for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award 2026.

Distinguished guests included Cr Marea Wilson, representing Cr Dylan Parker - Mayor of Randwick; Consul-General Muda Leonard Sondakh and Consul Hanna Purba from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia; the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Immigration, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Federal Member for Kingsford Smith; and Cr Philipa Veitch Greens of Randwick City Council. Among those in attendance were CASS Vice-Chairperson Mr Ivan Wong, Board Member Ms Pauline Kim, and Senior Executive Officer of Multicultural Community Services Development Ms Sarah Chang.

This special day fostered a strong sense of pride and belonging, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of our members while strengthening the connections that make our multicultural community thrive.

04/09/2026

Henry’s Story #12: The Union plays an important role in the relationship between employer and employee. An organization employing staff needs to understand various relevant legislations, or else it will land itself in trouble. During the initial period of its operation, Campsie Child Care Centre experienced trouble after a visit by a Union official.

In the middle of 1985 when the Society thought everything was settling down at Campsie Child Care Centre, the Centre Director received a phone call unexpectedly from an official of the Union one day, saying they would be paying a visit to the Centre two days later.

The Centre Director immediately informed Board Members. Knowing that the Union was not easy to handle, the Board naively turned down the request of the Union to avoid contact with them. The reason they gave was ‘it was not convenient to receive them during office hours.’

Two days later, a Union official presented herself at the Centre at the scheduled time. She talked with some staff members and requested to inspect the daily staff attendance records. The visit was a consequence of complaints lodged by two staff members who were Union members. They complained to the Union that the Society was breaching regulations as they were not paid correctly.

Continue reading on https://www.kending.org.au/no-12-the-unions-visit/

We will take you on a journey through Henry’s story every week, sharing his rich experiences with CASS and the he has gathered along the way.

03/09/2026

Are you noticing changes in your parent's memory, mood, or behaviour? You are not alone.

Due to strong community interest, the University of Sydney's Facing Dementia Together team is running new sessions of their free webinar: "Is Mum ageing, or is it dementia?"

Led by Professor Lee-Fay Low, this practical one-hour session covers how to recognise the early signs of dementia, start a respectful conversation with your parent, and navigate the GP and specialist pathway.
Dates: 9 Sept | 13 Oct
Time: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm online via Zoom

03/09/2026

“We don’t focus on the black and white. We relate the course and the topics to real life experiences,” said one of our trainers, Mr Gil Sabarre from Breakthru College.

Rather than being overwhelmed by theories, students learn through practical resources, role-plays, study visits, and hands-on equipment training, helping them build confidence and develop skills they can apply in real workplace settings.

That’s exactly what makes our Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) courses practical and relevant.

Watch the full video featuring interviews with two of our students, trainer Mr Gil Sabarre, and CASS Executive Support Officer of Strategic Miscellaneous Services Mr Ernest Yung.

Enrolments are now open for the second half of 2026 in Bankstown and Hornsby.

Find out more in the comments.

03/09/2026

"Henry IV of France, whose life spanned the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, made this statement soon after he came into power: 'To invade Paris would be like cutting off one's nose to spite one's face!' He might not be the inventor of that saying..."

Continue reading below: “English Idioms” (Part 30) - The Nose has It

Drawing on decades of living and working in Australia, Mr Francis Lee OAM, a member of our Council of Elders, uses a clear and engaging language style to explain English idioms, combining fun language learning with cultural insight.

These stories, aimed at bringing audiences a little laughter or a shared sigh, were aired on a SBS National Radio and later compiled into a book called “English Idioms”.

CASS will share selected chapters from the book with you over time and explore the wisdom and fun of language together.

02/09/2026

Yesterday, more than 300 CASS volunteers joined our Volunteer Thanksgiving Luncheon 2026 at Rhodes Pheonix, celebrating their incredible dedication and lasting impact throughout the year. 🎉

The celebration featured inspiring speeches from community leaders, the presentation of appreciation certificates, splendid multicultural performances, and exciting lucky draws.

Prof Stephen Li AM, Chairperson of CASS, reminded us that: “From delivering frozen meals and helping with gardening and administration, to visiting seniors, supporting mental health services, and organising activity groups and community events, each of you has made a meaningful difference. Every contribution, large or small, strengthens CASS and enriches the lives of the people we serve.”

We were delighted to welcome 12 distinguished representatives from federal, state and local government: Mr Jason Yat-sen Li MP, State Member for Strathfield, representing the Hon Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW and the Hon Stephen Kamper MP (Steve Kamper), Minister for Multiculturalism; Mr Mark Coure MP, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, State Member for Oatley, representing Ms Kellie Sloane MP - NSW Liberal Leader, NSW Opposition Leader; Mr Jerome Laxale MP, Federal Member for Bennelong; Ms Nicolette Boele MP, Federal Member for Bradfield; Ms Ash Ambihaipahar MP, Federal Member for Barton; The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Federal Member for Watson, represented by Clr Alex Yang, Councillor of Burwood Council; Ms Sally Sitou MP, Federal Member for Reid, represented by Ms Julia Little, Former Deputy Mayor for the City of Canada Bay Council; Mr Matt Cross MP, State Member for Davidson; Mr Jordan Lane MP - For Ryde, State Member for Ryde; The Hon Sophie Cotsis MP, Minister for Industrial Relations, State Member for Canterbury, represented by Ms Gabriella Iliasiewicz, Senior Electorate Officer from the Office of Sophie Cotsis MP; Councillor Nancy Liu JP - Georges River Council; Clr Cedric Spencer, Councillor of Ku-ring-gai Council.

Together with us were also representatives from CASS, including Chairperson Prof Stephen Li AM, Foundation Chairperson/Honorary Executive Director Mr Henry Pan OAM, Deputy Chairperson/Secretary Mr Anthony Pang OAM, Vice-Chairperson/Treasurer Mr Sean Zhang, Board Members Mr Stephen Yang, Mr Alex Lee, Prof Jane Gyung-Sook Lee, Ms Pauline Kim, Mrs Teresa Chu, Mr Paul Lai, Ms Holly Liu, and Mr Shan Zou.

At its heart, the luncheon was a celebration of the connections and individuals that sustain our multicultural community. Through countless acts of service, CASS volunteers turn compassion into action, strengthening the bonds that bring people together.

02/09/2026

📣Join Us Now! Care Manager, Multicultural Home Ageing Services Care Partner (Indonesian Speaking), and Community Services Worker (Indonesian Speaking)

CASS Care, a comprehensive social welfare service provider for multicultural communities, is offering the following opportunities to join our purpose-driven, community-focused teams in New South Wales.

1.Care Manager for Asquith Residential Aged Care Facility (38 hours/week)
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced aged care professional to join our team as a Care Manager at our brand-new, 97-bed Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) located in Asquith, NSW. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with another Care Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations, ensuring safe, person-centred high-quality care and compliance with regulatory standards.
👉 See flyers for details on how to apply.

2. Multicultural Home Ageing Services Care Partner (Indonesian Speaking) (37.5 hours/week)
This position is responsible for supporting the effective delivery of Home Ageing Services (HAS) and ensuring day-to-day operations are carried out in accordance with government requirements, aged care service standards and organisational policies and procedures.
👉 Visit to apply: https://www.casscare.org.au/jobs/multicultural-home-ageing-services-care-partner-indonesian-speaking/

3. Community Services Worker (Indonesian Speaking) (22.5 hours/week)
The successful candidate will engage with and support the Indonesian community by identifying community needs and delivering appropriate programs, information sessions, activities and events. The role will also provide information and referral support to connect community members with appropriate services.
👉 Visit to apply: https://www.casscare.org.au/jobs/community-services-worker-indonesian-speaking/

Photo: Envato_ prathanchorruangsak

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

Help Us Paint Away Loneliness✨

The Golden Artists Project brings multicultural seniors together through art, creativity and connection.

Your support helps older people create, connect and share their stories through art.

💛 Donate today and help CASS Care turn creativity into community. Find the link in comments.