The Fremantle Multicultural Centre was established in 1981 as the Fremantle Migrant Resource Centre; an intiative of Helen Caltalini. In 1988 the Lotteries Commission provided funding for the Centre to purchase and renovate the building in which the Centre currently operates. Having undergone many changes of both name and premises, the focus of the centre remains solid. The Centre aims to provide services to migrants and refugees from a diverse range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We have a policy of not turning anyone away, even if their need is outside the range of services offered. If there is no appropriate service within the Centre, we contact the most relevant community service organisation to arrange an appointment. Many clients do not speak English or have English as a second language. The staff speaks a variety of languages, but where necessary on-site or telephone interpreters are arranged.

Being a not-for-profit organisation, the Fremantle Multicultural Centre relies on government grants to run its operations. We have a number of core programs that we run including crisis accommodation and mental health services, settlement support and employment and training programs, as well as a number of regular or occasional services (such as English and cooking classes) that run periodically.The Community Partners Programme is our newest programme to inform the aged about existing aged care services.

As well as catering for recent arrival the Centre is also committed to assisting migrants who arrived in past times. They still require appropriate, if different, types of support. For example the more established communities are getting older and require services specifically tailored to the care of the aged. Because of poor English and their life experiences they are often socially isolated in spite of the many years living in this community.

The Centre has contact with people with an amazing range of backgrounds and languages. Recently greater numbers of clients are arriving from African and Middle Eastern countries. These new groups require more intensive settlement support than previous arrivals from Europe and Asia as they are not yet established in this region. If you are interested in the Fremantle Multicultural Centre please visit our "Join Us" page for details regarding employment vacancies and volunteer work

English Classes Notices

Please click here to go to the Join Us Page.