Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre

Saturday Program

VMC  funding (now administered by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship OMAC) for a part-time role to establish a Saturday Program was received in October 2010.  The funding was received under the Victorian Government's Vulnerable Refugee Support Package designed to provide ongoing strategic support to the growing refugee and asylum seeker communities in Victoria. 

The Saturday Program will ensure that the Centre is open for 3 Saturdays each month (11am until 5pm) with lunch and other activities provided.  Also, an organised excursion will occur on the last Saturday of each month.  The program is open for all asylum seekers.   See the calendar below for Saturday Program dates and further details.

May 2012 Saturday Program Calendar

ASWC Saturday Program open days

The Centre will be open from 11am - 5pm on nominated Saturdays.  Computers with internet access and phone (no international calls) will be be available for use.  Other social and recreational activities such as bocce, table tennis and soccer may occur at the Centre on these days.  Other acitivities will be included depending on the needs and interests of those accessing services.  Lunch will be provided on each Saturday Program open day at approximately 1pm.

SOCCER and other sports at a venue near ASWC are now be a regular feature of the ASWC open Saturdays from around 4pm. 

ASWC Saturday Program Excursions

Supervised Saturday Excursions will occur on the last Saturday of each month at no cost. 

Lunch will be provided.  Note that the Centre will not be open on these Saturdays.  Excursions will include trips to local attractions such as the Melbourne Museum, parks, and beaches and will depend on the interests of those accessing services.  The calendar of excursions for the coming month will be shown above and details will be provided to support service networks. 

Next Excursion

What: Indoor Rock Climbing        PICNIC Lunch provided

When: Saturday May 26th 2012.  Meet at Exhibition Gardens for lunch at 12 midday.

See flyer here.

Excursions undertaken in 2011 

29th January 2011 - Trip to the Zoo. See the report here.

26th February 2011 - Trip to the Botanic Gardens.

26th March 2011 - Trip to the Aquarium.  See the report here.

30th April 2011 - Trip to IMAX and Museum.  See the report here.

28th May 2011 - Trip to Great Ocean Road and Otway National Park.  See the report here.

25th June 2011 - Trip to the MCG Footy.  See the report here.

30th July 2011 - Trip to the Movies. See the report here.

3rd Sept 2011 - Participation in the All Nations Cup.  See the report here.

24th Sept 2011 - Trip to the Ian Potter and National Gallery.

29th Oct 2011 - Trip to a Farm near Seymour on the Goulburn River.  See the report here.

Excursions undertaken in 2012 

21st Jan 2012 - Trip to the soccer at AAMI Park.

3rd March - Trip to Werribee Zoo.

31st March - The movies at Village Crown cinemas.

28th April 2012 - Trip to Point Nepean National Park and boat trip on Port Hillip Bay.  See some photos from the day here.

Places for excursions need to be booked through the Centre on 9388 2459.  Asylum seekers who turn up prior to departure on the day will be welcome to come along if places are available.