Scientists have long known that both social isolation and feelings of loneliness can increase risk of illness and death in people.  And if, “looking forward to things, is half the pleasure of them” as LM Montgomery once said, then Spectrum’s adventurous excursion program, is multiplying the benefits of getting out and about. We are expanding the participants […]

Spectrum strongly condemns the act of terror targeting the Islamic community of Christchurch, on Friday 15th March.  We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the victims, their families, and their communities. More broadly, Spectrum firmly denounces any act of hatred motivated by difference and extremist beliefs. Spectrum has zero tolerance of racism, in speech, thought or […]

This afternoon we began to hear the tragic news from our neighbours in New Zealand of an incident of extreme violence at two mosques in Christchurch.  Reports suggest that these were attacks against the Muslim community and people expressing their faith in peace. On behalf of the Spectrum team I wish to express our sympathy […]

Last year, Victorian’s lost $5.48 billion to gambling, with residents of Hume specifically accounting for over $109 million of that loss. Financial stability is a key component to feeling comfortable, and is a Launchpad to thriving in Australia. Gambling losses erode trust, and opportunity for entire families. Spectrum’s continuously evolving service offering now includes two […]

The term mother language infers that it is the language of your childhood, the language you babbled in, as your tongue first tested the basics of speech.   Romantically, it conjures up thoughts of the words, songs and turns of phrase that washed over us as babes, said and sung by our parents and grandparents, the […]

Creating opportunity is a gravitational force at Spectrum.  Commitment to justice for all underpins this at every level. As a key connectivity linchpin for newly arrived people in Victoria, and Australia’s largest single entity settlement services provider, Spectrum places access to justice as a constant thread within our everyday practise. It means that our teams, […]

Today is eleven years since the then Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, moved a motion offering apology to Australia’s indigenous peoples on the floor of our nation’s parliament. On a rather warm afternoon, I sat with Sharyn Tambo, in the Spectrum Garden, to chat about what this anniversary means to her and her mob. […]

From China to Melbourne, via Indonesia, with love. As Melbourne erupts with a fifteen-day festival to celebrate Chinese New Year, one of the people gravitating into Melbourne’s China Town is Spectrum team member Jiayin.   During this time, Jiayin celebrates with a big meal with friends, her cousins, and every year, except this one, with her […]

The 24th  of January 2019, will be a treasured memory for Spectrum team member Saghar, and her husband Amir.    On this day, they became Australian citizens. I sat down with Saghar to understand her journey and talk to her about what this brings for her. Saghar was an English teacher in Iran – she qualified […]

It is with deep sadness that Spectrum honors the passing of young client, Arash Yari, drowned off South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, while on summer holiday on 15th January 2019. Arash, with his family, arrived in Australia from Afghanistan 18 months ago, and has launched himself into Australian life with gusto.  The team at Spectrum has […]