Batoul Ahmed is a resident of Atherton Gardens, and has trained with yarraReporter and Language Factory. She spoke to Mia Paramashinta about her new position as a Community Development worker.

Q: Tell me about your background and history in Australia

A: I was born in Sudan, educated and employed by Bank of Khartoum. I have diploma in Accounting and worked in bank sector for over 15 years. I came to Australia in June 2004. I started learning English and had Certificate III and IV in English and then a number of courses related to Accounting field. I got a contract to work for 7 months at ANZ through EMC (Ecumenical Migrant Centre). Also I had work experience working with KPMG in account receivable at Melbourne. I have started to work with AGRA community since 2008 when I was elected as treasurer and recently re-elected for the same position. Recently I got a temporary job as Community Development Project Officer with the Office of Housing to work with communities in Fitzroy.

Q: How long have you been living in Fitzroy?

A: I have been living here since June 2006. Before that I used to live in Perth, WA.

Q: What were your original plans when you came to Australia?

A: As any migrant or refugee (my planned were) to study English and use my qualifications to get a job.

Q: And how did you get involved in the local community of Fitzroy?

A: I got involved in community work because I feel this community my home. So I have to help with my experience and knowledge in accounting. When the previous president of AGRA contacted me, I accepted to get on board with them. Also I worked with different groups, health and well being groups and sometimes attending safety group and I represented health and well being group in previous neighbourhood board of City of Yarra. Before I went overseas for one year.  Recently I have started to join this group as part of my job as Community Development Project Officer and sometimes as an Arabic interpreter.

Q: So you got this job from your network at AGRA community?

A: Yes

Q: So you maintain your network there and you got a lot of connections in this local community.

A: Yes, because I work voluntary for the community.

Q: Can you tell me about your new role in the local community?

A:  Treasurer. My role is to take care of public finance, taking charge of the money that tenant association has, handle the money, running the office. And my responsibilities are keep record of transactions, preparation of invoices and purchase orders, petty cash, data entry, order and processing check, keep funding for communities and activities, and apply for funding.

Q: How many days a week are you employed?

A: This is a voluntary job. I will do my best to be there everyday, 2 or 3 hours a day.

Q: And who are you volunteering with for that position? Is it Neighbourhood Renewal?

A: This position belongs to Atherton Garden Residents Association.

Q: How did you acquire this position?

A: I have got this position through an AGM (Annual General Meeting) election of Atherton Garden Residents Association

Q: How many members of this community?

A: Approximately 500 residence, multicultural.

Q. What’s your plan for this project?

A. My plan for this project is to get trust of service providers, to continue funding tenants association as before. When I came from overseas I found policies changes, I would like to see tenants association like before, stronger financially, to bring communities together by celebrating the biggest events and social activities together so we can live in harmony.

Q: What is your future plan?

A: My future plan to get permanent job… so I can own house for my children’s future.

Q. Do you encourage people to be involved in this community?

A. Yes. I’m always talking to residents, to get involved to community work, and to join the groups, when they join the groups they can raise their issues, I can look at solutions.

Q. Can you mention other benefits to join these community groups?

A. Because everything you have to do it as a community. If as an individual, you cannot gain any benefits. You have to be stronger if you work as a community.