The Door Bells: Migrant Women's Network

26/10/2026

What ONE question would you like to ask the candidates standing in the upcoming Victorian State Election?

Join a respectful conversation with Shepparton electorate candidates about issues that matter to migrant and multicultural communities. Everyone welcome!

The Door Bells – Migrant Women's Network is organising a Candidates` Community Forum for the 2026 Victorian State Election to allow everyone to share their concerns and hear directly from candidates.

Your Voice. Your Community. Your Future.

Please share your thoughts and questions by using the registration link below or in the above flyer or send us a private message through the email : [email protected]

Registration link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JP9GS29

20/10/2026

The Door Bells extends its deepest sympathy and support to Dr Helen Haines, Independent MP Indi and all those affected by this devastating tragedy.

Helen is an inspiration to many women, particularly those aspiring leadership and making a difference in their communities.

At this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with Helen, her family and the wider community, wishing them strength, comfort and healing.

11/10/2026

Wonderful news for The Door Bells!

Heartiest congratulations to three of our members on their appointments to the Board of the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District: Cecilia as President, Kuldeep as Board Secretary, and Arpita Khare as a first-time Board Director!

It is wonderful to see three first-generation migrant women bringing their voices, experiences and perspectives to the decision-making table and taking up important roles in community leadership and civic participation.

Adding to the celebrations, Arpita and Kuldeep recently had the opportunity to meet Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, and share the story of The Door Bells, including our work in supporting migrant women, building connections and creating pathways to leadership.

This is what The Door Bells is all about: creating opportunities, empowering women to step forward, and celebrating their achievements.

We couldn't be happier or prouder of these three women. Congratulations, Cecilia, Kuldeep and Arpita! 👏🌷

04/10/2026

Celebrating Community, Culture & Achievement ✨

The Door Bells – Migrant Women’s Network (TDB-MWN) was delighted to be represented by our Vice President, Khadija, at the Pathways to Success – Community Excellence & Achievement Gala, organised by the GV Afghan Women’s Association.

It was a wonderful evening celebrating the achievements and contributions of members of the Afghan community across all generations — from young people through to respected elders.

Khadija had the honour of presenting awards to several community members who have made meaningful contributions to the Afghan community and the wider community.

The evening was also a beautiful celebration of Afghan culture, with traditional dances, cultural displays and artefacts adding something very special to the occasion.

Congratulations to the GV Afghan Women’s Association for bringing people together for such a positive, inclusive and memorable evening. 💐

03/10/2026

Ready to Volunteer Information Session:

From Volunteering Victoria

Thinking about volunteering but not sure where to begin? Whether you’re looking to give back, meet new people, gain experience, or simply try something new, this workshop will help you find your place in the volunteering community.

Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
Location: Online, via Zoom
Cost: FREE

See:

Thinking about volunteering but not sure where to begin? Whether you’re looking to give back, meet new people, gain experience, or simply try something new, this workshop will help you find your place in the volunteering community.

29/08/2026

At The Door Bells, our thoughts are with our Nepalese community and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.

11/08/2026

A great opportunity for local businesses, employers and community members to join an important conversation about unlocking multicultural talent in our regional workforce.

Dr Huong Nguyen from La Trobe Business School will explore inclusive workplace practices, support for multicultural teams, and practical ways to turn capability into opportunity.

A special thank you to Dr Huong for also taking the time to speak with The Door Bells-Migrant Women’s Network and hear some of the local experiences and perspectives of migrant women in our region. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation.

Thursday 13 August | 5.30–7.00pm
La Trobe University, Shepparton
Free – registration required

We encourage local employers, businesses, and community members to attend and join the conversation.

This session will explore how businesses can build more inclusive workplaces and support multicultural participation in regional employment.

27/07/2026

Inspiring leadership.

Our members recently attended an Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) event in partnership with La Trobe Shepparton Campus. Their reflections remind us that when migrant women are given opportunities to learn, connect and lead, our whole community benefits.

14/07/2026

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Shepparton Central for inviting us to share the story of The Door Bells- Migrant Women's Network.

We appreciated the warm welcome, the engaging discussion, and the opportunity to talk about empowering migrant women through leadership, connection and community participation. Thank you for your interest and support.

We look forward to continuing to build connections and open more doors together.

05/07/2026

*A note from Khadija Fatima, Vice President, The Door Bells-Migrant women's Network*
It was a privilege to attend an evening of conversation and dinner with La Trobe Chancellor The Hon. John Brumby AO, Head of Campus (Shepparton) Laura Baker, and other respected local leaders.

At first, it felt a little daunting to be surrounded by so many accomplished community leaders, but that feeling quickly disappeared as everyone was so welcoming and open to sharing their experiences and ideas.

As Vice President of The Door Bells – Migrant Women’s Network (TDB-MWN), I was proud to represent our multicultural community and contribute to important conversations about education opportunities, scholarships, future pathways and the role of La Trobe Shepparton Campus in supporting regional students.

A highlight of the evening was the panel discussion with The Hon. John Brumby AO, Geraldine Christou – Director Sustainable Development, Greater Shepparton City Council, and Trish Quibell – CEO, Primary Care Connect Shepparton. I had the opportunity to ask about expanding undergraduate, postgraduate and research opportunities in Shepparton, especially for students who wish to stay in the region while pursuing higher education.

While there was no immediate solution, it was encouraging to hear discussion about developing pathways similar to rural medicine, potentially for engineering in the future. This gave me hope that more opportunities may become available for regional students.

Thank you to Laura Baker for providing TDB-MWN representatives with this valuable opportunity. The evening reminded me that leadership is about listening, speaking up, representing your community and working together to create positive change.