24/05/2026
The Door Bells: Migrant Women’s Network recently hosted a Potluck on Thursday 21 May, meaningful evening bringing together migrant women professionals, community advocates, and supporters in a warm and welcoming environment. 💛
The gathering provided an opportunity for women from diverse cultural backgrounds to connect through shared meals, conversations, and cultural exchange, while also discussing lived experiences around careers, employment, family responsibilities, and settling into life within the Australian community.
The evening highlighted the resilience, strength, and determination of migrant women, with many participants openly sharing experiences of navigating language barriers, rebuilding professional pathways, balancing family commitments, and building confidence in unfamiliar environments. These honest conversations reinforced the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces where migrant women feel heard, valued, supported, and connected.
We extend our sincere thanks to Fiona Smolenaars, The Door Bells advocate, for her continued support and encouragement of migrant women within our community. We also acknowledge Sarah LaBonte, student researcher from The University of Melbourne, whose respectful engagement and genuine interest reinforced the importance of ensuring multicultural women’s voices are represented within broader research and community discussions.
It was also a pleasure to welcome Jan Phillips, Manager at Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre - MEAC whose presence contributed to the strong sense of partnership, collaboration, and community connection throughout the evening.
The gathering reflected the value of long-term partnerships, community relationships, and the simple but powerful act of women coming together to share stories, experiences, and support. Seeing many of our valued community partners and supporters together in one space was truly special. 😊
At The Door Bells: Migrant Women’s Network, we believe meaningful change begins through connection, conversation, and collective effort. 🌸
