Our Story

Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS) has 40 years of experience in supporting older Victorians to live safely at home for as long as possible.

Mission Statement

To improve lives through care, support and empowerment.

243
Employees

185
Volunteers

32
Languages

Services include:

Our many interesting activities give you the opportunity to make friends and stay connected with your community. We organise arts and craft, exercise sessions, learning workshops, and traditional and religious celebrations.

Our team is flexible and professional and offers personalised services to help improve your life and wellbeing.

Support worker with her client

We strive for Client Satisfaction: Delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients; building effective relationships which allow needs to be identified early and quickly satisfied.

Group of support workers

We stand for Respect and Diversity: Providing the highest levels of integrity and personal standards in an apolitical and impartial manner to clients and stakeholders.

Group in training

We deliver Quality: Achieving the highest standards in everything we do; ensuring that all individuals take responsibility for achieving this and take pride in their work and the organisation.

Man and Woman using technology

We practice Continuous Improvement: Striving to achieve higher standards of performance; positively seeking opportunities to bring about organisational and service delivery improvement and overcome resistance to change.

Older woman filling in paperwork

We ensure Compliance: Ensuring all are aware that this is non-negotiable and deliver what is expected as per legislative requirements; actively involved with all levels of government and other community service providers in an open and honest manner.

What makes AMCS Unique?

For 40 years, our commitment to the Victorian community and vision for an equitable, just and compassionate society have driven us to deliver quality holistic community services to improve people’s lives.
We help people to access the support they need to live a better quality of life. From supporting seniors to live safely at home, to employment pathways, and adult education, we strive to be your trusted multicultural community care organisation.

We celebrate Victoria’s diversity and reflect this throughout our organization. With professional staff representing 36 different countries, multicultural isn’t just in our name. We understand culture is more than the language we speak, it’s in our rituals, our gestures, our celebrations, our food and shared experiences. This is a critical component of our unique ability to celebrate, connect and to create trust within the community.

For 40 years we have provided expert quality professional services to meet our clients’ needs in the home and in the community. Our continued commitment to quality care and reliable services means piece of mind and stability for our clients.

Through our efforts to provide quality care we are directed by the needs of the community. As the care recipient, you have agency and influence over how your care is provided. We practice collaboration with individuals and the broader community to better understand their needs and strive to answer those needs through tailored, innovative solutions. Whether addressing skills gaps, answering specific requests or providing information and awareness we are committed to your success so where we can help – we will.

As a not-for-profit organisation our aim is simple. To improve people’s lives. We believe that clear communication is the key to aligning expectations and that being upfront, honest and authentic is the basis for a lasting relationship. With no hidden fees and clear and detail oriented statements, clients can be assured that each aspect of care is being managed effectively and with the highest level of attention to detail.

AMCS is uniquely placed to provide services that are inclusive, respectful, appropriate and reliable. We look forward to learning how we can help to support you.

History

Dedicated Volunteer Resource Centre and a trusted leader in inclusive volunteering practices, Volunteer West joined AMCS to further the volunteering impact in the Western Metro region of Melbourne.

Resources and programs were combined to reach more people with vital support services and the transition is being implemented throughout the year.

Proudly launched Ride with Matilda, a surrey bike program, to improve the mental and physical health of multicultural seniors in the Western suburbs.

The event brought together The Honourable Bill Shorten MP, Cr Michael Clarke, Mayor of Maribyrnong, and Gamini Perera OAM, founder and president of SCATS (Sri Lankan Study Centre for the Advancement of Technology & Social Welfare Inc, Australia) as keynote speakers.

Celebrated 35 years at Parliament House in Queens Hall with 151 staff members and 130 volunteers. AMCS also started Moving for Life — our biggest project to improve the physical wellbeing of seniors.

AMCS experienced its strongest growth period after the federal government opened home care services to the market.

AMCS celebrated 30 years and successfully commenced working relationships
with the Ethiopian community in Melbourne and the Filipino community in Geelong.

The Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC (28th Governor of Victoria) and his wife Elizabeth attended.

First senior art exhibition at Albion Polish Club with over 30 participants.

Moved office from Footscray to Maidstone due to growth.

APCS changed the organisation name to Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS) to support all cultures.

APCS celebrated 15 years of volunteer visiting programs. Our 53 volunteers supported 83 clients across Melbourne’s Western and Northern Regions.

APCS celebrated 20 years with 58 staff members and 50 volunteers.

Worked with Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria for the first Polish Living with Cancer Program. Statistics showed the Polish community had the third largest group of cancer sufferers in Victoria.

The program ran over eight weeks and consisted of Polish health professionals to ensure culturally tailored information.

Received funding to establish Volunteer Visiting Programs with 11 volunteers visiting six nursing homes.

North West Migrant Resource Centre and Department of Immigration provided much-needed support. APCS secured permanent funding to re-establish services and create new programs.

Funding stopped and APCS faced an uncertain future.

After the sudden death of the key founder, Zbigniew Dabkowski, the organisation struggled.

A visionary group of community leaders established Australian Polish Community Services (APCS) for Polish people to have equal access to social services and opportunities for their senior care. APCS started with five staff members and six volunteers.

Our Board

Management Team

Publications


AMCS Service Brochures

AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure
AMCS General Brochure

Annual Reports

Our annual reports provide a comprehensive overview of AMCS’ work and achievements over the past financial year.

AMCS Annual Report 2022-2023
Annual Report 2022 Cover
AMCS Annual Report 2021-2022
AMCS Annual Report 2020-2021
AMCS Annual Report 2019-2020
AMCS Annual Report 2018-2019
AMCS Annual Report 2017-2018
AMCS Annual Report 2016-2017
AMCS Annual Report 2015-2016

AMCS Newsletter

Q4 Edition 2023
Q3 Edition 2023
Q2 Edition 2023
Q1 Edition 2023
Heart Q3 Edition 2022
Dream Q2 Edition 2022
Believe Q1 Edition 2022
Connection October 2021
Strength August 2021
Friendship June 2021
Kindness April 2021
Solidarity February 2021
Celebration December 2020
Q4 Edition 2023
Q3 Edition 2023
Q2 Edition 2023
Q1 Edition 2023
Heart Q3 2022
Dream Q2 Edition 2022
Believe Q1 Edition 2022
Connection October 2021
Strength August 2021
Friendship June 2021
Kindness April 2021
Solidarity February 2021
Q4 Edition 2023
Q3 Edition 2023
Q2 Edition 2023
Q1 Edition 2023
Heart Q2 2022
Believe Q2 Edition 2022
Believe Q1 Edition 2022
Connection October 2021
Strength August 2021
Friendship June 2021
Kindness April 2021
Solidarity February 2021
Q4 2023
Q3 2023
Q2 2023
Q1 2023
Heart Q3 2022
Dream Q2 Edition 2022
Believe Q1 Edition 2022
Connection October 2021
Strength August 2021
Friendship June 2021
Kindness April 2021
Solidarity February 2021
Q4 Edition 2023
Q3 Edition 2023
Q2 Edition 2023
Q1 Edition 2023
Heart Q3 Edition 2022
Dream Q2 Edition 2022
Believe Q1 Edition 2022
Connection October 2021
Strength August 2021
Friendship June 2021
Kindness April 2021
Solidarity February 2021

Postal Friend Newsletter

AMCS Volunteer Coordinators established the Postal Friend Newsletter during COVID-19’s first lockdown as an alternative way to keep in touch. Due to popular demand, the newsletter has continued on a quarterly basis with jokes and games, community stories and social inclusion initiatives.

Postal Friend March 2022
Postal Friend June 2021
Postal Friend December 2020
Postal Friend December 2020
Postal Friend June 2021
Postal Friend December 2020
Postal Friend June 2021
Postal Friend December 2020
Postal Friend June 2021
Postal Friend December 2020
Postal Friend June 2021
Postal Friend June 2021

Testimonials