August 12, 2024 • 40 mins
Can multiculturalism truly shape the identity of a region? Join us as Sonia Nolan welcomes Karla Benitez, a dedicated advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, to explore the vibrant tapestry and challenges of multicultural life in Western Australia.
Karla shares her compelling journey from Mexico to Australia and her impactful work with the Multicultural Labor Organisation. Together, we reflect on the significance of multicultural input in shaping Western Australia’s identity, and the essential efforts needed to ensure representation and inclusion across all facets of society.
Boldly addressing the intersection of gender and cultural diversity, Karla recounts her early political career in Mexico, marked by gender discrimination and harassment, and her subsequent challenges as a skilled migrant in Australia. Despite initially working in aged care, her passion for politics remained undeterred. Listen as she discusses her advocacy for better representation of culturally and linguistically diverse communities and the collective empowerment that strengthens Australia's social and economic fabric.
This episode is a testament to the power of diversity, unity, and the ways individual stories contribute to a richer, more inclusive Australian society.
Links:
Facebook page for Multicultural Labor Organisation: https://www.facebook.com/mlowalabor.org.au/
Karla Benitez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karla-benitez-au/?originalSubdomain=au
LinkedIn page for Multicultural Labor Organisation:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/multicultural-labor-organisation/
Warm thanks to:
Sponsor: Females Over Forty-five Fitness in Victoria Park
Sound Engineering: Damon Sutton
Music: William A Spence
... and all our generous and inspiring guests around the warm table this season!
Please rate and review this podcast - it helps to share the love with others!
You can also follow My Warm Table on social media and join the conversation:
Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
Catch up on all episodes. You'll find My Warm Table on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Buzzsprout and more ...
My Warm Table, translated into Italian is Tavola Calda. These were the words my Papa used to describe a table of good friends, good food and good conversation. I always aim to create a tavola calda in my life and I hope this podcast encourages you to do so too!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Australia is the house of more than 200 different
ancestries.
Here in Western Australia wespeak more than 400 languages.
We have more than 100 faiths,so it's not easy.
It's a big, big challengeworking with multicultural
communities.
The reality of establishedAustralian is different from an
(00:23):
emerging Australian.
You know, we have differentexperiences but at the same time
we have a lot of skills.
We have a lot of qualificationsaround.
It's hard for them to findtheir pathway, to find their
career.
It's about facilitating, tofeel that this is their country
(00:43):
and, you know, just make ourcountry stronger.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Thanks for joining me , sonia Nolan, around the warm
table, or the tabula calda, asmy Italian papa used to call a
welcoming table of acceptance,positivity and curiosity.
My Warm Table podcast aims tocreate that and more, as we
amplify stories of WesternAustralians making our
communities better.
My Warm Table, season 3, isproud to be sponsored by Females
(01:11):
Over 45 Fitness, with a studioin Victoria Park and also online
all over Australia.
So now please take a seat andjoin us for Season 3 as we
explore stories of hope.
Did you know that Australia isthe most diverse country in the
world?
Half of our population was bornoverseas, or at least one
(01:32):
parent was Western?
Australia has been built frommulticultural input and
innovation.
Multiculturalism is part of ournational identity, but it's not
always reflected in ourparliament or workplaces.
One woman who is workingtirelessly to advocate for
(01:53):
communities and advance theopportunities for
multiculturalism is KarlaBenitez.
Born in Mexico, karla migratedto Australia in 2012, and over
the past decade, she has forgedmany paths to create opportunity
and equality for people likeher from a culturally and
linguistically diversebackground.
She's the founder and drivingforce of the Multicultural Labor
(02:14):
Organization here in WesternAustralia and she joins us
around the warm table today toinspire us with her hope for an
Australia where every person, nomatter where they come from,
can participate and feel asthough they belong and are
contributing to a brighterfuture for our country.
Carla, thank you so much forjoining me around La Tavola
(02:38):
Calda.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Thank you very much, sonia.
I love the way you pronounce myname Carla.
Carla with the R's.
Exactly, sonia, I love the wayyou pronounce my name Carla
Carla, with the R's.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Exactly, I know.
Yes, you either have it or youdon't have it the R's, Is that
true?
Speaker 1 (02:51):
100%.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
So, carla, when I first saw you I mean actually I
hadn't met you at the time and Ididn't go up and introduce
myself because I was a littlebit in awe of you the very first
time I met you, I saw you atthe Diverse Women in Leadership
program as a guest speaker aboutcommunity activism and getting
involved in your community.
(03:16):
As a leader from all walks oflife, like every one of us, can
step up and do something in thecommunity and lead and make
change, and you were such apassionate voice for that, karla
, and, like I said, I was in aweof you and the work that you're
doing, and so I would love youto share that, the work that
you're doing to advocate forwomen from multicultural
(03:38):
backgrounds and to actually showhow much we can contribute to
society in Western Australia.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
The sky is the limit it is, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (03:48):
It is, it's so true.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
It is.
There's a lot of work thatneeds to get done, but a little
bit about this advocacy.
I started politics back inMexico when I was 18 years old.
I remember being there andpeople telling me what are you
doing in parliament?
You know why you are notcooking or cleaning instead.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Exactly.
Why aren't you in the kitchenLike?
Speaker 1 (04:10):
what are you doing in ?
Speaker 2 (04:11):
a man's world.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Indeed, that was intense.
I remember, you know, as ayoung woman back then.
Well, not that I'm too old, no,you're not.
You're much younger than I am,no, you're not, you're much
younger than I am.
But I remember this girl isjust coming here to serve the
coffee and just that's it.
Now you have to work one, two,three, four times more.
(04:34):
I remember going to a littlebit of harassment.
I remember that part becausenow I think Mexico has improved
in terms of participation ofwomen in politics.
But still I remember I can saymembers of parliament asking me
let's go out tomorrow, you know.
(04:55):
And I said I used to tell themI'm better at telling you what
you have to say tomorrow thangoing out with you.
So just move over.
Yes good, yes good, good answer.
It takes time.
You know, I was like I was 18years old.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
It takes a lot of courage to be able to stand up
at that age because that's ayoung, vulnerable age to be able
to counter that sort of reallysexual harassment and
discrimination at that time.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Yeah, because I think that you are kind of useless
there because I had been around,are kind of useless there
because I had been around for alot of years and well, that was
hard, but I think that's whatyou learn, you know, from those
experiences.
But that was back then, so Iremember people telling me that.
And then I, just as I I said,when I was 18 years old and I
(05:45):
became parliamentary headadvisor by 21, I was advising
federal and state legislation.
Tourism is the third biggesteconomy in Mexico, so I was
drafting the federal legislationthat regulates activity.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
So activity in tourism, tourism yes, yes, all
right.
So you were advising on tourismlegislation and policy.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
I was in charge of the federal law At 21?
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Yes, excellent Congratulations.
That's a real testament to yourability.
Well done.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Well, you know you have to be determined.
You know that was hard becauseI was not a lawyer drafting a
legislation.
So I remember working 20 hoursa day Like that was intense,
very intense, but I wasdetermined, I was committed.
And then I moved to Australiaand I remember people telling me
(06:42):
here you won't get anywherewithout accent.
You know your qualificationsand experience are useless here
in Australia.
And again and again and againand not just me, you know, I
have been involved in themulticultural sector for the
last 10 years and that's thestory of not just Carla Benitez,
that's the story of thousandsof migrants, skilled migrants,
(07:04):
that migrate to Australia and,yes, they have to start their
career from zero and most ofthem they never get there.
So that's why we have theexperience of all kinds of
professionals doctors, engineersyou know being doing like
cleaners or taxi drivers or justkeep working hard, hoping their
(07:25):
kids have a better future.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
It's such a sacrifice for so many families, isn't it
coming to Australia and havingthe hope for a safe and
prosperous future for yourchildren?
But in the meantime, you'reswallowing frustration,
resentment, disappointment ofthe fact that you have got so
much more potential to give andyou're not being seen for it.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
Yeah, it's.
Look, I'm getting goosebumpsbecause I have been going
through that journey, for I havebeen here for 12 years and, yes
, I was one day advised infederal and state parliaments
back in Mexico.
And here I have to start fromzero as an aged care worker
Nothing wrong with that, but Iwas feeling like a waste.
(08:10):
Yeah, and then, well, I justidentify a gap where I love
politics, as I said, and Ijoined a political party a few
years ago and I identified thatI was normally the only
non-English speaking backgroundand I identified that the lack
(08:30):
of a representation.
And I understand that politicsis a vehicle to get things done.
Yes, some people ask me kind ofwhy you love politics, because
it's all about.
It's all about serving, makethings done.
You know, really, you have inyour hands the future of a
community, a state, a country,so I love that.
(08:53):
I was always as a parliamentaryadvisor I had back in Mexico, I
was very involved intopolitical campaigns and I was
missing that part.
And as soon as I became acitizen, so I said, okay, I'm
going to join a political partyand I'm going to start.
And, yeah, as I said, I identifya gap and I present an addition
(09:18):
to the constitution, to thispolitical party, where we
establish a representation ofculturally and linguistically
diverse members and theobjectives are to have more
representation, to empower thosecommunities, to facilitate
training, mentorship.
(09:39):
It's all about, for me, it'sabout empowering them, because
more than 50% of the populationhere in Australia was born
overseas or has at least oneparent born overseas.
So it's not about that.
We are migrants and you are notmigrant.
It's not about them, it's notabout us.
(09:59):
It's about we are allAustralians.
If we can empower thoseAustralians, we empower our
economy, we empower our culture,our social connection to the
world.
So there's a lot of benefits.
It's not just about socialjustice.
To me it's a little bit more.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
I would agree and I'm the child of migrants, so I'm
first-generation Australian andwith you know, I think, a really
good understanding and deepunderstanding of the benefit and
the contribution of migrants toAustralia and how, not just in
building a physicalinfrastructure but also in
(10:37):
culture and change and differentwork approaches and yeah,
language, culture, food, all ofthat.
It's just so important.
And just going back to yourcomment about politics and why
you're passionate about it andwhy you want to get involved in
it and people may not understand, I really do believe that
(11:00):
politics is about policy changesand until you are disadvantaged
by a policy, you don't actuallyunderstand how important
politics is.
So when politics is in yourfavour and everything's going
swimmingly, you don't have tothink about it.
But when there's a significantpolicy change, that then really
(11:20):
affects you personally anddeeply.
You know that's the first timeoften that we think about
politics or we think aboutpolicy.
And I guess for you, coming toAustralia as a woman from a
different country with an accent, with vast experience but not
being recognised here, I guessthere were so many policies that
(11:44):
disadvantaged you and I justapplaud the fact that you are
just not sitting there and justtaking it, but actually doing
something about it.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
So there's a lot of in terms of policy.
There's a lot of needs becausewe have a model of 50 years that
well, I can say I feel like hasbeen redundant.
The model of dancing andcelebrating is not to me.
It's not about just celebratingour cultural diversity.
To me is identifying the needsof the community.
(12:16):
You know the needs of what?
That?
What will happen if we canempower those australians that
they have a business connectionto the world?
You know that can mean exporting, importing.
That can mean a lot of economicdevelopment.
That can mean that, instead of,to me, strategic funding,
instead of grants going todancing and cooking, that can go
(12:39):
to programs like empoweringwomen, empowering our youth,
that can go to English classes.
That can go to English classesthat can go to, you know, in the
multicultural communities a lotof people.
They find hard to find a job sothey have to become
entrepreneurs, but sometimes thelack of those strategies
marketing skills.
(13:00):
So how can we empower, use thatmoney into meaningful programs
that can help the Australianeconomy?
We have the skills here already.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Yes, yes, so it's interesting.
So our, I guess, reflection ofculture and our celebration of
culture is really quite alimited and one-dimensional and
probably I don't want to sayfrivolous, because I do think
that celebrating dance andculture and all of those things
(13:32):
is important, but there's somuch more we can do to amplify
the culture.
Is that what I'm hearing yousaying?
Speaker 1 (13:38):
100%.
As I said, cultural diversityis not just cooking and dancing.
It's what we represent, theskills that we come, that we
have with us already here in ourcountry to serve our country.
So it's a little bit about adifferent perspective.
We need fresh ideas, we needpolicies that will impact our
(14:02):
community Because, as I said,this model has been in Australia
for the last 50 years and Ithink that that model is
redundant, because going tocommunity events where we
celebrate our traditions, take aphoto and say we're ticking the
(14:22):
box for diversity is not goodenough.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
So if you had a wish list.
What are the three things youwould want to see changed for
multicultural women particularly?
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Probably strategic funding.
So I have to say no morecooking and dancing.
That can go directly to socialprograms for women to empower
those women into differentsectors and industries.
I will go to.
That is a hard one.
Systematic discrimination no,that's a big one.
(14:59):
So according to statistics,there's from the 3,000 highest
positions in Australia, 76 ofthose ones go to, you know,
white Australians.
Yes 16% goes to like Europeanbackground Australians and just
(15:22):
4% goes to non-English speaking.
How interesting.
And that's not just politics.
You know, if I go withstatistics and I can say that in
Most of the parliaments inAustralia, just 4% of their
parliamentarians are women ofcolour.
So we are working hard, but Ithink that we have to work
(15:43):
harder.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
And do you think it's a case of there are so many
women who want to get in there,or do you think they need I mean
, you've talked about havingprograms to support women, to
encourage them and empower themprograms to support women, to
encourage them and empower them.
Do you think that there needsto be a lot more work there so
that they actually want topartake in a political or even
(16:05):
not even politics, but just incommunity leadership roles?
Speaker 1 (16:09):
I remember starting this movement three years ago
and I can say that since then Ihave seen a lot of improvement,
because this organization impacteven other states.
So now we have a representationin New South Wales, queensland.
We fight for a nationalrepresentation and I can see
(16:35):
that even the last localelections and I can see that
even the last local elections wewere supporting I can count
something like 50 candidatesfrom Cal background, we got
around seven.
But I think that we are gettingthere.
The momentum is, it's happening.
Now.
I feel very grateful because Ihave.
(16:55):
I feel that this is acontribution to the democratic
system.
It's not easy because, you know,be an activist, be an activist
and it's something that reallyyou have to be committed 24 by 7
(17:15):
.
And social and politicalmovement takes generations.
So it's.
There's not a magical.
We know exactly what we need.
There is an agenda, as I say,strategic founding, you know,
address systematicdiscrimination.
One size doesn't fit all.
So multicultural communitieshave very particular needs.
(17:35):
And but let me tell you, I'mvery grateful to be Australian,
you know, and I'm doing all thisadvocacy because I would like
to see, you know, a strongereconomy, a better future for us
and for our kids.
To me it's a little bit aboutbring unity.
Yes, you know it's about not todiffer in class of citizens.
It's like like we are the same.
(17:56):
You know it doesn't matter ifyou arrive like 50 years ago.
You know you are part ofestablished communities or you
are part of emerging communities.
Australia is our present andit's our future.
And you know, for me it's justto give everything for the
country that you know you canwalk and it's safe.
You can tag your children in atnight and know that they are
(18:20):
fed and safe at home.
You know, a country where youcan say you're right what you
think, a country where you canhave an idea and, you know, make
a business out of it.
It's amazing.
So I'm very grateful and I justwould like to see an Australia,
you know, where values of unity, the values of fairness, the
(18:40):
values of equity and respect foreveryone it's our, you know,
it's our day by day.
I just want to see their valuesevery day.
I think that we are a modernsociety now.
We have been working very hardto achieve that equality and
equity, but there's always a lotof things that needs to get
(19:02):
done and that's, I think, for me, that's part of the reason of
why I'm waking up every day, somotivating, trying to empower
more women, to empower morecommunities.
Let them know that, guys, yes,we are very, very proud of our
cultural heritage, but this isour country.
We need to develop in thoseAustralians a sense of belonging
(19:25):
, because you cannot lovesomething that you don't know.
So it's a little bit about.
It's not just the system,because the system, as I say, is
progressing.
We're getting there.
I'm very positive.
Even that will take another 50there, I'm very positive.
Even that will take another 50years, but I'm positive.
But it's not just the politicaland economic system, it's as
(19:48):
well the people, the communities.
What I have seen is thatsometimes they feel that they
don't feel Australians and thatis a risk for our country.
You know it's like, guys, thisis our country.
You know where kids are growinghere.
It's all about to work in youknow, as Australians, in unity,
and it's all about respect eachother, because we also see a lot
of discrimination from our owncommunities.
(20:10):
You know our own differentnationalities.
Fighting with oh, mine is, youknow, greeks with Italians,
macedonians with Serbians.
You know Latin Omanis.
You know Greeks with Italians,Macedonians with Serbians.
You know Latin Americans with.
You know it's very hard becauseAustralia is the house of more
than 200 different ancestries.
Now here in Western Australiawe have we speak more than 400
(20:32):
languages.
We have more than 100 faiths.
So it's not easy.
It's a big, big challengeworking with multicultural
communities.
As I said, it's not easy.
One size doesn't fit allbecause we are so different.
The reality of establishedAustralian is different from an
emerging Australian.
(20:52):
You know, we have differentexperiences but at the same time
we have a lot of skills, wehave a lot of qualifications
around, we have a lot of powerin this nation.
It's just about identify, youknow, and help those Australians
that sometimes it's hard forthem to find their pathway to
(21:13):
find their career.
It's about facilitating pathwayto find their career.
It's about facilitating.
It's about giving them thetools to feel that this is their
country and, you know, justmake our country stronger.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Again, it's like when I first saw you speak, karla.
You speak with such passion andwith ideas that make so much
sense.
Like, just make so much sense.
So you said that you knowAustralia is the house of so
many different cultures andfaiths and backgrounds and
languages.
I think it's one of the mostdiverse countries in the world.
(21:49):
Is that right to say that?
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Yes, I think there's top three.
We're in the top three andWestern Australia is the most
diverse of all the states.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
How interesting.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
It is amazing.
So, as I said, it's beautifulbecause we have such a variety
of colours and beliefs, but atthe same time that also there's
some challenges, you know,because we are so different that
sometimes we have a little bitof challenges there.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Yes, yes, yes, absolutely.
Well, we've got a lot ofstereotypes to break down.
We've got a lot of culturalbeliefs to change.
Racism, bullying,discrimination all of that is
still very alive in ourworkplaces and in our
communities.
But it is interesting becausecertainly, you know, the
(22:43):
Australia that we enjoy and wehave now is very different to
the Australia I grew up in aswell.
You know, you look around andthere are so many more faiths
and, like you said, the coloursand the languages.
It's so much richer.
I think it's richer we'rericher for it than certainly we
were 50 years ago.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Indeed, and that means, as I said, advantages and
sometimes challenges, but it'sjust to identify those
advantages and put it intoservice to our country and just
trying to identify thosechallenges and improve the ways
that we can get things done inorder to facilitate economic,
(23:27):
social and cultural developmentfor everyone.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
So how are you doing that?
So you're the leader of amulticultural party?
Tell me more about that.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
Well, I'm the founder of the first organisation in
Australia that promotespolitical empowerment and
participation to culturally andlinguistically diverse
Australians.
This is a Labour Partyorganisation, so really, labour
Party has been placing thisorganisation as a priority and
I'm grateful for that.
It took 100 years, but we'regetting there.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
And I did see that Mark McGowan, who was our
Premier, did launch the party orwas part of the organisation.
Sorry, launched theorganisation.
Was it 2022, 21?
, 2021.
, 2021.
?
And I think we all remember2020 and 2021 in Western
Australia and, yeah, there wasgreat celebration at the time of
(24:25):
that organisation beinglaunched and such hope, which is
, of course, the theme of ourpodcast series this season.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
You know what you just said.
The word hope, and I get againgoosebumps.
Yes, good, because I rememberthat day we had close to 400
community leaders from so manydifferent nationalities, you
know, all there together forhope, for hope of their kids to
have better opportunities, forhope to see that systematic
(24:59):
racism to change or to improve,for hope to have, as I say, more
equal opportunities.
As I said, it took 100 years.
We are moving forward.
Movements take generations.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
They do.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Yeah, I hope it doesn't take that long.
I'm very positive because youknow what I remember during the
last few years of advocacypeople calling me activists from
the United States.
Linkedin is very powerful, it'slike that.
It's amazing how you get things, how's all this movement
happening?
It's because you get things.
(25:38):
You know how's all thismovement happening?
It's because, as I said,australia is very, very diverse
and the people want toparticipate.
It's just that they don't findthe way.
It's very hard to find thepathway, the networks, because
we migrate here and then wedon't have those political
networks that you know, if wewere being, you know,
australians by birth, yes, soit's hard.
(26:01):
So the idea is to facilitatethose pathways if they want to
get involved, because, you know,a healthy democracy is people
that participate in theirpolitical activities and that,
again, that will our, ourcountry, stronger, because when
we have more voices or we havemore points of view, we have
(26:22):
more skills, you know, to serve,serve in our, our country.
So it's, it's a win-win.
And but I just want to go backinto the fact that I just want
to rescue that.
It's not about them, it's notabout us, we're all the same.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Yeah, we are.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
It doesn't matter our color of skin, it doesn't
matter, you know how long wehave been living in Australia.
I'm very grateful because Ihave seen that a lot of
improvement.
You know I moved to Australia12 years ago and I have seen
that a lot of improvement.
You know I moved to Australia12 years ago and I have seen
that we are moving forward.
(27:02):
It's a reality.
You know diversity it's part ofour schools, workplaces,
communities.
This is the face of the modernAustralia.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
It is, and I'm very hopeful and excited about modern
Australia because I think it'sso much more interesting.
So much more interesting andall the things that we can learn
and the fun we can have.
I know that I've got friendswho are from Venezuela and every
time I'm invited to one oftheir birthday parties or some
(27:35):
sort of celebration gosh, it'sso joyful.
There's dancing, there'ssinging, there's a beautiful
birthday song that they sing toeach other, which is everyone
sings and claps about.
We're so glad you were born.
It's just.
There's so much life andcelebration in other cultures
I'm not suggesting it's not inan Australian culture, but it's
(27:55):
not as overt than you find insome of the other cultures.
So I'm excited about some ofthat beautiful energy and
history, intelligence, wisdom,different points of view that we
can really harness here inAustralia if we let ourselves do
it.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
I think that our nation is ready because, as I
said, it's all about the skills,it's all about all that value
that you just mentioned.
It's all about.
I can feel that australia islike united nations we have so
much, so much.
We just have to make the mostof it.
(28:34):
So much, we just have to makethe most of it.
As I said, we have to identifychallenges and just work to
improve them, but I can see abright future for our country.
Talking about the passion Iremember that day, on the day of
the launch of the organization.
(28:55):
Of course, I'm a Latin womanand I use a lot of my hands,
probably like you, like Italians.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Yes, we're very good with our hands.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
yes, Part of that is, as well, how to adapt to this
country, because normally I goto community events and there's
a lot of passion.
You know where we come from.
It's politicians are a littlebit like you know, I don't know.
It's different a little bitlike you know, I don't know.
It's different.
Cultural is different.
It's like we use our hands, weraise our voice and we get so
(29:26):
like and I'm trying to controlmyself here in Australia I have
to say I remember.
I said, oh, I have some, I'mgoing to all those community
events, I'm going to have thelaunch of this organization, and
I remember taking accentreduction classes.
Oh really, I said, jesus, it'snot easy because even that I you
(29:47):
know, english is not my firstlanguage and sometimes a lot of
people says that normally whenpeople have like two languages,
we have two differentpersonalities.
I used to be a little bit morepassionate back in Mexico and I
remember the date of the speech,the Minister for Multicultural
Interest telling me Jesus, carla, so much passion on you, and I
(30:14):
behaved myself.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
Imagine, if you didn't behave yourself, how much
passion would have come out.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
I'm trying to adapt.
You know, even politically I'mtrying to adapt.
About how can I?
I don't want to change myaccent, Even that I try.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
I think that's going to be like, but I think that's
part of what it is we're tryingto keep, and this is the idea is
that we actually don't wantpeople to change.
We want to be accepted andbelong as we are, and I also
again, having come from anon-English speaking background,
I applaud people who know morethan two languages and who can
(30:50):
speak fluently in a languagethat is not their native tongue.
I just think it's incredible,and so when people say, oh,
you're saying that wrong, orthat person can't speak English
properly, I just sort of thinkyou know what they're so amazing
that they can speak English atall you know, because it's not
their native tongue and they'vehad to learn it as an adult,
(31:10):
which we all know.
It's harder to learn languagesas an adult.
So I just think that beingfluent in another language
that's not yours is justincredible achievement and just
shows how willing people areable to, you know, adapt and try
to you know, try to make changein another country.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
And as well.
It's all about respect, andthat's a reality.
29% of Australians speak adifferent language at home.
So it is what it is.
Well, that's right, it isExactly right.
That's a reality again to ourmodern Australia, and there's
something called accentism.
So it's like discrimination,because of your accent.
(31:51):
And yes, we have that one, andas well we have because of your
last name.
Okay, you know there's a lot ofcases that's statistics and
research, People applying for ajob, and then just your last
name will make the difference.
You know there's like a lot ofrecruits just scrolling because
(32:13):
you know you have a difficultname to pronounce.
So just a little bit of a fewthings, as I said, a challenge
that we can improve, but I thinkthat we're evolving.
We are evolving, probably that'sthose challenges that are
facing first generations.
I think our second generationsare going to be in a better
(32:34):
position, but we're stillundertaking new migrants, yeah.
So we just have to prepare, bemore open mind.
You know, those values that Ijust mentioned about unity,
fairness, equity and respect tome are like my bread and butter
for all the activities that I do.
And, yes, I'm just excited.
(32:55):
As I said, there's a lot ofwork that needs to get done.
There's a lot of advocacybecause there's so many
different communities, becausethere are so many different
communities, and to me, I thinkit's not just that advocacy is
not just for multiculturalcommunities, that advocacy is
for everyone.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
So were you actively going out into all the different
, culturally and linguisticallydiverse communities and talking
to them and trying to motivateand activate them?
That's what I do, wow, and Ilove it.
That's such a busy job.
There are so many, like you'vesaid.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
I love it.
You know what?
I can attend to an event everyday, even twice a day.
It's intense.
It's intense.
I have a family and then, as Isaid, this takes generations.
But you know what?
It's my contribution and I'mmore than happy to do it.
You need to be passionate too.
You know, when there's passion,when it's in your heart, it's
like, whatever it takes, it's ifI have to.
(33:48):
Sometimes, if I go to a nextweek I have a Zimbabwean event,
last week I had a Filipino, theprevious week I have an Iranian,
and then it's about go thereand then just spread the message
about that Communityempowerment, that collaboration.
How can we just facilitate eachother?
(34:09):
You know those networks, howcan we support each other?
And let me tell you that thesupport for this multicultural
movement has been coming fromprobably six generation
Australians.
Movement has been coming fromfrom probably six generation
australians is they are thefirst one that I can tell you
they are.
They are like the bigsupporters of this multicultural
(34:31):
movement because, as I said,they they understand this
country can get better if wehave, you know, the talent,
people to make it grow.
So they are very supportive andI'm very happy to see that
because you know it's aboutinvolving everyone, so it's
intense.
I have been involved, probablydoing political advocacy for
(34:56):
women and multiculturalcommunities, for the last six
years, but back in Mexico,probably for the last 20 years,
I have been doing this.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
So what brought you to Australia, Carla?
Speaker 1 (35:06):
Destiny A mission.
I strongly believe that has tobe a mission and this is my
mission.
I met my husband in Thailand.
I was traveling, I wasfinishing that legislation that
took me like five years and Iwas a little bit of I need a
break and I just I love totravel and I just visit a few
(35:30):
countries in Asia.
And then, yeah, I saw him andthen I picked him up off the
street.
Speaker 2 (35:37):
He's going to hear this.
Speaker 1 (35:40):
Yeah, and then, as I said, destiny Is he Australian.
Yeah, uh-huh.
Yes, I said, Destiny Is heAustralian.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
Yeah, Uh-huh yes.
Speaker 1 (35:46):
Australian, second generation Italian.
Speaker 2 (35:48):
Uh-huh okay.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
I remember telling him you want to marry me, you
have to speak Spanish and wewill get married in Mexico and
in Australia.
Ah, very good For both familias?
Speaker 2 (36:00):
Yes, both familias beautiful.
And then you've had two sonshere in Australia.
Yes, two boys, two boys, lovely.
Speaker 1 (36:07):
Very, very, yes, very multicultural family, because
they are Australian but theyspeak Italian and they speak
Spanish.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
Very good, Excellent, that they're learning all of
that too and having those richheritage.
I don't know.
I just think there's somethingreally special about having and
any families with traditions.
You know, it doesn't just haveto be from non-English speaking
backgrounds, but just havingtradition and belonging.
I think it comes back to that,because I think that's a big key
in everything that you'retrying to do is to create
(36:39):
belonging for people, and whenyou've got belonging, you can
contribute and your contributionis then valued and used and it
shapes a culture and a community.
Speaker 1 (36:49):
You feel that you can rest and you feel like this is
your home.
When you feel that sense ofbelonging, you feel in peace.
You know it's like you'refeeling that that hope is now
with reality.
You know, to me sense ofbelonging is the key, and maybe
that can sound a little bit likelike an utopia, but when
(37:09):
migrants feel that, I can feelthat they find peace and they
are better Australians and it'sall about facilitate that sense
of belonging into a country thatit's their country, our country
, and I'm very proud of theopportunity.
You know, as I said, I feelthat I have a mission and I love
(37:32):
to do this, whatever it takes.
It's just a privilege.
Speaker 2 (37:37):
Carla, I'm so glad that you fell in love with an
Australian.
I think that's the first thingI'm really glad for, because
that meant that you fell in lovewith an Australian.
I think that's the first thingI'm really glad for, because
that meant that you came hereand that you were then able to
take all of that amazingexperience you, you know,
developed in Mexico and thenbring it to Western Australia to
not just, you know, make thepathway for your own children
(38:00):
brighter, but certainly for allof the culturally and
linguistically diversecommunities that we have in
Western Australia, and celebratethem in a really meaningful way
that we can all be bettertogether.
I'm just so inspired by you andI'm just so thankful that you
came to tell us all about thataround La Tavo, la Calda today.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
Oh gracias, Gracias, gracias.
It has been an honour.
Speaker 4 (38:29):
Hi, I'm Kelly Riley, creator and head coach of
Females Over 45 Fitness, or FOFas we are fondly called.
Our studio is located inVictoria Park and we are also
online all across Australia.
At FOF, our members range inage from 45 through to 84 years
of age at the moment.
They're amazing examples ofhope.
(38:51):
Let's meet one of our membersnow and be inspired by her story
.
Speaker 3 (38:58):
Hi, my name's Diane.
I'm in my 60s.
At the moment.
I find myself that I'mseparated after 30 years of
marriage.
I sort of each day just rolledon, rolled on, just trying to
cope with life situations andwhere I find myself Just looking
around for something to getmyself out there and connecting
with other people.
(39:18):
Other like-minded people I dowork, so I'm full-time, so that
was a lifesaver.
Other like-minded people I dowork, so I'm full-time, so that
was a lifesaver.
So, looking around and I saw anad for an over 45s ladies gym
and I thought well, that wouldsuit me.
Down to the ground.
I rang up.
They were very friendly.
The ladies on the phone justmade me feel warm and welcome,
(39:39):
just coming to the gym two daysa week.
So my hopes at the moment isjust to keep moving forward.
I can't go backwards, so it hasto be just moving forward and
upward and just seeing where Itake myself.
Speaker 2 (39:55):
Thanks for joining us around the warm table.
My Warm Table is produced,hosted and edited by me, sonia
Nolan.
It's my way of amplifyingpositivity and curiosity in our
community.
I invite you to share thisconversation with family and
friends and follow my Warm Tablepodcast on Facebook, instagram
and LinkedIn.
Also, you can subscribe andfollow my Warm Table on Spotify
(40:19):
or Apple Podcasts, and maybeeven leave a review, because it
helps others to find us moreeasily.
Australia is the house of more than 200 different
ancestries.
Here in Western Australia wespeak more than 400 languages.
We have more than 100 faiths,so it's not easy.
It's a big, big challengeworking with multicultural
communities.
The reality of establishedAustralian is different from an
(00:23):
emerging Australian.
You know, we have differentexperiences but at the same time
we have a lot of skills.
We have a lot of qualificationsaround.
It's hard for them to findtheir pathway, to find their
career.
It's about facilitating, tofeel that this is their country
(00:43):
and, you know, just make ourcountry stronger.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Thanks for joining me , sonia Nolan, around the warm
table, or the tabula calda, asmy Italian papa used to call a
welcoming table of acceptance,positivity and curiosity.
My Warm Table podcast aims tocreate that and more, as we
amplify stories of WesternAustralians making our
communities better.
My Warm Table, season 3, isproud to be sponsored by Females
(01:11):
Over 45 Fitness, with a studioin Victoria Park and also online
all over Australia.
So now please take a seat andjoin us for Season 3 as we
explore stories of hope.
Did you know that Australia isthe most diverse country in the
world?
Half of our population was bornoverseas, or at least one
(01:32):
parent was Western?
Australia has been built frommulticultural input and
innovation.
Multiculturalism is part of ournational identity, but it's not
always reflected in ourparliament or workplaces.
One woman who is workingtirelessly to advocate for
(01:53):
communities and advance theopportunities for
multiculturalism is KarlaBenitez.
Born in Mexico, karla migratedto Australia in 2012, and over
the past decade, she has forgedmany paths to create opportunity
and equality for people likeher from a culturally and
linguistically diversebackground.
She's the founder and drivingforce of the Multicultural Labor
(02:14):
Organization here in WesternAustralia and she joins us
around the warm table today toinspire us with her hope for an
Australia where every person, nomatter where they come from,
can participate and feel asthough they belong and are
contributing to a brighterfuture for our country.
Carla, thank you so much forjoining me around La Tavola
(02:38):
Calda.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Thank you very much, sonia.
I love the way you pronounce myname Carla.
Carla with the R's.
Exactly, sonia, I love the wayyou pronounce my name Carla
Carla, with the R's.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Exactly, I know.
Yes, you either have it or youdon't have it the R's, Is that
true?
Speaker 1 (02:51):
100%.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
So, carla, when I first saw you I mean actually I
hadn't met you at the time and Ididn't go up and introduce
myself because I was a littlebit in awe of you the very first
time I met you, I saw you atthe Diverse Women in Leadership
program as a guest speaker aboutcommunity activism and getting
involved in your community.
(03:16):
As a leader from all walks oflife, like every one of us, can
step up and do something in thecommunity and lead and make
change, and you were such apassionate voice for that, karla
, and, like I said, I was in aweof you and the work that you're
doing, and so I would love youto share that, the work that
you're doing to advocate forwomen from multicultural
(03:38):
backgrounds and to actually showhow much we can contribute to
society in Western Australia.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
The sky is the limit it is, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (03:48):
It is, it's so true.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
It is.
There's a lot of work thatneeds to get done, but a little
bit about this advocacy.
I started politics back inMexico when I was 18 years old.
I remember being there andpeople telling me what are you
doing in parliament?
You know why you are notcooking or cleaning instead.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Exactly.
Why aren't you in the kitchenLike?
Speaker 1 (04:10):
what are you doing in ?
Speaker 2 (04:11):
a man's world.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Indeed, that was intense.
I remember, you know, as ayoung woman back then.
Well, not that I'm too old, no,you're not.
You're much younger than I am,no, you're not, you're much
younger than I am.
But I remember this girl isjust coming here to serve the
coffee and just that's it.
Now you have to work one, two,three, four times more.
(04:34):
I remember going to a littlebit of harassment.
I remember that part becausenow I think Mexico has improved
in terms of participation ofwomen in politics.
But still I remember I can saymembers of parliament asking me
let's go out tomorrow, you know.
(04:55):
And I said I used to tell themI'm better at telling you what
you have to say tomorrow thangoing out with you.
So just move over.
Yes good, yes good, good answer.
It takes time.
You know, I was like I was 18years old.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
It takes a lot of courage to be able to stand up
at that age because that's ayoung, vulnerable age to be able
to counter that sort of reallysexual harassment and
discrimination at that time.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Yeah, because I think that you are kind of useless
there because I had been around,are kind of useless there
because I had been around for alot of years and well, that was
hard, but I think that's whatyou learn, you know, from those
experiences.
But that was back then, so Iremember people telling me that.
And then I, just as I I said,when I was 18 years old and I
(05:45):
became parliamentary headadvisor by 21, I was advising
federal and state legislation.
Tourism is the third biggesteconomy in Mexico, so I was
drafting the federal legislationthat regulates activity.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
So activity in tourism, tourism yes, yes, all
right.
So you were advising on tourismlegislation and policy.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
I was in charge of the federal law At 21?
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Yes, excellent Congratulations.
That's a real testament to yourability.
Well done.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Well, you know you have to be determined.
You know that was hard becauseI was not a lawyer drafting a
legislation.
So I remember working 20 hoursa day Like that was intense,
very intense, but I wasdetermined, I was committed.
And then I moved to Australiaand I remember people telling me
(06:42):
here you won't get anywherewithout accent.
You know your qualificationsand experience are useless here
in Australia.
And again and again and againand not just me, you know, I
have been involved in themulticultural sector for the
last 10 years and that's thestory of not just Carla Benitez,
that's the story of thousandsof migrants, skilled migrants,
(07:04):
that migrate to Australia and,yes, they have to start their
career from zero and most ofthem they never get there.
So that's why we have theexperience of all kinds of
professionals doctors, engineersyou know being doing like
cleaners or taxi drivers or justkeep working hard, hoping their
(07:25):
kids have a better future.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
It's such a sacrifice for so many families, isn't it
coming to Australia and havingthe hope for a safe and
prosperous future for yourchildren?
But in the meantime, you'reswallowing frustration,
resentment, disappointment ofthe fact that you have got so
much more potential to give andyou're not being seen for it.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
Yeah, it's.
Look, I'm getting goosebumpsbecause I have been going
through that journey, for I havebeen here for 12 years and, yes
, I was one day advised infederal and state parliaments
back in Mexico.
And here I have to start fromzero as an aged care worker
Nothing wrong with that, but Iwas feeling like a waste.
(08:10):
Yeah, and then, well, I justidentify a gap where I love
politics, as I said, and Ijoined a political party a few
years ago and I identified thatI was normally the only
non-English speaking backgroundand I identified that the lack
(08:30):
of a representation.
And I understand that politicsis a vehicle to get things done.
Yes, some people ask me kind ofwhy you love politics, because
it's all about.
It's all about serving, makethings done.
You know, really, you have inyour hands the future of a
community, a state, a country,so I love that.
(08:53):
I was always as a parliamentaryadvisor I had back in Mexico, I
was very involved intopolitical campaigns and I was
missing that part.
And as soon as I became acitizen, so I said, okay, I'm
going to join a political partyand I'm going to start.
And, yeah, as I said, I identifya gap and I present an addition
(09:18):
to the constitution, to thispolitical party, where we
establish a representation ofculturally and linguistically
diverse members and theobjectives are to have more
representation, to empower thosecommunities, to facilitate
training, mentorship.
(09:39):
It's all about, for me, it'sabout empowering them, because
more than 50% of the populationhere in Australia was born
overseas or has at least oneparent born overseas.
So it's not about that.
We are migrants and you are notmigrant.
It's not about them, it's notabout us.
(09:59):
It's about we are allAustralians.
If we can empower thoseAustralians, we empower our
economy, we empower our culture,our social connection to the
world.
So there's a lot of benefits.
It's not just about socialjustice.
To me it's a little bit more.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
I would agree and I'm the child of migrants, so I'm
first-generation Australian andwith you know, I think, a really
good understanding and deepunderstanding of the benefit and
the contribution of migrants toAustralia and how, not just in
building a physicalinfrastructure but also in
(10:37):
culture and change and differentwork approaches and yeah,
language, culture, food, all ofthat.
It's just so important.
And just going back to yourcomment about politics and why
you're passionate about it andwhy you want to get involved in
it and people may not understand, I really do believe that
(11:00):
politics is about policy changesand until you are disadvantaged
by a policy, you don't actuallyunderstand how important
politics is.
So when politics is in yourfavour and everything's going
swimmingly, you don't have tothink about it.
But when there's a significantpolicy change, that then really
(11:20):
affects you personally anddeeply.
You know that's the first timeoften that we think about
politics or we think aboutpolicy.
And I guess for you, coming toAustralia as a woman from a
different country with an accent, with vast experience but not
being recognised here, I guessthere were so many policies that
(11:44):
disadvantaged you and I justapplaud the fact that you are
just not sitting there and justtaking it, but actually doing
something about it.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
So there's a lot of in terms of policy.
There's a lot of needs becausewe have a model of 50 years that
well, I can say I feel like hasbeen redundant.
The model of dancing andcelebrating is not to me.
It's not about just celebratingour cultural diversity.
To me is identifying the needsof the community.
(12:16):
You know the needs of what?
That?
What will happen if we canempower those australians that
they have a business connectionto the world?
You know that can mean exporting, importing.
That can mean a lot of economicdevelopment.
That can mean that, instead of,to me, strategic funding,
instead of grants going todancing and cooking, that can go
(12:39):
to programs like empoweringwomen, empowering our youth,
that can go to English classes.
That can go to English classesthat can go to, you know, in the
multicultural communities a lotof people.
They find hard to find a job sothey have to become
entrepreneurs, but sometimes thelack of those strategies
marketing skills.
(13:00):
So how can we empower, use thatmoney into meaningful programs
that can help the Australianeconomy?
We have the skills here already.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Yes, yes, so it's interesting.
So our, I guess, reflection ofculture and our celebration of
culture is really quite alimited and one-dimensional and
probably I don't want to sayfrivolous, because I do think
that celebrating dance andculture and all of those things
(13:32):
is important, but there's somuch more we can do to amplify
the culture.
Is that what I'm hearing yousaying?
Speaker 1 (13:38):
100%.
As I said, cultural diversityis not just cooking and dancing.
It's what we represent, theskills that we come, that we
have with us already here in ourcountry to serve our country.
So it's a little bit about adifferent perspective.
We need fresh ideas, we needpolicies that will impact our
(14:02):
community Because, as I said,this model has been in Australia
for the last 50 years and Ithink that that model is
redundant, because going tocommunity events where we
celebrate our traditions, take aphoto and say we're ticking the
(14:22):
box for diversity is not goodenough.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
So if you had a wish list.
What are the three things youwould want to see changed for
multicultural women particularly?
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Probably strategic funding.
So I have to say no morecooking and dancing.
That can go directly to socialprograms for women to empower
those women into differentsectors and industries.
I will go to.
That is a hard one.
Systematic discrimination no,that's a big one.
(14:59):
So according to statistics,there's from the 3,000 highest
positions in Australia, 76 ofthose ones go to, you know,
white Australians.
Yes 16% goes to like Europeanbackground Australians and just
(15:22):
4% goes to non-English speaking.
How interesting.
And that's not just politics.
You know, if I go withstatistics and I can say that in
Most of the parliaments inAustralia, just 4% of their
parliamentarians are women ofcolour.
So we are working hard, but Ithink that we have to work
(15:43):
harder.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
And do you think it's a case of there are so many
women who want to get in there,or do you think they need I mean
, you've talked about havingprograms to support women, to
encourage them and empower themprograms to support women, to
encourage them and empower them.
Do you think that there needsto be a lot more work there so
that they actually want topartake in a political or even
(16:05):
not even politics, but just incommunity leadership roles?
Speaker 1 (16:09):
I remember starting this movement three years ago
and I can say that since then Ihave seen a lot of improvement,
because this organization impacteven other states.
So now we have a representationin New South Wales, queensland.
We fight for a nationalrepresentation and I can see
(16:35):
that even the last localelections and I can see that
even the last local elections wewere supporting I can count
something like 50 candidatesfrom Cal background, we got
around seven.
But I think that we are gettingthere.
The momentum is, it's happening.
Now.
I feel very grateful because Ihave.
(16:55):
I feel that this is acontribution to the democratic
system.
It's not easy because, you know,be an activist, be an activist
and it's something that reallyyou have to be committed 24 by 7
(17:15):
.
And social and politicalmovement takes generations.
So it's.
There's not a magical.
We know exactly what we need.
There is an agenda, as I say,strategic founding, you know,
address systematicdiscrimination.
One size doesn't fit all.
So multicultural communitieshave very particular needs.
(17:35):
And but let me tell you, I'mvery grateful to be Australian,
you know, and I'm doing all thisadvocacy because I would like
to see, you know, a strongereconomy, a better future for us
and for our kids.
To me it's a little bit aboutbring unity.
Yes, you know it's about not todiffer in class of citizens.
It's like like we are the same.
(17:56):
You know it doesn't matter ifyou arrive like 50 years ago.
You know you are part ofestablished communities or you
are part of emerging communities.
Australia is our present andit's our future.
And you know, for me it's justto give everything for the
country that you know you canwalk and it's safe.
You can tag your children in atnight and know that they are
(18:20):
fed and safe at home.
You know, a country where youcan say you're right what you
think, a country where you canhave an idea and, you know, make
a business out of it.
It's amazing.
So I'm very grateful and I justwould like to see an Australia,
you know, where values of unity, the values of fairness, the
(18:40):
values of equity and respect foreveryone it's our, you know,
it's our day by day.
I just want to see their valuesevery day.
I think that we are a modernsociety now.
We have been working very hardto achieve that equality and
equity, but there's always a lotof things that needs to get
(19:02):
done and that's, I think, for me, that's part of the reason of
why I'm waking up every day, somotivating, trying to empower
more women, to empower morecommunities.
Let them know that, guys, yes,we are very, very proud of our
cultural heritage, but this isour country.
We need to develop in thoseAustralians a sense of belonging
(19:25):
, because you cannot lovesomething that you don't know.
So it's a little bit about.
It's not just the system,because the system, as I say, is
progressing.
We're getting there.
I'm very positive.
Even that will take another 50there, I'm very positive.
Even that will take another 50years, but I'm positive.
But it's not just the politicaland economic system, it's as
(19:48):
well the people, the communities.
What I have seen is thatsometimes they feel that they
don't feel Australians and thatis a risk for our country.
You know it's like, guys, thisis our country.
You know where kids are growinghere.
It's all about to work in youknow, as Australians, in unity,
and it's all about respect eachother, because we also see a lot
of discrimination from our owncommunities.
(20:10):
You know our own differentnationalities.
Fighting with oh, mine is, youknow, greeks with Italians,
macedonians with Serbians.
You know Latin Omanis.
You know Greeks with Italians,Macedonians with Serbians.
You know Latin Americans with.
You know it's very hard becauseAustralia is the house of more
than 200 different ancestries.
Now here in Western Australiawe have we speak more than 400
(20:32):
languages.
We have more than 100 faiths.
So it's not easy.
It's a big, big challengeworking with multicultural
communities.
As I said, it's not easy.
One size doesn't fit allbecause we are so different.
The reality of establishedAustralian is different from an
emerging Australian.
(20:52):
You know, we have differentexperiences but at the same time
we have a lot of skills, wehave a lot of qualifications
around, we have a lot of powerin this nation.
It's just about identify, youknow, and help those Australians
that sometimes it's hard forthem to find their pathway to
(21:13):
find their career.
It's about facilitating pathwayto find their career.
It's about facilitating.
It's about giving them thetools to feel that this is their
country and, you know, justmake our country stronger.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Again, it's like when I first saw you speak, karla.
You speak with such passion andwith ideas that make so much
sense.
Like, just make so much sense.
So you said that you knowAustralia is the house of so
many different cultures andfaiths and backgrounds and
languages.
I think it's one of the mostdiverse countries in the world.
(21:49):
Is that right to say that?
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Yes, I think there's top three.
We're in the top three andWestern Australia is the most
diverse of all the states.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
How interesting.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
It is amazing.
So, as I said, it's beautifulbecause we have such a variety
of colours and beliefs, but atthe same time that also there's
some challenges, you know,because we are so different that
sometimes we have a little bitof challenges there.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Yes, yes, yes, absolutely.
Well, we've got a lot ofstereotypes to break down.
We've got a lot of culturalbeliefs to change.
Racism, bullying,discrimination all of that is
still very alive in ourworkplaces and in our
communities.
But it is interesting becausecertainly, you know, the
(22:43):
Australia that we enjoy and wehave now is very different to
the Australia I grew up in aswell.
You know, you look around andthere are so many more faiths
and, like you said, the coloursand the languages.
It's so much richer.
I think it's richer we'rericher for it than certainly we
were 50 years ago.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Indeed, and that means, as I said, advantages and
sometimes challenges, but it'sjust to identify those
advantages and put it intoservice to our country and just
trying to identify thosechallenges and improve the ways
that we can get things done inorder to facilitate economic,
(23:27):
social and cultural developmentfor everyone.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
So how are you doing that?
So you're the leader of amulticultural party?
Tell me more about that.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
Well, I'm the founder of the first organisation in
Australia that promotespolitical empowerment and
participation to culturally andlinguistically diverse
Australians.
This is a Labour Partyorganisation, so really, labour
Party has been placing thisorganisation as a priority and
I'm grateful for that.
It took 100 years, but we'regetting there.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
And I did see that Mark McGowan, who was our
Premier, did launch the party orwas part of the organisation.
Sorry, launched theorganisation.
Was it 2022, 21?
, 2021.
, 2021.
?
And I think we all remember2020 and 2021 in Western
Australia and, yeah, there wasgreat celebration at the time of
(24:25):
that organisation beinglaunched and such hope, which is
, of course, the theme of ourpodcast series this season.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
You know what you just said.
The word hope, and I get againgoosebumps.
Yes, good, because I rememberthat day we had close to 400
community leaders from so manydifferent nationalities, you
know, all there together forhope, for hope of their kids to
have better opportunities, forhope to see that systematic
(24:59):
racism to change or to improve,for hope to have, as I say, more
equal opportunities.
As I said, it took 100 years.
We are moving forward.
Movements take generations.
Speaker 3 (25:17):
They do.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Yeah, I hope it doesn't take that long.
I'm very positive because youknow what I remember during the
last few years of advocacypeople calling me activists from
the United States.
Linkedin is very powerful, it'slike that.
It's amazing how you get things, how's all this movement
happening?
It's because you get things.
(25:38):
You know how's all thismovement happening?
It's because, as I said,australia is very, very diverse
and the people want toparticipate.
It's just that they don't findthe way.
It's very hard to find thepathway, the networks, because
we migrate here and then wedon't have those political
networks that you know, if wewere being, you know,
australians by birth, yes, soit's hard.
(26:01):
So the idea is to facilitatethose pathways if they want to
get involved, because, you know,a healthy democracy is people
that participate in theirpolitical activities and that,
again, that will our, ourcountry, stronger, because when
we have more voices or we havemore points of view, we have
(26:22):
more skills, you know, to serve,serve in our, our country.
So it's, it's a win-win.
And but I just want to go backinto the fact that I just want
to rescue that.
It's not about them, it's notabout us, we're all the same.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Yeah, we are.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
It doesn't matter our color of skin, it doesn't
matter, you know how long wehave been living in Australia.
I'm very grateful because Ihave seen that a lot of
improvement.
You know I moved to Australia12 years ago and I have seen
that a lot of improvement.
You know I moved to Australia12 years ago and I have seen
that we are moving forward.
(27:02):
It's a reality.
You know diversity it's part ofour schools, workplaces,
communities.
This is the face of the modernAustralia.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
It is, and I'm very hopeful and excited about modern
Australia because I think it'sso much more interesting.
So much more interesting andall the things that we can learn
and the fun we can have.
I know that I've got friendswho are from Venezuela and every
time I'm invited to one oftheir birthday parties or some
(27:35):
sort of celebration gosh, it'sso joyful.
There's dancing, there'ssinging, there's a beautiful
birthday song that they sing toeach other, which is everyone
sings and claps about.
We're so glad you were born.
It's just.
There's so much life andcelebration in other cultures
I'm not suggesting it's not inan Australian culture, but it's
(27:55):
not as overt than you find insome of the other cultures.
So I'm excited about some ofthat beautiful energy and
history, intelligence, wisdom,different points of view that we
can really harness here inAustralia if we let ourselves do
it.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
I think that our nation is ready because, as I
said, it's all about the skills,it's all about all that value
that you just mentioned.
It's all about.
I can feel that australia islike united nations we have so
much, so much.
We just have to make the mostof it.
(28:34):
So much, we just have to makethe most of it.
As I said, we have to identifychallenges and just work to
improve them, but I can see abright future for our country.
Talking about the passion Iremember that day, on the day of
the launch of the organization.
(28:55):
Of course, I'm a Latin womanand I use a lot of my hands,
probably like you, like Italians.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Yes, we're very good with our hands.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
yes, Part of that is, as well, how to adapt to this
country, because normally I goto community events and there's
a lot of passion.
You know where we come from.
It's politicians are a littlebit like you know, I don't know.
It's different a little bitlike you know, I don't know.
It's different.
Cultural is different.
It's like we use our hands, weraise our voice and we get so
(29:26):
like and I'm trying to controlmyself here in Australia I have
to say I remember.
I said, oh, I have some, I'mgoing to all those community
events, I'm going to have thelaunch of this organization, and
I remember taking accentreduction classes.
Oh really, I said, jesus, it'snot easy because even that I you
(29:47):
know, english is not my firstlanguage and sometimes a lot of
people says that normally whenpeople have like two languages,
we have two differentpersonalities.
I used to be a little bit morepassionate back in Mexico and I
remember the date of the speech,the Minister for Multicultural
Interest telling me Jesus, carla, so much passion on you, and I
(30:14):
behaved myself.
Speaker 2 (30:15):
Imagine, if you didn't behave yourself, how much
passion would have come out.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
I'm trying to adapt.
You know, even politically I'mtrying to adapt.
About how can I?
I don't want to change myaccent, Even that I try.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
I think that's going to be like, but I think that's
part of what it is we're tryingto keep, and this is the idea is
that we actually don't wantpeople to change.
We want to be accepted andbelong as we are, and I also
again, having come from anon-English speaking background,
I applaud people who know morethan two languages and who can
(30:50):
speak fluently in a languagethat is not their native tongue.
I just think it's incredible,and so when people say, oh,
you're saying that wrong, orthat person can't speak English
properly, I just sort of thinkyou know what they're so amazing
that they can speak English atall you know, because it's not
their native tongue and they'vehad to learn it as an adult,
(31:10):
which we all know.
It's harder to learn languagesas an adult.
So I just think that beingfluent in another language
that's not yours is justincredible achievement and just
shows how willing people areable to, you know, adapt and try
to you know, try to make changein another country.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
And as well.
It's all about respect, andthat's a reality.
29% of Australians speak adifferent language at home.
So it is what it is.
Well, that's right, it isExactly right.
That's a reality again to ourmodern Australia, and there's
something called accentism.
So it's like discrimination,because of your accent.
(31:51):
And yes, we have that one, andas well we have because of your
last name.
Okay, you know there's a lot ofcases that's statistics and
research, People applying for ajob, and then just your last
name will make the difference.
You know there's like a lot ofrecruits just scrolling because
(32:13):
you know you have a difficultname to pronounce.
So just a little bit of a fewthings, as I said, a challenge
that we can improve, but I thinkthat we're evolving.
We are evolving, probably that'sthose challenges that are
facing first generations.
I think our second generationsare going to be in a better
(32:34):
position, but we're stillundertaking new migrants, yeah.
So we just have to prepare, bemore open mind.
You know, those values that Ijust mentioned about unity,
fairness, equity and respect tome are like my bread and butter
for all the activities that I do.
And, yes, I'm just excited.
(32:55):
As I said, there's a lot ofwork that needs to get done.
There's a lot of advocacybecause there's so many
different communities, becausethere are so many different
communities, and to me, I thinkit's not just that advocacy is
not just for multiculturalcommunities, that advocacy is
for everyone.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
So were you actively going out into all the different
, culturally and linguisticallydiverse communities and talking
to them and trying to motivateand activate them?
That's what I do, wow, and Ilove it.
That's such a busy job.
There are so many, like you'vesaid.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
I love it.
You know what?
I can attend to an event everyday, even twice a day.
It's intense.
It's intense.
I have a family and then, as Isaid, this takes generations.
But you know what?
It's my contribution and I'mmore than happy to do it.
You need to be passionate too.
You know, when there's passion,when it's in your heart, it's
like, whatever it takes, it's ifI have to.
(33:48):
Sometimes, if I go to a nextweek I have a Zimbabwean event,
last week I had a Filipino, theprevious week I have an Iranian,
and then it's about go thereand then just spread the message
about that Communityempowerment, that collaboration.
How can we just facilitate eachother?
(34:09):
You know those networks, howcan we support each other?
And let me tell you that thesupport for this multicultural
movement has been coming fromprobably six generation
Australians.
Movement has been coming fromfrom probably six generation
australians is they are thefirst one that I can tell you
they are.
They are like the bigsupporters of this multicultural
(34:31):
movement because, as I said,they they understand this
country can get better if wehave, you know, the talent,
people to make it grow.
So they are very supportive andI'm very happy to see that
because you know it's aboutinvolving everyone, so it's
intense.
I have been involved, probablydoing political advocacy for
(34:56):
women and multiculturalcommunities, for the last six
years, but back in Mexico,probably for the last 20 years,
I have been doing this.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
So what brought you to Australia, Carla?
Speaker 1 (35:06):
Destiny A mission.
I strongly believe that has tobe a mission and this is my
mission.
I met my husband in Thailand.
I was traveling, I wasfinishing that legislation that
took me like five years and Iwas a little bit of I need a
break and I just I love totravel and I just visit a few
(35:30):
countries in Asia.
And then, yeah, I saw him andthen I picked him up off the
street.
Speaker 2 (35:37):
He's going to hear this.
Speaker 1 (35:40):
Yeah, and then, as I said, destiny Is he Australian.
Yeah, uh-huh.
Yes, I said, Destiny Is heAustralian.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
Yeah, Uh-huh yes.
Speaker 1 (35:46):
Australian, second generation Italian.
Speaker 2 (35:48):
Uh-huh okay.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
I remember telling him you want to marry me, you
have to speak Spanish and wewill get married in Mexico and
in Australia.
Ah, very good For both familias?
Speaker 2 (36:00):
Yes, both familias beautiful.
And then you've had two sonshere in Australia.
Yes, two boys, two boys, lovely.
Speaker 1 (36:07):
Very, very, yes, very multicultural family, because
they are Australian but theyspeak Italian and they speak
Spanish.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
Very good, Excellent, that they're learning all of
that too and having those richheritage.
I don't know.
I just think there's somethingreally special about having and
any families with traditions.
You know, it doesn't just haveto be from non-English speaking
backgrounds, but just havingtradition and belonging.
I think it comes back to that,because I think that's a big key
in everything that you'retrying to do is to create
(36:39):
belonging for people, and whenyou've got belonging, you can
contribute and your contributionis then valued and used and it
shapes a culture and a community.
Speaker 1 (36:49):
You feel that you can rest and you feel like this is
your home.
When you feel that sense ofbelonging, you feel in peace.
You know it's like you'refeeling that that hope is now
with reality.
You know, to me sense ofbelonging is the key, and maybe
that can sound a little bit likelike an utopia, but when
(37:09):
migrants feel that, I can feelthat they find peace and they
are better Australians and it'sall about facilitate that sense
of belonging into a country thatit's their country, our country
, and I'm very proud of theopportunity.
You know, as I said, I feelthat I have a mission and I love
(37:32):
to do this, whatever it takes.
It's just a privilege.
Speaker 2 (37:37):
Carla, I'm so glad that you fell in love with an
Australian.
I think that's the first thingI'm really glad for, because
that meant that you fell in lovewith an Australian.
I think that's the first thingI'm really glad for, because
that meant that you came hereand that you were then able to
take all of that amazingexperience you, you know,
developed in Mexico and thenbring it to Western Australia to
not just, you know, make thepathway for your own children
(38:00):
brighter, but certainly for allof the culturally and
linguistically diversecommunities that we have in
Western Australia, and celebratethem in a really meaningful way
that we can all be bettertogether.
I'm just so inspired by you andI'm just so thankful that you
came to tell us all about thataround La Tavo, la Calda today.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
Oh gracias, Gracias, gracias.
It has been an honour.
Speaker 4 (38:29):
Hi, I'm Kelly Riley, creator and head coach of
Females Over 45 Fitness, or FOFas we are fondly called.
Our studio is located inVictoria Park and we are also
online all across Australia.
At FOF, our members range inage from 45 through to 84 years
of age at the moment.
They're amazing examples ofhope.
(38:51):
Let's meet one of our membersnow and be inspired by her story
.
Speaker 3 (38:58):
Hi, my name's Diane.
I'm in my 60s.
At the moment.
I find myself that I'mseparated after 30 years of
marriage.
I sort of each day just rolledon, rolled on, just trying to
cope with life situations andwhere I find myself Just looking
around for something to getmyself out there and connecting
with other people.
(39:18):
Other like-minded people I dowork, so I'm full-time, so that
was a lifesaver.
Other like-minded people I dowork, so I'm full-time, so that
was a lifesaver.
So, looking around and I saw anad for an over 45s ladies gym
and I thought well, that wouldsuit me.
Down to the ground.
I rang up.
They were very friendly.
The ladies on the phone justmade me feel warm and welcome,
(39:39):
just coming to the gym two daysa week.
So my hopes at the moment isjust to keep moving forward.
I can't go backwards, so it hasto be just moving forward and
upward and just seeing where Itake myself.
Speaker 2 (39:55):
Thanks for joining us around the warm table.
My Warm Table is produced,hosted and edited by me, sonia
Nolan.
It's my way of amplifyingpositivity and curiosity in our
community.
I invite you to share thisconversation with family and
friends and follow my Warm Tablepodcast on Facebook, instagram
and LinkedIn.
Also, you can subscribe andfollow my Warm Table on Spotify
(40:19):
or Apple Podcasts, and maybeeven leave a review, because it
helps others to find us moreeasily.
Popular Podcasts
United States of Kennedy
United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.