16/08/2026
A Successful Launch of the South Sudanese Lounge & Al-Madâfah
What a wonderful and successful evening celebrating community, culture, hospitality, connection and belonging! 🇸🇸🤝🇸🇩
Last night, the Sudanese Mothers’ Coalition in Victoria (SMCV) successfully launched the South Sudanese Lounge & Al-Madâfah, a welcoming, safe and inclusive community space designed to bring people together through hospitality, cultural exchange, traditional food, friendship and a strong sense of belonging.
Held from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at 31 Pickett Street, Fitzroy VIC, the launch brought together community leaders, government and sector representatives, service providers, legal professionals, community organisations, partners, supporters and members of the South Sudanese and Sudanese communities.
We were honoured to welcome Andrea, CEO of the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU, Victoria State Government; a representative of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV); Elmina Joldic, Director of Operations and Strategy; and Michael, a lawyer representing a legal firm. Their participation and engagement demonstrated the importance of meaningful collaboration between government, community organisations, professional services and multicultural communities.
We were also pleased to acknowledge the South Sudanese Community Association in Victoria, whose contribution to strengthening community connection and representation remains important. Our sincere appreciation goes to the Interim Chairperson, Andrew O’hide and Deacon George, for their presence, leadership and support.
We also warmly acknowledge George as one of the Sudanese Mothers’ Coalition’s prominent and longstanding supporters. His encouragement, goodwill and commitment to supporting the Coalition’s work have been deeply valued. Community initiatives such as the South Sudanese Lounge & Al-Madâfah are strengthened when individuals and community leaders are willing to stand behind initiatives that promote unity, family wellbeing, cultural identity and social connection.
A special and heartfelt thank you to our valued partners, funders and supporters whose commitment helped make this initiative possible:
> JAMMA / Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) – for their generous funding, partnership and commitment to supporting young people and multicultural communities;
> Junubi Wyndham – for their valuable support and contribution to this important community initiative;
> CatholicCare Victoria – for their partnership, encouragement and continued support;
> Borderland, Social and Environmental Justice Hub; and
> Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health (CMRH) – for their ongoing support and commitment to strengthening community wellbeing, inclusion and culturally responsive community initiatives.
The South Sudanese Lounge & Al-Madâfah is much more than a physical community space. It represents a shared vision of creating a place where people can connect, share traditions, build friendships, celebrate culture, exchange experiences and feel safe, respected, welcomed and included.
The concept of Al-Madâfah, meaning a traditional guest house or place of hospitality, beautifully complements South Sudanese traditions of gathering, welcoming guests, sharing food and strengthening relationships. Bringing these traditions together creates a unique space for cultural exchange, intergenerational connection, community cohesion and mutual understanding.
The Lounge provides an opportunity for community members from different generations and backgrounds to come together, learn from one another and celebrate the richness of our cultural heritage while building stronger relationships within the broader Victorian multicultural community.
This successful launch demonstrates what can be achieved when community organisations, government, service providers, philanthropic partners, community leaders and volunteers come together around a shared commitment to strengthening social connection, cultural identity, inclusion, safety and community wellbeing.
It also reminds us that strong communities are built through collaboration. No single organisation can do this work alone. It is through partnerships, mutual respect, shared responsibility and a willingness to support one another that we can create lasting opportunities for our families, young people, women, elders and the wider community.
A sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, volunteered, provided funding, offered advice, prepared food, supported the event and helped make the launch such a memorable occasion. Your presence, generosity and encouragement are deeply appreciated.
We particularly acknowledge the women, community leaders, volunteers and supporters whose dedication continues to drive the work of the Sudanese Mothers’ Coalition in Victoria. Your commitment to creating safe, welcoming and empowering spaces for our communities is truly commendable.
The journey has begun. The South Sudanese Lounge & Al-Madâfah is now open as a space for community, hospitality, cultural exchange, friendship, connection and belonging.
May this Lounge become a place where every guest is welcomed, every culture is respected, every generation is valued and every community member feels that they belong. 🇸🇸❤️
Following
Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria
Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY)
Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health, Inc.
