Archive for year: 2025
2025 WAY IN NETWORK ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Way In Network held 2025 Annual General Meeting on 21 September 2025 at Emperor’s Garden Restaurant, and proudly elected the new committee for the 2025–2027 term.
Before the announcement of new committee for the 2025–2027 term, the 2023–2025 Committee members carefully check all the nomination forms that they have received.
Congratulations to Jessie Xiao, re-elected as President, and to our newly elected committee:
• Vice Presidents: Daisy Lam & Rosanna Ng
• Secretary (English): Mandy Van
• Secretary (Chinese): Faith Tan
• Treasurer: Shelley Wang
• Public Officer: Shelly Sun
• Committee Members: Florence Chau, Lisa Harris, Felicia Hon, Gabby Kwok, Stella Su, Nicole He, June He, Ellie Huang, Milly Yang, Queeny Pun & Jacques Wong
President Jessie Xiao said she was truly humbled and honoured to be entrusted once again to serve as President of our incredible network. Thank you all for your continuous support and belief in our shared mission. While the last term came with its challenges for her as a young leader, it was also filled with growth, resilience, milestones & true friendship, none of which would have been possible without the collective strength and dedication of our committee & the wider Way In community.
A heartfelt thank you to our founder and Life Honorary President, Helen Sham-Ho, as well as our respected past presidents Lavender Tsim and Florence Chau, for their presence at today’s AGM and their continued guidance.
We are also deeply grateful to Lucy Shun, Shinta Taylor & Linda Lam for joining us.
Treasurer Shellly Wang presented the 2024-2025 Financial Report and Audit Report.
Returning Officer Connie Lam.
To the 2023–2025 Committee—thank you for your dedication and contributions, which laid a strong foundation for the future of our network.
Here’s to the new term ahead—continuing our mission with passion, purpose, and unity. Together, we are stronger!
Special thanks to committee member Ellie Cheung for donating beautiful pin to Way In as gift to our members.
At the end of AGM, all the attendees celebrated for September birthday members.
2CK Media: 慧贤会妇女安全讲座：“拒绝仇恨犯罪”提升妇女对仇恨行为的意识与法律认知
2025年8月28日（星期四），慧贤会（Way In Network）联同新南威尔士州警察总部（NSW Police Force），于 Day Street 警察局成功举办妇女安全讲座“拒绝仇恨犯罪”。此讲座为慧贤会妇女赋权系列活动之一，旨在提升移民及多元文化背景妇女对安全议题的知识，并加强她们对仇恨犯罪的辨识与应对能力，进一步提升法律意识。
活动伊始，由新南威尔士州警察总部雪梨市警区指挥官Martin Fileman APM（Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman APM）致开幕词。Martin提及，新州近期通过立法，正式将仇恨犯罪列为刑事罪行，这对保护弱势群体免受种族与宗教仇恨暴力具有重要意义。他指出，近期社区中出现多起激进言论与行为，尤其在多宗抗议活动期间，激起了民众的不安。他强调，澳洲是一个多元文化融合的国家，“我们每个人，无论背景，几乎都是移民的后代”，并分享自己家族从战乱中的欧洲移民来澳洲的经历，贡献于社会。他呼吁社会尊重差异，共同维护安全与和谐，强调极端思想与行为在澳洲不应被容忍。
随后，慧贤会会长萧嘉敏女士（President Jessie Xiao）致词，衷心感谢Martin Fileman APM长期以来对慧贤会的支持，以及他领导的警区与华人社区的紧密联繫。她亦特别感谢仇恨犯罪专责组主管Brad Johnston总督察（Detective Chief Inspector Brad Johnston）莅临并提供精闢的仇恨犯罪专题简报，内容丰富、具高度教育意义。
萧会长亦感谢当晚的活动主持人——来自警方的多元文化联络官 Dilara Nikolovski 女士，令整个活动流程顺畅圆满。她并对慧贤会筹委会成员表达敬意，包括：
• 顾问： Florence Chau女士
• 中文秘书：Faith Tan女士
• 公共事务专员兼口译员：Mandy Van女士
• 活动专员： Stella Su女士
在发言中，萧会长强调，提升移民女性对自身权益的认知至关重要，让她们学会如何保护自己，遇见不当行为或不公义时能勇敢站出来、向警方寻求协助。
“我们非常自豪能与警方并肩合作，为社区妇女传递关键知识与法律支援。”萧会长表示，“当妇女拥有资讯与工具，她们将更有信心面对歧视与暴力，为自己发声。我们亦向近日在维多利亚州不幸殉职的两位警员及其家属致以最深切的哀悼与敬意。”
研讨会的重点环节由Brad Johnston总督察主讲，他深入剖析了仇恨犯罪的定义、识别方法、何时报桉，以及相关法律途径与惩罚措施。他强调仇恨行为对社区所造成的深远影响，并鼓励与会者及早举报潜在事件。现场随后进行问答环节，参与者踊跃提问，气氛热烈。
此外，高级警长 Nathan Carroll主持了实用的安全知识讲解，涵盖以下重点：
• 人身安全意识
• 家庭暴力防范
• 如何使用 Empower You 手机应用程式进行事件纪录与求助
• 如何透过 Emergency+ 手机应用程式快速联络紧急服务单位
活动最后，由慧贤会创会会长暨荣誉终身会长何沉慧霞博士（Hon. Dr. Helen Sham-Ho）致闭幕辞与感谢辞。何沉慧霞博士表示，即使自身具备法律背景与过去在议会立法的经历，此次讲座仍令她获益匪浅。她认为，该活动有效强化了女性、特别是移民背景女性的知识与信心，使她们得以辨识不当行为、运用法律手段保护自己。
是次活动参与踊跃，现场提供中文口译与多元文化关怀，确保不同背景的参加者皆能感受到尊重与安全感。该讲座展示了慧贤会与新州警方携手合作，致力于建立一个更安全、更具包容性的社区环境，让所有妇女——特别是多元文化背景者——能被聆听、被保护，并真正获得赋权。
📍 如欲获取更多有关仇恨犯罪、家庭暴力、性侵害防范与安全工具等资讯，请浏览慧贤会官方网站：
🌐 www.wayinnetwork.org.au
Way In Women Empowerment Series: Women’s Safety Seminar – “Say No to Hate Crime”
On Thursday, 28 August 2025, the Way In Network, in collaboration with the NSW Police Force and supported by the NSW Government, hosted a powerful and timely Women’s Safety Seminar under the banner of its Women Empowerment Series. Held at the Day Street Police Station, the seminar aimed to inform and equip migrant and multicultural women with essential knowledge about hate crimes, personal safety, and the legal protections now in place under recent legislation.
The evening commenced with an inspiring welcome address by Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman APM, Commander of Sydney City Police Area Command. Superintendent Fileman highlighted the significance of the newly enacted laws in NSW that officially criminalise hate crimes, a major milestone in safeguarding communities from racially or religiously motivated abuse. Reflecting on recent unrest and protests marked by division and intolerance, he urged unity and mutual respect across Australia’s diverse population.
Drawing from personal experience, Superintendent Fileman shared his own family’s migration story, escaping war-torn Europe and contributing meaningfully to Australian society. He reminded attendees that Australia is a nation built on immigration and multiculturalism, and that extremist behaviours or ideologies have no place in its future.
Following his remarks, Ms Jessie Xiao, President of the Way In Network, expressed heartfelt thanks to Superintendent Fileman for his longstanding support to the network and his active engagement with the Chinese-Australian community. She also extended appreciation to Detective Chief Inspector Brad Johnston, Officer in Charge of the Engagement & Hate Crime Unit, for delivering the keynote presentation, and to Ms Dilara Nikolovski, Multicultural Community Liaison Officer, for her seamless facilitation of the evening as key coordinator & MC.
Ms Xiao further acknowledged the efforts of the event’s organising team:
- Florence Chau – Honorary Advisor
- Faith Tan – Chinese Secretary
- Mandy Van – Public Officer and Translator of the evening
- Stella Su – Event Project Officer
In her speech, President Xiao emphasised the critical importance of awareness among migrant women regarding their legal rights and safety. “We are proud to stand beside our police in delivering vital knowledge to women in our community,” she stated. “With the right information and tools, women feel empowered to speak up, seek help, and confront injustice. We also pay our deepest respects to the families of the two officers tragically lost in Victoria in recent days, our thoughts are with them.”
The seminar’s main presentation was led by Detective Chief Inspector Johnston, who provided a comprehensive overview of what constitutes a hate crime, how to recognise early warning signs, and the legal avenues available to report and prosecute such offences. His session also explored the broader societal impacts of hate-driven behaviour, reinforcing the urgent need for vigilance and early intervention. An engaging Q&A session followed, providing attendees with the opportunity to raise concerns and seek practical guidance.
Next, Senior Sergeant Nathan Carroll delivered a focused safety session covering:
- Personal safety and awareness
- Domestic and family violence
- How to use the Empower You app to report incidents discreetly
- The Emergency+ app for immediate emergency service access, including a live demonstration to access the app
To conclude the evening, The Hon. Dr Helen Sham-Ho OAM, Founder and Honorary Life President of the Way In Network, delivered heartfelt closing remarks and a vote of thanks. Dr Sham-Ho praised the seminar’s educational value, noting that even with her extensive legal background and community work, she gained fresh insights. She stressed the importance of continued collaboration between police, community leaders, and migrant groups to build a society rooted in respect, safety, and understanding.
The well-attended event provided interpretation services and was designed with cultural sensitivity in mind, ensuring all participants felt welcomed and supported.
This seminar stands as a testament to the Way In Network’s enduring mission to empower women, particularly those from migrant backgrounds, through education, advocacy, and collaboration with law enforcement.
For further information or resources on hate crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, and general safety tools, please visit:
🌐 www.wayinnetwork.org.au
