Sisterworks Inc

Australian work experience should not be the only measure of someone’s ability to contribute.

When Jovana arrived in Melbourne from Serbia, she was trying to build her life in a new country. She was applying for work, building connections and finding her place in a new community.

But for more than a year, the same assumption kept standing in front of her.

No Australian work experience.

That outdated thinking overlooks what women like Jovana already bring, including capability, determination, life experience and the willingness to contribute.

Through SisterWorks, Jovana turned her readiness to work into a real employment outcome, securing her first Australian role with Kogan.com.

After more than a year of being told she lacked local experience, Jovana is now bringing her capability into a customer-facing role with one of Australia’s most recognised online retailers.

Her advice to other women is simple.
“Even if you don’t feel like you can do it, tell yourself that you can, because you can.”

We’re so proud of you, Jovana. 💜

How special to hear our Sisters featured in SBS Learn English’s Words We Use: Football Edition.

Three of our Sisters took part in podcast episodes exploring everyday English phrases through football, including “Man on”, “On the back foot” and “Banger”.

You can hear their confidence, humour and curiosity throughout the series.

For many migrant and refugee women, practising English builds confidence in everyday conversations, supports workplace readiness and helps create stronger connections in the community.

Thank you to SBS Learn English for creating such a warm and accessible series, and for including SisterWorks in the project.

Listen to the episodes here:
Banger: https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/en/podcast-episode/minipod-banger-words-we-use/z33f38770

Man on: https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/en/podcast-episode/minipod-man-on-words-we-use/125kfby24

On the back foot: https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/en/podcast-episode/minipod-on-the-back-foot-words-we-use/4q3h73yhz

MiniPod: Banger | Words we use Learn a new phrase and make your English sound more natural and interesting. Words We Use is a bilingual series that helps you understand idioms like ‘Banger’.

This month, we welcomed the L'Oréal Groupe to SisterWorks for L’Oréal Citizen Day, their annual day of solidarity.

Across the day, volunteers took part in two hands-on corporate volunteering experiences across SisterWorks.

At our Springvale Manufacturing Hub, the team worked alongside Sisters on production and repurposing activities, learning more about the skills, materials and employment pathways behind our work.

At Crafted Culture, the team stepped into our commercial kitchen to prepare a shared lunch, learn about the women behind our work, and make jars of pickled vegetables to donate to ASRC Foodbank.

It was a day of practical contribution, team connection and community impact.

Thank you to L’Oréal for spending the day with us and supporting our wider community. 💜

If your workplace is looking for a meaningful corporate volunteering experience, we would love to welcome your team.
https://sisterworks.org.au/volunteering-and-internships/corporate-volunteering

More than 180 women are waiting to access employment pathways through SisterWorks’ Dandenong Empowerment Hub.

They are ready to work, contribute, support their families and build economic independence. The barrier is access.

With EOFY closing soon, your tax-deductible donation can help women access the support, training and pathways they need to take the next step toward work.

Donate by 30 June:
https://sisterworks.givecloud.co/fundraising/forms/7XEWNRD8

Once used in transport operations, these industrial tarpaulins have now been given a second life.

Through our Upcycled Tarpaulin Collection, SisterWorks is transforming strong, durable materials into practical products that can be used again.

Sisters at our Manufacturing Hub cut, sew and remake the tarpaulins into new products, creating paid work and practical skill development for women from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds.

It’s circular economy with people at the centre. Valuable materials kept in use, durable products made locally, and more opportunities created through work.

Explore the collection here https://shop.sisterworks.org.au/upcycled-tarpaulins-products/

Clearing out your linen cupboard could help create work, skills and opportunity for women.

We’re calling on our community to donate clean old towels, sheets and pillowcases for our Bags of Rags project.

These donated textiles are repurposed into reclaimed fabric cleaning rags, helping keep waste out of landfill while creating paid work and practical skills development for women from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds.

Sisters sort, cut and transform each donation into a useful product that businesses can use every day.

It’s circular economy with people at the centre. Less waste, more skills and more pathways to work.

Towels, sheets and pillowcases can be dropped off at:
📍Springvale Manufacturing Hub
2B Kelly Court, Springvale VIC 3171
Monday to Friday
9am to 5pm

📍Carlton Empowerment Hub
617 Nicholson St, Carlton North VIC 3054
Monday, Tuesday and Friday
10am to 3pm

If you have clean towels, sheets or pillowcases ready for a second life, we’d love to receive them. 💜

Belonging starts with community.

This week, SisterWorks brought women together for our Refugee Week Potluck Celebration in partnership with the City of Greater Dandenong.

Around shared tables, women from many cultures connected through food, conversation, laughter, dancing and storytelling. They shared dishes from home, celebrated their cultures and strengthened the connections that help communities thrive.

We were honoured to be joined by Mayor Sophie Tan, who spoke on the day and helped recognise the strength, contribution and lived experience of women from refugee and migrant backgrounds in the local community.

Today, on World Refugee Day, we recognise the strength, contribution and lived experience of people from refugee backgrounds across Australia and around the world.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped create such a joyful celebration of diversity, belonging and connection. 💜

Sajia once represented Afghanistan on the football field.

Today, she is a Demi Chef at Marvel Stadium.

After arriving in Australia in 2021, Sajia began rebuilding her life in a new country after it became unsafe for women involved in sport in Afghanistan.

Through SisterWorks’ Hospitality Program, she built new skills, expanded her networks and was connected to an apprenticeship opportunity with Delaware North Australia New Zealand.

After three years of hard work, Sajia completed her apprenticeship and was promoted to Demi Chef.

Today, she brings the same focus and determination that shaped her as an athlete into the kitchen at Marvel Stadium.

Her advice to others starting their own journey is simple:

“Stay strong, believe in yourself, and don't be afraid to start small. Every step forward builds your future.”

This Refugee Week, we’re proud to share Sajia’s story and celebrate what becomes possible when women have access to safety, support and meaningful work.

Work Empowers Women. 💜