What We Do

Since 2008, we have brought people together from diverse backgrounds by increasing understanding through cultural, social and educational activities.

Our Aims

The Toowoomba International Multicultural Society Inc. (TIMS) is a community group of volunteers.

TIMS aims are to undertake activities that pursue the following charitable purposes:

  • To promote fellowship and amicable relationships amongst people of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds including promoting harmony and reducing conflict between people from different races, religions or belief systems.

  • To engage with the Toowoomba and Region community through initiating and participating in social, cultural and educational activities for the promotion of:

  • presentation, learning, teaching, practice, performance, display and demonstration of cultural languages, music and arts;

• research, learning and information exchange in supports of these goals;

• reconciliation, mutual respect and tolerance between groups of individuals; and

• peace, friendship and understanding.

  • To provide mentoring, tutoring and training strategies and programs aimed at improving social determinants to a diverse range of community members with supported transitions to meaningful and sustained education and employment.

  • To promote the creation of opportunities for the wider community to experience cultural and artistic expressions of people from different backgrounds in the form of workshops, displays, presentations, research, publications and activities involving music, performing arts, community art, arts, languages, crafts, design, film, radio, literature, video and other media.

  • To advance and enhance the practice and teaching of language, music and arts; and to develop public awareness and community access to knowledge and appreciation of all peoples from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds through traditional language, music and arts activity.

  • To co-operate, co-ordinate, assist and develop affiliations with groups, bodies, agencies, educational institutions and individuals with interests and/or objects common to the Association.

TIMS is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious organisation which welcomes people of all backgrounds. All our members are volunteers and TIMS has no paid staff.

TIMS Management Committee is elected annually at the AGM.

Our current Committee members are:

  • President:
    Mrs Gitie House OAM - Gitie is a community leader for over 20 years, and has a professional background with experience as a software engineer project manager for many years.

  • Vice- President:
    Ms Maud Bagnall - has over extensive experience working with diverse communities at grass roots level.

  • Secretary:

  • Ms Anna Nicholls - has extensive experience as CEO managing training organisations, non-profit organisations, charities, social services and teaching.

  • Minutes Secretary:
    Mrs Bhavna Gupta - has worked for the community for many years and is also a professional statistician.

  • Treasuer:
    Ms Dipika Aggarwal - has many years community experience and is a professional software engineer.

  • Members:

    • Mr David New - has extensive experience overseas and locally in the employment industry and community projects.

    • Mr Eakraj Adhikari - has etxensive experience working in social services.

TIMS has partnered with over 200 community groups, service organisations, businesses, educational institutions, all levels of Government (Local, State Federal) to help communities gain a sense of belonging and empower them towards gainful education and employment.

What We’ve Achieved

  • Increased sense of belonging for new migrants and people from vulnerable backgrounds.

  • Increased access to services.

  • Increased employment opportunities.

  • Open career pathways.

  • Bringing people together by breaking barriers and increasing cultural awareness.

  • Better knowledge on physical, emotional and mental health services and options.

  • Increasing harmony, social cohesion and peace in the region.