MCEC joins forces with SisterWorks to create employment opportunities for migrant and refugee women
By Lisa Miller|
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is strengthening its social and environmental impact through its work with local not-for-profit SisterWorks, supporting meaningful employment opportunities for women from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds.
Since the program started in 2023, Australia’s leading business events venue has employed five women through SisterWorks, providing valuable Australian work experience and supporting their journeys toward economic independence. SisterWorks alumna Corrina Snuggs joined MCEC as a kitchen hand in 2023 after graduating from the not-for-profit's Hospitality Program. It was her first employment opportunity in Australia after migrating from India. Three years on, Corrina works full-time as a Team Leader in MCEC’s Food and Beverage team.
“This journey hasn’t just been about getting a job. It’s been about rebuilding my identity, finding purpose, and feeling empowered,” Corrina said. “MCEC is quite a special partnership for us on the employment side,” said Shamila Gopalan, Chief Commercial Officer at SisterWorks. “Giving employment to migrant and refugee Sisters is core to why SisterWorks exists.”
Giving retired uniforms a second life MCEC and SisterWorks are also exploring innovative ways to reduce textile waste by repurposing retired uniforms through SisterWorks' social enterprise, CircularWorks.
At CircularWorks’ Manufacturing Hub in Melbourne's Springvale, the social enterprise has developed prototypes that transform elements of MCEC uniforms, including apron ties and pants, into durable tote bags.
Following the successful development of the prototypes, MCEC is now collecting retired uniforms to provide to CircularWorks for future production. The resulting tote bags will be gifted to MCEC clients, giving the textiles a second life while supporting skills development and employment opportunities for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
“Our work with SisterWorks demonstrates MCEC’s commitment to reducing our environmental impact through repurposing and recycling, while supporting an organisation that helps migrant women participate in the local economy,” said Miriam Pape, Sustainability and Impact Manager at MCEC.
MCEC launches new four-year Sustainability and Impact Strategy
MCEC's collaboration with SisterWorks exemplifies the venue's commitment to environmental responsibility, social impact and economic prosperity, which are the three core priorities in MCEC's newly launched 2026-30 S&I Strategy .
The strategy includes a range of ambitious targets, including:
Net zero by 2045 across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
At least $2.5 million in annual community investment
A gender pay gap of +/- 5 per cent, based on mean base salary, maintained annually through to 2030
$1 billion in annual economic impact by 2030
About SisterWorks SisterWorks is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to empowering women from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds on their journey to economic independence. SisterWorks offers several core programs that equip women to train and find jobs in hospitality, customer service, small business, and warehousing and manufacturing. More than 85% of SisterWorks program participants secure employment within six months. For many, this is their first employment opportunity in Australia and an important step towards building financial independence, confidence and connection within their new community.
