GEIFN | CONSOLIDATED | Community Information | Sunday 1 June 2025

Fast Facts: Community Responses Victoria & Australia

Topics List

1. Highlighting
2. Granting
3. Employment & Training
4. Engaging
5. Collectivising
6. Announcing
7. Supporting
8. Acknowledging

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 1. HIGHLIGHTING 

1. AUST | RECA | COMMEMORATING | National Reconciliation Week (NRW) | Tuesday 27 May-Tuesday 3 June 2025
2. VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Free Pads and Tampons Now Available Across Victoria
3. VIC | DSPAC | WALKING | For Truth, Join Us | Until Wednesday 18 June 2025
4. AUST | GEIFN | CALLING | LGTBIQA+ Story Tellers for AUSSIE Stories: Downunder the Rainbow

 

 1.1  AUST | RECA | COMMEMORATING | National Reconciliation Week (NRW) | Tuesday 27 May-Tuesday 3 June 2025

Reconciliation Australia (RECA) encourages all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.

Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

• Find out more

 

 1.2  VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Free Pads and Tampons Now Available Across Victoria

Victorians can now access free pads and tampons at hundreds of public venues across the state, as part of the Allan Labor Government’s continued rollout to ease cost-of-living pressures and improve access to essential hygiene products.

A further 90 new locations, including 18 shopping centres, will receive free vending machines—adding to the 1,500 machines being installed across up to 700 venues including libraries, hospitals, TAFEs, train stations and cultural institutions.

More than 25,000 packs have already been dispensed in the first six months of the program, which builds on Victoria’s initiative to provide free period products in all government schools.

Access to pads and tampons is a basic need – yet one in five women and girls report struggling to afford them.

• For a full list of current locations or learn more

 

 1.3  VIC | DSPAC | WALKING | For Truth, Join Us | Until Wednesday 18 June 2025

Help support the Walk for Truth. Join Deadly Sports Plus Aboriginal Corporation (DSPAC).
Starting on Sunday 25 May on Gunditjmara Country at Portland, where colonisation began, Yoorrook Justice Commission's Deputy Chair Commissioner Travis Lovett, Kerrupmara Gunditjmara will be walking 370km right up to the Victorian Parliament House on Wednesday 18 June.

This powerful journey aims to bring everyone together to walk toward truth, celebrate the strength and resistance of Aboriginal people, and be proud to have the oldest living culture in the world as ours. The walk will be a powerful way to build shared understanding of these truths, talking together about our history, while walking together to transform our future. For First Peoples and for all Victorians.

Deadly Sports Plus will be there, every step of the way to support Travis and the expected 1000s of walkers of the 25-day event. Aboriginal community events are near and dear to our hearts; help us support the Victorian Aboriginal community to share our truth with the greater community.

Join the Walk

Everyone is invited to join when Yoorrook Deputy Chair Commissioner Travis Lovett, Kerrupmara Gunditjmara, walks from Portland, where colonisation began, to Parliament, where we can transform the future. Whether it be a minute, an hour, a day, a week, or even the entire month, DS+ would love to see you join!

Details of the different Walk legs and their expected dates are below. Along the way there will be opportunities for people to join the Walk and attend a community event in each leg. To find out more, including dates and details of specific legs and community events, register to join or support the Walk for Truth.

• 25-29 May - Portland to Port Fairy
• 30 May-5 June - Port Fairy to Colac
• 6-11 June - Colac to Geelong 
• 12-15 June - Geelong to Footscray
• 16-18 June - Footscray to Parliament, CBD

• Learn More and Register

 

Donate

This is a massive event, where we will have two first responders roving for 25 days straight, supporting the expected 1000s of walkers and attendees. Your support will help us cover equipment costs, consumables (such as sports taping), and vehicle costs, as well as support our staff's wages. We estimate this will be at least $40,000, so we are hoping to raise half of this.

We are also interested in partnering with companies and organisations. If you're part of an organisation that can help support DS+ with this event, please reach out to us on admin@deadlysportsplus.com

• Donate here

We are also seeking in-kind support in terms of a vehicle and equipment. Think you might have something that will support this event, reach out to us for a dicussion on admin@deadlysportsplus.com

 LAUNCHING | New Course: Mental Health First Aid 

We are excited to announce that our Managing Director and Lead Trainer, Nic, is now a Licensed Standard MHFA Instructor. The Standard Mental Health First Aid course teaches participants how to provide initial support to another adult who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adults, how to recognise and respond to an emerging or worsening mental health problem and the treatments and supports available.

Using a practical, evidence-based action plan, course participants learn how to approach someone they are concerned about and initiate a conversation about those concerns. Participants also learn how to offer initial support and information and how to encourage the person to seek professional help or other supports.

This is currently available to deliver in workplaces across 2 x 6-hour days with a minimum group of 6 people (restricted by MHFA Australia). Pricing ranges from $300 to $350 per person. Enquire now at training@deadlysportsplus.com

Thank you for supporting Deadly Sports Plus Aboriginal Corporation. From attending a course, an event, or donating to us, it means the world.

 1.4  AUST | GEIFN | CALLING | LGTBIQA+ Story Tellers for AUSSIE Stories: Downunder the Rainbow

AussieStory - Collected Video Stories of Identity, Connection and Belonging by First Nations, Settlers and Migrants Downunder the Rainbow.
Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods (GEIFN) and I’m From Driftwood (IFD) aim to showcase diverse Australian views by sourcing and producing 8-10min 1st-Person Video Stories of LGTBIQA+ Folk from around Australia. 

Now seeking Storytellers who have demonstrated reconciliation(s) in their own life. Recordings will be done remotely through Zoom or if Melbourne based optionally in a studio. Storytellers will have opportunity to review final edit. Final edit recordings will be hosted individually on IFD website for global audience and bundled in a group of 3 for GEIFN website and local audience. 

Please feel welcome to share with your networks interested in inclusion, reconciliation and equitable coexistence.

• For more details

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 2. GRANTING 

1. CoPP | GOV | GRANTING | Annual Community Grants and Cultural Development Fund Grants | applications close Tuesday 10 June 2025
2. CoPP | GOV | GRANTING | Seniors Festival Grants 2025 | submissions close midnight Tuesday 10 June 2025
3. VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Men’s Shed Grants | applications close 4pm Thursday 17 July 2025
4. NSW | BOS | GRANTING | Grant for Good 2025 | Applications close Wednesday 4 June 2025
5. AUST | BUFO | GRANTING | Bupa Foundation Community Grants | applications close 5pm AEST Friday 6 June 2025
6. AUST | FRRR | GRANTING | Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital | Applications close 5pm AEST Tuesday 24 June 2025

 

 2.1  CoPP | GOV | GRANTING | Annual Community Grants and Cultural Development Fund Grants | applications close Tuesday 10 June 2025

City of Port Phillip (CoPP) funding will be for projects occurring between November 2025 and November 2026
If you have a great idea and need help for a community project that is inclusive and supports and engages activities in our local community or for a creative project, or a local festival or event that will bring people together in our places and spaces you may be eligible to apply.

Who can apply?

• Community Grants – Not-for-profit incorporated organisations or groups for up to $10,000. 

For questions about the Community Grants round contact us at grants@portphillip.vic.gov.au

• Cultural Development Fund-Festivals and Events Grants – Not-for-profit incorporated organisations or groups. For up to $10,000 for smaller festivals or events and up to $20,000 for larger festivals or events
• Cultural Development Fund-Projects Grants – Individual artists or not-for-profit incorporated organisations or groups for up to $12,000

For questions about the Cultural Development Fund grants rounds contact us at cdf@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Updated guidelines and information and links to the application forms will be available from the 29 April. To find out more go to Funds, grants and subsidies - City of Port Phillip

 2.2  CoPP | GOV | GRANTING | Seniors Festival Grants 2025 | submissions close midnight Tuesday 10 June 2025

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) provides Seniors Festival events grants to fund events in Port Phillip. The purpose of the Seniors Festival | Friday 3 October-Friday 17 October 2025 is to promote a positive attitude to ageing amongst the whole community.

Applications are invited for events that showcase your organisation or community such as open days at sporting clubs and cultural groups, musical and literary events, dances and art exhibitions, events that prioritise inclusion and celebration.

How to apply
Applicants are required to read the guidelines before applying.

• Seniors Festival Events Grants Guidelines 2025 (PDF 927 KB)
• Seniors Festival Events Grants Guidelines 2025 (DOCX 1.6 MB)
• Application forms can be found at the Seniors Festival 2025 webpage.

 2.3  VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Men’s Shed Grants | applications close 4pm Thursday 17 July 2025

The 2025–26 Men’s Shed Funding Program is now accepting applications to support the development and expansion of men’s sheds throughout Victoria.

More than $860,000 in funding is available to:

• Construct new men’s sheds
• Upgrade or expand existing facilities
• Purchase tools, equipment, or machinery

The program focuses on projects that reduce social isolation and deliver tangible benefits to local communities, particularly in areas lacking shared spaces for connection.

With more than 360 men’s sheds across the state, these spaces continue to provide valuable opportunities for social connection, skill sharing and support for men from all walks of life.

• For more and to apply

 
 2.4  NSW | BOS | GRANTING | Grant for Good 2025 | Applications close Wednesday 4 June 2025

The Bank of Sydney (BOS)'s Grant for Good is an annual $20,000 community grant to provide help to projects, organisations and initiatives that promote social inclusion activities, health and wellbeing, sports and other fields that benefit our communities.
To apply, we’ll need to know a few details about your organisation, including its impact on local communities and the disadvantaged, what you’ll do with the grant and who’ll benefit. Three finalists will be chosen, with the winner receiving the full grant by September 2025.

Congratulations to all our previous winners! The grants awarded have helped each organisation provide a direct and positive impact within the community.

• Grant for Good Guidelines
• Read more and apply

 

 2.5  AUST | BUFO | GRANTING | Bupa Foundation Community Grants | applications close 5pm AEST Friday 6 June 2025

Community organisations have the opportunity to share in a total of $600,000 in grants, aimed at supporting programs that contribute positively to mentally healthy and sustainable societies. 
Funding of up to $10,000 is available for initiatives that align to one or more of the Bupa Foundation (BUFO)’s focus areas:

• Healthy minds - building mentally healthy and resilient communities
• Healthy planet, healthy people - supporting a healthy planet for healthy people

Applications demonstrating a meaningful connection to Bupa will be highly considered.

• Learn more or apply

 

 2.6  AUST | FRRR | GRANTING | Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital | Applications close 5pm AEST Tuesday 24 June 2025

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)'s Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.
There are two tiers of Small & Vital funding available.

• Small grants up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions, with a preference for smaller communities (populations under 15,000). The timeframe to deliver these projects is up to 12 months.
• Targeted larger leverage grants up to $50,000 are available for projects that focus on strengthening the digital skills, confidence and safety of adults enabling them to get online, build social connections, and access services, information, education, and employment through training, as well as acquiring the digital and connectivity infrastructure where needed. The timeframe to deliver these projects is up to 18 months.

FRRR’s Small & Vital program supports thriving, resilient, and sustainable remote, rural and regional communities across Australia. In particular, priority will be given to projects that:

• Support communities to implement generational transition;
• Invest in outback, remote, and less resourced communities;
• Build capacity and resourcing for a just and equitable energy transition;
• Support First Nations-led initiatives that strengthen culture, country, economic participation, and reconciliation.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.

• Learn more

NOTE: There are two streams of funding available within the Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Program: Small and Vital and Prepare and Recover. Organisations may submit their application in one of these streams per SRC grant round, and any other applications in this round will be considered ineligible.

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 3. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING 

1. VIC | GOV | SEEKING | Members for Board Recruitment Opportunities
2. NSW | TWENTY10 | HIRING | Youth Engagement Officer
3. AUST | ATO | CALLING | Volunteers to Become a Tax Help volunteer or open a Tax Help centre

 

 3.1  VIC | GOV | SEEKING | Members for Board Recruitment Opportunities

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is recruiting for the following Victorian Government boards. These positions offer an opportunity to contribute to independent oversight and strategic guidance on key justice-related matters.

• Sentencing Advisory Council | applications close 11.59pm Tuesday 10 June 2025
  • Chairperson
  • Board Director
• Police Registration and Services Board | applications close 11.59pm Monday 2 June 2025
  • President
  • Deputy President – Review Division
  • Sessional Member

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that boards reflect the diversity of the Victorian community. All suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Learn more

 

 3.2  NSW | TWENTY10 | HIRING | Youth Engagement Officer

Establish and maintain peer connection, connection to support services, identify early intervention opportunities and provide short term support for service users aged 12-25.
The Twenty10 NSW (TWENTY10) Youth Engagement Officer is responsible for delivering the Youth Engagement program that includes a range of structured and semi-structured psycho-social activities. Duties are shared with another Youth Engagement Officer and mapped to an annual calendar and may include a range of recurring or one-off events, groups, excursions, consultations, workshops or programs.

• Read more or apply

 

 3.3  AUST | ATO | CALLING | Volunteers to Become a Tax Help volunteer or open a Tax Help centre

Become a Tax Help volunteer and help people in your community prepare and lodge their tax returns online using myTax.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO is looking for volunteers to join our Tax Help program. You don’t need any special experience to become a Tax Help volunteer. We provide training and support to assist you.

Volunteers can help clients online or by phone. They also provide help in person from Tax Help centres across the country.

• For more information

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 4. ENGAGING 

1. CoPP | PPLS | STAYING | Connected with the Community Connector Service
2. CoPP | VPC | OFFERING | Witnessed Document Signing | weekly, every Sunday (excluding public holiday weekends) | 12noon-4pm
3. CoPP | PPLS | TEACHING | One on One Device Advice | 3 locations | weekly
4. CoPP | PPLS | OFFERING | Tech Help at Albert Park | monthly, every Wednesday (excluding school holidays) | 3.30-4.30pm
5. CoPP | PPLS | GATHERING | Write Club | monthly, last Friday | 10am-12noon
6. CoPP | PPLS | GATHERING | Queer Art Club | monthly, last Sunday | 11am-1pm
7. CoPP | GOV | ENCOURAGING | Seniors Social Connection 
8. CoPP | GOV | COMMEMORATING | Reconciliation Week | Tuesday 27 May to Tuesday 3 June 2025
9. MELB | SICV | GATHERING | Guru Nanak’s Legacy at Federation Square | Sunday 1 June 2025 | 10.30am-4pm
10. VIC | GOV | CALLING | Nominees for 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards | nominations close Sunday 1 June 2025
11. CoPP | PPLS | SCREENING | Lion | 2 sessions: Monday 2 June & Wednesday 4 June 2025
12. AUST | EQPR | CALLING | Session Proposals for Better Together 2025 | submissions close 11.59pm Monday 9 June 2025
13. MELB | SRV | LAUNCHING | Beyond Age campaign and exhibition & World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025 | Tuesday 10 June 2025 | arrive 9.30am for 10am-12pm AEST
14. VIC | GOV | HEARING | Your say: Victoria's Multicultural Review | Final Chance Tuesday 10 June 2025 | 1.30pm-3pm
15. CoPP | PPLS | WORKSHOPPING | Seed Saving with Sustainable Gardening Australia | Tuesday 10 June 2025 | 6-7.30pm
16. CoPP | KHT | TRAINING | Building Aboriginal Cultural Competency for Community Groups | NOW Thursday 12 June 2025 | 9.30am-1.30pm
17. GLEN EIRA | SMEAPN | GATHERING | Your Home. Your Choice Forum | 12 June 2025 | arrive 10am for 10.30am-12noon
18. CoPP | S2b | LAUNCHING | The Compassion Exhibition: Celebrating the Art of Refugees in Melbourne | Opening Thursday 12 June 2025 | 6.30-8pm
19. CoPP | HEAU | PROVIDING | Free Hearing Checks | Friday 13 June 2025 | 10am-2pm
20. VIC | VTMH | WORKSHOPPING | Recovery and Diversity: Approaches to Cultural Assessment and Supporting Personal Recovery | Tuesday 17 June 2025 | 9.30am-4pm
21. CoPP | BOCL | WORKSHOPPING | Healthy Brain, Healthy Body | Tuesday 17 June 2025 | 11am-12noon
22. CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | With Author Sinéad Stubbins | Tuesday 17 June 2025 | 6.30-7.30pm
23. CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | In Conversation with Grandmothers for Refugees | Wednesday 18 June 2025 | 1.30-2.30pm
24. VIC | VTMH | WEBINAR | Cultural Connections to Well-Being: Bridging Cultures, Building Futures | Wednesday 18 June 2025 | 3-4pm
25. AUST | NJP | WEBINAR | The State Of Justice In The United States | Thursday 19 June 2025 | 12-1.30pm AEST
26. VIC | VMC | SCREENING | Multicultural Film Festival 2025 | Thursday 19 June 2025 | 7-10pm
27. CoPP | ATW | WORKSHOPPING | Free Community Weaving Play Sessions | Saturday 21 June 2025 | 1-4pm
28. CoPP | ESE | GATHERING | Electrify Southside Expo 2025 | Sunday 22 June 2025 | 10am-5pm
29. CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | In Conversation With Author Melanie Cheng and Cultural Storyteller Noè Harsel | Monday 23 June 2025 | 6.30-7.30pm
30. CoPP | GOV | CALLING | Writers for Port Phillip Seniors Festival Writing Awards | submissions close Friday 27 June 2025
31. GLEN EIRA | GELSS | 4 Weeks Free Swimming Lessons for Children and Adults | enrol by 30 June 2025
32. MELB | MSO | PERFORMING | Yinya dana – lighting the path: Deborah Cheetham Fraillon and NAIDOC 2025 | Friday 11 July 2025 | Arrive 7pm for 7.30pm
33. MELB | WCC | GATHERING | World Chambers Congress 2025 to Melbourne | 2-4 September 2025
34. VIC | FDPN | ANNOUNCING | 2025 Queer Displacements Conference Program & more | Wednesday 3-Friday 5 September 2025
35. MELB | SFRI | GATHERING | 2025 Australian Social Cohesion Summit | Thursday 16 October 2025 | 8.30am-5pm
36. AUST | EQPR | GATHERING | Better Together® 2025 | Friday 31 October-Saturday1 November 2025 | tickets on sale now

 

 4.1  CoPP | PPLS | STAYING | Connected with the Community Connector Service

Looking for support, services, or social connections as you age? The Community Connector Service (CCS) is here to help!
They can assist with: 

• Finding aged care and carer support services
• Connecting you with local services to help you stay independent
• Discovering social groups, programs, and activities
• Accessing council services like delivered meals and community transport

Meet the CCS team at your local Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS) library – use the link below for session times and more information.

Tel: 03 9209 6882 or email communityconnector@portphillip.vic.gov.au

• Learn More

 

 4.2  CoPP | VPC | OFFERING | Witnessed Document Signing | weekly, every Sunday (excluding public holiday weekends) | 12noon-4pm

The Victorian Pride Centre (VPC) has launched a Document Signing Centre (DSC) service in St Kilda where legal documents can be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace.
This is the only community-based DSC within a 10 km radius of Melbourne's CBD that's not a police station or law court. The DSC@VPC provides a space where everyone, regardless of their background or identity, can feel secure and supported in having their legal documents witnessed.

This is a free service managed by the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices, and may be expanded next year.

• Learn more
• Where: The Forum, Victorian Pride Centre, 19-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: Appointments aren't necessary

 

 4.3  CoPP | PPLS | TEACHING | One on One Device Advice | 3 locations | weekly

Need some help getting started with your new phone, laptop or tablet? Or just need some help navigating the latest apps?
Book in a 25-minute appointment and have your tech questions answered by our friendly Port Phillip Library Service(PPLS) team! Running weekly, these sessions can assist you with basic troubleshooting and navigation of your personal devices.

No question is too simple or silly. These sessions run weekly over three locations to choose from. 

• Where: Emerald Hill, Port Melbourne & St Kilda Libraries
• Cost: Free
• Read more: PPLS
• Bookings: Emerald Hill, Port Melbourne and St Kilda

 

 4.4  CoPP | PPLS | OFFERING | Tech Help at Albert Park | monthly, every Wednesday (excluding school holidays) | 3.30-4.30pm

Need help with digital technology? Join Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS) and Students from Albert Park College who are here to help. 
Young Mentors is an intergenerational program bringing together secondary school students and older people. 

• Learn to use your tablet, laptop, smartphone or computer 
• Learn to send emails and video chat with family online.
• Get directions on Google maps… and much more

You can book one-on-one sessions with Albert Park College students every Wednesday.

• Where: Albert Park Library, 319 Montague Street, Albert Park Victoria 3206
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

 4.5  CoPP | PPLS | GATHERING | Write Club | monthly, last Friday | 10am-12noon

Are you a writer looking for a supportive and inspiring space to share your work?
Whether you’re working on short stories, poetry, essays, or even the next big novel, Port Phillip Library Service(PPLS)'s Write Club is the perfect place to connect, create, and grow! Bring along up to 1500 words in hard copy for workshopping with our friendly group.

• Where: St Kilda Library, 150 Carlisle Street, St Kilda Victoria 3182
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

 4.6  CoPP | PPLS | GATHERING | Queer Art Club | monthly, last Sunday | 11am-1pm

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS) Queer Art Club is a space for our Queer Community to come together, share our experiences and stories
With Queer related themes, we will have an opportunity to reflect on our lived experiences – celebrating our joys, expressing our grief and learning about our community. 

Lead by queer arts therapist Don Fazliu, Art club is an open invitation to express, explore, experiment, and engage with different art-making prompts and materials (collage, watercolors, soft pastels, oil pastels, paints and much more.) 

Unlike typical art-making spaces, we don’t instruct you on how to make art – we encourage you to find what feels right, without the pressure of it looking a certain way. 

• Where: St Kilda Library, 150 Carlisle Street, St Kilda Victoria 3182
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

 

 4.7  CoPP | GOV | ENCOURAGING | Seniors Social Connection Program

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) Social Connection Program (Better Together) is for older people who want to connect with others and join activities or events based on their interests.
This community based social connection program is delivered through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and supports people to engage in structured activities which are group based. Many of the activities and programs are designed to develop, maintain, and support social connection with others through the programs delivered.

For more information, visit City of Port Phillip's social support and recreation or contact Michelle Kein on 9209 6738 or via email on socialinclusion@portphillip.vic.gov.au. 

• Download Poster for your community notice board

 

 4.8  CoPP | GOV | COMMEMORATING | Reconciliation Week | Tuesday 27 May to Tuesday 3 June 2025

Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
This year’s theme is “Bridging Now to Next”, reflecting the ongoing connection between past, present and future 

“Bridging Now to Next” calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

City of Port Phillip (CoPP) is commitment reconciliation through our new Reconciliation Action Plan, by strengthening our relationships with First Nations communities and organisations - and recognising their deep and enduring contribution to our City.

• For more information and see progam of events

 4.9  MELB | SICV | GATHERING | Guru Nanak’s Legacy at Federation Square | Sunday 1 June 2025 | 10.30am-4pm

Join the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria (SICV) and the Sikh Community of Victoria for a free community event celebrating the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji – promoting peace, compassion and forgiveness.

This special event brings together communities to honour shared values and foster connection through reflection, culture and unity.

• Where: Federation Square, Melbourne
• Learn more

 

 4.10  VIC | GOV | CALLING | Nominees for 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards | nominations close Sunday 1 June 2025

Recognising and celebrating Victorian seniors who contribute to their community through volunteering.
The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards include six award categories:

• Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year – recognises an individual for their outstanding and lasting contribution to their local community and Victoria.
• Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards – recognises local community champions that significantly contribute to positive ageing in their community.
• Emerging Impact Award – recognises an individual who is new to volunteering and is making a significant impact in their local community.
• Positive Ageing Award – recognises an individual who improves the wellbeing of older people in their community by promoting positive and active ageing.
• Promotion of Multiculturalism Award – recognises an individual for a significant contribution to promoting the benefits of cultural diversity in their local community and across Victoria.
• Veteran Community Award – recognises an individual for their exceptional contribution to the veteran community. The recipient of the award does not need to be a veteran.

How to nominate someone  

You can submit a nomination online or if you/one of your community members needs a copy of the postal form please let us know.
 
Seniors Festival Team and Department of Families, Fairness and Housing have a range of resources available to help you submit, including the nomination guide and how-to guide. The how-to guide is available in 16 languages and easy-read English. 

• Submit a nomination online
• Find out more

 

 4.11  CoPP | PPLS | SCREENING | Lion | 2 sessions: Monday 2 June & Wednesday 4 June 2025

Experience the extraordinary true story of five-year-old Saroo, accidentally transported 1,000 miles from his Indian village to Calcutta's chaotic streets. 
Adopted by an Australian family, adult Saroo later embarks on an impossible search for his lost home using only fragmented childhood memories. This powerful journey of determination and love connects two families across continents in ways no one could have imagined.

Director: Garth Davis
IMDB: 8.0
Rated: PG

Join Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS) for two special screenings this June and light refreshments will be provided.

• Where: Two Session Times
  • Monday 2 June | 12noon-2pm | St Kilda Library, 150 Carlisle Street, St Kilda Victoria 3182
  • Wednesday 4 June | 11am-1pm | Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking St Kilda | Emerald Hill

 

 4.12  AUST | EQPR | CALLING | Session Proposals for Better Together 2025 | submissions close 11.59pm Monday 9 June 2025

Share your ideas so we can be Better Together. Session Proposals are now open.
The Equality Project (EQPR) is seeking proposals from impactful individuals and organisations to run panels, workshops and BetterThink Sessions at our 7th National Rainbow Community Conference, on Friday 31 October and Saturday 1 November in Adelaide.

Share your learnings and help us make progress

Better Together is a grassroots conference. Our sessions are delivered by people like you, and are shared in service of making progress on the issues faced by the Rainbow Community.

There are three types of sessions you can propose:

• BetterThink: A 20-minute TED-Talk style presentation on a single idea
• Panel: 2-4 panellists and a moderator, talking on a topic with audience Q&A
• Workshop: A highly interactive session focused on participation and hands-on learning

We invite you to propose ideas that explore:

• A topic concerning Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual (Bi+), Trans and Gender Diverse, Intersex and Asexual communities in Australia;
• An initiative that is creating better outcomes for LGBTIQA+ communities in Australia;
• A subject of discussion that elevate the voices of diverse LGBTIQA+ communities

• Read the FAQS and Propose a Session

Need help with your conference ticket? Scholarships open in May
The Equality Project Team

 4.13  MELB | SRV | LAUNCHING | Beyond Age campaign and exhibition & World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025 | Tuesday 10 June 2025 | arrive 9.30am for 10am-12pm AEST

Join Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) and COTA Victoria for the launch of the Beyond Age project and exhibition, celebrating the voices and stories of older Victorians.
The event will be officially launched by The Hon. Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Ageing, and feature conversations with Beyond Age participants, Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald and Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria CEO Ben Rogers.

• Where: Swanston Hall in the Melbourne Town Hall
• Cost: Free
• Inclusions: Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be served during the event.
• Bookings: online via Humanitix

For registration support or event enquiries, contact Steve Wright at communications@cotavic.org.au or call 03 9655 2159.

 4.14  VIC | GOV | HEARING | Your say: Victoria's Multicultural Review | Final Chance Tuesday 10 June 2025 | 1.30pm-3pm

The Victorian Multicultural Commission encourages you to take part in a community consultation as part of the Victorian Government’s Multicultural Review.

The Review is a great opportunity for you to provide valuable input to help strengthen social cohesion, combat discrimination and ensure multicultural policies reflect the needs of all Victorians.

• For more information and to find a consultation session near you
• Read the related Premier’s media release
• Where: The final session will be held online.
• Bookings: online via Eventbrite

 

 4.15  CoPP | PPLS | WORKSHOPPING | Seed Saving with Sustainable Gardening Australia | Tuesday 10 June 2025 | 6-7.30pm

Join Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS) to learn the traditional skills of collecting, cleaning, drying and storing vegetable and flower seeds from your garden. 
Topics covered:

• The benefits of seed saving
• 5 easiest vegetable and flower seeds to save
• Planning ahead to ensure the seeds you save will flourish when planted
• The seed saving process step-by-step: 
• How to connect with other seed savers in your community 

There are many benefits of saving your own seeds, including saving money, having seeds to share with others, preserving heirloom varieties and growing plants perfectly suited to your environment.

• Where: St Kilda Library, 150 Carlisle Street, St Kilda Victoria 3182
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

 

 4.16  CoPP | KHT | TRAINING | Building Aboriginal Cultural Competency for Community Groups | NOW Thursday 12 June 2025 | 9.30am-1.30pm

When there is a cultural gap, connections can be difficult. Much of the work done in this program is about understanding Aboriginal diversity rather than seeing Aboriginal people as one large homogenous group.

Topics covered include:

• Cultural competence – meaning and importance.
• Australian settlement history (setting the scene and the legacy impact of colonisation on attitudes and lifestyle choices).
• The building blocks of identity (definitions of Aboriginality; Aboriginal family values, land and identity, lore, dreaming and creation; myths of settlement).
• The building blocks of identity – the Aboriginal community today (saying sorry, terminologies and statistical outline of Australia’s Indigenous population).
• An introduction to developing personal strategies for working more effectively with Aboriginal people.

The Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) Cultural Competency program offers real understanding of the diversity involved in Victoria in particular but is also adaptable to cover a National context and understanding as well.

• Where: The Garden Studio, c/- Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park 
• Cost: Free
• Inclusions: Morning tea
• Bookings: essential, limit of 2 tickets per organisation, online via Trybooking

 

 4.17  GLEN EIRA | SMEAPN | GATHERING | Your Home. Your Choice Forum | 12 June 2025 | arrive 10am for 10.30am-12noon

We all want to be respected, live in a safe, comfortable environment and harmoniously with our family or friends. 
Sometimes this is not always the case, and we can be taken advantage of, or our wishes are not respected when it comes to sharing our home. 

At this free Southern Melbourne Elder Abuse Prevention Network (SMEAPN) event, we’ll hear from experts about what to be aware of when sharing our home with family or friends.  

Learn tips for starting conversations and setting boundaries to stay safe and in control.  

Includes a performance by the hilarious, Monica Dullard.  

Guest speakers from Better Place Australia and Better Health Network will share expert tips and information, and stall holders will provide details of support services. 

Morning tea provided. 

In partnership with the Glen Eira City Council, Southern Melbourne Elder Abuse Prevention Network, Better Place Australia, Bayside City Council, City of Monash, City of Kingston and City of Casey.

• Where: City of Glen Eira Town Hall Auditorium, Corner Hawthorn/Glen Eira Road, Caulfield Victoria 3162
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

 

 4.18  CoPP | S2b | LAUNCHING | The Compassion Exhibition: Celebrating the Art of Refugees in Melbourne | Opening Thursday 12 June 2025 | 6.30-8pm

Highlighting the diverse, rich, and often untold stories of refugees through their own artistic expressions. This powerful exhibition will run from 3 June-27 June 2025.
In recognition of Refugee Week 2025, we invite you to The Compassion Exhibition, an inspiring showcase of art created by refugees and Jewish artists living in Melbourne. 

Space2b Social Design (S2b) in partnership with ‘Stand Up’ and the ‘Centre for Jewish Art’ (COJA), warmly invite you to The Compassion Exhibition—a moving collection of works by culturally diverse and Jewish artists. 

• Where: Space2b ArtSpace 144 Chapel St St Kilda
• Cost: $15 for private viewing
• Bookings: Launch tickets online via Humanitix

Together we make a difference

 4.19  CoPP | HEAU | PROVIDING | Free Hearing Checks | Friday 13 June 2025 | 10am-2pm

One in six Australians currently have some form of hearing loss, representing around 3.6 million people.

Each Hearing Australia (HEAU) Session will include:

• Receive a free 15-minute hearing check
• Speak with Hearing Australia's friendly staff about good hearing health
• Find information on a range of common hearing issues

Visit St Kilda Library for a free hearing check from Hearing Australia. 

• Where: outside St Kilda Library, 150 Carlisle Street, St Kilda Victoria 3182
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

 

 4.20  VIC | VTMH | WORKSHOPPING | Recovery and Diversity: Approaches to Cultural Assessment and Supporting Personal Recovery | Tuesday 17 June 2025 | 9.30am-4pm

A Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) advanced workshop using a diversity lens to support learners to explore contemporary approaches to recovery-oriented practice in mental health settings. 
It is designed to stimulate the interest of participants in the range of issues related to transcultural mental health and recovery.

Using a variety of facilitation modes, grounded in a reflective practice approach, the workshop provides learners with the opportunity to explore the challenges and realities of assessment and recovery alongside diverse communities. The workshop also invites and promotes strategies for adapting practice to be culturally responsive, including being self-reflective, in a variety of mental health settings.

This is a face to face (in person) workshop. Online attendance is unavailable

VTMH workshops are open to staff working in Victoria’s state-funded mental health workforce. This includes public clinical and community mental health services, as well as state-funded mental health programs within community health and social services.

Due to funding arrangements, workshops are currently unavailable to those working solely in private practice/NDIS providers. If you register and it is not clear you are part of the intended audience, we may contact you to confirm your eligibility. We thank you for your understanding.

• Where: St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC 3065: Building C, Level 2, Education & Learning (Conference Room)
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: essential. Spaces are limited. To secure a place, please register early online via VTMH

 

 4.21  CoPP | BOCL | WORKSHOPPING | Healthy Brain, Healthy Body | Tuesday 17 June 2025 | 11am-12noon

Join Bolton Clarke (BOCL) to learn about positive ageing and satisfaction with life at any age by understanding what makes us feel good.
This event is brought you by Bolton Clarke’s Be Healthy and Active program, which provides free practical sessions to help you get the most out of life. 

• Where: Port Melbourne Library, 333 Bay Street, Port Melbourne Victoria 3207
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

 

 4.22  CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | With Author Sinéad Stubbins | Tuesday 17 June 2025 | 6.30-7.30pm

Sinéad Stubbins is a Melbourne/Naarm-based writer, editor and cultural critic, and the author of In My Defence, I Have No Defence. 
Her work appears in print, online and on TV. She will be visiting Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS) to discuss her new novel Stinkbug.

This wildly original corporate gothic novel blends anxious millennial fever dream with searing workplace satire – perfect for fans of Yellowface, Nightbitch and Such a Fun Age.

Light refreshments will be provided.

This event is proudly presented by The Friends of Emerald Hill Library.

• Where: Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

 

 4.23  CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | In Conversation with Grandmothers for Refugees | Wednesday 18 June 2025 | 1.30-2.30pm

Join Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS) and four remarkable women from Grandmothers for Refugees as they share personal stories about their advocacy work.
This nationwide network of volunteers works to transform Australia's asylum seeker policies through compassionate community action.

Part of Refugee Week 2025, this inspiring event features tales of hope and community action, plus information and resources about refugee issues. 

This year's theme "Finding Freedom" explores what freedom means to those who flee persecution and war, seeking safety, human rights, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives with hope and dignity.

• Where: St Kilda Library, 150 Carlisle Street, St Kilda Victoria 3182
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

 

 4.24  VIC | VTMH | WEBINAR | Cultural Connections to Well-Being: Bridging Cultures, Building Futures | Wednesday 18 June 2025 | 3-4pm

Cultural Connections to Wellbeing (CC2W) is a twelve-month project, funded by Eastern Metrepolitan Primary Health Network (EMPHN), to engage with community members to increase young multicultural people and their family’s access to mental health services.
The project engaged a bicultural workforce, from the Persian and Chinese communities, to engage with community in the Boroondara and Manningham Council areas.

Together, the project team took time to establish and build strong relationships with a range of multicultural community leaders and stakeholders across multiple sectors from youth focused services to education providers and multicultural organisations.

These relationships have been key to the project’s success so far, providing advice to steer the project, ensuring our work is culturally appropriate and engaging, and have supported community engagement activities.

Presenters
Jacinda Erich (Project Coordinator Bicultural Community Engagement & Wellbeing), Mitra Zarrati (Bicultural Community Engagement Worker) and Cindy Huang (Bicultural Community Engagement Worker) from Access Health and Community.

Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) seminars are open to individuals, from all disciplines and working in all sectors, who are based in Australia and interested in diversity and mental health.  

• Where: Online via Zoom — details to be sent to registrants in advance
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: essential. Spaces are limited. To secure a place, please register online via VTMH

 

 4.25  AUST | NJP | WEBINAR | The State Of Justice In The United States | Thursday 19 June 2025 | 12-1.30pm AEST

The National Justice Project (NJP) Alternative First Responders project will be showcased in an online webinar next month. Human rights lawyer and co-founder of the National Justice Project Michael ‘Dan’ Mori will be guest speaker.

The event, hosted by Principal Solicitor Ashleigh Buckett, will include a discussion with Dan and Chloe about the alternative first responder models in the United States. 

• Where: online
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Humanitix

 

 4.26  VIC | VMC | SCREENING | Multicultural Film Festival 2025 | Thursday 19 June 2025 | 7-10pm

Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) is delighted to be partnering with the Swinburne University of Technology for the 2025 Multicultural Film Festival (MFF) – an annual celebration of diversity and multiculturalism through compelling short films that spark conversation and connection.

Join us for the premiere screening and awards ceremony during Refugee Week. We hope to see you there to celebrate global cinema with a special focus on Victorian filmmaking.

• Where: ACMI Cinemas, Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
• Cost: Full $15, Concession $10 + booking fee
• Considerations: Limited tickets available — includes a drink and popcorn!
• Bookings: Public sales available online via Humanitix

 

 4.27  CoPP | ATW | WORKSHOPPING | Free Community Weaving Play Session | Saturday 21 June 2025 | 1-4pm

Australian Tapestry Workshop (ATW) free community weaving play sessions for residents.
Try basic weaving and play with a range of colourful materials including wool offcuts, recycled fabric and paper.

• Where: Australian Tapestry Workshop, 262-266 Park Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205 Australia
• Cost: Free
• Considerations: No experience necessary, all ages welcome. All materials will be provided. Our team will be around to help as you explore the process. Stay for as long or as little as you like.
• Bookings: essential, online via ATW and select the date you would like or is available

 

 4.28  CoPP | ESE | GATHERING | Electrify Southside Expo 2025 | Sunday 22 June 2025 | 10am-5pm

Explore electric vehicles, home electrification, energy efficiency, and expert insights at Electrify Southside Expo(ESE) 2025.
Tim Forcey, author of the My Efficient Electric Home Handbook, is the keynote speaker and will provide advice on how to make your home more comfortable and efficient. 

There will be panel discussions covering topics including energy efficiency, electric vehicle technology, home electrification, electrifying businesses, apartments and rentals, local energy solutions and much more. 

• Where: St Kilda Town Hall, 99A Carlisle Street St Kilda, VIC 3182
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Eventbrite

 

 4.29  CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | In Conversation With Author Melanie Cheng and Cultural Storyteller Noè Harsel | Monday 23 June 2025 | 6.30-7.30pm

Join Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS) and Melanie Cheng in conversation about her latest book, The Burrow, with acclaimed SBS podcaster and cultural storyteller, Noè Harsel. 
Set in Melbourne at the tail end of the pandemic lockdowns, this skillful and restrained novella tells the story of a small family trying to rebuild after an incomprehensible tragedy. 
 
Come and hear why this remarkable book has been shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize and the 2025 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award. 

• Where: St Kilda Library, 150 Carlisle Street, St Kilda Victoria 3182
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

 
 4.30  CoPP | GOV | CALLING | Writers for Port Phillip Seniors Festival Writing Awards | submissions close Friday 27 June 2025

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP)'s Port Phillip Writes Awards provide an opportunity for older residents, regardless of their writing experience, to enter a competition that stimulates and celebrates local writers.
Residents over 55 can submit one fictional story, poem or a non-fiction piece on any topic. All entries will be published in the Port Phillip Writes publication. Entrants will receive a certificate and two copies of the publication. Outstanding entries are eligible for an award. In October, there will be an awards ceremony for entrants.

• Download Poster for your noticeboard
• Download Port Phillip Writes entry form

 

 4.31  GLEN EIRA | GELSS | 4 Weeks Free Swimming Lessons for Children and Adults | enrol by 30 June 2025

Ready to make a splash? There’s never been a better time to jump back into swim lessons!
For a limited time only, Glen Eira Leisure Swim School (GELSS) is offering 4 WEEKS FREE to all new enrolments and returning students — but be quick, this offer is only available until 30 June 2025!

Why Join GELSS?

• Unlimited access to both Glen Eira Swimming and Aquatic Centre (GESAC) and Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool for your child and a supervising adult (even outside of lesson times).
• Weekly lessons year-round (48 weeks).
• Small class sizes matched to your child's level.
• Only $23/week after your free period ends. 

Whether your child is learning the basics or developing more advanced strokes, our Swim School offers a safe, encouraging environment to develop their skills.
 
Interested in lessons for yourself? We have adult lessons too!
Spots fill fast enrol by 30 June 2025 to claim your 4 weeks free!
 
We’d love to welcome you and your swimmer to the Glen Eira Leisure Swim School family!

• Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre, 200 East Boundary Road, Bentleigh East
• Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool, Koornang Park, Moira Avenue, Carnegie
• Caulfield Recreation Centre, 6 Maple Street, Caulfield South

 

 4.32  MELB | MSO | PERFORMING | Yinya dana – lighting the path: Deborah Cheetham Fraillon and NAIDOC 2025 | Friday 11 July 2025 | Arrive 7pm for 7.30pm

To mark this year’s 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) celebrates the strength, vision and legacy of Yorta Yorta/Yuin composer and soprano Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO with a powerful concert of works by this much-loved and acclaimed national treasure.
With guest artists William Barton, Jess Hitchcock, Aaron Wyatt, Nicolette FraillonAM, the MSO Chorus, Dhungala Children's Choir and introducing Lillie Walker.

Co-presented by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Short Black Opera

• Where: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
• Cost: Standard $68-$113 | Concession $63-$108 | Mob Tix $25 + $7 transaction fee per order
• Booking: online via MSO

 

 4.33  MELB | WCC | GATHERING | World Chambers Congress 2025 to Melbourne | 2-4 September 2025

The World Chambers Congress (WCC) is the largest global forum for chamber leaders, business professionals and policymakers to share best practices, exchange insights and build networks. Held every two years, the event fosters dialogue on critical business issues and innovations shaping industries worldwide.

With theme Business, Government, Chambers – Partners for Prosperity, the Congress will focus on key global issues, including:

• Skills shortages
• Housing crises
• Energy transition
• Artificial intelligence
• Equality
• Geopolitical relations
• Cyber security

Co-organised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), its World Chambers Federation (WCF), and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the 14th edition of WCC will bring together global business leaders to address shared challenges and explore solutions.

• Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Australia
• For more details: visit website

 

 4.34  MELB | FDPN | GATHERING | 2025 Queer Displacements Conference Program & more | Wednesday 3-Friday 5 September 2025

Forcibly Displaced People Network (FDPN) are the voice of LGBTIQA+ displacement. Discover the Queer Displacements Conference program!
This is a space for LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced people created by and for our community to connect, reflect, and strategise before the main conference begins.

Pre-Conference day | Wednesday 3 September 2025 | 1pm-5pm

If you have received a scholarship, stay tuned for more details. If you are an LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced person attending the conference, your ticket already covers this day. 
 
The first release of the conference program is now live!

From critical panels and practical workshops to community-led discussions, this year’s line-up reflects the powerful voices and solutions of LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced people and our allies. You get to see the program, before it is released via our website.

• Program: accessible version
• Program: pdf version

Whether you’re part of a service, researcher, advocate, or community member, you won’t want to miss this vital event: https://events.humanitix.com/2025-queer-displacements-conference

• Where: Victoria University, City Tower, 370 Little Lonsdale St, Naarm (Melbourne) VIC 3000, Australia
• Cost: Varies
• Bookings: spaces are limited and selling fast, online via Humanitix

 

 4.35  MELB | SFRI | GATHERING | 2025 Australian Social Cohesion Summit | Thursday 16 October 2025 | 8.30am-5pm

Join the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute (SFRI) in Melbourne on Thursday, 16 October 2025, for the inaugural Australian Social Cohesion Summit.

With the theme "Building On Our Strengths: The Role of Youth, Women, and Neighbourhoods in Fostering Social Cohesion" this national event will bring together 200 leaders and changemakers from across Australia, including government, academia, industry, and community sectors.

• Where: Monash College City Campus, 750 Collins St, Docklands VIC 3008
• Cost: Varies
• Bookings: Capacity is limited – early registration is essential, online via Humanitix
• For more information

 

 4.36  AUST | EQPR | GATHERING | Better Together 2025 | Friday 31 October-Saturday 1 November 2025 | tickets on sale now

[Edited extract from public address] 
The Equality Project (EQPR) believes in a world where we are better together. Secure your launch-price ticket now and join a powerful gathering of LGBTIQA+ changemakers, allies, and service providers.
This one is for our inner circle: the changemakers, the people who know we are Better Together.

The Better Together® Conference is a meaningful gathering for change. We come together under one roof with a shared vision of making progress.

Meet, learn from and collaborate with people making positive change for the LGBTIQA+ communities in Australia. Attend panels, get hands on in a workshop or share a cuppa as you take a breath and reconnect with your 'why' at Better Together 2025.

All prices include GST, additional transaction fees apply.

• Where: Adelaide Convention Centre on Kaurna Land, Adelaide
• Cost: Sliding Scale
• Bookings: Register now to secure your spot!

Need help with your conference ticket?
Scholarships will open in May

We hope to see you there.
The Equality Project Team

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 5. COLLECTIVISING 

1. YARRA | YEF | UPDATING | Stories, events and more | May 2025
2. AUST | CRSA | RAISING | Awareness, Funds and Support for Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia
3. AUST | CUIN | UPDATING | All About Relationships and more | April-May 2025
4. AUST | EQPR | RAISING | Awareness, Funds and Support for Building Belonging, Fairness and Connection Across Australia
5. AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | May 2025
6. AUST | TJP | RELEASING | New shirts, hoodies, and crews | Orders close Sunday 1 June 2025

 

 5.1  YARRA | YEF | UPDATING | Stories, events and more | May 2025

ANNOUNCING | Community Batteries Coming to Altona, Manor Lakes & Torquay

Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) has secured Australian Government funding through the Community Batteries for Household Solar program to deliver three new community batteries in partnership with Diamond Energy—one of Australia’s greenest electricity retailers.

The batteries will be installed in Altona, Manor Lakes, and Torquay, helping store local solar energy and support a more flexible, resilient grid. Each site will be shaped by community consultation, with input from local councils and landholders.

Diamond Energy will be developing a special retail offer for nearby households in each of the three suburbs. Details will be developed as part of the project.

We look forward to sharing further updates as the projects progress. 

• Read full article

 

REPORTING | Community batteries now supporting Bellfield and Coburg

Jemena has switched on its first community batteries at Cyril Cummins Reserve in Bellfield and Hudson Street in Coburg, supported by the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program.

YEF was proud to assist with community consultation for both projects, helping engage local residents and ensure the installations reflect community needs and values.

Each battery provides around 400kWh of storage and will support hundreds of local homes and businesses by storing surplus solar energy generated during the day and releasing it when demand is highest in the evening.

Our COO, Timothy Shue, and Communications & Engagement Officer, Marie Lakey, joined Jemena and community members at the launch of the Bellfield battery to celebrate this milestone.

• Read more

 

SPOTLIGHTING | How one Brunswick apartment electrified

A Brunswick apartment block has cut energy bills by $17,944 per year, slashed CO₂ emissions by 86%, and eliminated gas entirely – with a payback period of under two years.

Working with All Electric Homes, the residents focused on one major opportunity: upgrading communal hot water with solar and heat pumps.

“We’re now running the hot water system on solar – saving thousands a year while slashing our carbon footprint. The upgrade pays for itself in under 2 years.” – Apartment resident

This project shows the power of whole-of-system thinking, proving that targeted solutions can deliver big results for apartments.

• Read full article

 

ATTENDING | EEC National Conference 2025

The Energy Efficiency Council’s National Conference will be held on 27-28 May 2025 at the Pullman on the Park, East Melbourne.

YEF’s Solar & Electrification Project Lead, Lloyd Heathfield, will join the panel Think global, act local: The role of councils in electrifying Australian homes. He’ll share insights from YEF’s work supporting councils to deliver practical electrification programs – including learnings from the Hume Home Energy Upgrades program and other residential initiatives.

We look forward to this important discussion on how local action can help drive Australia’s clean energy transition.

• View the whole EEC program

 

HOSTING | Local Government Forum addressing cost of living pressures and emissions reductions 

This week, YEF hosted a knowledge-sharing forum for local governments focused on the Hume Home Energy Upgrades program.

We were joined by representatives from Hume City Council, program suppliers, and a range of councils from across Victoria. The forum sparked valuable discussions on how solar and electrification programs can reduce household emissions and ease cost of living pressures, particularly for low-income households.

It was also a great opportunity for attendees to share experiences, challenges, and explore how similar approaches could work in their own communities.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a productive session.

• Follow YEF on LinkedIn to stay up to date on events

 

SHARING | Our Services

Find out more about Yarra Energy Foundation services including:

• Feasibility studies
• Community Engagement
• Community battery strategies for local councils
• Consulting & advice
• Project management 
• Solar & electrification programs

We are a small team of extremely passionate energy experts with decades of combined industry, governmental, business, and sustainability experience.

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 5.2  AUST | CRSA | RAISING | Awareness, Funds and Support for Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia

Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) is a national, independent charity that enables local communities to play a meaningful role in supporting newly arrived refugees.

Through the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP), groups of five or more volunteers – known as Community Supporter Groups (CSGs) – provide 12 months of practical support to a refugee household from the day they arrive in Australia. This includes help with securing housing, navigating essential services and building local connections.

CSGs can be based anywhere in Australia, including regional and metropolitan areas, where they can demonstrate the capacity to provide culturally safe and appropriate support.

• Learn how you or your community group can get involved: How to get involved
• Read stories of refugee settlement and community connection: ​​​​​​​Case studies
• Learn more
  
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 5.3  AUST | CUIN | UPDATING | All About Relationships and more | April-May 2025

EMBODYING | Multicultural All Day Every Day - All About Relationships

Cultural Infusion (CUIN) CEO and Founder Peter Mousaferiadis travelled to the UK, France and Macao, where he forged new relationships with several people across the areas of cultural diversity, disability, AI, science and saving the planet, and got to reconnect with key friends. Closer to home, he also visited Colac with Sumardi. Learn what else our busy team are up to and read on for details of Peter’s amazing trips in this edition of the newsletter!
     

MAKING | New Friends

Peter’s trip to the UK and Paris gave him a chance to meet a world authority on multidisciplinary thinking and author of globally acclaimed book The Polymath, Waqās Ahmed and see Windsor Castle, which is directly opposite Waqās’s office. He also met environmental activist turned disability rights champion, Founder and President of the Disability Resilience Network Philip Connolly, Co-director of NGO Culture et Développement Valeria Marcolin and Global Systems Architect and legendary activist at Greenpeace International. 

23 April saw Peter delivering a Keynote at the Asia Universities Summit, Macao. These new relationships and journeys are inspiring and informative. They help strengthen our resolve and position as champions of cultural diversity.

REPORTING | Big Data & AI World London, part of Tech Show London

Our European team, Nicole Jolaoso, Kasia Hayward, Mario Chatzidamianos, along with Peter Mousaferiadis, participated in Big Data and AI World London as part of Tech Show London. This was the second year in a row for Diversity Atlas.

Mario moderated a panel with data experts Helen Dodd and Manivannan Janakiraman (above left), discussing global regulations on data and AI. Peter moderated two panels that were described by many as some of the highlights of the event, where he spoke briefly on AI and the risk of losing our must human advantage: our cultural diversity. We posted a summary of Peter’s opening remarks on the blog.

• Read more

 

REPORTING | Techerati Interview with Peter Mousaferiadis

News network Techerati published a compelling interview with Peter on AI’s global impact, opening with the following question,

Do you think AI is moving too fast for ethical considerations to keep up, or is regulation slowing down its potential benefits?

Let’s first look at previous advances in technology and their impact: for a start, we know that there’s a correlation between the rise in social media and the decline in peace. We need measures in place so AI doesn’t lead to these unintended consequences. Regulation is important.

We are witnessing a largely profit-driven race towards AGI, a race to create fully autonomous vehicles and so forth, and we’re seeing a lot of breakage on the way, and a lot of mistakes. This is inevitable and largely excusable in the development of anything new. What is worrying is the concentration of power among too few developers and the lack of transparency and apparent representative diversity in their teams. 
Democratic governments have a responsibility to dispense funding for new technology in a way that aligns with democratic values.

• Read more

 

REPORTING | Peter Mousaferiadis and Amna Ben Amara at UNESCO

Last newsletter we announced the appointment of Cultural Infusion as pro bono Secretariat for the Civil Society Organisations contributing to the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. This global network of more than 100 key organisations works pro bono to promote cultural diversity and strengthen the role of cultural expressions in education, policy, and society.

Peter and our colleague in Paris, Amna Ben Amara, spent three impactful days engaging in extensive meetings at UNESCO. Amna says, ‘Although we didn’t choose the background of the photo, its message is a stark reminder: “culture should never be a target”.’

At a time when cultural identities are increasingly under pressure, whether through conflict, politicisation, counter-politicisation, marginalisation or digital divides, their discussions focused on how a data-driven approach to cultural diversity can help shape inclusive policies and initiatives so that no one is left behind.

UNESCO’s commitment to cultural diversity is crucial. We love to show that data can be efficient, but more importantly, humane!
     

REPORTING | Pak Sumardi’s Tour of Australia

Sumardi lit up the office when he dropped in for a visit ahead of his big Australian tour. It’s been a huge delight to connect with this brilliant artist and great friend.

Following is a testimonial from Sumardi’s 22 March performance at the Hawthorn Cultural Centre:

‘It was magical – the attendees loved the story and the puppets. Sumardi is a very gentle person and was very engaging during the Q&A session at the end of the performance.’
Melinda Brown, City of Boroondara

Sumardi performed at the Colac Performing Arts Centre. Peter accompanied him on his tour, and says,

To even become a dalang is to perform continuously for nine hours – without a single break, not even for the toilet. That’s the level of dedication this ancient craft demands…

This marks Sumardi’s 10th tour to Australia with Cultural Infusion. Since 2004, he’s performed over 1,000 times across cities, regional towns and remote communities – from the east coast to the far reaches of the Pilbara in WA.

What’s especially powerful is that Sumardi is a deeply devout Muslim performing stories from the Hindu epics, The Ramayana and The Mahabharata. That’s the beauty of Wayang Kulit – a centuries-old art form that lives at the heart of Indonesia’s rich cultural fusion.

Though these tales have Hindu roots, they’re still cherished and performed by Muslim communities across Java – a reflection of how Islam arrived peacefully in Indonesia and embraced, rather than erased, the culture it met.

• Make a Booking!

 

ADDING | New Presenters and Programs

We have added the following new programs to our extensive offerings: 

• Chinese Infusion (VIC)
• Swedish Dance & Culture (QLD)
• Colombian–Caribbean Rhythms & Culture (NSW)
• Thai Infusion (QLD)
• Yalla! Arab Dance & Culture (NSW, VIC)
• Māori Infusion (QLD)
• Maloyan Infusion (WA) and 
• Rhythms of Latin America (SA).

We can’t wait to share these exciting programs with you, with more to be announced soon!

• Browse Programs

 

COMMEMORATING | NAIDOC Week (6 to 13 July) The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy

NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week is a fantastic opportunity to learn from and support the vitality of the original cultures of Australia. Our excellent Aboriginal cultural programs help make NAIDOC Week one of our busiest weeks of the year. 

The popular Aboriginal Infusion educational program is available in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales and the Aboriginal Culture For A Day program is available in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia showcasing Aboriginal cultures through dance, symbolic art, didgeridoo and a wide range of other engaging activities.
 
Students can learn traditional Aboriginal symbols from our First Nations presenters in our Aboriginal Storytelling Through Art educational program, available in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales. This unique experience will give students the opportunity to create and share their own stories and is a perfect intercultural experience for any age! 

Aboriginal Storytelling and Artefacts is available in New South Wales, Australia Capital Territory and Western Australia and combines storytelling with an introduction to the history of some Aboriginal tools and artefacts. Students will have the opportunity to act out stories and engage with cultural artefacts. 

To mark NAIDOC Week, Cultural infusion is launching a competition. Take a photo or video of your Cultural Infusion experience during NAIDOC Week. Post it on Instagram tagging @CulturalInfusion using the hashtag #NAIDOCwithCulturalInfusion.

The best post (photos and/or videos) will win 20% off their next booking.

• Book your NAIDOC program early to avoid missing out!

 

CENTRING | Culture in Science

Peter Mousaferiadis took to the stage at the Times Higher Education Asia Universities Summit, hosted at their partner organisation, the Macao University of Science and Technology.

Peter put forward the case for centring culture, as inextricable from our humanity, in all scientific endeavours and initiatives.

Agree? Do you think culture is sidelined? Of course you do, since you are here! What would science look like if it centred culture? How would this be done ethically?

He also ran the Diversity Atlas survey, and while only 29 people participated in time for the reveal, it already yielded fascinated information, including 12 different countries of birth, with the Philippines taking first place, and 22 different cultures. As we find each time, once you get into the level of detail Diversity Atlas does, every group is so richly diverse.

Diversity Atlas can be run on any group larger than 25 to uncover their collective and often hidden cultural composition. If you or someone you know is ready to discover the full diversity of their group and support ethical technology, why not get in touch with our team now for a free demo?

• Free demo

 

OFFERING | Learning Lands Gift

Last year, we launched an initiative to give everyone who books a program with us three months’ free access to our Learning Lands suite of constantly updated intercultural education resources, comprising internationally award-winning apps, games and activities that integrate the arts, music, geography, history and Indigenous perspectives to put students at the forefront in intercultural competency. We have been delighted by the enthusiastic response to this offer and are pleased to continue it.

• Browse programs

 

HIGHLIGHTING | Calendar Spotlight: 21 May, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue & Development

World Day for Cultural Diversity celebrates the richness of cultures worldwide and the importance of intercultural dialogue and harmony. By learning about diverse traditions, philosophies and social structures, we grow – becoming more adaptable, empathetic and open to new perspectives.

‘With 89% of all current conflicts in the world occurring in countries with low intercultural dialogue, to forge effective cooperation and sustain peace, strengthening intercultural dialogue must be a priority.’
- The United Nations

‘On this Day, UNESCO would like to call upon everyone to celebrate cultural diversity, through which we will be able to build the intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind.’ - UNESCO

Our Multicultural Day Program available in all states is a comprehensive cultural workshop exploring language, music and more. With interactive and engaging activities students gain a deeper understanding of cultural complexity and develop the empathy and respect needed to thrive in our diverse, globalised world.

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 5.4  AUST | EQPR | RAISING | Awareness, Funds and Support for Building Belonging, Fairness and Connection Across Australia

EOFY is here! Back those who back Rainbow inclusion. 
Support the community leaders, advocates and everyday changemakers working to build belonging, fairness and connection across Australia.

Since 2018, The Equality Project (EQPR) has trained over 1,400 people, awarded 2,800 scholarships, and welcomed more than 5,600 delegates into spaces of connection, learning, and leadership.

That’s nearly 10,000 changemakers – and we’re just getting started.

This End of Financial Year (EOFY), we’re asking for your help to go even further.

With your support, we can reach more communities, especially in places that are often overlooked or under-resourced.

Here's what your donation supports:

• Training that helps leaders and advocates to build fairer and more inclusive workplaces and services;
• Programs that grow leadership capacity and give everyday changemakers the tools to create impact;
• A social enterprise model to offer scholarships and increase access for those who need it most;
• Support for initiatives and programs in regional, remote and under-resourced communities where leadership and connection are needed most.

And yes, your donation is tax-deductible.

This EOFY, be part of something that lasts beyond 30 June.

Support the leaders, advocates and local initiatives creating more connected resilient communities and back those who are building belonging and inclusion every day.

• Make a donation

The Equality Project Team
P.S. We’re a small but mighty team, powered by community, part-time staff, and volunteers. Every donation, big or small, helps us keep showing up where it matters most. Thank you in advance from the bottom of our hearts! 

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 5.5  AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | May 2025

National Justice Project (NJP) are thrilled to report overwhelming support for our Alternative First Responders campaign after the soft launch we shared with you last month. 
The new website has now been expanded with a handy list of resources, tools and actions that everyone can take to make meaningful change.

It has been wonderful to see so many people already pledge support for this campaign and we appreciate our supporters who have shared with us why this issue is so important to you:

• This is such an important and urgently needed initiative!
• I have witnessed too many times when the current default first response model of police and/or ambulance escalates situations and is not appropriate.  
• We need more care and connection in community.
• I support any initiative that puts the focus on the need for trauma-awareness.
• Police are not mental health care professionals and it is not ok that force or the threat of force should ever be considered.
• Appropriate care is the appropriate first response.

As many of you are only too aware, police are currently the be-all first response to calls for help. When people need help they are being met with suspicion and force, when they are experiencing a social or mental health issue there is escalation and judgement instead of compassion.

With your support, the National Justice Project can spread the message far and wide that we need to re-think the response. We can and urgently need to reimagine how we respond to people in need. Please encourage your friends and family to make the pledge with you to join a national movement demanding safety, dignity and care in every first response.

• Visit the new website and please sign the pledge and help spread the word. 

We are proud to note the following organisations to date have endorsed our position paper on Alternative First Responders:

• Change the Record  
• Justice Reform Initiative  
• Social Reinvestment WA  
• National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition (NIYEC)
• Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research
• SANE Australia  
• Youth Advocacy Centre QLD  
• Western Australia Justice Association (WAJA)
• Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
• Justice Equity Centre (JEC)  
• Redfern Legal Centre
• First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV)
• Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit (CAAFLU)
• South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS)
• South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services
• NPY Women’s Council
• StreetWork
• The Wayside Chapel
• The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre
• Sydney Drug Education & Counselling Centre (SDECC)
• Federation of Community Legal Centres VIC

The launch of the new Alternative First Responders website has been met with overwhelming positivity. Thank you for your support and for helping get the message out. On Tuesday 27 May, the campaign was also featured on the ABC-TV national 7.30program. 

• Watch here

 

CELEBRATING | National Reconciliation Week | 27 May to 3 June

During National Reconciliation Week we are celebrating the 2025 theme of ‘Bridging Now to Next’ as a call for reconciliation to live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians.
As we move forward towards creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The theme was chosen by Reconciliation Australia to remind us that as we step forward together the lessons of the past will guide us.

The National Justice Project is also looking forward as we work on the development of a new strategic plan for 2026-2030. As well as the lessons of the past and close stakeholders guiding us, we would love to hear from Justice Brief subscribers and supporters with a short survey.

Thank you to valued supporters of the National Justice Project and we look forward to hearing your opinions. 

• Please complete the five-minute survey before Friday 6 June 2025.

 

REPORTING | WA Coronial findings

This week we have welcomed a Coroner’s recommendations for the provision of culturally safe care to Aboriginal prisoners in Western Australia following an inquest into the death in custody of a Martu woman. 

• Read more

 

RECEIVING | Australian Web Awards

Our Hear Me Out website was recently awarded the ‘Most Innovative Website’ at the Australian Web Awards. We’re proud to have the industry recognition for innovative tech solutions. 

• Visit the award winning website

 

CONGRATULATING | Pro Bono Partner Finalist

We are excited to congratulate Ashleigh Buckett as a Finalist for Pro Bono Partner of the Year in the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards 2025! This is well deserved recognition for one of our Principal Solicitors and we look forward to the awards night next month.  

WEBINAR | The State of Justice in the United States | Thursday 19 June 2025 | 12noon-1.30pm AEST

Human rights lawyer and co-founder of the National Justice Project Michael ‘Dan’ Moriwill share his insights from the United States as we discuss rapidly changing developments impacting the rule of law, due process and human rights across America. 

• Register online via Humanitix

 

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media

The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.
Here are some headlines from the past month:

• Alice Springs man dies in custody via ABC Radio AM, 28 May 2025
• Push for police to be removed from mental health crisis responses via ABC News, 27 May 2025
• Inquest into Martu woman's death in custody finds urgent need for cultural safety in WA prisons via National Indigenous Times, 26 May 2025

Follow our media commentary

RAISING | Awareness, Funds and Support for National Justice Project

This end of financial year we will be shining the spotlight on the critical issue of discrimination in healthcare and how we are fighting for systemic change. We will be launching this campaign next week so please consider making a donation to help us dismantle discrimination and fight for fair healthcare. 

The National Justice Project is funded by people committed to the fight for social justice. 

The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
 
To keep up to date with our strategic legal action and advocacy, visit our website or follow us on your preferred social media platform.

• Learn more or donate

To keep up to date with our strategic legal action and advocacy, visit our website or follow us on your preferred social media platform.

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 5.6  AUST | TJP | RELEASING | New shirts, hoodies, and crews | Orders close Sunday 1 June 2025

Announcing the release of our limited run brand new shirts, hoodies, and sweats just in time for winter.
To grab one of Trans Justice Project (TJP) brand new prints make sure to check out the catalogue and order before 1 June 2025.
 
We have worked together with the incredible Judy Kuo to produce a design that gets the message across, but also looks great.

These shirts are an awesome form of advocacy, visibly showing your support for the trans and gender diverse community.

They are also ally friendly, meaning that whether you are trans or just want to show your solidarity, you can wear this merch with pride.
 
We want to give a huge thank you to the incredible Sock Drawer Heroes, Australia's leading gender expression and affirmation store, who are helping us print and deliver everything once again. While you're on their site make sure to check out their limited edition 'Protect Trans Kids' tees as well.

All the proceeds raised from merch sales will go back into supporting our vital work.

This is a limited run. Make sure to place your order today so that you don’t miss out.

• Order yours now

In solidarity for trans justice,
Jackie Turner Director (she/her)

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 6. ANNOUNCING 

1. VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Victorian Renters to Know the Funda-rentals
2. VIC | GOV | OFFERING | Free Dental Care for Victorian Schoolchildren
3. VIC | GOV | OFFERING | Free Flu Vaccines Now Available Across Victoria
4. VIC | ARCVic | ONLINE | Multicultural Anxiety Support Group | Monthly, 1st Monday | 6-7.30pm
5. VIC | SAEQ | ASKING | Are You Safe at Home?
6. VIC | LIVERWELL | ADVISING | Liver Cancer: A Growing Threat to Multicultural Communities
7. AUST | GOV | ADVISING | About modern slavery
8. AUST | GOV | RAISING | Scam Awareness in 22 languages
9. AUST | GOV | READING | Our Common Bond booklet

 

 6.1  VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Victorian Renters to Know the Funda-rentals

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) has launched the ‘Know the Funda-rentals’ campaign to help renters across the state understand their rights and access support.

With around 2 million Victorians now living in rental properties, the campaign addresses common rental issues such as urgent repairs, minimum standards, rent increases, and understanding rental agreements.

The campaign supports CAV’s goal to strengthen consumer protections and build a fairer, safer rental market in line with the Victorian Government’s broader housing priorities.

Victoria has the strongest rental laws in Australia, with more than 130 reforms introduced in 2021 and more changes on the way in late 2025.

• Learn more 

 

 6.2  VIC | GOV | OFFERING | Free Dental Care for Victorian Schoolchildren

The Smile Squad school dental program is helping thousands of families save up to $400 per child per year by providing free, high-quality dental care at government schools across Victoria.

Since its launch in 2019, Smile Squad has visited over 900 schools and supported more than 127,000 children.

Delivered by mobile oral health teams in bright orange vans, the program offers:

• Free dental check-ups
• X-rays, teeth cleaning, and fluoride treatments
• Fillings, sealants and root canals where needed

To make access even easier, a simplified consent form is now available in 31 languages.

Smile Squad also offers specialist dental services through hubs in Geelong, Bendigo, and Gippsland, ensuring follow-up care is available to all children referred through the program.
With Term 2 now underway, parents are encouraged to register their child.

• Learn more

 

 6.3  VIC | GOV | OFFERING | Free Flu Vaccines Now Available Across Victoria

The Victorian Government is providing free flu vaccines to help protect communities from serious illness this flu season.

Influenza is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, especially for young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions.

Free flu vaccines are available for:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (6 months and over)
• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• Pregnant women
• Adults aged 65 and over
• People with eligible medical conditions

If you’re not eligible for a free vaccine, it can still be purchased from your GP or pharmacy.
Talk to your health professional or visit health.gov.au

 6.4  VIC | ARCVic | ONLINE | Multicultural Anxiety Support Group | Monthly, 1st Monday | 6-7.30pm

The Multicultural Anxiety Support Group provides an inclusive and confidential space for people of varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds who experience persistent anxiety.
Regular meetings seek to foster connection and confidence by providing participants with the opportunity to discuss challenges, self-help ideas, and coping strategies.
 
Support groups are run by experiences volunteers and welcomes anyone aged 18 years and over.

• Where: online via Zoom
• Cost: Free
• Find out more

The Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic) is a state-wide, specialist mental health organisation, providing support, recovery and educational services to people and families living with anxiety disorders.

 6.5  VIC | SAEQ | ASKING | Are You Safe at Home?

Are You Safe at Home? is a national initiative developed by Safe and Equal (SAEQ), designed to break down the fear and stigma associated with talking about family violence. 
Are you experiencing family violence?If you’re experiencing abuse, you don’t have to face this alone.

• Help and support is available. This website features information around family violence and where to go for specialist support.

Safe and Equal is the peak body for specialist family violence services that provide support to victim survivors in Victoria. Working towards a world beyond family and gender-based violence, where women, children and all people from marginalised communities are safe, thriving and respected.

 6.6  VIC | LIVERWELL | ADVISING | Liver Cancer: A Growing Threat to Multicultural Communities

LiverWELL advises liver cancer is now the fastest growing cause of cancer death in Victoria, with a 191% increase in deaths over the past four decades. In 2022 alone, 450 Victorians lost their lives to liver cancer.
This disease disproportionately affects multicultural communities, particularly those born in Vietnam, China and across South-East and North-East Asia. For example, Vietnamese-born Australians face over five times the rate of liver cancer compared to the Australian-born population.

Key contributors include undiagnosed hepatitis B, type 2 diabetes, metabolic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-related liver disease. Alarmingly, over one-third of people living with hepatitis B in Victoria don’t know they have it and 70% of those diagnosed are not in regular care.

Yet, liver cancer is largely preventable—and when detected early, curable. Early detection through regular screening and engagement in care is critical, especially for people from Asian, Pacific and African backgrounds.

Now is the time to act. Learn more, talk to your doctor about screening, and help spread awareness in your community.

• Read more information and find culturally appropriate support

 

 6.7  AUST | GOV | ADVISING | About modern slavery

The Australian Government advises modern slavery is when a person forces someone to work, marry or do other things through coercion (like manipulation, control or violence), threats or lies.
Learn more about the different types of modern slavery, its warning signs, and what can increase risk.

• What is modern slavery
• Types of modern slavery
• Warning signs
• Modern slavery in Australia
• Research and data

 

 6.8  AUST | GOV | RAISING | Scam Awareness in 22 languages

Scams targeting people from non-English speaking backgrounds remain a serious concern. In the last year alone, CALD communities in Australia lost $38.8 million to scams.

To help protect all Australians, Scamwatch has developed free information and resources in 22 languages, empowering people to recognise and report scams using three simple steps: Stop. Check. Protect.

Need help reporting a scam in your language?
Call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 and ask to speak to Scamwatch.

• Learn more and access resources

 

 6.9  AUST | GOV | READING | Our Common Bond booklet

Department of Home Affairs has issued the Australian citizenship test resource booklet Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. Available for download, it has all the information you need to help you pass the test.
You need to pass the citizenship test to show that you have:

• a basic knowledge of the English language
• an understanding of what it means to become an Australian citizen
• an adequate knowledge of Australia and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship
• an understanding and commitment to Australian values based on freedom, respect and equality.

To help you prepare for the test, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond is available in 40 community languages.​​ The test is conducted in English only. 

• For more information
• Australian Citizenship: Our Common​​ Bond - Testable - English (14MB PDF)​​​

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 7. SUPPORTING 

1. AUST | MANY | Helpers and Reliable Sources Along the Way
2. AUST | MULTI | Supporting Voices, Treaty and Meaningful Reconciliation with First Peoples, Settlers, and Those Who Come After
3. VIC | GOV | UPDATING | Coronavirus Response
4. AUST | MULTI | UPDATING | Coronavirus Response

 

 7.1  AUST | MANY | Helpers and Reliable Sources Along the Way

1. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander
2. Ageism
3. Asylum Seeking & Refugees
4. Climate, Environment & Emergency
5. Community, Connection & Belonging
6. Difability & Disability
7. Employment
8. Family & Neighbourhood Violence
9. Health, Sickness & Wellbeing
10. Kids, Youth, Parenting & Education
11. LGBTIQA+
12. Men
13. Racism
14. Women

7.1.1 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

• BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation (BLAQ) – National service provider and NSW State Peak Organisation supporting and representing community living with the intersection of a Cultural life and LGBTQ+SB identity.
• Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation school teaches Aboriginal kids in their own language started in 2022 with just 15 students and this year they already have 74 enrolments plus a waiting list!
• Call It Out: A First Nations Racism Register App – University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, in partnership with the National Justice Project, are proud to announce the launch of the Call It Out App, a ground-breaking platform aimed at documenting and addressing racism against First Nations Peoples in communities across Australia. Download on Apple and Android now to report racism anytime, anywhere. 
• From the Heart (FTH) views a Voice to Parliament as a body enshrined in the Constitution would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice to the Parliament on policies and projects that impact their lives.
• The Healing Foundation (THF) – a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation providing a platform to amplify voices and lived experience of Stolen Generations survivors and their families.
• Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) Book Supply – creating and translating books with the collective storytelling of First Nations authors, illustrators and Elders
• Koorie Women Mean Business
• Mungo Explorer – online learning platform by Cultural Infusion (CUIN). An inquiry based resource aligned with the Australian curriculum and covers Year 4 First Contact and Year 7 Ancient History. Allowing teachers to share Indigenous perspectives, historical and scientific thinking to teach students about the remarkable story of Mungo Man and Mungo Lady.
• National Justice Project (NJP)
• Pathfinders National Aboriginal Birth Certificate Program (PNABCP) – Canberra not-for-profit group helping make life easier for people in need. As part of its many programs, it helps provide free birth certificates and registrations for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community
• Reconciliation Victoria – promoting reconciliation across Victoria, promoting deeper understanding, respect and justice for and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
• The Torch Project (TORCH) provides art, cultural and arts industry support to First Nations people currently in, or recently released, from Victorian prisons.

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7.1.2 Ageism

• Ageism and reducing its impact – reframing the discussion to help everyone better understand how to communicate about age, ageing and issues affecting older people. Download the Framing age message guide and Download the quick reminder Cheat Sheet
• ‘Ageing well in Victoria: An action plan for strengthening wellbeing for senior Victorians 2022-2026' supporting older Victorians from all backgrounds to connect socially and live healthy, active, and purposeful lives.
• Southern Metro Elder Abuse Prevention Network (SMEAPN) free online course: Framing Age Self-Paced Training: 5 Online Modules – EAPN LMS

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7.1.3 Asylum Seeking & Refugees

• Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) – independent not for profit supporting and empowering over 7,000 people seeking asylum each year to maximise their physical, mental and social wellbeing. As a movement we mobilise and unites communities to creating social and policy change for people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia.
• Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) – providing food, housing, English classes, employment assistance, legal and medical support, and donations of money.
• City of Whittlesea (CoW) – offering a 12-week placement program for newly arrived non-student migrants and refugees. Learn more and apply

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7.1.4 Climate, Environment & Emergency

• Better Health – Surviving Extreme Heat In-language video
• Australian Islamic Centre (AIC) has co-produced award winning Fired Up (36 mins) short documentary which tells the story of AIC volunteers who travelled to areas impacted by the devastating 2019-2020 bushires to provide essential supplies to communities in critical need.
• Climate Ready Communities – an innovative program empowering you and your neighbours to tackle climate challenges head-on, right where you live. Through this partnership from City of Port Phillip (CoPP) with The Resilience Canopy, you will be supported to establish, sustain and grow climate action projects for your local community. 
• Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria recommend your smoke alarms are tested regularly, that batteries are replaced once a year, and smoke alarm units are replaced every 10 years. Learn more
• Country Fire Authority advises Reduce fire risk by using lithium-ion battery powered devices safely
• Country Fire Authority  – Summer Campaign Communications Kit includes a range of resources in different languages to help you stay safe during a bushfire
• Crime Stoppers Victoria (CSV) with Ethnolink – video on how to report a crime, now available in our 11 priority languages: Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Dinka, Farsi, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Watch videos
• Emergency management improvement report with engaged multicultural communities, government and emergency services
• Fire Safety – translated information
• Fire season preparation in Regional Victoria – visit Country Fire Authority's website, sign up to MyCFA to get local information on how to plan and prepare for fires and other emergencies in your area or learn more
• Life Saving Victoria (LSV) – remembering safety is everyone’s responsibility – especially around water. If you're new to pools or water settings, please take a moment to speak with a lifesaver or lifeguard before entering the water. Always read and follow the safety signs at your location to ensure you're fully informed.
• Royal Life Saving Society of Australia with The LOTE Agency (LOTEA) – Make Safe Decisions Around Water campaign highlighs five key messages to keep our multicultural and multilingual communities safe in and around water while swimming, boating, and fishing. Resources: Water safety information in community languages or  Download: RLSSA-Stakeholder-Pack-2024.pdf or resources by Language
• Solar Savers – Start saving on energy bills with City of Port Phillip
• State Emergency Service – SES flood guide – Be aware of your risk, check your local area or call VIC SES on 132 500 for support
• Vic Emergency app or Call 1800 226 226 for Vic Emergency hotline
• Victoria Health Department – in hot weather or extreme weather, be neighbourly, check in on vulnerable neighbours
• Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) and sustainability consultancy Point Advisory have produced a comprehensive document full of relevant information, step-by-step advice, and guidance on how to tackle the roadblocks faced by apartment tenants, owners, and management companies when approaching solar for apartments. Download guide

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7.1.5 Community, Connection & Belonging

• Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC) – Living and Loving in Diversity: An anthology of Australian multicultural queer adventures. Read More and buy
• Better Boards Australasia (BBA) – free online minute-taking course.
• The Boîte is a cornerstone of Victoria's multicultural music scene and champions diverse artists and musical experiences, enriching Australia's cultural landscape.
• Carer Gateway (CAGA) Real Carers, Real Stories - In Their Own Words digital photographic exhibition. 
• Carer Gateway (CAGA) is a national initiative program funded by the Australian Government – free and diverse range of short term services to help you manage your caring role and improve your wellbeing. There are more than 2.65 million unpaid carers in Australia, and 1 in 12 are under 25 years old. If you are an unpaid carer and wish to get access in your language you can call Uniting on 1800 422 737 or visit website to learn more.
• City of Port Phillip (CoPP) Neighbours and Seniors Register creates links between Port Phillip residents over 55, enabling getting to know each other and better supporting each other. Register by using the seniors registration form (PDF 78 KB)
• The Conversation (THCO) – continuing to grow, making an important contribution to public knowledge
• Cultural Infusion (CUIN)'s online Cultural Calendar is designed to assist schools with organising cultural incursions throughout the year.
• Embrace Access – Easy Read books
• Equality Project (EQPR) Better Together Training Academy – for LGBTIQ+ and Allies to hone advocacy, transform leadership Initiate, activate, lead to make a positive impact in your community.
• Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV) Speak My Language podcasts feature people sharing stories and practical advice about living well with disability in a range of community languages.
• Ethnolink Language Services – Multi-lingual resource library with information available on coronavirus in 71 languages.
• Expression Australia – Keep up to date with regular Auslan videos on COVID-19, breaking news in Victoria, Australia and abroad.
• Faith Communities Council of Victoria (FCCV) have published their annual multifaith calendar outlining major holy days and festivals for Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism and Sikhism. View 2024 Multifaith Calendar (pdf) and view 2025 Multifaith Calendar (pdf)  
• Faith and LGBTQA identity can coexist resources kit developed Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC).
• Foundation House – The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture for a world without torture and where communities respect, embrace and empower people from refugee backgrounds to thrive
• The Jeder Institute - Toolkits for creating positive change for individuals and communities, around the world, by bringing people together to realise their full potential, build on their existing networks and community strengths and to empower individual’s choice and control.
• Multicultural Framework Review (MFR), ‘Towards Fairness – a multicultural Australia for all’ – towards realising Australia's full potential as a nation made up of many cultures, faiths and lived experiences.
• Mungo Explorer – online learning platform by Cultural Infusion (CUIN). An inquiry based resource aligned with the Australian curriculum and covers Year 4 First Contact and Year 7 Ancient History. Allowing teachers to share Indigenous perspectives, historical and scientific thinking to teach students about the remarkable story of Mungo Man and Mungo Lady.
• National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters' Council (NEMBC) is the peak organisation representing ethnic community broadcasters across Australia. Listen to news
• Paramount Chief Kuol Adol Foundation (PCKAF) aiming to improve the livelihoods of South Sudanese communities through programs in both South Sudan and Melbourne.
• Port Phillip Men’s Shed provides a safe and caring mateship environment. Our members hail from all walks of life and from different age groups. Women are welcome to participate.
• Professional Migrant Women (PWM) – Undefeated is a collection of 118 stories from 90 migrant women, who against all odds, overcame the challenges and barriers of living in a foreign land, speaking a different language, and being singled out for the wrong reason. Find out more and buy
• Social Connection - Explore Practice Toolkits brimming with actionable strategies, tips, and guidelines to foster stronger community bonds.
• St Kilda Repair Cafe (SKRC) – free monthly repair cafe sessions at the Port Phillip EcoCentre on the second Sunday of each month from 2-5pm. Volunteers fix or mend, offer their time and skills to help make possible repairs free of charge to damaged items from home 
• SBS عربي News streams live at 8pm on weeknights and SBS 中文 News is live from 8.30 pm on weeknights and available to stream at any time on SBS On Demand.
• SBS Interactive 2021 Census Explorer
• SBS 2023 Multicultural Film Festival via SBS OnDemand! 
• Scanlon Foundation Research Institute's (SFRI) 2022 Mapping Social Cohesion
• Spiritual Health Association (SHA) in partnership with Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH)  has been running The Spirituality & Diversity Discussion Project since 2019. Read More 
• Transport Accident Commission (TAC) encourages our communities to drive responsibly. Speeding is the most prevalent risky behaviour on the roads and is a factor in approximately 30% of casualty crashes. Exceeding the speed limit by just 3 km/h is associated with a 25% increase in crash risk. At 5 km/h over the limit, crash risk increases by close to 50%. Learn more
• Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service provided by the Department of Home Affairs for people who do not speak English and for agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients. Over 70 years' experience in language services and access to more than 2700 interpreters in more than 150 languages. The phone interpreting service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year for the cost of a local call for any person or organisation in Australia who needs an interpreter.
• Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing has recently launched 37 profiles of cultural communities. The profiles are designed to be a snapshot of each community, showing their diverse and unique needs.
• Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC), free voter education sessions about elections can be delivered in some community languages and we can provide interpreters. Free online education sessions to your community or Learn to vote | Victorian Electoral Commission
• Volunteer West (VOWE) – culturally inclusive toolkit. 
• Victorian Multicultural Commission have published Victorian Multicultural Commission Impact Report. or Watch 40 years of the Victorian Multicultural Commission video (6 min)
• Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH)'s new podcast episode 'Diversity Of Communities: Who Is Left Behind?' Read More or Listen to podcast (38 mins)
• Voices of Australia - Scanlon Foundation Research Institute (SFRI) podcast exploring all things interesting in the world of social cohesion. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the recording on video, in addition to audio-only! Tune in every Thursday at 10am for a new episode!

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7.1.6 Difability & Disability

• Arts Access Victoria (AAV) offers Future Reset – Maker Space is a year of free in person and online visual and digital arts workshops and is for young Deaf and Disabled people aged 18–25 who live in Victoria. Beginners welcome!
• Aspergers Victoria (ASVI) – support groups and events for people who have Aspergers, autism, or other similar neurodiverse profiles.
• AUSLAN – Updates by Expression Australia - Regular Auslan only videos on updates of breaking news in Victoria, Australia and abroad.
• Australian Government Department of Social Services – Daily update on NDIS participants and workforce and easy English information on COVID-19. 
• Autism friendly workplaces – We all deserve a workplace that works and sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference. Find out how you can start to make your workplace more autism inclusive by learning more at amaze.com 
• Blind Citizens Australia – Information on coronavirus for people who are blind or vision impaired. 
• Disability, Engaging Australians with Ask Me First and How to – 16 mins episode of a discussion on support and advocacy for people with disability and inclusion from CALD communities.
• Disability Gateway Service – the Australian Government provides free information and services to help people living with disability, their families, friends and carers in key areas including finance, employment, health and equipment. Translated fact sheets and videos
• Down Syndrome Australia – Easy Read guide about using money on the internet.
• Extended Families (EXFA) – vibrant social events for children and young adults with a disability in Melbourne’s Southeastern suburbs.
• IncludeAbility: employment for people with disability –  an initiative of the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), designed to support employers who want to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability, and people with disability seeking employment, developing a career or considering self-employment. Learn more
• LGBTIQ+ Health Australia – free training activities for LGBTIQ+ people with disability
• MiACCESS Multilingual Information Access to resources & information – A purpose-built website for CALD people with disability, carers and communities.
• Migrant Resource Centre North West Region (MRCNWR) – Diversity and Disability YouTube Channel 
• National Disability Gateway –  a one-stop shop from the Department of Social Services assisting all people with disability, their families and carers to locate and access services across Australia
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – Information about changes to how the NDIS work during the COVID -19 pandemic in 12 languages.
• National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA)  – free training activities for LGBTIQ+ people with disability
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission – Information contains links to updates, training, alerts, and resources for NDIS participants and providers.
• Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU) supports Victorian self-advocacy groups run by and for people with intellectual disability, people with acquired brain injury and people with complex communication support needs. Watch 'Live Our Lives' (4 mins music video).
• Summer Foundation (SUFO)'s Reasonable & Necessary podcast series helps simplify the NDIS for participants, their families and anyone supporting NDIS participants.
• VALID – 16 Page plain language guide to NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation
• Vietnamese resources supporting people with disability and their families, friends and carers – a suite of Vietnamese resources available in English and Vietnamese informing how to articulate rights and entitlements, negotiate service agreements and conditions with support providers.
• Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) – women and non-binary people with disability, sharing a diverse range of experiences

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7.1.7 Employment

• Bicultural workforce toolkit - The Victorian Government toolkit is an online resource that aims to educate public sector organisations so they can harness the value bicultural workers bring to the workforce.
• Equal pay matters – educational resources for organisations by Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC). For small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to understand and implement equal pay in their workplaces.
• Fair Work Ombudsman – language help
• Jobs that Matter campaign highlights a range of roles available across the community services sector in Victoria.
• Middle Years and Youth Services (MYYS) are now offering a platform for local businesses or organisations to advertise job opportunities that would suit young people. The jobs appear regularly on the Port Phillip Youth Instagram page.
• Migrant Workers Centre –  resources
• Professional Migrant Women (PWM) – Undefeated is a collection of 118 stories from 90 migrant women, who against all odds, overcame the challenges and barriers of living in a foreign land, speaking a different language, and being singled out for the wrong reason. Find out more and buy
• Social Services Jobs Guarantee program - Victorian Diploma of Community Services graduates 1 September 2022–31 August 2024
• The Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee provides 38 hours a year of sick and carer's pay at the national minimum wage ($21.38 per hour). Translations available in 19 different languages.
• Victorian Volunteering opportunities available.

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7.1.8 Family & Neighbourhood Violence

• Domestic and family violence and your visa Department of Home Affairs web page. Learn more
• Orange Door – for adults, children and young people experiencing family violence
• Our Watch (OURWATCH) – Australia’s leader in the primary prevention of violence against women. We work to embed gender equality and prevent violence where Australians live, learn, work and socialise. Download Change the story summary (698 kb); Download Change the story full suite of graphics (4 mb); Change the story: Three years on (2018) reflecting on the uptake and impact of Change the story since publication in 2015.
• Public Transport Victoria (PTV) – STOPIT aims to educate public transport users on what constitutes inappropriate behaviour while empowering vulnerable communities – including women, girls, LGBTIQA+, and multicultural passengers – as well as bystanders to report incidents to Victoria Police’s STOPIT service.
• Respect Victoria (REVI) – brings light to common types of non-physical violence that can be used in intimate relationships, how to spot the warning signs, and how to look out for yourself and your friends. 
• Safe and Equal (SAE)'s Are You Safe at Home? website features lots of helpful information around family violence and where to go for help. Learn about family violence. Watch a video in your language
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre – Victoria’s statewide first response service for women, young people and children experiencing family violence. Tel 1800 015 188 – family violence specialists available 24/7
• Safer and Stronger Communities Pilot, South East Community Links (SECL) – In-language videos for family violence prevention and multilingual resources for Dari, Hazaragi, Hindi, Punjabi and Tamil speaking community members. View on SECL website

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7.1.9 Health, Sickness & Wellbeing

• Australian Psychological Society Referral Service – Tel 1800 333 497
• Be You is the national mental health in education initiative delivered by Beyond Blue, in collaboration with Early Childhood Australia and headspace. Offering a range of online, evidence-based tools, resources and professional learning aimed at improving the skills and knowledge of educators to support mental health and wellbeing in children and young people.
• Beyond Blue –  translated information on managing your mental health during COVID-19 in 63 languages. 
• Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) – online resources in simple English to support linguistically diverse Victorians learn about bowel cancer screening. Watch video (10 mins). Download cancer information in Vietnamese and Modern Standard Arabic. Read Victorian Cancer Plan 2024-2028
• Dementia information for multicultural communities
• DirectLine alcohol and drug counselling - 1800 888 236 - confidential drug and alcohol counselling and referral
• Gambling Help Online (GHO). Free, confidential and available 24/7. Take a step forward
• GP Expert Advice Matters – a website for patients translated into Arabic, simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hindi and Vietnamese, and has practical information on how to access a local GP, telehealth and interpreter services
• Headway – a small business package of free wellbeing services and resources for all Victorian sole traders and small business owners, their employees and advisers.
• Health Translations – Australian health and wellbeing information - free online library multilingual translations including Auslan and Easy English.
• Hepatitis B and the importance of testing and management to reduce liver cancer risk. Protect against liver cancer by raising awareness message by Cancer Council Victoria (CCV)
• Hepatitis B In-language videos – allowing people in CALD communities to access clear and simple information about liver health, available in Arabic, Burmese, Khmer, Mandarin Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese.
• Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) is a free state-wide non legal advocacy service for people at risk of or subject to compulsory treatment in Victoria.
• Influenza vaccines are free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for: children aged 6 months to under 5 years; pregnant people at any stage of pregnancy; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people 65 years or over; people who have certain medical conditions which increase their risk of serious illness. Translated resources are available in 15 languages. You can also get more information from your doctor or clinic.
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 – crisis support available 24/7 via phone, text or online chat
• Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs – 1300 375 330 – appointments for anyone feeling overwhelmed or in need of support with mental health.
• Mental Health Complaints Commission (MHCC) – Digital and print resources in 20 languages through community-approved translations that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for each community.
• Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA) – Small Business Engagement Program to benefit business owners, staff, and customers.
• Moving Pictures launched 12 new short films aimed at raising awareness about dementia, and the importance of early diagnosis to enable better treatment and quality of life. Watch the films
• mpox vaccine – protect yourself and your loved ones
• from this virus. Find out if you qualify for free vaccination and get vaccinated today.
• MyMedicare is a new, voluntary and free way by Australian Government to register with your regular doctor or clinic. These are government-funded telehealth consultations with your regular doctor and it gives your doctor more resources to treat you
• Multicultural Health Connect (MHC) – hotline that can be used to find health services such as doctors, hospitals, and community health centres. The hotline is available 11.30am-8pm, 7 days a week - including public holidays. Call the hotline on 1800 186 815.
• NURSE-ON-CALL – 1300 60 60 24 – expert health information and advice
• Palliative Care Advice Service (PCAS) – supporting people diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses and those who support them.
• Quit Victoria – Tired of letting cravings control you? Beat the cravings, one at a time.
• R U OK? is a national suicide prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times. Key resources are also translated in six languages Arabic (العربية), Simplified Chinese (中文), Greek (Ελληνικά), Hindi (हिन्दी), Korean (한국어) and Vietnamese (tiếng Việt)
• Staying safe in the water – how to enjoy our state's waterways including beaches, rivers and lakes.
• Survive the heat campaign – raising awareness of the risks extreme heat poses to the health of all Victorians.
• Trans Justice Project (TJP) – building a movement standing up for justice, freedom, and equality for all trans and gender diverse people.
• Transport Accident Commission (TAC) - safest way to know for sure that you are under 0.05 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level is to completely separate drinking and driving. Sign up for the Spokes newsletter. Read more about Only Protected for a Moment campaign.
• Victorian Polio immunisation factsheets
• Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) seminars are open to individuals, from all disciplines and working in all sectors, who are based in Australia and interested in diversity and mental health.
• Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) have created the 'Community Engagement with Purpose' resource.
• Water Well Project works with people with migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to provide health education to improve health and wellbeing. Releasing a series of simple but informative videos on health and wellbeing topics including COVID-19 vaccination, mental health for kids, and preventative healthcare. Learn about The Water Well Project

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7.1.10 Kids, Youth, Parenting & Education

• Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is the main way the Australian Government is helping families with the cost of early childhood education and care. For translated materials
• Couch International Student Centre is a safe and free lounge space in Melbourne for international students to socialise, relax, study, and seek assistance
• Courage to Care Victoria (CTCV) has launched a set of six digital ‘How to be an Upstander’ lesson plans for years 9&10, complementing their existing face to face Upstander Programs. Find more here
• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 – for kids, teens and young adults
• Little Dreamers (LIDR) is Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation, supporting young people who provide unpaid care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, addiction or frail age. Watch 3 min video
• Middle Years and Youth Services (MYYS) are now offering a platform for local City of Port Phillip businesses or organisations to advertise job opportunities that would suit young people. The jobs appear regularly on the Port Phillip Youth Instagram page.
• Parentline – 13 22 89 – for parents and carers
• Parenting courses by Relationships Victoria (REVI) offers free 6 to 12 week courses for parents to learn better ways to connect with their children and family in a culturally sensitive way.
• Raising Children Network – Translated parenting resources
• Red Earth (REEA)'s School Immersions are all-inclusive, comprehensive programs designed to open the hearts and minds of students to the beauty and realities of life in remote Indigenous Australia. Find out more
• Refugee Council of Australia (RCA) – Face-to-Face program involves presentations to students from a speaker with a refugee background. Learn more
• Study Melbourne (STME)  has many free or low cost events for international students who are studying and living in Victoria. Find student events near you 
• Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) online community VMConnect is home to a dedicated Group for multicultural young people living in Victoria
• #16DAYS4KIDS | Colouring Your Conversation
• WHISE, in collaboration with the Promoting Respect and Equity Together (PRET) Regional Partnership. Teaching children about respect and gender equality is crucial for their personal and social development. It equips them with essential life skills, fosters positive relationships, and contributes to a more compassionate and harmonious society. Download Colouring Sheets
• Youth and Family Support Network (YFSN) delivering activities and initiatives that empower local African-Australian communities to tackle racism and support social cohesion. Watch video (2 mins)
• YouthNav - helping young Victorians understand, plan for and succeed in skills like getting a job, moving out of home, getting around, having their say and managing money.

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7.1.11 LGBTIQA+

• Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC) – Living and Loving in Diversity: An anthology of Australian multicultural queer adventures. Read More and buy
• BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation (BLAQ) – National service provider and NSW State Peak Organisation supporting and representing community living with the intersection of a Cultural life and LGBTQ+SB identity.
• The Equality Project – training and conferences
• Faith and LGBTQA identity can coexist resources kit developed Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC).
• Gay Asian Proud (GAP) – a social group for same sex-attracted Asian men based in Melbourne and wider Victoria. Find out more
• GiveOUT – growing the pot of gold under the rainbow by supporting LGBTQIA+ organisations to access and use resources for the better. 
• I'm From Driftwood – LGBTQIA+ first-person stories
• LGBTIQ+ Health Australia – free training activities for LGBTIQ+ people with disability
• Our Point 3 (OP3) – not-for-profit organisation, led by and for LGBTQIA+/queer international students, alumni, and allies.
• Trans Justice Project – Impact Report 2023
• Unsaid Says A Lot is an Australian-first campaign by Victoria's Department of Families, Fairness and Housing(DFFH) in support of trans and gender diverse communities. A nation leading campaign. It was co-designed, produced and created by TGD communities. Watch Video (2 mins) and stay connected via Socials Facebook | Instagram | Linked In | Youtube

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7.1.12 Men

The following crisis and counselling services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

• 1800RESPECT – Call 1800 737 732 or visit website
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 or visit website - Counselling, information and referrals for personal crisis
• Mensline: 1300 789 978  or visit website - 24/7 Support for men
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 or visit website - Advice and support for depression and anxiety.
• Headspace: 1800 650 890 or visit website - National youth mental health foundation, chat, email or speak with a qualified professional.
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 - Counselling for anyone suicidal or affected by suicide
• Tomorrow Man visit website - Australian social enterprise committed to redefining masculinity and improving men’s mental health.

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7.1.13 Racism

• Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) have continued their national campaign: Racism. It Stops With Me. Learn more
• Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) – releasing National Anti-Racism Framework, a comprehensive plan featuring 63 recommendations aimed at addressing racism across critical sectors including justice, health, education, media, and workplaces. Read full report
• Call It Out: A First Nations Racism Register App – University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, in partnership with the National Justice Project, are proud to announce the launch of the Call It Out App, a ground-breaking platform aimed at documenting and addressing racism against First Nations Peoples in communities across Australia. Download on Apple and Android now to report racism anytime, anywhere. 
• Courage to Care Victoria (CTCV) has launched a set of six digital ‘How to be an Upstander’ lesson plans for years 9&10, complementing their existing face to face Upstander Programs. Find more here
• Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is supporting culturally and linguistically diverse community leaders to become Anti-racism Ambassadors in partnership with IndianCare, the Centre for Holistic Health and the Communities’ Council on Ethnic Issues. Learn more
• Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBBACC) is Victoria's independent body responsible for preventing and exposing police misconduct. You can report anything police do to deny your rights to IBAC.
• Prejudice Motivated Crime in Victoria and Reporting –  Victoria Police website, an animated video (2 min) and poster. Resources are available in English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Hindi, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Somali, Urdu and Vietnamese. Explore the resources
• Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) partnering with Cinespace developed a fictional short film that tests contestants on their knowledge of racism. Watch the video (6 mins) and how to report racism in Victoria through VEOHRC. Visit Reducing Racism information hub to understand your rights, know the options available to report your experiences, and obtain help.

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7.1.14 Women

• Koorie Women Mean Business
• National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) - envisioning Zero Deaths from breast cancer
• Made by Many Minds is a one-stop digital platform that provides migrant women in business with a range of services including legal, finance, marketing and merchandising.
• My Body. My Health – a five-part series of educational presentations to help organisations deliver health information to women from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
• Respect Victoria
• Rural Health Connect (RHC) – telehealth psychology sessions to women and families who have experienced stillbirth or miscarriage. Sessions are bulk-billed or available at low cost, depending on a person’s situation. Find out more 
• Safe and Equal 
• SisterWorks is a not-for-profit social enterprise, empowering migrant and refugee women by connecting them with entrepreneurship and employment opportunities. Empowerment Hubs are workplaces and training centres providing opportunities for women to share their experiences with other women and develop pathways to education, employment, entrepreneurship and leadership.
• Victorian Women’s Trust
• Women Leading Locally is delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia in partnership with Women for Election.
• Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE) – Free support, referral and information for all Victorian women, nonbinary and gender-diverse people.
• Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) – women and non-binary people with disability, sharing a diverse range of experiences

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 7.2  AUST | MULTI | Supporting Voices, Treaty and Meaningful Reconciliation with First Peoples, Settlers, and Those Who Come After

• AUST | GOV | OFFERING | Resources and Translations on The Voice and Referendum 2023
• AUST | AICR | ENCOURAGING | YES23. Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution through a Voice
• AUST | LWB | TRANSLATING | Resources in 45+ community languages on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
• AUST | REAU | EXPLAINING | Voice to Parliament and Referendum 2023
• AUST | RJfV | ISSUING | An Open Letter to the Australian Public: The Voice to Parliament would enhance Australian governance
• AUST | TLW | CALLING | Those Interested to Lace Up Your Shoes and Come Walk with Michael Long in support of the "Yes" campaign
• AUST | WRITERS | ENDORSING | The Voice as a major reform leading to better outcomes for First Nations Peoples
• AUST | GiveOUT | SUPPORTING | Proudly for a First Nations Voice to Parliament
• VIC | ECCV | ADVOCATING | Victorian Multicultural Voices for ‘Yes’ campaign
• VIC | VWT | ENGAGING | Listen and learn together through kitchen conversations. It’s time to say yes
• VIC | VTMH | DEMONSTRATING | Solidarity In Context to the Referendum
• AUST | GEIFN | HOW | To Accept No: Contest of Binaries | Sunday 15 October 2023
• AUST | GEIFN | WHY | To Accept No: Contest of Timing | Monday 16 October 2023
• AUST | GEIFN | WHEN | To Accept No: Contest of Terra nullius | Tuesday 17 October 2023 and beyond
• AUST | VTMH | OFFERING | Reflections following the Referendum
• CoPP | PPCR | STRIVING | Towards Meaningful Reconciliation
• AUST | CHGR | BUILDING | First Nations kids learning and loving to learn. Their families walking beside. Seeing hope for the future
• AUST | YSS | EDUCATING | Aboriginal Pedagogy, Social Justice and Self-Determination
• AUST | EVCO | BUILDING | Stronger, more inclusive organisation through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence Training Programs
• MELB | NGVA | EXHIBITING | Wurrdha Marra – Many Mobs

AUST | GOV | OFFERING | Resources and Translations on The Voice and Referendum 2023

Australian Government in late 2023 held a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice would be an independent and permanent advisory body. It would give advice to the Australian Parliament and Government on matters that affect the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have called for members of the Voice to be chosen by First Nations peoples based on the wishes of local communities.

• Read the referendum question and constitutional amendment.
• Multilingual poster

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AUST | AICR | ENCOURAGING | YES23. Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution through a Voice 
Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition (AICR) asks all to consider voting Yes. It’s time to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution through a Voice.

What is the 2023 Referendum?
This vote will give all Australians the chance to come together and consider a change to our constitution that will honour and celebrate the rights, history, and ongoing relationship of Indigenous Australians with this land. It’s a rare chance to make a major positive impact now and for future generations.

Australia has been considering constitutional recognition for more than 15 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have asked that the form of recognition come through a Voice to Parliament, which will give advice on laws and policies that affect Indigenous people. 

This is what the Australian people are now being asked to decide: Should we recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in The Constitution, with a Voice? 

A Voice will provide advice to the Federal Parliament about laws and policies, through a consultative policy making process that delivers meaningful structural change.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know and understand the best way to deliver real and practical change in their communities. When they have a say through a Voice, we can finally start to close the gap that still exists between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians on practical issues like life expectancy, educational outcomes, and employment. 

This is why a “Yes” result is important.

• Pledge your support
• Volunteer
• Stay up to date
• Stay informed 

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AUST | LWB | TRANSLATING | Resources in 45+ community languages on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
To encourage participation in the Referendum for all Australians, Polaron Language Services with Life Without Barriers (LWB) and several partner organisations have developed accessible translated resources in more than 45 languages.

These are free to download and aim to break down language, literacy and communication barriers among Australia’s diverse communities. This includes:

• Three social media tiles in 45+ languages that are shareable and easy to disseminate.
• Factsheets in 45+ languages letting communities know about the Referendum 
• 30-second in-language videos – with subtitles and voiceovers.

• For more information

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AUST | REAU | EXPLAINING | Voice to Parliament and Referendum 2023
Reconciliation Australia (REAU) advises First Nations Voice to Parliament protected by the Constitution is a key element of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The Bill to enable the referendum became law in mid-June, but we are waiting for the referendum date to be announced.

The referendum question contained in the Bill is:

A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?

What is a referendum

Find out more at Australian Electoral Commission.

Or click the following Reconciliation Australia links that interest you:

• Why do we need a First Nations Voice?
• How do we get a First Nations Voice to Parliament?
• What work has been done so far?
• What will be added to the Constitution?
• Guiding principles of the Voice
• Do Australians want change?
• Common myths and misbeliefs
• Multilingual information
• See learning resources and information

 

Why do we need a First Nations Voice?

A Voice to Parliament will give Indigenous communities a route to help inform policy and legal decisions that impact their lives. Giving people a say will lead to more effective results.

Embedding a Voice in the Constitution would recognise the special place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia’s history, but importantly would also mean that it can’t be shut down by successive Governments.

This is important because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and bodies have called for voice for close to 100 years. 

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AUST | RJfV | ISSUING | An Open Letter to the Australian Public: The Voice to Parliament would enhance Australian governance 
We are individuals representing no political party or political interest. We speak, rather, as retired judges (RJfV) who spent our professional lives listening to, and seeking to evaluate, contending arguments.

We have since considered carefully both the case for, and the case against, the proposed Voice to Parliament. Having done so, we confidently believe that, by raising the quality of our public debate, the proposed Voice will both enrich our democracy and increase the likelihood of governments making correct decisions about matters that affect Indigenous peoples. It will also, and very importantly, give Indigenous Australians their due recognition in our Constitution as this nation’s first peoples.  

Democracies are at their best when decisions are made after informed and respectful debate to which all may contribute. Life being what it is, the rich and the powerful have and will retain that privilege to a greater degree than most. Some, among them Australia’s First Nations peoples, have continually battled to be heard at all.

If successful, the referendum on the Voice will not diminish the influence of anyone. But it will help to correct an historic wrong. It will give recognition, and a voice, to those who for thousands of years owned and lived in balance with this land, only to have their rights to it disregarded during the centuries which have followed settlement from other lands. No consideration was given to the deep connections with country which the original inhabitants have incorporated into their very being; and the newcomers who now occupy their land listened, if they listened at all, with none of the empathy to which everyone should be entitled.

Constitutional recognition of the Voice in a successful referendum will acknowledge these facts, and do much to rectify a long-existing injustice. It will not, in our opinion, divide our nation. On the contrary, it will heal a wound which presently divides us. Nor will it disrupt government or destabilise the presently stable and appropriate division of power between the parliament, the executive and the judiciary.

The possibility of disruption and instability is a concern which nevertheless deserves respect (although not when it descends to ridiculous fears such as that Anzac Day will be ‘cancelled’). It is also reasonable to have doubts about the detail of the arrangements which will follow a successful referendum. We nevertheless firmly believe that these are not reasons for voting ‘No’. First, Australia can draw upon its wealth of common sense and its capacity for sensible compromise. The Voice will not waste its time, energy, finances or goodwill with silly claims that have no chance of political or judicial support. And secondly, detailed arrangements must allow for a degree of flexibility which is impossible if incorporated into a less than flexible constitution. The details are properly to be determined by the parliament of the day according to the changing circumstances of the day.

Advocates for the ‘No’ case point to the proposed amendment’s inclusion of a power in the parliament to make laws with respect to the powers of the Voice. The referendum if passed does not confer powers on parliament that it does not already have to pass such laws. We believe that the likelihood of parliament acting inappropriately in this respect is small. In our opinion it fails to justify a ‘No’ vote.  

Advocates for a ‘No’ vote also claim that the Voice is a creature of Canberra. That is untrue. The call for the Voice was made in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which is the product of the widest survey of the views of First Nations peoples ever undertaken and which is a deeply respectful call “from all points of the Southern Sky”. 

It includes an invitation to all Australians to create a better future. We think this invitation should be accepted.

Signed:

• The Hon Mary Gaudron KC, Former Judge of the High Court of Australia
• The Hon Carmel McLure AC KC, Former President of the Supreme Court of Western Australia Court of Appeal
• The Hon Stephen Charles AO KC, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria Court of Appeal
• The Hon David Harper AM KC, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria Court of Appeal
• The Hon Robert Redlich AM KC, Former Commissioner of the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC), former Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria Court of Appeal
• The Hon Paul Stein AM KC, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW Court of Appeal, former President of the Anti-Discrimination Board
• The Hon Anthony Whealy KC, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW Court of Appeal
• The Hon Margaret White AO, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland Court of Appeal

Thank-you for reading the open letter supporting the Voice. Please forward this letter to anyone you think would be interested to read it.

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AUST | TLW | CALLING | Those Interested to Lace Up Your Shoes and Come Walk with Michael Long in support of the "Yes" campaign 
The Long Walk (TLW)'s Michael Long is once again setting off from Melbourne to Canberra in support of the "Yes" campaign.
Michael Long is one of the most recognisable Aboriginal figures in AFL football. He played for the Essendon Football Club between 1989 and 2001, was a member of two premiership sides and the winner of the 1993 Norm Smith Medal.

Michael championed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cause within the AFL. In 1995, Michael made a stand against racial abuse, following an on-field incident with another player, asserting that racism had no place in sport.

Ultimately this lead to Michael being one of the pioneering forces behind the racial abuse code that was adopted by the AFL in the 1990s. Michael retired from football in 2001.

"Lace Up Your Shoes and Come Walk with Me. We walked in 2004 for a Voice and a Vision.
This year I have decided to bring forward my 20th Anniversary Long Walk to support the campaign for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament."

Walk with Michael Long in support of the "Yes" campaign on one or more legs of the walk from Melbourne to Canberra.

• Register to share with us which legs you'll be joining.
• Subscribe to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals.
• Make a donation. Financial support will help to make this journey a reality.

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AUST | WRITERS | ENDORSING | The Voice as a major reform leading to better outcomes for First Nations Peoples
It’s only fair. Writers for The Voice (WRITERS) accept the generous, modest invitation of First Nations Peoples in the Uluru Statement from the Heart to walk with them towards a better Australia. 

We support their call for recognition via a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament because we believe passionately that this major reform, the product of broad grassroots consultation and supported by the great majority of First Nations Peoples, will lead to better outcomes for First Nations Peoples.

• Testimonials
• Supporting Writers
• Read more

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AUST | GiveOUT | SUPPORTING | Proudly for a First Nations Voice to Parliament
The GiveOUT Team (GiveOUT) supports Australia saying YES in the Referendum for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice
LGBTQIA+ people understand the significance of a public vote about their lives, and the importance of allies in advocating for change. It is time for the LGBTQIA+ community, and the Australian people as a whole, to stand in solidarity with our First Nations communities, including our Brotherboys, Sistergirls and other LGBTQIA+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At GiveOUT, we know that there is no substitute for the wisdom of lived experience when it comes to designing policies and programs.

“As an organisation that exists to address systemic disadvantage, and provide impacted communities the resources they need to drive their own solutions, GiveOUT fully supports this much needed reform to ensure First Nations people are recognised in the constitution and are given a voice on the issues and interventions that impact them.” – Georgia Mathews, Chair of GiveOUT

Polls have demonstrated that over 80% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people support a Voice to Parliament*. We call upon our LGBTQIA+ friends and allies to join this historic movement and vote ‘YES’ in the Referendum. We must take this important step toward a fairer future for this country. 

You can show your support by: 

• Going public with your support of YES to a Voice 
• If you’re an LGBTIQA+ community organisation, adding your organisation’s name to Equality Australia’s statement
• Take action via yes23.com.au 

*Source: https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2023/06/ten-questions-about-the-voice-to-parliament---answered-by-the-ex 

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VIC | ECCV | ADVOCATING | Victorian Multicultural Voices for ‘Yes’ campaign
The Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV) joins forces with Yes23 and the Multicultural Australia for Voice alliance for Victorian Multicultural Voices for ‘Yes’.

Harnessing the power of multicultural communities to raise awareness about why the recognition of our First Nations People in the Constitution is important and how voting ‘Yes’ will achieve that.

Multicultural and multifaith leaders, along with First Nations Elders, attended the launch, with guest speakers Aunty Esme Bamblett, CEO of the Aboriginal Advancement League and a member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Minister for Multicultural Affairs Colin Brooks, and the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams.

Victorian Multicultural Voices for ‘Yes’ will be organising community town hall forums and community workshops in the lead-up to the referendum. These engagements aim to empower and equip multicultural communities with how to have conversations about the referendum and why it matters.

ECCV Members will be hosting their own community forums to inform members of their communities about why voting ‘YES’ matters, including the Islamic Council of Victoria and the Greek Community of Melbourne.

The launch follows the success of a national multicultural town hall forum at Springvale City Hall with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, which was attended by more than 700 people in August 2023.

The ECCV is the peak body for multicultural Victoria, with over 220 organisational members.

• Read full article

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VIC | VWT | ENGAGING | Listen and learn together through kitchen conversations. It’s time to say yes 
Together, Yes is a kitchen conversations movement by Victorian Women’s Trust (VWT) in support of a YES vote in the 2023 referendum on a First Nations Voice to parliament. It’s a powerful way you can participate in the referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice in our constitution.

In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future. – Uluru Statement from the Heart, May 2017

By voting YES in the referendum, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will finally have a say on the policies and laws that affect their communities.

But voting ‘yes’ isn’t enough. We need to unite to ensure it’s a resounding YES from every corner of the country.

Is Together, Yes working with First Nations people?
Yes. The Victorian Women’s Trust (creator of Together, Yes) have been working in partnership with Koorie Women Mean Business for more than 30 years, which has guided much of our work since.

Since October 2022 we have been in close collaboration with indigenous-led campaigners to ensure Together, Yes helps achieve a positive referendum outcome.

Together, Yes uses ‘kitchen table conversations’, a model designed by the Victorian Women’s Trust more than twenty years ago. Tried and tested, it arose from a powerfully simple idea: engaging people in respectful and honest dialogue creates real and lasting change.

This civic engagement model is built on a set of important values. People are encouraged to:

1. Help create a safe place for thinking, talking and taking action
2. Acknowledge the experience and wisdom each person brings to the table
3. Enter discussions in good faith with an open, constructive spirit
4. Engage in respectful discussion, even in the face of dissent
5. Be prepared to listen, gain new insight, and test one’s own opinions

Together, Yes invites people from all walks of life to gather in small group discussions and engage in an honest reckoning of the harm and injustice of our colonial past; Australia’s history of constitutional indifference; and how a Voice to parliament can make a difference.

• Watch video (3 mins)
• Visit website
• Stay in the Loop
• Become a Conversation Host. Bring others with you.

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VIC | VTMH | DEMONSTRATING | Solidarity In Context to the Referendum
At an important moment in history, Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) supports the national vote adding an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice (The Voice) to the Australian Constitution.

VTMH aligns with the principles of unity and understanding promoted by Reconciliation Australia, and we also endorse the stance taken by St Vincent's Health Australia on this matter.

VTMH sees this as a big chance to bring people together and make things better. We know that health and wellness are connected to making things right between different groups of people in Australia. VTMH thinks this vote can make real changes and respect the different viewpoints of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

• Read More

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AUST | GEIFN | HOW | To Accept No: Contest of Binaries | Sunday 15 October 2023
With any adversarial system where only 2 options (aka binary) are offered, part of informed consent is accepting that for every winner there has to be non-winners.
Binaries (this OR that) is Absolutism. It takes time for people to realise that there are no lasting Absolutes.

To explore further, every thing with a beginning has also got within the seeds of its end. As daybreak begins it has ended night. As night begins it ends daylight. But when we understand fully we understand that the sun is always shining, it is just our personal vantage point that moved while individually we might be standing still. The spherical planet we all call home is spinning on its own axis as it revolves around the sun. It is only the side facing the sun that gets the sun at any given time. The half in darkness hasn't lost, it is just waiting again for its time in the sun. So dark does not exist without light.

"To be or not to be – that is the question." – William Shakespeare, English playwright, poet and actor (1564-1616 CE)

And when that gets easy, consider "To be AND not to be – that is the answer."

Accepting No majority means you're ready to continue the national conversation reconciling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' (aka First Nations') existence with Colonialism and those who come after. A No majority result is an acknowledgment that this conversation has now began in earnest. And also being just another day in a functioning civil democracy finding its way, steady as we go, full steam ahead.

When this proposition gets easier to understand, the opportunities for an outcome that benefits everyone becomes self realising. So if not now, then take comfort in the old wise saying "a journey of a 1,000 steps begins with the first but made realisable with the 2nd and subsequent."

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AUST | GEIFN | WHY | To Accept No: Contest of Timing | Monday 16 October 2023
With big gains come the potential for big setbacks, obstacles and arguments. With practice, patience and perseverance, wisdom, compassion and non-selfish generosity always prevails.

"Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier. I will not allow my life's light to be determined by the darkness around me."
Sojourner Truth, American abolitionist and activist for African-American civil rights, women's rights, and alcohol temperance (died 1883 CE)

A No majority doesn't mean "never" it just means "not now". For 235 years there has only been 1 resounding No: Terra nullius (nobody's land). Countering this false fact, has now formally recognised a resounding 40% yes to preexistence, a marked improvement from its 0% starting position. Meaning Australia is now ready to begin a conversation reconciling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' (aka First Nations') existence with Colonialism and those who come after. 

A No majority result is an acknowledgment that this conversation has now began in earnest. While also being just another day in a functioning civil democracy finding its way, steady as we go, full steam ahead.

When this proposition gets easier to understand, the opportunities for an outcome that benefits a greater number until including all becomes self realising. So if not now, then take comfort in the old wise saying "a journey of a 1,000 steps begins with the first but made realisable with the 2nd and subsequent."

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AUST | GEIFN | WHEN | To Accept No: Contest of Terra nullius | Tuesday 17 October 2023 and beyond
Terra nullius is a Latin expression meaning "nobody's land".  It was a principle sometimes used in international law to justify claims that territory may be acquired by a state's occupation of it. Denying the existence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' existence by the British gave the British permission to land, stay and colonise.

Reconciling this falsehood in Australia's birth began 265 years ago and continues in our minds, hearts and actions. As testimony to this, the Australia today was unimaginable to our forebears. If we accept what we do today influences the future, it is also how brighter futures for a greater benefit is made possible – the real work being undertaken in the majority of ordinary days between the extra-ordinary milestones.

"I am my ancestor’s wildest dreams" – Maxine Beneba Clarke, Australian writer of Afro-Caribbean descent (1979- CE)

Accepting No majority means you're ready to continue the national conversation reconciling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders' (aka First Nations') existence with British Colonialism and those who come after. A No majority result is an acknowledgment that this Australian conversation has now began in earnest. Celebrate just another day in a functioning civil democracy finding its way, steady as we go, full steam ahead.

When this proposition gets easier to understand, the opportunities for an outcome that benefits everyone becomes self realising. So if not now, then make comfort by applying the old wise saying "Conquer anger through gentleness, unkindness through kindness, greed through generosity, and falsehood by truth."

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AUST | VTMH | OFFERING | Reflections following the Referendum

Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH) has taken some time following the Voice Referendum to reflect and attempt to find words to express our disappointment regarding this outcome. 
We deeply acknowledge the courage and generosity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and leaders who extended this invitation to the Australian community to walk together in this journey for learning and healing together.

In the weeks since the referendum we have reflected on the impacts that colonisation has had in shaping practices in the mental health sector, including our service, and the continued challenges faced in providing culturally responsive care given the history of these lands.

VTMH deeply admires the strength and resilience of First Nations communities across the country. We commit to rising strong, leaning in, and to finding ways to honour our commitment to learning and healing together.

We encourage teams and individuals in all sectors to continue joining collective efforts to support a more culturally safe and humanistic system and society. 

To learn more about what is happening in Victoria towards truth, treaty and voice, we encourage you to visit the links below: 

• Yoorrook Justice Commission 
• TREATY FOR VICTORIA | First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria

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CoPP | PPCR | STRIVING | Towards Meaningful Reconciliation

Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation (PPCR) is a voluntary, not for profit community group. 
It began in 1997 at a public meeting, at St Kilda Town Hall, convened by Jacki Willox and attended by hundreds of people, including politicians, councillors, indigenous musicians and general public.

Objectives

• To maintain local awareness of the reconciliation agenda, recognising that information, understanding and community discussion are integral to the process.
• promoting an understanding of the history of Aboriginal people, particularly in our local area.

Mungo, our monthly newsletter, continues to be a good news source for events, circulating annually to over 3,500 as well as members of other networks.

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AUST | CHGR | BUILDING | First Nations kids learning and loving to learn. Their families walking beside. Seeing hope for the future

Children's Ground Limited (CHGR) introduces you to our ongoing bold vision for change – a future in which every First Nations child can experience a lifetime of opportunity, entering adulthood strong in their identity and culture, connected to their local and global world, and economically independent.

Children’s Ground vision includes:

• First Nations people across Australia having self-determination and enjoying social, cultural, political and economic justice.
• First Nations' next generation of children knowing and celebrating their culture and identity, having freedom of choice and expression and living with opportunity, peace, harmony and wellbeing.
• Australians recognising our shared history and celebrating First Nations' culture and strength.

• Watch video (4 mins)
• Make a donation

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AUST | YSS | EDUCATING | Aboriginal Pedagogy, Social Justice and Self-Determination

Yarn Strong Sista (YSS) has over 20 years of experience and excellence in Aboriginal pedagogy, social justice and self-determination.

YSS is a National Indigenous Educational Consultancy and Training Provider. Indigenous owned and run specialising in Aboriginal Pedagogy, providing authentic Aboriginal training for early childhood professionals, primary school teachers and corporate teams.

YSS are specialists with offering a range of services including:

• visits to Early Childhood environments to facilitate storytelling and arts workshops with children, 
• hosting Professional Development training for Educators
• facilitating arts experiences and face-painting at festivals and events, and 
• providing First Nations-designed resources and educational tools on our website.

Working beyond Early Years, customising our programs to meet the curriculum needs of Primary and Secondary students, and work in community contexts supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Resources include: Artefacts, Dolls, Children’s Music, Children’s Books, Games, Felt Hand and Finger Puppets, Felt Mats for Storytelling, Puzzles, and Teachers Resource Guides.

Other projects include:

• Foregrounding Anti Bias Perspectives
• Yarn Strong Brutha
• Enterprise for Empowerment.

Providing relevant resources and books that assist parents, teachers and organisations to acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal Ways of Being. All our resources are ethically made and sourced, in collaboration with Indigenous artists and Fair-Trade partners.

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AUST | EVCO | BUILDING | Stronger, more inclusive organisation through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence Training Programs

Be part of the big 10 year goal to inspire 10 million Allies to create a kinder, more inclusive Australia.

Build a stronger, more inclusive organisation through Evolve Communities Pty Ltd (EVCO)'s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence Training Programs.

When it comes to cultural awareness training, there isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution for education, reconciliation and allyship training. 

That’s why Evolve Communities offer different training courses and programs to suit any team’s size or style and let you choose the cultural competency training that is the best fit for your business including:

• 7 Steps Online Course
• Yarning Circle Workshops
• Ally Accreditation

Evolve Communities is a NSW-based Trusted Authority for Australian Indigenous cultural awareness, ally & facilitator training.

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MELB | NGVA | EXHIBITING | Wurrdha Marra – Many Mobs

Welcome to Wurrdha Marra – meaning ‘Many Mobs’ in the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language. 
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia (NGVA) is a home to Australian art, presenting First Nations and non-First Nations art from historical to present day. The name comes from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, supporting the purpose of this space in sharing the work of First Nations artists, from emerging to senior figures, and across time and place. 

For First Nations peoples around the world, art and design are part of a continuum where the past intersects with the present, different materials converge, and diverse perspectives come together. The central role of art in passing down important cultural knowledge is celebrated in this display through the diverse approaches that artists take to maintaining and regenerating customary cultural practices and iconography while also creating new forms of expression.

Wurrdha Marra is a dynamic exhibition space in which familiar works from the NGV’s collection of First Nations Australian art and design are displayed alongside new acquisitions. Presented through a series of changing thematics, the works on display offers a series of visual dialogues as a way to explore how parallel innovations and continuities can continue to inspire new ways of thinking about art.

The works included in this inaugural hang are by emerging artists as well as senior figures across both time and place. Each of these artists has in their own way been at the forefront in creating new forms of expression, and in maintaining and regenerating customary cultural practices and iconography. Great individual artists, working in Aboriginal-owned art centres or independently after studying at art school, continue to shape and transform art in Australia, inspiring many others to follow their example.

• Read More
• Where: NGV Australia (NGVA), The Ian Potter Centre, Fed Square, Melbourne
• Cost: Free entry
• Bookings: no booking required. Now showing 10am–5pm daily

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 7.3  VIC | GOV | UPDATING | Coronavirus Response

Stay up to date on the latest health advice and please consider both the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations if eligible. If you need access to food or financial relief, there is information available for how to get this support.

UPDATING | COVID safe and vaccination information to support CALD people with disability

The COVID safe and vaccination information to support CALD people with disability translated fact sheets are now obsolete and will not be updated or maintained.

The following links are currently being used to promote COVID-19 resources in language (via the translations icon):

• Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) translated information | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

 

Free RATS Now Available to everyone through your local council

The Victorian Government has now made Rapid Antigen tests free and available at more than 200 local council distribution sites such as libraries and council customer service centres. The program is open to all Victorians, with all eligibility requirements removed.

Individuals can collect up to two packets for themselves plus up to two packets for each household member per visit. People with a disability or their carer can collect up to four packets of tests.

• To find out if your local council is participating, check the collection sites in your neighbourhood at coronavirus.vic.gov.au/get-a-covid-19-test
• For simple tips on staying ahead of COVID-19 and staying well this summer, visit: coronavirus.vic.gov.au/health-advice
• Coronavirus in-language information

To learn in other ways about Victoria's responses:

• Call the Victorian Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398. International, interstate and mobile callers can phone (+613) 9096 9000.
• Department of Health's website in English or Other Languages
• What to do if you are a close contact
• Financial support for coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Isolation and quarantine – extra help and support
• Mental health resources 
• Mental health support services
• Information for people with disability - coronavirus (COVID-19) 
• Emergency relief packages 
• COVID business information 
• COVIDSafe religion and ceremony guidance
• Safe accommodation and support for family violence is available. Call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or email safesteps@safesteps.org.au for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• People with a high risk of getting very sick with COVID-19 can get medicine to help them stay well. There are medicines to reduce your chances of getting COVID-19 and treat COVID-19 symptoms if you get infected. Only people most likely to need hospital care can get COVID-19 medicines. This includes people who are aged 70 and over; are aged 50 and over with certain health conditions (or 30 if they're Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander); or have a weakened immune system, disability or are born with heart disease. Learn more

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 7.4  AUST | MULTI | UPDATING | Coronavirus Response

• Coronavirus hotline: If you are concerned, call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 (24 Hours).
• Coronavirus in-language information
• If you are an NDIS participant you can also call the national hotline on 1800 020 080.
• Information and referrals for people with disability and their supporters about Coronavirus: Contact the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 634 787. 
• If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677.
• Interpreting service: If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450.
• Testing locations: Find a testing location near you.
• Call-to-Test-at-Home service, providing in-home coronavirus testing to Victorians who would otherwise be unable to get tested, call the DHHS Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
• Triple Zero: Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

Other Resources

• Australian Government Department of Health – Translated resources into 60 different languages, informing communities about COVID-19 vaccines and availability across Australia.
• Access Easy English – Over 70 resources developed on coronavirus.
• Amaze – step-by-step social scripts outlining the COVID-19 vaccine process to help people with autism.
• Better Health – COVID-19 and flu vaccinations health information available in more than fifteen languages. Learn more
• Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health (CEH) has translated Long COVID fact sheet into nine in-language written resources and five in-language audio recordings. The Long COVID project focuses on priority CALD communities particularly impacted by COVID-19 in 2020. Read the factsheet 
• Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) – Easy English information for people with intellectual disability and videos about COVID-19.
• DHHS – Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services advice and information on coronavirus available in 56 languages
• Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV) – Multicultural COVID-19 Outreach Program
• Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV) – COVID-19 video series Protecting Our Communities
• MyAus Covid-19 app – Multilingual resource application produced by Migration Council Australia (MCA) for Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse communities about COVID - 19, it's impact and available support.
• National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters' Council (NEMBC) – translated audio explainers of COVID-19 and flu vaccinations on SoundCloud. Translated audio available includes Arabic, Cantonese, Dari, Dinka, Hindi, Mandarinand Vietnamese. Listen today
• NWMPHN Maintaining good mental health through the pandemic through in-language videos. Help spread the message of looking after our mental health in Hindi, Cantonese, Mandarin, Dinka and Vietnamese.
• Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) – promoting The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line (OPCSL) within ethno-specific communities.
• SBS – news and information about coronavirus (COVID - 19) available in 63 languages.
• Scope - Key word sign video, posters and easy english resources on communicating COVID-19.
• StarHealth fact sheets on COVID-19 are now available – using only valid information sources for its fact sheets, distilling the key points from only trusted sources. 
• Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) surveyed 1500 Victorians and targeted follow up interviews were used to create the commission’s new research pandemic snapshots – Supporting workers with disability and Juggling parenting, caring and work. Explore the research snapshots, FaceBook

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 8. ACKNOWLEDGING 

1. Acknowledgment to Sources
2. Bye bye to Essentialists
3. Self-Isolators, Non-Essentials And The Homebound

 

 8.1  Acknowledgment to Sources

This is a consolidated account of information current at time of issuance, sourced, collated and provided by Victorian Multicultural Commission, Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria, various Government Authorities, community organisations, public domain and individuals, received with gratitude.

 8.2  Bye bye to Essentialists

Us non-essentialists will endeavour to manage our expection of miracles and do our best to follow rules while staying out of the way. 

Contact your closest friendly non-essentialist if you need anything that can be done remotely. Bye bye to Essentialists for now, please leave to attend to the essential work. That is all from the Caretaker at this time.

 8.3  Self-Isolators, Non-Essentials And The Homebound

Meanwhile, if with a surplus of time, this is offered. Discuss with sincerity. Deny untruth. Dismiss unuseful. Accept useful. Adapt to change. Adopt least effort most benefit. Adept with sharing. Enjoy throughout. As each case may be. Round about. And again. Or not.

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