VMC | UPDATING | Community on easing of restrictions and Multicultural Media Grants Program | Thursday 4 June 2020

[Edited extract from public address]

Further easing of restrictions came into force this week and this means increased freedom.

Message from the Chairperson

With many limitations still in place, these changes can be complicated — so to help clarify what they mean for specific activities and circumstances, I encourage you to reference the Department of Health and Human Services frequently asked questions page.

The latest translated materials from the Victorian Government campaign 'Staying Safe Keeps Us Together' are now available for you to share within your networks.

This week, I’d like to acknowledge the success of two recent Commission events – our Reconciliation Week Forum and Women’s Virtual Iftar – and thank everyone who participated. I am pleased to let you know we are planning similar online events for the future.

The first will be an online community conversation with Muslim women on Wednesday 10 June. Please join us to discuss current issues facing Muslim women in Victoria.

I would also like to encourage community organisations to make a submission to the inquiry into issues facing diaspora communities in Australia. We will be arranging some discussion groups in the next few weeks, so please contact the team if you'd like to be involved.

Today, we're also sharing information about the Multicultural Media Grants Program, which is now open for applications and the Migration Council of Australia's MyAusCovid-19 app, available in 25 languages.

Stay safe and look out for each other,

Viv Nguyen, Chairperson

Multilingual campaign materials

Restrictions have been eased, but limiting our movement everyday means we slow the spread of the virus. A range of translated materials are available promoting this message, including posters, social media content and audio recordings to help you share this campaign with your networks.
Download the stakeholder pack

Community Conversation: online

The Victorian Multicultural Commission will host an open conversation with a panel of inspiring Muslim women to identify and explore current issues. Speakers and panel members include: Hana Assafiri AO, Eugenia Flynn, Samah Sabawi and Diana Sayed.
Register online

Multicultural Media Grants Program

The 2020 Multicultural Media Grants Program provides $500,000 through grants to enable multicultural and multilingual media outlets operating in Victoria to purchase or upgrade their equipment. Applications are open now and close 5 July 2020.
Find out more and apply

Call for Submissions: Diaspora Communities

The Senate Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade are currently calling for submissions on issues facing diaspora communities in Australia, with particular reference to support offered to diaspora community associations, government grants, safety concerns among diaspora communities, barriers to full participation and opportunities to strengthen communication between government and communities. Submissions close 31 July 2020.
Find out more and submit

Migration Council Australia app

Migration Council Australia (MCA) has developed a multilingual resource for Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities about COVID-19,
its impact and available support. MyAusCovid-19 app is available in 25 languages and can be downloaded from the Apple app store or Google Play.
Find out more

Coronavirus hotline

• Coronavirus hotline: If you are concerned, call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 (24 Hours).
• Interpreting service: If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450.
• Triple Zero: Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

MORE:
Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Address: Level 3, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9651 5901
Email: contact@vmc.vic.gov.au
Website: www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au