Commemorating Refugee Week (14-20 June) the Victorian Multicultural Commission is proud to be celebrating the diversity and contribution of so many who have made Victoria their home.
Message from the Chairperson
We invite you to join us for our online forum next week, where we'll discuss the theme of Refugee reflections: Building resilience and belonging with an inspiring panel of refugee and human rights advocates.
As we move towards more easing of restrictions, the Chief Health Officer has reconfirmed the need to continue testing to reduce the risk of community transmission. DHHS has sought the assistance of the Commission to undertake roundtable discussions with community groups, to ensure as a community we continue to remain vigilant in looking after ourselves, our families and each other.
This week, I'm pleased to share our submission to the inquiry into the Australian Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you to all who generously provided feedback and insights from your communities to inform our recommendations.
We've also share a link to the wonderful ECCV campaign video, released for Refugee Week, more information on the recently announced Victorian Government Community Safety Infrastructure Grants, the Multicultural Media Grants and the stakeholder pack for the Staying Safe Keeps us Together campaign.
Stay safe and look out for each other,
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
Submission on COVID-19 response
The Commission welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Senate’s Select Committee on COVID-19 inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the pandemic. Drawing from feedback shared in our extensive consultations, we put forward a number of recommendations to appropriately safeguard and address the needs of multicultural and faith communities.
Join our Refugee Week online forum
Refugees and asylum seekers are among our newest community members, but what makes them feel they belong? What can learn from refugees and their experience through crises to build resilience in our community and inform our recovery from COVID-19. Our diverse panel of former refugees and human rights advocates will share their personal stories, experiences and perspectives to inform this discussion.
ECCV: All One Together campaign video
The ECCV has marked Refugee Week 2020 with the release of a special campaign video featuring high-profile Australians from refugee and migrant backgrounds sharing their stories and talking about the impacts of racism and discrimination.
Community Safety Infrastructure Grants
Applications are now open for the Victorian Government’s Community Safety Infrastructure Grants. Community organisations and local councils can apply for grants of up to $500,000 to improve public safety and security infrastructure.
Applications close 4.00pm on Friday 17 July 2020.
Translated resources — Return to Kindergarten
The Department of Education and Training Victoria's Early Learning Division have translated key messages regarding returning to kindergarten and play-based learning into 12 community languages. The translated messages are available as Word documents so that the content can be easily sent via text messages and shared in social media groups.
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.
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.
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.
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Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Address: Level 3, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9651 5901
Email: contact@vmc.vic.gov.au