Wishes of a new year filled with peace, happiness and joy to all Muslim brothers and sisters for Islamic New Year or Al Hijra. This week also marks the beginning of Ganesh Chaturthi, the 10-day Hindu festival of the birth of Lord Ganesha. Best wishes to all celebrating.
Message from the Chairperson
News on the coronavirus front is very positive, with only 179 new cases overnight. Victorians are doing the right thing and following the restrictions. Thanks to everyone providing emergency relief and other types of help, so that people can stay home and keep everyone safe. Still, 9 more Victorians have lost their lives and I send my sincere condolences to their families and friends.The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities Taskforce is now a week in operation. The Taskforce has already done a massive amount of work to get more emergency relief and other supports to those communities hit hardest by the pandemic. As a Taskforce member I am working hard to make sure that community voice is represented and that responses are community led and culturally appropriate.
I continue to co-chair the working groups driving the coronavirus (COVID-19) responses in the public housing high-rises. Cases are dropping there too. More and more residents are joining these meetings, as well as residents’ forums, and having direct input into decision-making.
I have an important message for you from the Premier urging regional Victorians to get tested. Please help me to spread the word and – if you live in regional Victoria – if you feel unwell get tested!
More and better support for family violence is more important than ever. The Victorian Government is consulting on their Family Violence Reform Rolling Action Plan 2020 – 2023. The VMC is preparing its submission to this plan. You can provide your feedback on the RAP2 consultation page of the Engage Victoria website.
This week we are promoting our upcoming racism information sessions, in conjunction with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, a grant for a new statewide multicultural gamblers help service, and employment opportunities with the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria.
We are sharing stories from nurses at the front line of the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19). We are linking you to Victoria Together online platform, which provides entertainment and connection for people staying at home.
And we congratulate the members of Youth Congress 2020 – a group of passionate and diverse young people giving young Victorians a greater voice.
Stay well.
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
Racism information sessions
To educate and empower multicultural and multifaith communities in Victoria, the Victorian Multicultural Commission and Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission are coming together to run a series of information sessions. Participants will learn how to recognise racism, how to report it and where to seek advice and support.Find out more and register
Frontline stories — Victorian nurses
Victoria’s nurses are at the frontline of our defence against coronavirus (COVID-19). But they can’t do it without our help. The videos in this pack feature nurses working directly with COVID-19 patients, who share what they’ve seen on the ward, and urge the people in the community to make sure they are following all the restrictions in place. There are five in-language videos available, with nurses speaking Oromo, Korean, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Turkish. Please share widely through your networks.Gamblers Help Grant — Apply now
Grant applications are now open for a multicultural organisation to deliver a new Statewide Multicultural Service. This will deliver gambling harm prevention and treatment support to migrant and refugee communities in Victoria, including culturally appropriate information, counselling, community education and engagement opportunities. Applications close 4 September 2020.Find out more and apply
Victoria Together — stay entertained at home
As we all stay home to keep each other safe, the Victorian Government has announced a number of programs and projects to keep Victoria connected. This includes rebooting the popular Victoria Together online platform, providing entertainment and connection for Victorians as we stay home and stay safe. The hub showcases the best of our state's online experiences, including health and fitness programs, music, comedy, kids’ activities and an array of other offerings.Find out what's on
ECCV — employment opportunities
ECCV has been contracted to deliver the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) component of the National Community Connector Program (NCCP) across the local government areas of Brimbank, Hume, Moreland, Darebin, Whittlesea and Greater Shepparton and is recruiting several roles to commence as soon as possible. People with lived experience of disability who are bilingual in priority community languages are strongly encouraged to apply.Find out more and apply
Youth Congress 2020
Congratulations to the new members of the Victorian Youth Congress. This group of 21 passionate and diverse young people seek to give a greater voice to young people across Victoria and will identify issues and develop solutions to issues of importance to young Victorians.Watch the video
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.
- Testing locations: Find a testing location near you.
- 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