GEIFN: VMC | UPDATING | Community on food relief funding, a new youth strategy for Victoria, final week for award nominations, community roundtables

[Edited extract from public address]

Friday 16 October is World Food Day, with the theme Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together. Food is a core expression and foundation of our cultures and communities and during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis many of us have renewed appreciation for celebrating the small pleasures of life through food.

Message from the Chairperson

However, more Victorians than ever sought access to food relief last year, and this has been further exacerbated by the impacts of the pandemic.

I take this opportunity to recognise the community organisations, businesses, workers and volunteers who are ensuring that food makes its way to those in need. I encourage you to consider applying for the recently opened Community Food Relief Fund, more information is shared below.

National Mental Health Month continues throughout October. We have provided links to translated materials about mental health supports from the Australian Government Department of Health, as well as a list of resources on our website.

Also continuing throughout October is the 2020 Victorian Seniors Festival - reimagined, with free online activities including a radio program.

The Victorian Government recently called out for contributions to a new youth strategy for Victoria, and I strongly encourage you to consider making a submission.

The Centre for Multicultural Youth has some job opportunities on offer as part of the Working for Victoria initiative.

Nominations for this year’s Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence have been extended and will close on Sunday 18 October 2020. Please take the time in the next few days to nominate a diversity hero in your community.

Finally, a reminder that our online coronavirus (COVID-19) community roundtables continue over the next few weeks. See the list of remaining sessions and registration information below.

Stay well and look out for each other,
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson

Community Food Relief Fund

Applications for the Victorian Government Community Food Relief Fund are now open. Grants of up to $75,000 are available to support local community organisations supplying food to Victorians in need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Applications are now open and will close at 2.00pm on Monday 26 October 2020.
Find out more and apply

Victorian Youth Strategy

The Victorian Government is developing a new state-wide youth strategy. Engagement with young people and communities right across Victoria is being undertaken to build a strategy that will create real, meaningful change.

The Victorian Multicultural Commission is working closely with the strategy development team to make sure that multicultural youth voices are included. Whether you are a young person or someone interested in issues affecting young people, you are invited to have your say.

Please share the link below with your networks, and explore the interactive consultation process to make your contribution.
Find out more and have your say

Victorian Seniors Festival reimagined

Victoria’s one million people aged 60 years and older are celebrated in the 38th Victorian Seniors Festival.

A festival for and involving seniors, it provides plenty of opportunities to engage in activities to keep healthy and well. This year’s theme is In the groove!

The 2020 Festival is an entirely online event - the Victorian Seniors Festival reimagined - and features a radio program which is accessible anytime, and weekly performances which are available to watch on demand.

The festival wraps up at the end of October.
Explore the festival program

Regional Roundtables COVID-19

The Victorian Multicultural Commission continues to host online community roundtables with representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services throughout October. These meetings are an opportunity to discuss the challenges of responding to coronavirus (COVID-19), the importance of testing and the recently announced road map to reopening.
Sessions will be held after the Victorian Multicultural Commission Regional Advisory Council meetings. The remaining sessions are below, registration is essential.

Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence | Nominations close 18 October 2020

Nominations have been extended to Sunday 18 October 2020. We’re giving you a little more time to tell us about the extraordinary contributions of Victorians who have championed diversity. Nominations for the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence are open to individuals and organisations across 15 categories including youth leadership, justice, health, arts, emergency services and local government. Nominate a #DiversityHero today.
Find out more and nominate

Mental health support during COVID-19

The Australian Government Department of Health has published a list of digital and telephone supports for mental health during COVID-19.

Download the English version below. Translations are available online.

Find a further list of resources including in-language support, on VMC website.
Download the English version

Job opportunities: Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY)

As part of the Working for Victoria initiative, a coalition of eight youth-focused organisations, led by the Youth Affairs Council Victoria, is strengthening youth outreach and the youth sector in Victoria in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

CMY is recruiting for a range of roles open to multicultural young people, including internships, youth workers and business services staff.

CMY has published a guide on how to register for the Working for Victoria initiative on the Sidekicker platform, which can be accessed here.

The 6 step guide to applying for work is available in the following languages: Arabic, Assyrian, Cantonese, Chinese – simplified, Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Hazaragi, Hindi, Nuer, Pashto, Punjabi, Spanish, Sudanese Arabic, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Find out more and apply

Coronavirus hotline

Coronavirus hotline: 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.

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

NAVIGATION