While it has been a truly challenging year for everyone, we have seen many inspiring acts of selflessness, generosity and community spirit.
Message from the Chairperson
Here at the VMC we are excited to share that next week we will be announcing the recipients of the 2020 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence in a wonderful online celebration, to reflect on the year and acknowledge the incredible work of outstanding Victorians.
This should be recognised and celebrated. So join me and the Commission on 16 December for this special event - details below.
We have come such a long way since August. I am so pleased to see Victoria record zero coronavirus (COVID-19) cases for more than a month now. I thank each and every member of our community for your contribution to this milestone - staying safe and getting tested so that we can enjoy a COVID-Safe festive season with our families and loved ones.
I wish you all a happy and peaceful Hanukkah which begins this Thursday 10 December.
This week we also share the current guidelines for COVID-Safe Summer for workplaces, and for all Victorians, including relaxed requirements around when you need to wear a mask.
We are also sharing two important opportunities for community organisations and individuals to contribute your expertise and insights - to improvements in communicating during emergencies, and reducing transport emissions.
Stay well and look out for each other,
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
2020 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence - ceremony broadcast
The Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence honour extraordinary Victorians who are dedicated to creating a society where everyone can participate and belong.
Proudly coordinated by the Victorian Multicultural Commission on behalf of the Victorian Government, the annual awards acknowledge the outstanding achievements of people and organisations who foster cross-cultural understanding and support migrants and refugees to fully participate in all aspects of Victorian life.
The 2020 award recipients will be announced in an online ceremony broadcast via Channel 31 and on the Victorian Multicultural Awards Facebook page from 6pm on Wednesday 16 December.
COVID-Safe Summer for all Victorians
The Victorian Government has announced that Victoria will move to new COVID-Safe Summer restrictions from 11.59pm on Sunday 6 December. These new restrictions will be in place until at least the end of January.
Some of the important changes for all Victorians include:
- Household visits: you may have up to 30 people visit your home per day.
- Outdoor gatherings: Up to 100 people can meet in a public outdoor place.
- Religious gatherings and ceremonies: allowed both indoors and outdoors with a maximum density of 1 person per 2 square metres. No patron limit.
- Weddings and funerals: allowed both indoors and outdoors with a maximum density of 1 person per 2 square metres. No patron limit.
- Community facilities: libraries, toy libraries and community venues are open with a maximum density of 1 person per 2 square metres. No patron limit.
Please ensure you read the full guidelines below to understand what is permitted.
Face masks
The Victorian Government has eased restrictions on the use of fitted face masks, as of 11.59pm on Sunday 6 December. These changes mean that you are only required to wear a fitted face mask when you are in indoor places such as:
- on public transport
- in a commercial passenger vehicle (taxis or rideshares)
- inside an indoor shopping centre
- inside a supermarket
- inside a department store
- at an indoor market
- inside a furniture, hardware, or electronic store
You are still required to carry a face mask at all times when you leave the house. Wearing a face mask or face covering is strongly recommended when you leave your home and cannot keep 1.5 metres physical distance from others.
COVID-Safe Summer for workplaces
The Victorian Government has announced that businesses that work in an office setting, can have up to 25 per cent of workers return to the workplace at a time, from 11.59pm on Sunday 6 December.
Additionally, workers in an office setting will no longer need to wear a face mask in shared office spaces.
More information about future changes for office workers will be formally announced in the coming weeks.
For all other businesses, the general COVID-Safe guidelines include:
- ensure physical distancing (1.5 metres)
- wear a face mask
- practise good hygiene
- keep good records and act quickly if staff become unwell
- avoid interactions in close spaces
- create workforce bubbles
All businesses must have a COVIDSafe plan for onsite operations.
SURVEYING | Community emergency response volunteers | closing 10 December 2020
Your assistance is sought with an important collaborative research project led by the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Safer Together, and Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES). This research will help understand how communities want and need to be engaged in the post-COVID world.
These agencies play a significant role in helping Victorian communities to prepare for fires, flood and storm. This includes raising awareness, reaching out to diverse communities and empowering Victorians to prepare their properties and develop appropriate plans and strategies to ensure survival.
CFA, DELWP, Safer Together and VICSES have developed an online survey targeted at agencies who have a role in communicating and engaging with their communities – not just from the emergency services sector. Through this survey, they are looking to understand how agencies have pivoted their practice during the pandemic to maintain effective communication and engagement channels.
The survey takes approximately 10 minutes.
TACKLING | Transport emissions: community panel | Expressions of interest close 11 December 2020
Infrastructure Victoria invites members of all communities to share their diverse perspectives. They want to hear from people of different ages, genders, jobs, accessibility needs, cultural backgrounds and postcodes to ensure the panel participants and solutions are broadly representative of the Victorian population.
Infrastructure Victoria is seeking 450 Victorians to be involved in a series of online activities, between 25 January and 19 February 2021, to explore how we how we can be supported to transition away from petrol- and diesel-powered cars.
Participants will take part in online activities where they can ask questions, discuss key themes, share their views and ultimately provide advice and feedback to Infrastructure Victoria.
No subject knowledge is required to participate, Infrastructure Victoria is keen to hear from people with a diverse range of perspectives and experiences.
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.
MORE:
Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Address: Level 3, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9651 5901
Email: contact@vmc.vic.gov.au