The Victorian Multicultural Commission would like to offer sincere condolences to our Indonesian community. As the impacts of Friday 15 January's earthquake on Sulawesi island unfold, our thoughts are with you at this devastating time.
Message from the Chairperson
Here in Victoria, we once again see a running streak of days with no new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, and we can be proud of our contribution towards a world-leading level of testing. But we must remain vigilant and continue to get tested, maintaining Victoria's COVIDSafe summer restrictions.While we are enjoying a safer summer, we can also start to look towards more lasting community recovery, and I am pleased to share details of two grant programs that provide Victorian communities with support to preserve and share our many cultures - the Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund and the Local History Grants Program.
This week we also share information on how to participate in shaping Victoria's first ever whole of government LGBTIQ+ Strategy, as well as an opportunity for young people to contribute their views to the Commission for Children and Young People on how the pandemic is continuing to impact them.
And finally, but very importantly, we provide translated material from Partners in Wellbeing for their free well-being coaching, and from the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria to assist people experiencing family violence.
Stay well and look out for each other,
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund | applications close 3pm, 15 February 2021
The 2020-21 Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund (MCIF) offers grants to Victoria’s culturally diverse communities to help them maintain, upgrade and renovate community infrastructure - ensuring that multicultural communities can celebrate, preserve and share their traditions and promote social cohesion in our state.The Fund is available for eligible infrastructure projects that are ready to proceed and can be completed by 31 December 2021.
Grants are available in two streams:
- Small: Grants up to $100,000 for upgrades and renovations.
- Large: Grants between $100,001 - $500,000 for larger projects, extensions and new builds.
Local History Grants Program | applications close 9 March 2021
Local and community history is an important part of Victoria’s memory. The Local History Grants Program encourages and fosters community activities that preserve, record and share the local, social and community history of Victoria and Victorians.2019-20 recipients included the Chinese Australian Family Historians of Victoria, North Cyprus Community of Victoria, Pammessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas, and The Albanian Australian Islamic Society - each awarded between $2,000-$11,000 to preserve and share our multicultural history.
A free information session for communities will be held online at 6pm, 21 January, registration is required.
Help shape Victoria's LGBTIQ+ Strategy | submissions close 17 February 2021
Victorians are being encouraged to have their say on the proposed foundations of the state’s first ever whole of government LGBTIQ+ Strategy.The LGBTIQ+ Strategy will drive the Victorian Government’s continued efforts to achieve equality for LGBTIQ+ communities for years to come.
Based on consultations with more than 800 people and organisations, the Government has proposed a vision for equality and key areas for potential change in systems, services and policies which can help fulfill it.
Now, the Government is seeking further feedback to ensure these reflect your own visions and ideas for the final LGBTIQ+ Strategy, which is set for release in mid to late 2021.
Understanding young people's experience of the pandemic
In September 2020 the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) shared what they had heard during consultations with Victorian children and young people, and those that support them on the impact of COVID-19. The insights gathered have informed the CCYP's work during the pandemic.The CCYP have now released a new survey for children and young people that will be open throughout the pandemic to help the Commission stay directly informed about children and young people's experiences of COVID-19, to help understand the ongoing impact and continue to advocate for them.
We encourage you to share this survey with children and young people in your networks. Even if they have filled out a CCYP survey previously, they are welcome to fill it out again. Children and young people’s situations can change, and it is important to keep listening to their views.
Free health and well-being support
Partners in Wellbeing is funded by the Victorian Government and is being delivered by EACH, Neami National and the Australian Community Services Organisation (ACSO) across Victoria.Free coaching is available to improve well-being, develop strategies to cope and provide emotional support when and as you need it - for individuals and for businesses.
The Partners in Wellbeing website is available in 6 languages, with promotional posters available in 15 languages available to download from the link below.
Translated resources from Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria
To assist people experiencing family violence, and professionals providing support to migrant and refugee communities this summer and the holiday season, Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV) has translated its #AreYouSafeAtHome resources into Vietnamese, Arabic, Simplified Chinese and Hindi.Translated flyers are available on the DVRCV website as well as translated images for sharing on social media.
If you are a service provider working with clients who have identified experiences of family violence, being linked in to your local Family Violence Regional Integration Committee can assist you with connections and referrals to specialist family violence and other key support services in your area.
AO Celebrates Australia Day
You are invited to an exclusive AO Australia Day event as we reflect on our history, respect our diverse cultures and celebrate our nation’s place in the world.Held at the Birrarung Marr Hilltop, up to 600 people from diverse communities and front line workers from across Melbourne can sit back, relax and enjoy the best of what Melbourne has to offer - with a diverse offering of delicious food, great Victorian wine and beer and fabulous live stage entertainment.
Australian tennis legends and international tennis stars will deliver valuable messages of resilience and respect while joining us virtually to give thanks to our frontline workers for all they have done with keeping Victorians and Australians Safe.
Every ticket includes a meal voucher, coffee voucher and ice-cream voucher and can be purchased using the exclusive link below.
- Places are strictly limited.
- Adults - $10
- Children under 18 - Free
- Gates open at 1pm, 26 January 2021.
This is a COVID safe event presented in partnership with the National Australia Day Council, fully endorsed by the Victorian Government.
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.
- Coronavirus in-language information
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