Last weekend was jam-packed, with some fantastic cultural events on.
Message from the Chairperson
Hello all, it's good to be back. Thank you so much to the Deputy Chair, Bwe Thay, for doing such a fantastic job in my place over the last fortnight.I went from the Karenni New Year in Geelong to the Sikh Volunteers Australia event in Narre Warren, where we paid tribute to the volunteers who have given so much of their time and energy through the bushfires and pandemic. Then it was off to the Vaisakhi New Year in Melton, then back across the city to Keysborough for the South Sudanese Chollo Community's annual festival. It was great to have Bwe join me for some of these events and to see so many friendly faces in person again.
I found myself learning new things at every event, hearing inspiring stories and enjoying delicious food. The weekend was a perfect reminder that diversity is something to celebrate, and that we must all fight and set targets for greater inclusion and equity in our society.
In this week's update, we're asking for you to shine a light on individuals who are doing incredible work promoting multiculturalism. People who organise events like those I recently attended, people who work tirelessly not just for their own community, but across other communities as well. With your help, we would love to interview them and perhaps help raise their profile.
We want to make sure everyone is aware of the new rules around QR codes. This is important for anyone who is involved in organising events, religious gatherings and just about anything that takes place in a public venue or facility. QR codes that integrate with the Department of Health's contact tracing will be mandatory from 23 April for all community events and gatherings.
In addition, we share a message from Bwe reminding us that nominations for the 2021 Victorian Refugee Awards are closing soon; provide more information on leadership programs for young people from a CALD background; spread some vital in-language messages around water safety, and give details on a corporate bi-cultural training course that cohealth is running.
Thank you all for reading, take care and stay safe.
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
New laws: Get all the details on the Victorian Government QR Code Service
QR code systems now have to comply with new rules that better secure the privacy of data and integrate with the Department of Health's contact tracing system.If you are responsible for any venue or facility required to use check-ins, then there may be some changes you need to make.
If you are already using the free Victorian Government QR Code Service for your record-keeping, you don't need to do anything. This QR code system already integrates with the Department of Health's contact tracing system
If you are not using the Victorian Government QR Code Service, find out if the QR code app you are using is connected to the Victorian Government Visitation API here. If it is, you don’t need to do anything – just keep using the app as normal
If you need to change providers because your current provider is not connected, the Victorian Government QR Code Service is easy to use and is free for all Victorian businesses and organisations.
VMC Profiles: We want to share the great things you have been doing
We've been looking at how we can further support the brilliant work our community does in promoting multiculturalism. We want to share the good news stories and recognise the people who are making them happen.If you would like to be profiled for the work you're doing, or if you have an initiative that promotes social cohesion, please let us know.
Deputy Chair Bwe Thay calls for Refugee Award nominations ahead of the 24 April deadline
As part of Refugee Week celebrations this year, the VMC will be hosting the Victorian Refugee Awards. The annual awards recognise and promote the achievements of refugees in Victoria. They will honour people who have excelled through study, work, entrepreneurial or leadership efforts.Our Deputy Chair Bwe Thay, himself a former refugee, made a call out for nominations.
Do you know a young CALD person looking for leadership opportunities? Applications close Monday 19 April 2021
The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria is currently recruiting young leaders (21-30 years old) for the Intercultural Young Advocacy Leadership (IYAL) Group.The IYAL program aims to ensure young advocates have a platform for being heard and encourages participation in the improvement of public policy for future generations of culturally diverse community groups.
Play it safe by the water! Swim safety messages in six languages
Australian oceans and waterways can throw up unpredictable conditions, so you've got to know how to enjoy swimming in the safest way possible. There are now translations available of water safety messages from the Victorian Government in:EthnoLink to host multicultural youth webinar
Young multicultural Australians have felt the full force of the pandemic and face many barriers to prosperity and inclusion. But how can we go about addressing these systemic issues and engaging with Australia’s future leaders?In this free webinar, EthnoLink CEO and founder, Costa Vasili will be joined by Jahin Tanvir, a policy advisor and youth advocate, to explore the challenges faced by multicultural young people in Australia.
Sign up to the webinar
cohealth to run bi-cultural work training sessions
cohealth has introduced new training to share their professional standards for bi-cultural work, and to provide strategies for how people and business can apply them to their own work.The training is targeted at people working on projects that could benefit from the inclusion of bi-cultural workers; for those already engaged with bi-cultural workers; and for bi-cultural workers themselves.
The training is delivered across two workshops – participants must attend both workshops to complete the training.
- 26 April 9:30am - 12:30pm
- 27 April 9:30am - 12:30pm
Queen Victoria Women's Centre upcoming events
The Queen Victoria Women's Centre has several exciting upcoming events, including an Iftar dinner and several celebrations as part of the YIRRAMBOI Festival.Learn more
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 CommissionAddress: Level 3, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9651 5901
Email: contact@vmc.vic.gov.au
Website: www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au