Recently, VMC and some of its partners enjoyed a special cocktail event at the Immigration Museum. Attendees were treated to some incredible performances channelling a diverse array of dance and music traditions spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and Australia.
Message from the Chairperson
It was great to be able to see so many familiar faces in person again. With the Refugee Awards, the Multicultural Film Festival and the Premier's Gala Dinner still to come this year, we hope to see many more of you soon.
Next Tuesday we will have the third instalment in our Curious Conversations live event series. This time we will host a panel discussion between key figures in Victoria’s justice and corrections system, as we grapple with some big questions around equity, access and representation.
Elsewhere in this week's update, I would like to share several new grants that are open for application. There is funding available for organisations looking to run sporting programs for African and Pasifika young people, the City of Melbourne is offering arts grants, and the Jobs Victoria Fund is receiving submissions for the new wage subsidy initiative.
I also provide some recommendations for events that may interest our communities at Victorian Law Week (which starts next Monday) and share some new opportunities at the Queen Victoria Women's Centre Trust.
I would like to mention that I've joined Twitter. I will be regularly sharing what I'm doing as VMC Chairperson, so if you use Twitter, please feel free to follow me.
Finally, Ramadan is soon coming to a close for the Muslim community. The commissioners and I have attended many memorable Iftars this past month, including the Premier's Iftar Dinner on Monday night. It has been a privilege to break the fast with so many Victorians observing this sacred time of reflection. Eid Mubarak to anyone who is celebrating Eid al-Fitr this Thursday.
Take care and stay safe.
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
VMC's partner and stakeholder cocktail evening thrills
Tuesday 11 May, the VMC held its first in-person networking event for 2021. More than 100 partners, sponsors, guests and staff enjoyed the entertainment on show. There were diverse performances, with Nepalese and Latin American dancers, music acts featuring a kora, concert harp, guitar and trumpet, as well as an electrifying drum-off between Indian, Senegalese and Aboriginal musicians. The night was just one event in an exciting series being rolled out by the VMC in 2021 to promote diversity and celebrate multiculturalism in Victoria.
Curious Conversations: Justice | Tuesday 18 May 2021 | 6-7.05pm
We continue our Curious Conversations series of public lectures to explore the Cultural Diversity Week theme, 'What does multicultural Victoria look like in 2030?'
The series covers topics ranging from the benefits and opportunities that our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity provides to issues identified by communities, such as employment, racism, mental health and family violence.
Next conversation, panellists will be discussing the future of the justice system in Victoria.
Helping India from Australia
The Multifaith Advisory Group met on 3 May 2021 and we would like to send a message to the people of India and the Indian diaspora community.
The wonderful Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore writes from his heart about our common humanity: ”I shall ever seek my compatriots all over the world.”
In this time of pandemic crisis, we are drawn to be compatriots of folk in India. The links between India and Australia run deep and are getting deeper.
Our Indian Australian sisters and brothers are a major community in our successful multicultural Australia. We feel with them, and for them, as their relatives and the Indian population face the current COVID crisis. Bonded as we are so deeply, we compatriots offer our prayers and meditations from our unifying ethic of compassion.
With links of friendship, we also are offering what practical support we can through trusted and faith-based Indian NGOs, complementing the aid already being offered by our State and Federal Governments. The needs are huge, as the media reports convey. Our friends in India write asking for our prayers as they succumb to the virus and as they hear of more friends dying.
From our diverse traditions, we offer what we can together. Please make a donation to your preferred charity or consider the organisations below, which are raising funds for India right now.
Sincerely,
Multifaith Advisory Group
Multifaith Advisory Council signatories• The Multifaith Advisory Group• All Nations Presbyterian Church of Australia Mulgrave• AMAFHH Federation - Shi'a Organisation• Australian Intercultural Society• Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights• Anglican Diocese of Melbourne• Baha’i Community of Victoria• Benevolence Australia• Board of Imams Victoria• Rabbinical Council of Victoria• Buddhist Council of Victoria• Catholic Social Services Victoria• Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne• Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria• Faith Communities Council of Victoria• Hindu Society of Victoria• Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Hindu Council of Australia (Vic)• Islamic Council of Victoria• Jewish Community Council of Victoria• Lutheran Church of Australia• National Council of Churches in Australia• Presbyterian Church of Victoria• Rabbinical Council of Victoria• Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne• Russian Orthodox Church• Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria• The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne• UNESCO• Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Vic/Tas• Victorian Council of Churches• Victorian Multicultural Commission
Important notice regarding Eid and NAPLAN
The Victorian Multicultural Commission is aware that the upcoming NAPLAN dates coincide with Eid al-Fitr.
While it is important to note that decisions relating to NAPLAN are made at a national level, advice from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (which administers NAPLAN within Victoria) is that the NAPLAN protocols (for both paper and online tests) state that schools can change a test date for reasons outside their control. This includes religious holidays and observations.
Impacted schools should lodge change of date requests through the NAPLAN Help Desk on vcaa.naplan.help@education.vic.gov.au or 1800 648 637.
Individual families can also speak to their child's school to reschedule their assessment.
If schools wish to discuss the timing of Eid and NAPLAN, they are best to call the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) helpdesk. Details are below.
- General enquiries: info@acara.edu.au
- Tel: 1300 895 563 or +61 2 8098 3100
- Information is also published on the ACARA website.
African and Pasifika Youth Sports Program grants | applications closing 11.59pm Wednesday 19 May 2021
The Victorian Government’s African and Pasifika Youth Sports Program supports informal sports teams to participate in competitions and events in partnership with local councils and community organisations.
$300,000 is available to support African and Pasifika young people to participate in sports competitions and events to foster a sense of belonging and create pathways to mentoring, training and employment opportunities.
- Up to $2,000 for uniforms and equipment
- Up to $30,000 to support participation in sports games, competitions and events
- Available to African and Pasifika sports teams supported through local government and community organisations.
Victorian Law Week | Monday 17-Saturday 23 May 2021
Victorian Law Week commences next Monday, and there are so many intriguing events worth your time. Here are just some of them:
- Learn about the Koori Court and Umalek Balit | Thursday 20 May 2021 | 7-8pm
Shepparton Magistrates’ Court offers a unique service for the local region. In this presentation you will learn about the Koori Court process, why it was introduced and what it hopes to achieve for clients and the community.
- Scam awareness for international students | Friday 21 May 2021 | 11am-12pm
Join Study Melbourne and experts from Victoria Police and WestJustice to learn about the warning signs and tricks scammers use. You will find out about the most common scams for international students and where to seek help if you fall victim to one.
- COVID and migrant visas update | Friday 21 May 2021 | 11.30am-12pm
This session will provide an update on some of the changes to migration, migrant visas and travel restrictions, as well as an overview of the recent challenges faced by temporary Australian visa holders during COVID.
- Discrimination in the workplace for CALD youths | Wednesday 19 May 2021 | 3-4pm
This session will help young people from CALD backgrounds better understand their rights in the workplace.
Employers can now apply for the wage subsidy program
The Jobs Victoria Fund is providing $250 million in wage subsidies to assist Victorian businesses to employ at least 10,000 people who are looking for work.
The Fund will support employers to grow and recover while helping Victorians looking for full-time work.
If you are a Victorian employer ready to take on new staff, the Jobs Victoria Fund can financially support you to employ people who have been most affected by the economic impacts of the pandemic.
You can read in-language information about the wage subsidy below:
City of Melbourne annual arts grants open
Applications are now open for annual art projects occurring in 2022, with grants of up to $20,000 available.
City of Melbourne are seeking applications from artists of all disciplines and from all backgrounds and abilities. This includes but is not limited to musicians, singer songwriters, bands, composers and sound artists of all kinds.
Support will be considered for one-off projects, a specific component of an annual program or a creative development, resulting in a public outcome within the City of Melbourne boundaries. Projects presented online and creative developments without a public outcome will also be eligible if they can demonstrate a connection to the City of Melbourne.
Queen Victoria Women's Centre Trust seeking member positions and chair
Victoria's Minister for Women, Gabrielle Williams MP, is pleased to invite applications for three members and the chair of the Queen Victoria Women's Centre Trust (the Trust).
The Trust was established under the Queen Victoria Women's Centre Trust Act 1994 to govern the Queen Victoria Women's Centre. Located at 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, the Queen Victoria Women's Centre is an iconic Melbourne landmark that supports women (cis, trans and non-binary inclusive) through creative experiences, community resources and the power of connection.
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
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Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Address: Level 3, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9651 5901
Email: contact@vmc.vic.gov.au
Website: multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au