Since Victorians cautiously emerged from our recent circuit breaker lockdown, half of the country has had to go into lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Message from the Chairperson
Our current circumstances highlight the urgent need for a clear and coordinated national strategy to reach everyone in the community with consistent public health messaging that builds confidence in the vaccine program. This is the only way to protect our community.
ECCV welcomes back Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews at this important time, after a long and difficult recovery and thanks the Acting Premier, James Merlino, for his leadership over the past months under challenging circumstances.
We are pleased to announce that Steve Dimopoulos, Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health, will be the keynote speaker at a special ECCV Multicultural Sector Forum on Victoria's Mental Health Reforms at 10.30am on Tuesday 27 July. It follows the release of ECCV’s paper, Recommendations for a Culturally Responsive Mental Health System, produced in partnership with Victorian Transcultural Mental Health.
The online forum will provide an opportunity to discuss the current review of the Mental Health Act, the development of a Diversity Framework and how we can ensure the multicultural sector is included in planning for the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
ECCV’s growth continues, with several new projects beginning in July, new partnerships and our expertise and representation being sought for a range of key committees.
We welcome the appointment of our Executive Officer, Chris Christoforou to the State Government’s Anti-Racism Taskforce, which will provide strategic advice and recommendations to ensure the new Anti-Racism Strategy sets out a clear and targeted roadmap to reducing racism in Victoria.
ECCV is one of 42 community and faith-based organisations that will be delivering anti-racism initiatives to boost cross-cultural understanding across Victoria as part of the $3.8 million grants program recently announced by Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ros Spence. We are looking forward to progressing our All One Together anti-racism campaign and congratulate all our members who have been successful in this grants program.
Next week is NAIDOC Week, with the theme for 2021 being Heal Country! The theme reminds us of the continuing need for substantive institutional, structural and collaborative reform that supports the future of all Australians. This is something being led in Victoria through the development of an Anti-Racism Strategy and a First Nations Treaty.
Eddie Micallef, Chairperson
Multicultural Sector Forum on Mental Health Reform | Tuesday 27 July 2021
SAVE THE DATE: Multicultural Sector Forum on Victoria's Mental Health Reforms
The Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health, Steve Dimopoulos, will be the keynote speaker at a special ECCV Forum on Victoria's Mental Health Reforms on Tuesday, 27 July. The forum will be an opportunity to discuss the new Mental Health Act and implementation of the Royal Commission's recommendations.
ECCV Anti-Racism Initiatives Grant
ECCV is proud to be one of 42 community organisations chosen by the Victorian Government to support multifaith and multicultural communities to tackle racism and boost cross-cultural understanding. We look forward to working with Victoria University, Football Victoria and the Centre for Multicultural Program Evaluation to roll out phase two of our All One Together anti-racism campaign.
ECCV EO appointed to Anti-Racism Taskforce
ECCV welcomes the appointment of our Executive Officer Chris Christoforou to the Victorian Government's new Anti-Racism Taskforce. Chris has a long history of championing support for CALD communities. He joins 10 other community members appointed to the landmark Taskforce.
Recommendations for a Culturally Responsive Mental Health System
ECCV has released a paper, in partnership with Victorian Transcultural Mental Health, outlining the failures of the Victorian mental health system for migrant and refugee communities. The paper also outlines recommendations for a transformed, culturally responsive mental health system that is culturally safe, equitable and inclusive for all community members.
Mental Health Act review | extension of the submissions deadline to 1 August 2021
ECCV welcomes the extension of the deadline for public response to the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act to 1 August 2021. ECCV is developing a guiding document to assist members to make a submission. It is important to ensure that the diverse needs, experiences and barriers for people from migrant and refugee background are heard.
New ECCV COVID-19 Outreach Projects
A multicultural outreach team has been recruited for a six-month project to provide information about COVID-19 and the vaccine program across our communities, including a dedicated outreach and video project focused on CALD seniors. The project includes an evaluation of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine engagement.
New Victorian CALD Disability Network
The Office of Disability is funding ECCV to set up a statewide CALD disability network to capture the experience of people with disability during COVID-19. The network will provide a voice for leaders with disability to identify key issues and inform the development of a policy paper.
Addressing workplace sexual harassment
ECCV's Executive Officer, Chris Christoforou, has been appointed to the Victorian Government’s Taskforce on Workplace Sexual Harassment. The Taskforce wants to hear from workers, employers and other interested parties to help inform the design, scope and implementation of workplace sexual harassment reforms across the state.
State Budget Analysis
The ECCV Policy team's Analysis of the Victorian Budget 2021-22 reviews its impact on the multicultural sector, including a dedicated analysis of the enormous initial investment in the reform of our mental health system.
Recruitment
We are hiring and suitably qualified candidates from CALD backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
ECCV is expanding and we are looking to add three new dynamic members to our team:
- Business Support Coordinator, full-time
- Executive Assistant, 3 days per week
- Policy Officer, 4 days per week
Power Bonus Scheme
ECCV is helping financially vulnerable CALD Victorians access the $250 Power Saving Bonus. In partnership with the Department of Energy, Land, Water and Planning, our Community Outreach Program will support ‘hard to reach” consumers across Melbourne who are experiencing energy bill stress. Members wanting support can contact Energy Advocacy Coordinator Sumeli Aydogan
Staff welcome & farewell
Welcome
- Xiaoran Shi, Media & Communications Officer
- Khalid Farah, Media Production Officer
Farewell & Thank you
- Barry Berih, Project Worker
- Daniel Deng Kuol, Project Worker
- Nghi Trinh, Project Worker
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Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV)
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg VIC 3058
Tel: 9354 9555
Email: eccv@eccv.org.au
Email: eccv@eccv.org.au
Website: https://eccv.org.au