Thank you to everyone who has followed the directions, you are part of the reason that earlier today the Acting Premier was able to say we are on track to easing the lockdown.
Message from the Chairperson
I hope you are all managing as well as can be during this lockdown.A special mention to those people who have been isolating, either because they have returned a positive test, are awaiting a test result or are serving an isolation period as a close contact of someone COVID-positive. We appreciate your sacrifice for the health of our community.
Once again, I ask anyone who has visited an exposure site or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to get tested, even with the mildest of symptoms.
In the hope that in-person gatherings can recommence soon, I would like to remind faith leaders and event organisers that using the Victorian Government QR Code Service is now mandatory. I have seen great uptake with this across Melbourne, but if you are not using the service yet, please begin to do so immediately. It will undoubtedly help track and contain any future outbreaks.
In some positive news, over the last week Victoria has been leading the way in daily COVID-19 vaccinations. We've been heartened to see people from all cultures doing the right thing for their own health and the health of others by getting vaccinated. If you're eligible, please book in as soon as possible.
In other good news, if you're stuck at home tonight you will at least have some compelling viewing to take in. At 6 pm this evening, our fourth edition of Curious Conversations kicks off. Our panel will look at the future of refugee advocacy, and hopefully give you ideas on how you can support refugee and asylum seekers to thrive in Victoria over the next decade.
This week's update also includes the announcement of HART Award winners, the opening of expressions of interest for a brilliant sports program for CALD students with disabilities, news that the Diversity Symposium in Geelong is still going ahead in hybrid form, and nominations opening for the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
Take care and stay safe.
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
Coronavirus hotline
- Coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398 (24 Hours).
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Our 'Refugee Advocacy' Curious Conversation streams live tonight
In this month's instalment of the VMC's Curious Conversations public lecture series, we will be looking at the future of refugee advocacy in Victoria.The discussion will be streamed on Facebook Live tonight, Tuesday, 8 June from 6 pm. The panel features three Victorians who came to Australia as asylum seekers or refugees, Remer Say Noe Keh, Zainab Mohammade and Yusuf Liban. They will be joined by David Manne, the executive director of Refugee Legal and Eva Hussain, the founder of Polaron.
It should be a compelling discussion, and a nice preview of some of the personal stories and reflections that will be shared during Refugee Week, which begins 20 June.
HART Award winners announced
The HART Awards recognise initiatives by local governments and community organisations that advance and promote reconciliation in Victoria. Recipients are chosen across three categories: Local Government, Community Organisation and Schools and Early Years.The HART awards are a partnership between Reconciliation Victoria and the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Winners each received a handcrafted HART Award and winners of the Community Category and the Schools/Early Years Category also received $1000 each to support their future reconciliation work.
Seeking participants for research on Chinese-Australian racism
Since the pandemic began, there have been many media and anecdotal reports of racism targeted at Chinese Australians. Edith Cowan University student Alicia Crocker is writing a thesis about this scourge and is looking for participants in her study.This is believed to be the first qualitative study focused solely on the personal experiences of Chinese Australians affected by COVID-19 related racism in Melbourne.
The findings may allow for a more in-depth understanding of coping mechanisms and reporting behaviours, and may be useful in the field of psychological treatment for victims.
Participants will remain anonymous in the research results and will all receive a $20 Coles/Myer voucher.
To share your experiences, please email Alicia Crocker, or call Associate Professor Paul Chang on (08) 6304 5745 to discuss the research further.
Welcome to the Game Victoria's school holiday program now open to expressions of interest
Welcome to the Game Victoria is an initiative of Welcoming Australia. It aims to improve access to sport and recreation opportunities for young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds living with disabilities.Next month, Welcome to Game Victoria will deliver school holiday programs at Eagle Stadium in Wyndham and Dandenong Basketball Stadium in Dandenong.
Thursday 8 July 2021 – Dandenong
Ausome Hoops Camp – in partnership with Ausome Hoops and Dandenong Basketball Association
A free, inclusive camp designed to provide local multicultural community members with autism and/or additional needs a chance to experience basketball in a fun, safe and supportive environment.
- Junior Camp (Ages 6-12): 10am-12pm
- Senior Camp (Ages 13+): 1pm-3pm
- Express your interest here
Friday 9 July 2021 – Wyndham
All In Inclusion Camp – in partnership with Werribee All-Abilities Basketball Club and Wyndham Basketball Association
A free inclusive school holiday program designed to provide local multicultural community members with disabilities and/or additional needs a chance to experience basketball in a fun, safe and supportive environment.
- Junior Camp (Ages 6-12): 10am – 12pm
- Senior Camp (Ages 13+): 1pm – 3pm
- Express your interest here
2021 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards | Nominations now open, close on Friday 9 July 2021.
The Victorian Government is celebrating the contributions and talents of senior Victorians with the opening of the 2021 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.For more than 20 years, these awards have celebrated the achievements of older Victorians. This year’s honours hold special meaning, with many seniors still going above and beyond during a time of great turmoil.
Previous recipients include Souria Youssef, a volunteer with the Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre and the Coptic Orthodox Church, who supported isolated Arabic speaking residents in aged care facilities, the church and her community.
Geelong Diversity Symposium still going ahead this month | Thursday 17 June 2021
In April last year, Geelong was set to host a health symposium developed by three of the region's peak diversity groups, Diversitat, Geelong Rainbow Inc. and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative.The COVID outbreak postponed the event, but now it will go live this month as an exclusive hybrid online/in-person event, which will be adapted to the relevant restrictions at the time.
Celebration, interaction and insights remain key components of the symposium, which will include three online, interactive cultural safety training sessions, multicultural entertainment and goody bags to be delivered to participants.
It's all happening, to join, click the button below and register for one of only 100 places.
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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: www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au