May you be staying safe, looking after yourselves and following the public health directions during these challenging times.
Message from the Chairperson
Last week I sent out an emergency update with many links for information and support through this lockdown. You can refer to that here.I encourage anyone who has visited an exposure site or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to get tested, even with the mildest of symptoms.
Every day, thousands of Victorians are getting vaccinated. We're doing our part to protect ourselves, our families and our wider community against the deadly virus, and lead us back to a life without lockdowns. If you're eligible, please book your vaccination as soon as possible.
I would like to remind everyone that financial support is still available to people who are worried about losing wages when isolating. You may be eligible for a $450 payment as you wait for test results. If you test positive or are a close contact of someone who tests positive, a $1500 payment is also available so you can stay at home.
Moving onto VMC news, we've secured exceptional panel guests for this month's instalment of Curious Conversations. We will be looking at the future of refugee advocacy in Victoria, and will hear directly from former refugees on how we can all support new arrivals to thrive over the next decade.
Elsewhere in this week's update, we bring you details on the Victorian Government's Family Recovery Program for CALD communities adversely affected by the pandemic. We also encourage anyone wanting to make a submission to the Royal Commission into Crown Casino to do so very soon.
Finally, we suggest you tune into Polaron's CALD Co-Design Interactive Forum this Thursday to see one of our commissioners, Tina Hosseini, giving her thoughts on how we can best work with diverse communities when creating public messages.
Take care and stay safe.
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
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
Panellists announced for this month's 'Refugee Advocacy' Curious Conversation | Tuesday 8 June 2021 | from 6pm
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. 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.
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.
The vaccine rollout continues – have you booked yours?
Everyone in Australia can get the vaccination when it's their turn. Currently in Victoria, anyone aged 40 or over is eligible for the free vaccine, along with people with particular underlying conditions.Vaccines are a safe way of building protection against COVID-19 in the body, without causing illness. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), an authority made up of scientists and medical experts who regulate and approve all vaccines, medicines, and other medical products for use in Australia, have examined each of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Australia. They have concluded they are safe and effective and have approved them for use to protect against severe illness and death.
If you want to talk to someone about COVID-19 vaccines, or ask when it’s your turn, call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. The hotline is available 24 hours every day. For the translating and interpreting Service, call 131 450.
Family Recovery Program here to help CALD Victorians
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended all of our lives, but some people have suffered more than others. Have you experienced job loss or a reduction in work hours because of the economic impact of the pandemic? Or have you contracted the illness yourself or been mentally affected by the ongoing threat?If you are a member of Victoria’s culturally and linguistically diverse community and have been significantly impacted by COVID-19, you might be eligible for support from the Victorian Government's Family Recovery Program.
The Family Recovery Program can support you and your family with:
- Finding work
- Education and training opportunities
- Mental health and health recovery
Royal Commission into Crown Casino seeking thoughts from CALD Victorians
The Victorian Government has established a Royal Commission to inquire into the suitability of Crown Melbourne Limited to hold a casino licence.Community members from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can read translated material about the Royal Commission and make a submission here.
The translated information explains what the commission is about, how to make a submission and the terms of reference.
These materials have been translated into Arabic, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese (Mandarin), Traditional Chinese (Cantonese), Greek, Italian, Hindi and Punjabi.
VMC Commissioner Tina Hosseini to speak at online CALD forum | Thursday 3 June 2021 | 2.30-4pm
One of the VMC's commissioners, Tina Hosseini, will be taking part in a panel discussion at Polaron's upcoming CALD Co-Design Interactive Forum.This online forum is an opportunity to discuss community translation and co-design with an expert group of community leaders, translators and interpreters.
The forum aims to encourage an open discussion and consultation with attendees. Polaron wants to hear your insights on how to better work with diverse communities when crafting key public messages.
Job alert: Engagement Coordinator, Young People at VicHealth | applications close Wednesday 3 June 2021
Play a key role in the coordination of youth participation and engagement within VicHealth's work.In this role, the successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating VicHealth partnerships with youth organisations, as well as supporting the integration of voices, lived experiences and diverse perspectives of young people across Victoria.
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