NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There are many events you can attend, virtually or in-person, and I encourage you all to get involved.
Message from the Chairperson
Early July is a special time for Australians – it's when we celebrate NAIDOC Week!The theme for this year's NAIDOC Week is 'Heal Country'. These words acknowledge that this land is more than just a place we live. Quoting from NAIDOC, to our traditional owners, 'Country is family, kin, law, lore, ceremony, traditions, and language. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it has been this way since the dawn of time.'
You can read NAIDOC's explanation of the theme.
Also in this week's update, if you weren't aware already, I would like to point out that eligible Victorians looking to get their vaccine at a vaccination centre can now book their appointment online. This means no more waiting on the phone.
Darebin City Council has partnered with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to run some important community education sessions on racism. At the VMC, we're heartened to see councils and other organisations putting these kinds of events on – they help spread the message that no form of racism should be tolerated by our community.
We would like to share a link to a survey for people affected in any way by the crime of stalking. Survey responses could lead to reform to protect people from the offence in the future.
If this subject triggers a negative experience for you, we apologise and invite you to disregard it.
Further down the update, you'll learn that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has had its Little Black Book of Scams translated into ten languages. We have seen a rise in scam attempts since the beginning of the pandemic, and they are getting more difficult to spot – so this is essential reading for most of us.
Finally, the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health has created a document that discusses problems with common perceptions of migrant and refugee communities with regard to violence against women. It could be a real eye-opener for many Victorians.
Take care and stay safe.
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
Book your COVID-19 vaccination online
The Department of Health's online vaccination booking system is now up and running. If you're eligible to receive a vaccine at vaccination centre, you can book your jab by clicking the button below.If you prefer, you can still book via phone by calling 1800 675 398 or consult your GP.
Have your say on how stalking should be handled by the justice system | submissions close 5 August 2021
The Victorian Government has tasked the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) with reviewing responses to stalking.The VLRC has published a consultation paper and made a call for submissions. They want to know how the justice system can be improved to protect people from stalking.
They want to hear from anyone with experience and interest in this area, including people who are victims of stalking and their families and friends, people working in the justice system, counsellors, academics and researchers.
Darebin City Council hosting community education session on racism
Darebin City Council and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is inviting the Darebin community to an education session on racism.The session will help people understand forms of discrimination and vilification, as well as their rights and how to take action if they have experienced racism or seen it occur in the community.
There will be two sessions, the details are listed below.
Thursday 29th July 2021 | 6-7.30pm
East Preston Community Centre
7 Newton Street, Reservoir
Saturday 31 July 2021 | 2.30-4pm
East Reservoir Senior Citizens Centre
7A Strathmerton St, Reservoir
Please contact celia.chang@darebin.vic.gov.au if you have any questions.
- To register your attendance for a session, call 8470 8107 or email epcc@darebin.vic.gov.au.
Scam guide translated into ten languages
The best way to protect yourself from scams is through awareness and education.The ACCC's Little Black Book of Scams is recognised internationally as an important tool for consumers and small businesses to learn about scams including:
- the most common scams to watch out for
- the different ways scammers can contact you
- the tools scammers use to trick you
- the warning signs
- how to protect yourself, and
- where you can find help.
Challenging myths about culture and violence in migrant and refugee communities
The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health has developed a new resource that aims to challenge some of the negative ways that migrant and refugee communities are framed in discussions about violence against women.The creation of this document is an outcome of the Safer and Stronger Communities Pilot project, funded by the Victorian government to develop violence prevention activities with migrant and refugee communities.
It is written to be a practical and accessible tool for thinking and speaking differently about the relationship between culture, and preventing violence against women and people of all genders.
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 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