Over the weekend, the Premier laid out the roadmap to reopening Victoria. Hopefully we can all see the way out of lockdown ahead of us now, and look forward to coming together again in person.
Message from the Chairperson
To get there, though, we first need to get vaccinated. This past week saw excellent gains in vaccine rates, so I'm confident we are on track to hit the targets quickly. We're also seeing diverse leaders stand up and encourage their communities to get the jab. Last week, we held a vaccination forum for the Lebanese community, the Oromo community and many others online to keep their communities engaged and informed. This week I am attending sessions held by several other communities, including a presentation by Dr Stephen Lu for the Chinese community and another for the Hmong Community (next Monday 7pm).
I am grateful to these leaders for helping so many multicultural Victorians better understand that vaccination is safe, effective and necessary to move beyond the pandemic.
In this week's update, we show you how to prove your vaccination status. This will likely be an important part of working onsite, shopping, dining and enjoying many other activities in the coming months.
We also invite you to join a vigil for UN Peace Day Tuesday 21 September 2021 as well as a mental health forum next week, which will feature VMC Commissioner Dr Judy Tang. You can nominate someone as an Asia Game Changer, and we share some new dementia awareness films in several languages.
Finally, I would like to wish a blessed Mid-Autumn Festival for those who observe the holiday. It's sad we can't be together in person, but I hope you can find a way to celebrate this special time with family and friends.
Take care and stay safe.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
How to show your proof of vaccination
It’s easy to find the best way to get proof of your vaccinations using Services Australia's COVID-19 tool. Your immunisation history statement and COVID-19 digital certificate both show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status.
After you get vaccinated, your vaccination provider adds your details on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) within 10 days.
Most people can get their proof using their Medicare online account through myGov. You just need to make sure you’ve got a myGov account set up and that you’ve linked it to Medicare.
UN Peace Day 2021: Online Vigil for Peace
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September 2021. The 2021 theme for the International Day of Peace is 'Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world'.
In the face of the pandemic, as we move towards recovery and healing, Calm in the City invites you to come together today at 5:30pm, in unity, to light a candle for peace.
The half hour event will include a gentle guided meditation, and will celebrate compassion, resilience, courage and hope within the community.
Nominate for Asia Game Changer Awards
Do you know someone making a positive impact on Australia’s relationship with Asia? Nominate them as a Game Changer.
The Melbourne Asia Game Changer series, run by the Asia Society, seeks to identify, recognise and celebrate those Australians who make a positive impact in Asia and Australia by celebrating their achievements.
A Game Changer could be a work colleague, role model or someone in public life who makes Australia’s relationship with Asia richer. While Melbourne will host the awards, a Game Changer could be an Australian anywhere in Australia or Asia.
Watch these dementia awareness films
In Australia, limited awareness of dementia in people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds often results in delayed diagnosis, poorer prognosis, and a higher burden of care on families and health systems.
Moving Pictures, an innovative multimedia project, aims to change this through the production of short films co-produced with people from CALD backgrounds.
The project has launched today with 12 new short films aimed at raising awareness about dementia, and the importance of early diagnosis to enable better treatment and quality of life.
The films also provide practical tips, as well as information about services that are available to families caring for someone living with dementia.
Multicultural mental health forum | Wednesday 29 September 2021 | 2.30-4pm AEST
The 'What About the “other” 21%?' online forum will be an open discussion focusing on lived experiences and practical steps mental health organisations can take to close the communication gap with multicultural communities.
Panellists include Niharika Hiremath from the National Mental Health Commission, Dr Judy Tang from Jurmaine Health and the Victorian Multicultural Commission; Yamiko Marama from Orygen; Sammy Huynh, a school counsellor and mental health clinician, and Ingrid Ozols, a life experience mental health and suicide prevention consultant.
Following this event, Polaron will publish an impact report to be shared with Australian mental health organisations on how to better support multicultural communities, with findings based on the discussion and feedback from the online forum.
Please stay home for Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for some Asian communities to celebrate – a time when we’re usually together. We know it’s difficult to not be with our loved ones at this important time. But celebrating at home is the best way to keep ourselves and our community safe.
While we may be physically apart, we can stay connected with family and friends in other ways.
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