Thanks to the high vaccination rates, we will see some restrictions ease midnight Tuesday 28 September 2021.
Message from the Chairperson
Perhaps most significantly, people living in Metropolitan Melbourne will be able to travel 15km from home and there will also be further forms of recreation allowed. You can learn more about the Roadmap here.
If Victorians continue to get vaccinated at this speed, we will see more restrictions relaxed soon. So, let's keep it up. If you haven't already, please book your vaccination at a vaccination centre, or get in touch with your GP to see if they have supply.
I am continually inspired by the ongoing work by community and faith organisations to support others through this difficult time. The number of phone calls, health and wellbeing sessions and food parcels delivered over the past weeks has been staggering. Thank you.
Two important COVID-19 community sessions happening this week include one for Latin communities on Thursday, and another for the South Sudanese community this Friday evening at 6pm (no registration, just click this link when the session begins).
Last Wednesday, many of us felt the earthquake that struck close to Mansfield. While some buildings were damaged, thankfully there were no reports of serious injuries. My thoughts have been with those who have lived through more severe earthquakes. I know experiencing this unexpected event in Victoria may have brought up fear and traumatic memories in the moment. For anyone who found themselves unsure of what to do when the earthquake hit, the SES has developed a list of safety instructions for different scenarios.
In better news, the Victorian Government has announced that more food support will be available to multicultural communities as part of the ongoing pandemic response. Grants are now open to organisations able to deliver food relief in a COVID-safe manner. I particularly want to thank Minister Spence, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, for her deep understanding of issues experienced by diverse communities.
I have previously written about the Anti-Racism Taskforce. You can now stay up to date with what the Taskforce has been discussing, and have your say on the statewide Anti-Racism Strategy we are helping develop. To join the Anti-Racism Community Interest Group, please email antiracism.taskforce@dffh.vic.gov.au.
Finally, we will be broadcasting the online presentation of winners for the Victorian Refugee Awards tomorrow night, Wednesday 29 September 2021. We had booked dates for an in-person presentation at the Immigration Museum, but unfortunately lockdowns have forced several cancellations. Please join us in celebrating the incredible achievements of Victorians from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds tomorrow from 6pm.
Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read our Community Update. Let's hope this week is a little less eventful than the last.
Take care and stay safe.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
Victorian Refugee Awards streaming live | 29 September 2021 | from 6pm AEST
The VMC's Victorian Refugee Awards recognise people, businesses and organisations who have excelled through study, work, entrepreneurial or volunteer efforts.
The presentation of winners will stream live on Zoom tomorrow night from 6pm. If you would like to view the broadcast, you can register by clicking the button below.
What to do during an earthquake
If you suspect you are an experiencing an earthquake, there are some precautions you can take to better protect your personal safety. Dropping to the ground, taking cover and holding on are the three most important steps to remember.
The SES has compiled instructions on their website for various scenarios you may find yourself in when an earthquake hits.
More food support coming for multicultural communities
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence has announced the opening of $2.7 million in grants through the Priority Response to Multicultural Communities during Coronavirus program.
Applications are open to organisations providing emergency food relief to ensure culturally appropriate food and essential goods continue to reach Victoria’s multicultural and faith communities.
Almost $23 million has already been invested through the program since it began in August last year, which has to date provided support to more than 500,000 Victorians.
Early applications are highly encouraged.
Join Anti-Racism Community Interest Group
The Victorian Government will be launching its first statewide Anti-Racism Strategy next year. The strategy will set out a clear and targeted roadmap to reducing racism and faith-based discrimination in Victoria, guided by strategic advice and recommendations from the Anti-Racism Taskforce.
You can join the Anti-Racism Community Interest Group to receive regular updates on the latest developments of the Taskforce and the strategy, and find out how to have your say.
- To join the group, please email antiracism.taskforce@dffh.vic.gov.au.
Get the MyAus COVID-19 app
Migration Council Australia (MCA) has developed MyAus COVID-19. It is a multilingual app for Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities focused on COVID-19, its impact and available support.
MyAus COVID-19 app supports access to information in a user-friendly format, including via short animations. The app is supported by the Australian Government and is currently available in 29 community languages.
MCA has also updated its standard MyAus App, which includes 500 articles and 40 short videos with information to assist newly arrived migrants to settle in Australia. It now includes Dari, Hazaragi and Urdu translations. Work is currently underway to translate the app into Pashto.
The app is also available in Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Turkish and English and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
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