The COVID-19 vaccine uptake rate continues to increase, while case numbers decrease. These positive trends provide optimism for the months ahead. There are many pop-up vaccine sites opening regularly too, which make it easier for you and your loved ones to get vaccinated.
Message from the Chairperson
I hope you enjoyed a bit of a break during Melbourne Cup week or took the chance to catch up with friends and family.We encourage you to join the VMC’s fortnightly COVID-19 information briefings, hosted in partnership with the Department of Health. You can register for this Thursday's session here.
To those who celebrate, we hope you’ve had a wonderful Diwali. More cultural festivities will approach quickly as the year begins to wrap up, and we look forward to celebrating them all with you.
This Thursday also marks Remembrance Day. It’s a time to pay tribute to the many who served our nation in conflict and peacekeeping missions. It’s a matter very close to home for me, and I’ll join the Governor and other guests on Thursday to lay a wreath for the men and women who died protecting freedom. Lest We Forget.
Take care and stay safe.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
Have your say on the National Anti-Racism Framework | submissions open until 15 December 2021
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) has launched a plan to develop a National Anti-Racism Framework. The Framework will be a long-term, central reference point to guide actions on anti-racism by government, NGOs, business, communities and other sectors.The Commission would like to invite you to make a submission through its ‘Have your say’ portal.
The Commission is very interested to hear from those with expertise and knowledge of anti-racism initiatives and in responding to racism at structural, institutional, and interpersonal levels.
How to prove your vaccination
Being double vaccinated is our ticket to safely getting back to the things we’ve loved and missed.- It’s our ticket to seeing friends and family anywhere in Victoria
- To shopping in real life
- To watch movies and live music.
- To getting fit at the gym and being together at our places of worship.
- It’s our ticket to big hugs at family visits, and celebrating weddings together.
To get your proof of vaccination ticket, you have three options:
- Create a myGov account if you don’t already have one, and link your Medicare or Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) number. Then add your COVID-19 Digital Certificate to the Service Victoria app.
- Ask your vaccination provider for a printed copy.
- Visit the Services Australia website and request a copy to be mailed to you.
COVID-19 vaccine booster doses recommended for Australians aged 18+
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have recommended a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine for people who are aged 18 years and over.Everyone living in Australia aged 18 and over who has completed their primary two-dose course of vaccination at least six months ago is now eligible to have an additional booster shot.
The booster rollout program will initially target population groups that were prioritised for early vaccination, because the great majority of people within these cohorts are now ready for their booster vaccination, having had their second dose six or more months ago.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination resources for community groups
With the easing of restrictions, Australians will need to access proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations to enjoy many freedoms. The Australian Government has produced some resources that can be shared in your workplace and with your community.The resources include general information about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as well as information about how to get proof of your vaccinations.
DRC National Women's Forum
The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) National Women’s Forum will cover topics relating to the health and safety of women and girls. It will focus on the experiences of women with disability from asylum seeker, migrant and refugee backgrounds who have a lived experience of domestic or family violence.Discussions will be wide-ranging and around important areas, including: inter-sectional discrimination, service system gaps and barriers, and the ways in which we can eliminate, prevent and better respond to experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The DRC Engagement team are planning the forum and are wanting to hear from diverse voices from across Australia.
If you are interested in the session, which will take place online this Thursday from 1:30 pm, please reach out to Victoria Dias (at DRC Engagement) via email on the link below.
Time to start preparing for fire season
Who in your household is going to take on preparing your property for fire season?With fire season around the corner now is the time to start talking about what you need to do and here is a start!
- Keep your grass cut to less than 10cm
- Remove flammable items from decks and verandahs
- Move woodpiles away from your home
Sign up to MyCFA to get local information on how to plan and prepare for fires and other emergencies in your area.
Australia Day grants now open | applications close at 5pm on Friday 19 November 2021
The National Australia Day Council’s (NADC) Australia Day 2022 Community Grants Program are now open. The NADC is offering a total of $7.5 million in grants to Australian local government authorities and community organisations.In 2022, Australia Day event hosts can apply for up to $30,000 to deliver events that use the National Australia Day Council’s ‘Reflect. Respect. Celebrate. We’re all part of the story.’ theme.
Applicants that collaborate with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to incorporate activities that reflect and respect the history of local indigenous people and celebrate their culture will be eligible to apply for an additional $10,000.
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