This week the focus is on some outstanding people who have been recognised in our community through various awards. These people make tremendous contributions to all aspects of our society.
Message from the Chairperson
Recipients have displayed compassion, generosity and commitment to an inclusive, harmonious and equitable society. These values are a treasured part of our identity as Victorians.
I extend my congratulations to the winners and the highly commended, and give my thanks to those who nominated them.
As we approach December, I hope you’re enjoying the easing of restrictions. I look forward to meeting you in person soon.
I extend my congratulations to the winners and the highly commended, and give my thanks to those who nominated them.
As we approach December, I hope you’re enjoying the easing of restrictions. I look forward to meeting you in person soon.
Don't forget to keep getting tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and get vaccinated if you haven’t done so.
Take care and stay safe.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams last week announced the 2021 Victorian Honour Roll of Women. Inductees included women from all walks of life who have made outstanding contributions to Victoria.
Two new categories were also introduced this year, to recognise young women in the early stages of their career and acknowledge women’s leadership in bushfire and COVID-19 response and recovery.
The youngest ever inductee – Yasmin Poole, 22 (above) – is a national ambassador for Plan International Australia and a passionate advocate for young women being included in Australia’s political conversations. There were many other inductees from multicultural communities as well. Click the button below to learn more about their contributions.
For the first time, the 2021 Volunteering Awards are being combined with the Premier’s Volunteer Champion Awards to recognise and honour the thousands of people across our state who give their time, energy, and skills to support others.
These awards recognise and celebrate volunteers, volunteer-involving organisations, and leaders of volunteers across the state, and thank them for building services and connections.
Anyone can nominate a team, leaders or individuals doing great work – and it’s quick and easy.
VMC Chairperson Viv Nguyen will be serving as a judge for the awards.
Applications for funding through the Priority Response to Multicultural Communities during Coronavirus (COVID-19) phase 3 (PRMC 3.0) program are now open.
The program will ensure organisations can respond to the current health crisis and the impacts on multicultural and multifaith communities most in need while operating in a COVIDSafe way. It will also promote the capacity building of local community networks and organisations.
In this webinar, Ethnolink will explore the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of language professionals.
Hear from Ethnolink CEO, Costa Vasili, as he explores:
Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt announced eight winners across seven categories – personally selecting the winner of the prestigious Minister’s Award from the list of finalists.
Winners were chosen from categories of improving engagement in learning, supporting parents, building collaborative community partnerships, improving health and wellbeing, exemplary practice in early childhood education, leadership, and significant service improvement.
The VMC would like to congratulate the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House) for projects they ran in Whittlesea and Melton. The Whittlesea Refugee Background Community Advisory Group was a a finalist in the Improving Access and Participation in Early Learning category, while the Melton Refugee Background Communities of Practice won the Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships category.
Flash flooding can occur quickly due to heavy rainfall and you may not receive an official warning. When riverine flooding is predicted, decide what you will do before flooding occurs.
Take care and stay safe.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
Victorian Honour Roll of Women – 2021 inductees announced
Women leading their communities through disaster, helping address cybercrime and lifting-up vulnerable communities are some of the 23 remarkable inductees to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women this year.Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams last week announced the 2021 Victorian Honour Roll of Women. Inductees included women from all walks of life who have made outstanding contributions to Victoria.
Two new categories were also introduced this year, to recognise young women in the early stages of their career and acknowledge women’s leadership in bushfire and COVID-19 response and recovery.
The youngest ever inductee – Yasmin Poole, 22 (above) – is a national ambassador for Plan International Australia and a passionate advocate for young women being included in Australia’s political conversations. There were many other inductees from multicultural communities as well. Click the button below to learn more about their contributions.
Nominate for the 2021 Volunteering Awards | nominations close 14 January 2022
Victorians have pulled together like never before over the past two years to support each other through COVID-19. Now is the time to say thank you to the thousands of volunteers, organisations and leaders who have made a difference.For the first time, the 2021 Volunteering Awards are being combined with the Premier’s Volunteer Champion Awards to recognise and honour the thousands of people across our state who give their time, energy, and skills to support others.
These awards recognise and celebrate volunteers, volunteer-involving organisations, and leaders of volunteers across the state, and thank them for building services and connections.
Anyone can nominate a team, leaders or individuals doing great work – and it’s quick and easy.
VMC Chairperson Viv Nguyen will be serving as a judge for the awards.
Priority response to multicultural communities during coronavirus (COVID-19)
The CALD Communities Taskforce is working in partnership with organisations to develop locally delivered solutions to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).Applications for funding through the Priority Response to Multicultural Communities during Coronavirus (COVID-19) phase 3 (PRMC 3.0) program are now open.
The program will ensure organisations can respond to the current health crisis and the impacts on multicultural and multifaith communities most in need while operating in a COVIDSafe way. It will also promote the capacity building of local community networks and organisations.
What COVID-19 has taught us about CALD communication | Thursday 9 December 2021 | 2pm (AEDT) / 11am (AWST)
The pandemic has not discriminated by culture, language or ethnicity. Everyone has been impacted and translations of public health information has been more important than ever.In this webinar, Ethnolink will explore the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of language professionals.
Hear from Ethnolink CEO, Costa Vasili, as he explores:
- how COVID has affected CALD communities
- strategies that Ethnolink employs to deliver translations
- best practice tips for COVID-19 CALD communication campaigns
- new research and data that informs CALD communication strategies.
Winners announced for Victorian Early Years Awards 2021
The exceptional work of Victoria’s early childhood education sector has been recognised and celebrated at the 2021 Victorian Early Years Awards.Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt announced eight winners across seven categories – personally selecting the winner of the prestigious Minister’s Award from the list of finalists.
Winners were chosen from categories of improving engagement in learning, supporting parents, building collaborative community partnerships, improving health and wellbeing, exemplary practice in early childhood education, leadership, and significant service improvement.
The VMC would like to congratulate the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House) for projects they ran in Whittlesea and Melton. The Whittlesea Refugee Background Community Advisory Group was a a finalist in the Improving Access and Participation in Early Learning category, while the Melton Refugee Background Communities of Practice won the Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships category.
Flooding alert
The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that there may be mild to moderate flooding in Victoria this week, particularly in the Gippsland region.Flash flooding can occur quickly due to heavy rainfall and you may not receive an official warning. When riverine flooding is predicted, decide what you will do before flooding occurs.
Here's what to do if a flood occurs near you:
- Floodwater is dangerous. Stay safe by never entering floodwater.
- Call 132 500 for emergency assistance from VICSES.
- Call Triple Zero (000) in life-threatening emergencies
- Stay informed – monitor weather warnings and forecasts at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website, app and hotline (1800 226 226).
Learn about prejudice motivated crime
Victoria Police has launched new resources to help diverse Victorians understand how to report prejudice motivated crime (PMC).PMC is any crime motivated by prejudice or hatred towards a person or a group because of a characteristic such as race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. These crimes can include harassment, threats to kill, verbal abuse, destroying or damaging property, and in more serious cases, physical violence. These crimes not only impact the victim’s sense of safety, but also the broader community.
The new resources, available for download from the Victoria Police website, are an animated video (2 min) and poster. The resources are available in English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Hindi, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Somali, Urdu and Vietnamese.
Recognising Victoria’s outstanding seniors
For more than 25 years, the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards have recognised the volunteer work and community contributions of older Victorians. This year’s awardees highlight the resilience, compassion and commitment of senior Victorians, particularly during the pandemic.Local leader John Thuy from Ashburton received the 2021 Promotion of Multiculturalism Award for his volunteer work to strengthen social connections and increase belonging among Vietnamese seniors, including through weekly online singing get-togethers during the pandemic.
First Nations Elders were also honoured. Warrnambool local and proud Gunditjmara man Uncle Locky Eccles received the Healthy and Active Living Award for his intergenerational leadership, sharing language, culture and his passion for sport with the community.
Aunty Frances Gallagher received the Ageing Well Award for her highly respected work supporting and mentoring young people and advocating and caring for fellow Elders, particularly those who are isolated or dealing with health issues.
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