Message from the Chairperson
Thank you for reading the VMC’s weekly Community Update. This week, I want to bring your attention to a new study done by the Gandel Foundation on Australian’s knowledge and awareness of the Holocaust. It found that people who have some understanding of what happened during the Holocaust also show greater empathy towards other faiths. I encourage you to read more about this important research below, and here.I also want to share that the first public hearing in the Parliamentary Inquiry into Support for Older Victorians from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds was held on Monday 31 January. The Committee is due to report to Parliament by 30 June 2022. You can learn more about the inquiry here.
Finally, when we last met at our regular COVID-19 briefing, there was community demand for more information about education settings and how to prepare students for their return to school. To address this, we have invited David Howes, Deputy Secretary, Schools and Regional Services, Department of Education and Training, to provide an update and overview of these settings via a webinar.
The webinar is scheduled for this Thursday 10 February 2022 from 7 pm, and you can register here. The session will also give you an opportunity to share with David what you are seeing on the ground. This will will help provide the department with valuable feedback to create a stable and safe educational environment.
Take care
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
Board recruitment for Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing | closing midnight 8 February 2022
Do you want to be at the forefront of transformational change of Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system?Expressions of interest are now open for the governance board of the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing.
The Minister for Mental Health is seeking people who are committed to building a new mental health and wellbeing system and setting the strategic direction of the Centre. They especially want to hear from people with lived experiences as consumers and carers.
Join the Alcohol and other Drugs: Lived and Living Experience Advisory Group
The Department of Health is leading a range of initiatives across Victoria’s alcohol and other drugs sector to improve the outcomes and experiences of people living with substance use or addiction, as well as their family members and supporters.This work includes implementing recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health and Wellbeing System, through integrated treatment, care and support. The 2021-22 State Budget provides an initial investment for integrated approaches to service delivery, establishing a new specialist statewide service and growing the number of addiction medicine specialists.
Expressions of interest are now open for additional members to the Alcohol and other Drugs Lived and Living Experience Advisory Group that reflect the diverse lived experience of the community.
- To express your interest, please email Edward Stott from the Department of Health
Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs now open
If you’re having a difficult time, there are people here to help.The pandemic has affected everyone in different ways, and it’s important to take the time to care for your mental health. There’s free help available now for every Victorian who needs it, at your local Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub.
The Hubs provide free services for anyone living in Victoria, no matter your visa status. The experienced support workers will listen to you and help you to find the best and most appropriate support.
For in-language support, call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter to connect you to Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub on 1300 375 330.
New survey finds Australians want a better education on the Holocaust
As countries around the world commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January, Australia’s first national survey of Holocaust knowledge and awareness by the Gandel Foundation has found that:- Almost a quarter (24%) of the population aged 18 years or older has little to no knowledge of the Holocaust, with that number rising to 30% among Millennials.
- Over 70% know nothing about Australia’s own connections to the Holocaust.
- However, there is overwhelming agreement among Australians (88%) that 'we can learn lessons for today from what happened in the Holocaust'.
- 78% of Australians believe that Holocaust museums and memorials are valuable.
- Two-thirds (66%) believe it should be compulsory for schools to teach about the Holocaust in schools.
RAC members Zahra Haydar Big and Seema Abdullah featured in Shepparton News
Zahra Haydar Big (pictured above) and Seema Abdullah were recently interviewed by regional newspaper Shepparton News about their new roles as members of the VMC's Hume Regional Advisory Council (RAC). You can find excerpts from the articles below...Zahra to represent Hume
Since settling in the City of Greater Shepparton in 2008, Ms Haydar Big felt driven to advocate on behalf of communities from diverse backgrounds, including her own Hazara Afghan people.
"I have a sense of belonging to the local multicultural community who always approach me as a local bilingual leader to advocate for them and to receive my social support,“Ms Haydar Big said.
The first female Afghan independent candidate to run for a local council in Australia in 2020, Ms Haydar Big received 900 votes at the Greater Shepparton City Council election and narrowly missed out on a place.
Ms Haydar Big is ready to expand her community work, speaking up about the issues that matter to emerging communities.
“I am looking forward to working together with VMC and the other regional advisory council representatives, providing them with on-theground insights into local issues — such as employment, education, housing, citizenship, connection to our local rich cultures, and migrant and refugee settlement services,” she said.
To recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms Haydar Big said the vaccination rollout in Victoria should be accompanied by an effective and relatable campaign to address vaccine hesitancy among multicultural communities.
Abdullah is driving equality
It was a “no-brainer” for Seema Abdullah to apply when she saw an advertisement encouraging people from diverse cultural backgrounds to apply to join the VMC's Regional Advisory Council.
Greater Shepparton enjoys a good reputation as a leading example of regional Australia embracing multiculturalism, Ms Abdullah says, but there is significant work yet to be done.
“Whether it’s through food or music, we’re celebrating diversity,” she said.
“But complacency can be harmful.”
Ms Abdullah says celebrating Shepparton’s relative success while ignoring the way migrant communities are marginalised leads to the perpetuation of poor social and economic outcomes.
“My question is, are we willing to go beyond this, are we prepared to look deeper into some complex issues and barriers in integration that are faced by multicultural communities?” she said.
“And are we doing it with an open mind? Are we doing it with empathy?” ...
Thank you to all of our Regional Advisory Council members for the brilliant work they do acting as our eyes and ears on the ground in multicultural communities across Victoria. We're excited to kick off our first round of meetings later this month.
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