Message from the Chairperson
Thank you to each and every one of you who joined Victoria’s Multicultural Gala Dinner last weekend. This event is not just an event. It is the culmination of the hard work we all put in each day, every day, to create the harmony and social cohesion in this state. The Gala is a clear demonstration of that effort. Thank you.
We take the cultural diversity of our people, society and identity seriously.
We take our civic engagement, participation and contribution to this state and nation seriously.
We take the challenges experienced by members of the multicultural community seriously, even as this work continues.
Below you can read about some of the supports being provided by the Victorian government and other agencies.
If you’re out and about, please take extra care with covid safe measures and, as ever, please reach out if you need help.
Take care,
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
GRANTING | Multicultural Communications Outreach Program (MCOP) | applications open, closing Tuesday 29 March 2022 at 5.00pm
The program funds multicultural media, community members and organisations to produce informative and engaging content about the COVID-19 vaccination program and encourages COVIDSafe behaviour.
The program will support the production and distribution of content by multicultural communities, for multicultural communities. Content should be guided by culturally and linguistically diverse community members telling their own stories.
GRANTING | Priority Response to Multicultural Communities (PRMC) 4.0 | applications close on Sunday 10 April 2022 at 11.59pm
PRMC 4.0 supports community organisations to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on multicultural and faith communities. It will fund community-led support beyond immediate emergency response needs, such as community engagement, access to mental health services, addressing social isolation andactivities that begin to support social and economic recovery.
Grants are available for Small Projects between $10,000–$24,999 and Large Projects between $25,000–$100,000.
HELPING | Increase voting among Chinese-speaking communities
Want to help identify ways to support Chinese-speaking voters with enrolling and voting in the upcoming Victorian State election? Take part in this 10 minute survey and enter the competition to win a $500 gift card. You can complete the survey in English, Simplified Chinese, or Traditional Chinese.
GRANTING | New Mental Health Funding for Business Communities
The Victorian Government has announced the new Mental Well-being of Business Communities Grant Program, which aims to help Business Communities improve the mental health and well-being of their members.
Chambers of commerces', trader groups, other business collectives and local government authorities can apply for free mental well-being training and $15,000 to deliver a mental well-being project they will design through the training course.
CALLING | Nominations for a Refugee Award | nominations close on 12 April 2022
The Victorian Refugee Awards recognise and promote the achievements and contributions of Victorians who arrived as refugees or asylum seekers.
Proudly coordinated by the VMC, these annual awards recognise those who have excelled through their study, work, entrepreneurship, or volunteering.
If you know a person, business or organisation that deserves recognition, please visit our website to nominate them for a Victorian Refugee Award.
CALLING | Entry submissions to the Capturing Culture Photography Competition | entry submissions by 17 April 2022
The resilience of Victoria’s multicultural communities is something to be celebrated and remembered. That’s why we are so excited to run this new photography competition; Capturing Culture: Multicultural Victoria in Focus.
For emerging or established Victorian multicultural artists, Capturing Culture will recognise the resilience and lived experiences of multicultural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and create a visual record of a unique time in Victoria's history. It will also capture the vibrancy, significance and connectedness of multicultural communities that existed before the pandemic, and which will prevail long afterwards.
CALLING | Filmmakers to enter the Multicultural Film Festival | submissions are due by 20 June 2022
Seeking creative, original, non-formulaic short films about cultural diversity created by Australians with a multicultural background or filmmakers of any background who produce films that explore multiculturalism and promote social cohesion.
Entries are open for the 2022 Multicultural Film Festival, run by the VMC in partnership with Swinburne University.
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