Message from the Chairperson
I am hoping to focus on the Refugee Awards this week and ask for your help to nominate someone from the refugee community. We all know at least 10 and the outstanding contributions they make to this state despite the barriers, challenges and trauma they carry. The candidates can be nominated again. The rationale is visibility. We have all said representation matters, visibility matters, lived experience matters. So let’s bring forth the contributions made by refugees who call this country home by nominating them.Please also read further for the Capturing Culture photography competition and the Film Festival submissions. The world of cultural diversity is ever vibrant and full of activity.
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
CALLING | Nominations for Victorian Refugee Awards | closing 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 | Photographers for Capturing Culture Photography Competition | entry submissions close 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 and capture their vibrancy and connectedness.
We are 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.
It was a great occasion to come together again and showcase the many talents of the spoken word artists and different cultural acts throughout the evening, connecting through culture. Check out the photos from the gala dinner and enjoy the memories of a magic night.
Responses to this survey will help the government understand what the community’s vision is for how waterways are managed. They want to know how Victorian’s use their waterways and what they value about them – making sure they are putting Victorian’s needs first.
The survey is available in seven languages – English, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic and Vietnamese. A free phone translation service is also provided on the survey landing page.
It should take 10 minutes to complete.
After another year where communities throughout the state were challenged by the pandemic, it is fantastic to have several people from our multicultural communities recognised for their efforts and for us to acknowledge the enormous contribution of our volunteers.
For emerging or established Victorian multicultural artists, Capturing Culture will recognise the resilience and lived experiences of multicultural communities and capture their vibrancy and connectedness.
CALLING | Filmmakers to enter the Multicultural Film Festival | submissions close 20 June 2022
Entries are open for the 2022 Multicultural Film Festival, run by the VMC in partnership with Swinburne University.We are 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.
REVIEWING | Victorian Multicultural Gala Dinner 2022
Thank you to everyone who came to the unforgettable celebration of Victoria’s vibrant multicultural community at the Victorian Multicultural Gala Dinner on 19 March. Kicking off Cultural Diversity Week 2022, we shared an evening of fine dining, cultural entertainment and networking.It was a great occasion to come together again and showcase the many talents of the spoken word artists and different cultural acts throughout the evening, connecting through culture. Check out the photos from the gala dinner and enjoy the memories of a magic night.
WEBINAR | Disability Service Navigation Workshop | Thursday 31 March 2022 | 10.30am-12.30pm
Do you need help to access disability support? ECCV is holding an online workshop to help you understand the Disability Gateway, MiAccess, and Disability Liaison Officer program. We will hear from the following speakers at the workshop:- Lizzie Castles, Statewide Coordinator, Victorian Disability Liaison Officer program
- Mackenzie Small, Partnership Specialist & Misha Stemper, Partnership Coordinator at the Disability Gateway
- Rea Singh, Engagement Lead – Cultural Perspective, MiAccess
SURVEYING | My Victorian Waterway | responses closing 17 April 2022
The My Victorian Waterway survey is a designed for any Victorian who visits a waterway, which refers to any river, stream, creek, floodplain, wetland, estuary, lake, water storage or reservoir.Responses to this survey will help the government understand what the community’s vision is for how waterways are managed. They want to know how Victorian’s use their waterways and what they value about them – making sure they are putting Victorian’s needs first.
The survey is available in seven languages – English, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic and Vietnamese. A free phone translation service is also provided on the survey landing page.
It should take 10 minutes to complete.
CALLING | Nominations for Victorian Disability Awards | now open, closing 3 May 2022
The Victorian Disability Awards, now in their eleventh year, have a strong focus on recognising and honouring the achievements and contributions of individuals, teams and organisations that promote the rights and inclusion of people with disability.RECOGNISING | Our Dedicated Volunteers
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Anthony Carbines announced the winners of the 2021 Volunteering Awards, which celebrate the extraordinary efforts of the state’s hard-working volunteers.After another year where communities throughout the state were challenged by the pandemic, it is fantastic to have several people from our multicultural communities recognised for their efforts and for us to acknowledge the enormous contribution of our volunteers.
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