Message from the Chairperson
I hope you had a great Orthodox Easter, a reflective ANZAC day service or simply an enjoyable long weekend with family and friends.I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide a submission for our Victorian Refugee Awards or Capturing Culture photography competition. We look forward to providing further updates on these exciting events in our calendar.
Please also consider sharing the details of our Multicultural Film Festival with your networks, as we look forward to announcing winners in August 2022. This event will be another shining example of multicultural talent, and an opportunity to celebrate the creativity in our communities.
I look forward to seeing you at one of these events soon, or out and about in the community, as we continue to celebrate the power of multiculturalism in our state.
Take care, and keep up the COVID safe measures.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
INVITING | Weekly Queer Iftar | Saturday 30 April 2022
This Saturday 30 April they are inviting people of all faith backgrounds to join them for their final Iftar dinner at Second Story Studios in Collingwood.BridgeMeals is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum from marginalised communities living in Melbourne to meet in a judgement-free environment. The organisation arranges monthly dinners where people can connect and get information about queer-friendly services.
For Ramadan, BridgeMeals has arranged weekly Iftar dinners to cater to Muslim LGBTQIA+ people and bring them together over an Iftar meal.
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.
Submissions are open to all age groups! Perhaps you or your child's school can support them to make a film?
Select films will be shown at the premier screening at ACMI Cinemas in Melbourne in August.
Local communities across Victoria will be asked for ideas to showcase their region through a cultural program, Indigenous engagement or by hosting sporting heats and training.
An Expression of Interest process is now open for registrations, to capture ideas from local councils, peak bodies, Traditional Owners, cultural organisations and businesses - ensuring that every part of Victoria benefits from the Games.
Foster, permanent and kinship carers, academics, policy, program, supervisory and direct service staff from community, government or academic organisations are encouraged to nominate anyone they believe goes above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of children and young people.
The annual Community Sentiment Survey is a way for the community to tell the police about their safety concerns, engagement preferences, and experiences with police. Responses will frame future community engagement, inform local action plans and will influence organisational priorities.
If you live, work or socialise in Victoria, we encourage you to complete the survey. All respondents will remain anonymous.
This all-day forum includes networking opportunities, a Yarning Circle and a keynote speech from Claire Coleman. The purpose of the day is for participants to make a commitment to be an active voice in addressing systemic racism.
It’s time to yarn about racism, openly and honestly.
The forum will be held at the Geelong Culture and Heritage Centre.
Grants of $2,000 are available for community organisations, local governments and schools to host COVIDSafe events for Victorians aged 12-25 in September 2022.
Events held are to be inclusive and accessible to all young people and support those who face additional barriers to community participation. Mixed models of delivery (both online and in-person) are encouraged.
As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NEMBC commenced production of a national daily Multilingual News Service to ensure there was a consistent flow of reliable information for multicultural communities in many different languages.
The News Service enables diverse communities to be better informed, connect with each other and feel safer during the pandemic.
The Victorian government has partnered with 14 suppliers to help businesses build or upgrade their website, improve cash flow, start online marketing, manage jobs or projects and keep better track of stock.
For Ramadan, BridgeMeals has arranged weekly Iftar dinners to cater to Muslim LGBTQIA+ people and bring them together over an Iftar meal.
CALLING | Aspiring filmmakers to enter the Multicultural Film Festival! | Submissions are due by 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.
Submissions are open to all age groups! Perhaps you or your child's school can support them to make a film?
Select films will be shown at the premier screening at ACMI Cinemas in Melbourne in August.
CONFIRMING | Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games
Along with Commonwealth Games Australia, the State of Victoria has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.Local communities across Victoria will be asked for ideas to showcase their region through a cultural program, Indigenous engagement or by hosting sporting heats and training.
An Expression of Interest process is now open for registrations, to capture ideas from local councils, peak bodies, Traditional Owners, cultural organisations and businesses - ensuring that every part of Victoria benefits from the Games.
CALLING | Nominations for 2022 Victorian Protecting Children Awards | nominations now open and close Friday 20 May 2022
The Victorian Protecting Children Awards recognise dedicated teams, groups and individuals who demonstrate excellence in protecting children, young people and families.Foster, permanent and kinship carers, academics, policy, program, supervisory and direct service staff from community, government or academic organisations are encouraged to nominate anyone they believe goes above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of children and young people.
2022 Victoria Police Community Sentiment Survey
Victoria Police is committed to being agile, responsive and visible in addressing the community’s needs.The annual Community Sentiment Survey is a way for the community to tell the police about their safety concerns, engagement preferences, and experiences with police. Responses will frame future community engagement, inform local action plans and will influence organisational priorities.
If you live, work or socialise in Victoria, we encourage you to complete the survey. All respondents will remain anonymous.
YARNING | Racism: Raw & Real Forum | Friday 29 July 2022
Racism: Raw & Real is the first forum of its kind in the Geelong region. With an outstanding lineup of speakers, this is a rare opportunity to engage in a meaningful dialogue about racism with people who have lived it and continue to experience it everyday.This all-day forum includes networking opportunities, a Yarning Circle and a keynote speech from Claire Coleman. The purpose of the day is for participants to make a commitment to be an active voice in addressing systemic racism.
It’s time to yarn about racism, openly and honestly.
The forum will be held at the Geelong Culture and Heritage Centre.
GRANTING | Youth Fest 2022: Grants available
Victorian Youth Fest 2022 will be a month-long celebration across Victoria highlighting the contributions and achievements of young people in their communities.Grants of $2,000 are available for community organisations, local governments and schools to host COVIDSafe events for Victorians aged 12-25 in September 2022.
Events held are to be inclusive and accessible to all young people and support those who face additional barriers to community participation. Mixed models of delivery (both online and in-person) are encouraged.
INFORMING | Multilingual News Service
The National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters' Council (NEMBC) is the peak organisation representing ethnic community broadcasters across Australia.As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NEMBC commenced production of a national daily Multilingual News Service to ensure there was a consistent flow of reliable information for multicultural communities in many different languages.
The News Service enables diverse communities to be better informed, connect with each other and feel safer during the pandemic.
REBATING | Small Business Digital Adaptation Program | open until 18 July 2022, or until rebates have been exhausted
The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program will provide $1200 rebates so small businesses can access a range of digital business tools.The Victorian government has partnered with 14 suppliers to help businesses build or upgrade their website, improve cash flow, start online marketing, manage jobs or projects and keep better track of stock.
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