Message from the Chairperson
I trust you all took part in Australia’s federal election over the weekend and had the chance to enjoy a freedom sausage or two, for those who could.
This week there are a few items I bring to your attention.
We are at the tail end of the VMC Community Leadership in Action program and I am pleased to see great participation from all. To the participants; I hope you’ll make the most of it as we do need community leadership and community leadership in action. That was a critical trait that kept us safe over the past two years, and always has.
South Sudanese Australian young people are over-represented in the Victorian youth justice system. In 2022, an Expert Working Group is being established to address this. It will work to provide young people with pathways to living better lives as part of the Victorian community. Please find out more about the the Department of Justice and Community Safety’s Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020-30 and the roadmap to achieve its vision here: South Sudanese Australian Youth Justice Expert Working Group | Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria.
Until our next meeting, take care, and keep up the COVIDsafe measures.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
South Sudanese Australian Youth Justice Expert Working Group to be established
Creating an Expert Working Group is part of the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020-30, and will work in close partnership with the South Sudanese Australian community to find ways to:
- prevent young people from entering the youth justice system
- divert young people from progressing further into the youth justice system
- address underlying causes for offending among young people.
The Expert Working Group will start in 2022 and will operate until 30 June 2025. Community engagement activities will start later this year.
If you would like to be involved, please send your details in an email to SSAyouthjusticeEWG@justice.vic.gov.au.
Updated COVID-19 communication resources for community stakeholders
The Victorian Government has developed resources in multiple languages with information about how you can stay COVIDSafe and get support if you need it.
This includes stakeholder packs with in-language, up to date material on:
- Rapid Antigen Tests
- What to do if you test positive
- What to do if you are a household contact
Find more translated resources at the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website.
Thought of running for local council? Women Leading Locally | applications close on 28 June 2022
Women aspiring to run for local council are encouraged to step forward and apply for a new program that will provide the skills, tools and connections to campaign in the 2024 council elections. Women Leading Locally targets applicants from the 30 council areas where women were most under-represented at the 2020 elections.
Women from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, young women, women who live with disability, LGBTQI+ women and First Nations women are all especially encouraged to apply. The key requirement is a passion for your local community.
Metro Tunnel is hiring - recruiting for drivers
More than 100 new drivers are now being recruited to operate additional train services when the new Metro Tunnel opens a year ahead of schedule in 2025.
Up to 120 new drivers will undergo an intensive 44-week training program to ensure they’re ready to operate the 65 new and bigger trains that will run through the Metro Tunnel.
Training includes a mix of classroom, practical and on-the-job training, where the trainee drivers are accompanied by a trainer while operating passenger services.
Grants of up to $80,000 opening in June with launch of new Victorian Volunteer Strategy
The newly launched Victorian Volunteer Strategy includes an action plan to promote, build, support and celebrate all forms of volunteering. It outlines how the State Government will support the volunteering sector to be more accessible, flexible, safe, effective and enjoyable, so more Victorians can get involved.
To further support the volunteer community, the State Government is investing $1.3 million to re-engage volunteers and attract new people to volunteering.
Applications for grants of up to $80,000 will open in June to support local partnerships and innovation projects to re-engage volunteers, broaden the volunteer base, and strengthen volunteering in local communities.
Multicultural Communities Leadership in Action Program - update
Since commencing in February this year, the VMC's Multicultural Communities Leadership in Action Program has delivered 26 training sessions for over 300 people from various multicultural and multifaith backgrounds.
The participants work closely with facilitators to build their skills to effectively mobilise their communities and engage with all levels of government. The future is looking bright with so many inspired and promising multicultural leaders taking part.
We have received great feedback on the sessions. Participants have praised the content, collaborated with one another, and benefitted from the expertise of the facilitators. Some of their reflections are below:
- ‘It’s amazing to hear the different project and programs going on at the moment, all thinking about empowering women from diverse backgrounds, but also looking into ways of collaborating together with different cultures.’
- ‘Opportunities like this open up a dialogue between women who are working with, by and for communities. There is so much to learn from and share with each other.'
- ‘Together through shared dialogue we not only have enlightening insights but can develop better solutions for our respective communities and for the nation as a whole.'
The Program will run till 30 June 2022. To celebrate participants completing their training, a closing ceremony event will be held at the end the program. We encourage all program participants to attend to celebrate their newfound confidence and skills.
Stay tuned: more details on the closing ceremony will be advised shortly.
Multicultural Film Festival 2022 | submissions close 20 June 2022
Are you an aspiring filmmaker with a multicultural background? Do you produce short films that explore multiculturalism and promote social cohesion?
If any of the above applies to you, then consider entering your film for the 2022 Multicultural Film Festival, run by the VMC in partnership with Swinburne University.
Select films will be shown at the premier screening at ACMI Cinemas in Melbourne in August.
We'd like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors for this event, Commonwealth Bank, Segmento and Jobs Victoria.
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
MORE:
Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Address: Level 3, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9651 5901
Email: contact@vmc.vic.gov.au