Message from the Chairperson
As we enter the final week of July, I encourage you to please take extra care when you are out in the community. New COVID-19 variants are once again causing disruptions for our state, but there is a lot that we can do as individuals and as a collective to stop this spread.
I invite you to stay up to date on the latest health advice and please consider both the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations if eligible. If you need access to food or financial relief, there is information available for how to get this support.
In happier news, there are a number of grants that are now open to apply for - from government and from the not-for-profit sector. It has been encouraging to see just how many grants are dedicated to multicultural communities, and I encourage you to consider applying for grants relevant to your community.
More information about these grants can be found in the newsletter item below.
The time, money and passion that is invested in uplifting multicultural communities every day should not go unnoticed. Everyone deserves to have their contributions recognised.
Please submit a nomination to recognise the work of an individual or organisation for the 2022 Multicultural Awards for Excellence. Victoria’s cultural diversity is one of our greatest assets, and these Awards are a great opportunity to showcase who we are.
Until we next meet, take care and stay well.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
VIC | VMC | CALLING | Nominees for Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence | nominations close Sunday 7 August 2022!
The 2022 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence are now open for nominations!
These awards formally recognise the people and organisations in our community who build cross-cultural understanding and support those with migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.
The categories are: Arts, Business, Community Innovation, Education, Emergency Services, Health, Justice, Local Government, Media, Police, Refugee Advocacy, Sport, Youth Leadership, and the Premier’s Award for Community Harmony.
Each of the 14 categories can have multiple winners and highly-commended nominations. All will be honoured at a ceremony at Government House in October.
VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Multiple Victorian government grants available | apply today!
There are multiple grants available to support multicultural communities, and applications are now open.
Grants are available for priority responses to COVID-19, creative projects, food relief and multicultural festivals and events.
You can find more information about each program, including eligibility, criteria and closing dates for applications (many close in August) via the below links:
AUST | SCFO | GRANTING | Scanlon Foundation Annual Community Grants 2022 | applications close Friday 16 September 2022
Applications are now open for the Scanlon Foundation Annual Community Grants 2022. The grants will support projects that contribute to social cohesion by:
- Building pathways to employment; or
- Increasing applied English literacy.
Grants will provide funding up to a maximum of $30,000 for a 12 month project (implementation from January to December 2023).
VIC | GOV | GRANTING | 2022 Universal Design Funding | grants available, funding round closes 2 September 2022
The 2022 Universal Design Funding Round aims to improve access via small renovations to existing community facilities. The goal is to enable more people, including people with disability and dementia, to participate in community and social activities.
Local and state government entities, and community not-for-profit organisations who manage community facilities and public spaces are encouraged to apply.
Eligible organisations can apply for grants valued between $10,000 to $100,000 for minor fit outs or upgrades to existing community facilities and public spaces.
VIC | GOV | GRANTING | 2022 Changing Places funding | grants available, funding round closes 2 September 2022
Grants of up to $180,000 are available to build thirty new Changing Places across Victoria.
Changing Places provide suitable facilities for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets, and allow those with high support needs to fully participate in the community. This may include people with an acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, and motor neurone disease, as well as many other people with a disability.
The grants are open to Victorian local government, not-for-profit and community organisations.
VIC | GOV | LAUNCHING | AskVic chatbot - access the information you need in your own language
AskVic is a chatbot launched by the Victorian government to support multicultural communities to access the information they need, when they need it. The chatbot is hosted on WhatsApp and can communicate in up to seven languages.
AskVic can answer questions and direct Victorians to information on a range of topics including COVID-19, jobs and careers, business, housing, transport and social support.
To use AskVic,
- you need to have a WhatsApp account and the WhatsApp application downloaded on your mobile phone or device.
- Open WhatsApp on your phone or device, add +61 480 032 278 to your contacts and text 'hello'.
- Learn more
VIC | GOV | HEARING | Your say: Victorian Ageing Well Survey
All Victorians aged 60 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians aged 50 and over are encouraged to take part in the survey.
The 15-minute online survey gives you the chance to raise important issues, share your experiences of ageing and highlight the support you need to age well. All survey responses are anonymous.
The findings of the survey will inform the Commission for Senior Victorians' ongoing advocacy on behalf of older Victorians. By sharing your views, you can contribute to the big picture and make a difference for all older Victorians.
VIC | GOV | EXTENDING | Free rapid antigen tests for people with disability | deadline extended to 30 September 2022
Eligible people with disability can access 20 free RATs per visit from state-run testing sites and from Disability Liaison Officers. Carers can also access the tests on behalf of eligible people with disability.
Eligible people include NDIS participants, disability support pensioners and people with a disability who receive a TAC benefit. Evidence of eligibility, such as a NDIS or TAC statement, is required.
People unable to attend a state-run testing site can contact a Disability Liaison Officer who can help.
VIC | WWP | ISSUING | Health and Wellbeing videos - The Water Well Project
The Water Well Project works with people with migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to provide health education to improve health and wellbeing.
They have recently released a series of simple but informative videos on health and wellbeing topics including COVID-19 vaccination, mental health for kids, and preventative healthcare.
You can watch all Water Well Project videos on their YouTube channel and share the videos with your networks via email or social media.
VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Install additional smoke alarms in your home
72% of fatal fires start in bedrooms and living areas, between the hours of 9pm and 6am.
Fires spread extremely quickly and if a fire does take hold, you could have just seconds to escape.
Additional smoke alarms in your home – including bedrooms – will provide those precious seconds, when you need them most.
The Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria recommend your smoke alarms are tested regularly, that batteries are replaced once a year, and smoke alarm units are replaced every 10 years.
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