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VMC | UPDATING | Nominate someone for the Multicultural Awards for Excellence and more | Tuesday 19 July 2022

[Edited extract from public address]

Message from the Chairperson

As COVID-19 case numbers are on the rise, it is critical that we do what's necessary to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our fellow Victorians. This includes wearing a mask where required, staying up to date with the latest health advice, and considering your eligibility for a COVID-19 or flu vaccination.

I encourage you to look into the Stay Well this Winter campaign from the Better Health Channel. The website includes important information regarding COVID-19, and a number of excellent resources translated into many languages.

As we address this latest health concern for our state, we know many communities are still facing the challenges of recovery from the pandemic. I encourage you to look into the recently announced local community grants of up to $200,000, supporting projects in suburban neighbourhoods. For more information, see the newsletter item below on the Living Local Fund.

Finally, I warmly invite you to consider nominating a person or organisation you know for the Multicultural Awards for Excellence. We must recognise the hard work and dedication that sometimes goes unnoticed in our communities. After a challenging two years, there is certainly much to commend and celebrate.

Until we next meet, take care and stay well.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson

VIC | VMC | CALLING | Nominees for Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence | nominations open until 7 August!

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.

This year’s 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.

AUST | GOV | CALLING | Nominees for Australian of the Year Awards 2023 | nominations close midnight 31 July 2022

Do you know a local hero that deserves recognition for their service to their community? You can nominate them now for the 2023 Australian of the Year Awards.

Since its inception in 1960, the Australian of the Year Awards has provided a forum for the recognition of outstanding achievement. The Awards honour an exceptional group of highly-respected Australians who ignite discussion and change on issues of national importance.

The official announcement on 25 January is broadcast live to the nation on ABC and iView. Awards include Australian of the Year, Australia's Local Hero Award, Young Australian of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year.

VIC | GOV | HIRING | Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioners | applications close Monday 1 August 2022

Expressions of interest are now open for four Commissioners of the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission will provide oversight of the mental health and wellbeing system in Victoria, hold the government to account for ensuring it improves people’s experiences of this system and uphold the rights of people with lived experience including their families, carers and supporters.

A Chair Commissioner and three Commissioner roles have been created - and at least one of these positions will have a person with lived experience of mental illness or psychological distress, and one who identifies as a family member, carer or supporter.

VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Living Local Fund for local communities | applications close Sunday 14 August 2022

Local community groups can apply for grants of up to $200,000 to support projects in suburban neighbourhoods and shopping strips, through the Victorian Government’s recently launched Our Suburbs:Living Local Fund.

Grants of up to $200,000 are also available for community organisations for infrastructure projects such as community gardens, community hall upgrades, public art and outdoor gyms. Additional community grants of up to $20,000 are available for minor upgrades and maintenance to existing facilities.

The Government is giving priority to projects in areas most impacted by COVID-19.

AUST | GOV | HEARING | Your say: Australia's Humanitarian Program | public submissions for 22/23 paper now open, closing 12 August 2022

Each year the Australian Government publishes a discussion paper to inform and seek the views of the Australian public on the management and composition of Australia's Humanitarian Program, which includes details of Australia's refugee resettlement efforts.

The 2022-23 Program Discussion Paper: Australia’s Humanitarian Program 2022-23 is now available on the Department of Home Affairs' website.

All interested people and organisations are invited to make a written submission to humanitarian.policy@homeaffairs.gov.au.

AUST | YFSN | Reporting racism for African-Australian communities - video

Youth and Family Support Network (YFSN) is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to deliver activities and initiatives that empower local African-Australian communities to tackle racism and support social cohesion.

The Network has developed a video in partnership with Sketch Group to raise awareness of racism, discrimination, microaggressions and build confidence and capacity of community members to report racism to authorities or trusted community leaders and organisations.

We invite you to share the video with your networks on Facebook. It's our collective responsibility to address racism, and contribute to a fairer society.

AUST | AHRC | ADDRESSING | Racism: It stops with me

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) have continued their national campaign: Racism. It Stops With Me.

The campaign provides tools and resources to help people and organisations learn about racism and take action to create change.

Racism is more than just harmful words or individual actions. It includes biases in our society, its laws, institutions and ways of thinking.

No matter how challenging the conversation, we need to talk about racism and the causes of inequality. By taking a stand against racism, we can build a fair and equal society – for all.

AUST | GOV | TRANSLATING | Domestic and family violence and your visa

The Department of Home Affairs has recently updated their Domestic and family violence and your visa web page.

Their help page includes two key documents that have now been translated into 23 community languages.

You can also complete the Relationships Cessation Form, an online form that you can use to tell the Department if your relationship has ended.

Coronavirus hotline 


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Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Address: Level 3, 1 Macarthur Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9651 5901