This week has nominations now open for the Multicultural Awards for Excellence!
Message from the Chairperson
The VMC is proud to coordinate the 2022 Multicultural Awards for Excellence, now in its 21st year and still going strong. Please consider putting forward a person or organisation you know that is doing excellent work for multicultural Victoria.
I am an advocate for the idea that you can't be what you can't see - and these Awards are an opportunity to proudly elevate multicultural voices in a way that can inspire the wider community. We encourage you to promote the Awards amongst colleagues, friends and family to spread the word about this exciting opportunity.
While we are excited about upcoming celebrations in our communities in the second half of the year, we are conscious that there are a high number of COVID-19 cases and increasing hospitalisations in the state. To ensure we continue to enjoy in-person events safely, I warmly invite you to regularly review the COVID-19 updates via the Department of Health, and advise all who are eligible to consider a fourth vaccine dose.
Included in this week's newsletter is an update from Better Health, which I encourage all to review. It is vital that everyone stays informed, to keep our communities safe and well this winter.
Until we next meet, take care.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
VIC | VMC | Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence - nominations now open!
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.
VIC | GOV | TRANSLATING | How to Stay Well This Winter - health advice
As Victorians return to normal activities after two years of closed international borders and staying at home, 2022 has been a challenging flu season for the state.
You can protect yourself, your family and your friends by staying up to date with your COVID-19 and flu vaccination, and by knowing where to get help.
The Better Health Channel now has health information regarding COVID-19 and flu vaccinations available in more than fifteen languages.
By staying informed this winter, you can keep your loved ones safe and ease the pressure on our healthcare system.
AUST | ATO | TRANSLATING | Resources for your Tax return
To help you prepare and lodge your tax return, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has put together a number of resources in languages other than English.
This includes resources for completing your first tax return if you are new to Australia.
In addition to fact sheets that can be downloaded from their website, you can watch the Community Voices video series, in which people share their own personal experiences with lodging their first tax return or setting up a business in a new country.
The ATO also has a monthly podcast for listeners to keep up to date with tax and super information. The podcast is available in English, Arabic, Korean, Mandarin and Vietnamese.
VIC | CMY | WEBINAR | Workshop to improve access to mental health services for young people | Wednesday 20 July 2022 | 9.30am-12noon
Hosted by the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) this workshop seeks to address the under representation of multicultural young people accessing mental health services.
In a session co-facilitated by young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, the workshop will explore personal and organisational bias in the sector, encourage reflection on barriers to accessing services and facilitate discussion on best practice for engaging young multicultural people.
- Where: online on Zoom
- Cost: $0-$100
- Bookings: Register through Eventbrite via CMY website
VIC | EEON | GATHERING | Inclusion & Diversity Summit | Wednesday 17 August 2022 | 8.30am-5.30pm AEST
The Equal Employment Opportunity Network (EEON) 2022 Enabling Inclusion and Diversity Summit (Learn, Think & Do!) will bring together people and organisations from across Australia who truly value diversity and inclusion.
This summit will be an amazing opportunity to build your reputation and brand as well as learn and forge new partnerships. Conversation leaders will guide discussion to ensure everyone has a plan to take away from the event.
Themes that will be discussed at the event this year include anti-racism work, menopause and the workplace, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and dismantling power and privilege.
- Where: RMIT Storey Hall, Melbourne (with an online option).
- Cost: $200-$545
- Bookings: online through Eventbrite
VIC | CMY | WORKSHOP | Working with young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds | Thursday 18 August 2022 | 9.30am-4pm AEST
In this training program, the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) explores the essential skills and knowledge required for effective work with young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
The training modules are designed to be applicable across a broad range of sectors and for work with young people from any community. Participants will improve their confidence and capacity to provide a culturally inclusive and responsive service for young people.
The two modules are Culturally Responsive Practice and Young People and Settlement. Both modules will be completed in person at the Centre, and on the same day. A light lunch will be provided.
- Where: CMY Carlton, 304 Drummond Street, Carlton, VIC 3053
- Cost: $0-$140
- Bookings: online through Eventbrite via CMY website
MELB | SIWO | LAUNCHING | New SisterWorks Hub in Abbotsford
SisterWorks is a not-for-profit social enterprise, empowering migrant and refugee women by connecting them with entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
We were recently proud to honour SisterWorks as a 2022 Victorian Refugee Award recipient.
SisterWorks has now opened a new Empowerment Hub in Abbotsford - the new, expanded site means more support for women from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds in the community.
Empowerment Hubs are workplaces and training centres. They provide opportunities for women to share their experiences with other women and develop pathways to education, employment, entrepreneurship and leadership.
VIC | BACA | CASTING | for TV adaptation of award-winning novel - filming from August 2022
Filming will shortly commence for the TV adaption of Trent Dalton's award-winning novel, Boy Swallows Universe.
Barrett Casting (BACA) are looking for a boy of Vietnamese heritage aged 12-16 years in a feature role for the series. No acting experience is necessary.
- To apply, email one photo where your face can be seen clearly (no filters or sunglasses) with your name, age, location and contact number to general@barrettcasting.com.au.
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