Message from the Chairperson
I was delighted to join the Karen community yesterday morning in Wyndham, for a wrist-tying ceremony, hosted by the Australian Karen Organisation. This is an important ceremony within the Karen community, which is said to cast away bad spirits and lead to a peaceful life.
It was inspiring to see many young people in cultural dress, proudly dancing and taking part in the event. Preserving the culture of multicultural communities is an important part of the VMC's role, and young people often lead the way in this work.
It is our hope that the VMC's Multicultural Youth Network (MYN) will create more leadership opportunities for young people who have developed strong connections to their community. The MYN is a fantastic way to represent the concerns of young people in your community and ensure their voices are heard. The deadline for expressions of interest to join the network has been extended to 11.59pm Monday 29 August 2022.
It is an exciting time to be launching the MYN, in light of another launch - the Victorian government's Youth Strategy. Part of the MYN's role will be to promote this strategy and to explore ways to implement the recommendations. I warmly invite you to read about the youth strategy in the newsletter item below, and to share it with your networks.
Until we next meet, take care and stay well.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
VIC | VMC | CALLING | For Nominees for Multicultural Youth Network (MYN) - closing soon, at an deadline extended to 11.59pm Monday 29 August 2022
More applications are being sought, especially from the regional and rural areas listed below!
We are looking for young people who have strong connections to multicultural communities. Applications from culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse backgrounds, including refugees and asylum seekers, are strongly encouraged.
The VMC is looking for representation in eight regions across Victoria including Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, London Mallee and Metropolitan regions.
The MYN is a platform for members to advise the VMC and Government Departments on matters affecting multicultural young people including multicultural affairs, mental health, employment, racism and discrimination.
AUST | ETHNOLINK | WEBINAR | Interpreting 101 Seminar | Thursday 25 August 2022 | 2-3pm AEST / 12noon-1pm AWST
Ethnolink is hosting their first free webinar, where you will hear from their resident Interpreting Manager Karine Bachelier.
The webinar will provide an overview of the four interpreting services offered by Ethnolink, including the benefits of each type of service for your personal or organisational needs.
- Where: online, link provided upon successful registration
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: online through Ethnolink
AUST | ETHNOLINK | WEBINAR | Effective Multicultural Communications Campaigns | Tuesday 6 September 2022 | 2-3pm AEST / 12noon-1pm AWST
Creating a multicultural communications strategy across different channels can be challenging, especially one that resonates across cultures, languages and communication platforms.
In this one-hour free webinar, Ethnolink CEO and Founder Costa Vasili and Senior Translation Strategist Cloé Bru will explore three well-executed multicultural communications campaigns.
The course will include information regarding creating multilingual videos, websites, social media tiles, radio ads and brochures across multiple channels.
- Where: online, link provided upon successful registration
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: online through Ethnolink
VIC | GOV | OFFERING | Free kindergarten for Victorian children | enrolments for 2023 Kinder are currently open
The Victorian government has announced that from 2023, Free Kinder will be available for all Victorian three and four year old children at participating services.
Free Kinder funding will be available in both standalone kindergarten and long day care settings for children enrolled in a funded kindergarten program.
A 15-hour per week program will be available to four-year-old children and a 5-to-15-hour program will be available to three-year-old children per week.
VIC | GOV | LAUNCHING | Victoria's new youth strategy - Our Promise, Your future
With thousands of young Victorians, the Victorian Government has created a new youth strategy to make our state the best place for young people called Our promise, Your Future: Victoria's youth strategy 2022-2027.
The strategy will give young people better access to opportunities and support them to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The youth strategy recognises that all issues that matter to Victoria, matter to young people. Over the next five years, this work will build on and strengthen existing investment in young people and set out new ways of engaging and supporting them.
MELB | GOV | LAUNCHING | New initiative for South Asian filmmakers - My Melbourne
My Melbourne is a new Victorian government initiative, to be delivered in partnership with the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. It will support local South Asian screen talent to progress their careers, by creating short films based on diverse migrant experiences.
The initiative is looking to support film creators to showcase diverse stories addressing race, gender, sexuality and disability while also investing in the careers of South Asian screen talent in Melbourne.
Local talent will be mentored by high-profile Indian film directors Kabir Khan, Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali and Onir as they develop and produce their short films. The four short films will be released as a feature length anthology and will screen at the 2023 Indian Film Festival.
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