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VMC | UPDATING | How to apply for emergency flood payments, enrol to vote and more | Wednesday 19 October 2022

[Edited extract from public address]

This week we have seen wild weather impact many communities across Victoria, in many cases leaving devastation in its path. To all those affected by this weather, particularly the floods, please know that there is support available for you.


Message from the Chairperson

The VMC is currently working closely with relevant Government departments and local multicultural community organisations to support the response to this emergency event. We will ensure communities are kept informed, and advocate for timely, safe and appropriate help.

I'd like to draw your attention to two items in this week's newsletter about applying for financial or material support. The federal Government's Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance are targeted to areas most affected. Please consider your eligibility for these programs.

It has been encouraging to see that multicultural communities are being considered in the government's flood response. It indicates that the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic are now being built into similar emergency responses.

In relation to the pandemic, we were pleased to see that the State Government has announced funding to 77 multicultural and multifaith community organisations in the last week, to support recovery from COVID-19. This will strengthen workforces, and our local and national economies.

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

AUST | GOV | SUPPORTING | Victorians Claim a Disaster Recovery Payment or Disaster Recovery Allowance | claim by April 2023

Financial support is available to help people seriously affected by flooding around Victoria in October 2022, in the form of a $1000 Disaster Recovery Payment or Disaster Recovery Allowance.

Those impacted have until 17 April 2023 to make a claim for either the lump sum payment or the allowance.

Only select Victorian regions are covered - please read the eligibility criteria for more information.

For more information about State Government support, please call the Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.

VIC | GOV | SUPPORTING | VicEmergency – Personal Hardship Assistance Program

The Personal Hardship Assistance Program assists people experiencing financial hardship because of a natural disaster related emergency such as flood and severe storm.

Additional assistance may also be available for up to seven days after the emergency event. A one-off payment is provided to help meet immediate needs, including emergency food, shelter, clothing, medication and accommodation.

A needs assessment is carried out by a Personal Hardship Assistance Officer to determine eligibility.

Relief payments are not available to cover the cost of cleaning up fallen trees, replacing fences, repairing or towing vehicles, covering insurance excesses, or to cover business losses.

VIC | VEC | REMINDING | Eligible Victorians to Enrol to vote in November 2022 State election | enrolments close 8pm Tuesday 8 November 2022 

The next State election is on Saturday 26 November 2022. To vote, you'll need to be correctly enrolled by 8pm on Tuesday 8 November 2022.

You must enrol to vote if you:
  • are an Australian citizen
  • are aged 18 years or older
    and
  • have lived in Victoria for longer than a month.
If you need help with your enrolment or have any questions about enrolling, contact our enrolment helpline:

AUST | SCIN | INTERVIEWING | Voices of Australia podcast

VMC Chairperson Viv Nguyen joined Youth Activating Youth Programs Manager Hanad Hersi on the fourth episode of The Voices of Australia podcast to explore the question 'What is Social Cohesion?'.

Hosted by Scanlon Institute (SCIN) CEO Anthea Hancocks and Below the Surface Magazine Founder Lydia Tesema, this podcast is filled with insightful perspectives from a range of diverse voices on how to create a cohesive society.

The podcast is available to listen for free on PodBean.


AUST | SBS | BROADCASTING | Arabic and Mandarin news bulletins – Watch now

SBS is now presenting two locally-produced news bulletins, SBS Arabic News and SBS Mandarin News.

Two dedicated teams of journalists produce the in-language bulletins, which provide coverage of major national and international stories.

SBS عربي News streams live at 8pm on weeknights and SBS 中文 News is live from 8.30 pm on weeknights. They are also both available to stream at any time on SBS On Demand.

AUST | LOTE | HEARING | Your say: Multicultural research - intercultural or interfaith relationships

The LOTE Agency (LOTE) is working with Monash University to research intercultural or interfaith relationships.

This project aims to examine the nature of ethnic/religious partnering and explore how mixed relationships embody Australian multiculturalism. The outcome will be used to help improve cultural understanding and policies.

Participants are to be aged 25 to 34 yrs old for interviews to take one hour and will be run by Monash University’s Research Team. They can take place virtually or in person (if you are based in Melbourne).

All interviewees will be given a $100 Prezzee voucher to thank you for your time and contribution to the project.

Coronavirus hotline 


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