It's hard to believe this is VMC's last e-newsletter for the year!
Message from the Chairperson
To those who celebrate, we wish you a very merry Christmas, and to our Jewish friends, a happy Hanukkah. I hope that everyone enjoys this festive season, and will have an opportunity to take a break from the demands of work and life as we head into a busy new year.
Yesterday, the VMC celebrated 2022 with our end of year event at the beautiful Islamic Museum of Australia in Thornbury, Victoria. It was an opportunity to reflect on the important work the VMC was able to do thanks to the support of our Commissioners, Regional Advisory Councils, Multifaith Advisory Group, Multicultural Youth Network, Multicultural Chambers' of Commerce, partners, sponsors, stakeholders, community groups, and many individuals around the state.
We'll be sharing photos from the event on our social media channels later today, and I warmly invite you to share the post with your own networks. I also invite you to look out for our next e-newsletter, to be shared with subscribers on Tuesday 17 January 2023.
Until we next meet in 2023, take care, stay safe and look after your loved ones and community over the summer.
Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson
ANNOUNCING | Tickets for the Multicultural Comedy Gala - touring from January - March 2023
Tickets are now available for the Multicultural Comedy Gala, featuring a star-studded line up of Australian comedians sharing stories from around the world.
The Comedy Gala is a hilarious celebration of diversity and multicultural Australian identity, with shows that leave you captivated, connected, and smiling at our proudly inclusive heritage.
The tour will commence in March 2023 at Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham, with regional and metropolitan Melbourne dates available.
PROTECTING | Your community during extreme heat
Summer is officially here, and once again we can expect days of extreme heat. Extreme heat and heatwaves kill more people than any natural disaster in Australia.
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are serious conditions that occur when the body’s temperature rises and internal organs start to shut down. Symptoms range from muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fainting.
The Victorian Government has developed the Survive the heat campaign to raise awareness of the risks extreme heat poses to the health of all Victorians.
These Survive the heat translations have been developed for partners, organisations and community groups to help you raise awareness of extreme heat through your networks.
GATHERING | The Tamil Festival 2023 | Sunday 22 January 2023
The Tamil Festival 2023 is a day-long event bringing together Tamil Australians and the wider Australian community to celebrate with food, stalls, exhibitions and other family entertainment.
Everyone is invited to join the celebration..
- Where: GAA Gaelic Park, 324 Perry Road, Keysborough VIC 3173
- Cost: free entry for all attendees
- Learn more
AUST | IICCS | GATHERING | Making Connections: Multiculturalism and Interculturalism in Australia Conference | 9-10 March 2023
Over two days, practitioners, stakeholders, policymakers and academics are invited to join in conversation with international and local experts to explore the complementarity of multiculturalism and interculturalism and the experience of intercultural cities in Australia, Canada and Spain.
An International Intercultural Cities Comparative Study (IICCS) conference hosted by Swinburne University.
AUST | BBSS | ADVISING | Changes to Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
The Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service closed on 29 November 2022.
Calls made to this service will now automatically be transferred to the Beyond Blue Support Service (BBSS) number, which is 1300 22 4636.
COVID-19 can present challenges to your mental health, and Beyond Blue offers a free telephone or webchat counselling service 24/7. You can talk to a counsellor about how you're feeling, whether related to COVID-19 or anything else.
AUST | SBS | SHARING | Tips for job seekers - SBS Urdu
Job seekers can now receive guidance and support from a free two-part podcast series from Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Urdu.
The in-language podcast offers tips and tricks for people who speak Urdu and are currently looking for work.
AUST | RCA | SHARING | Face-to-Face program for Teachers and Students
The Face-to-Face program is an initiative from Refugee Council of Australia (RCA), involving presentations to students from a speaker with a refugee background.
The refugee speakers share personal stories of their journey to safety and give students the opportunity to learn face-to-face about refugees, their experiences and their contributions to Australia.
Incursions can be delivered as a one-hour interactive presentation or two-hour workshop incorporating small group activities. Both presentations and workshops are brought to life with visual support material.
The presentation package includes a comprehensive Resource Guide for teachers containing links to lesson plans, follow-up activities and further reading, as well as information on how to support and advocate for people from refugee backgrounds.
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