This week, we joined our national counterparts in Canberra for a two-day member forum held by the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils (FECCA).
For the first time, the chairs, CEOs and policy directors of state and regional ethnic communities' councils gathered to explore advocacy priorities, organisational
synergies and future strategies. We were inspired by the energy, commitment and great work being done at the grassroots level to support migrant and refugee communities across Australia.
Thanks to the support of Minister for Multiculturalism, Andrew Giles, a FECCA delegation held a series meetings at Parliament House with federal Ministers and opposition MPs. We were also honoured to attend a dinner at Government House at the invitation of His Excellency, the Governor-General, David Hurley.
In a media conference with the Canberra press gallery, we took the opportunity to stand with our national colleagues to endorse a First Nations Voice to Parliament. ECCV supports the three pillars of the Uluru Statement: Voice, Treaty, and Truth. As we outline in our Position Statement, the upcoming referendum is a critical step in our national journey towards genuine reconciliation, and a more just and inclusive Australia.
Closer to home, we were pleased to attend yesterday’s meeting of the Victorian Government’s Anti-Racism Taskforce to discuss the draft Anti-Racism Strategy. ECCV is proud to join the taskforce and contribute to an Action Plan to tackle racism.
We were also delighted to attend the Victorian Multicultural Gala this month, where we connected with many of our members, stakeholders and friends. The night was a testament to the diversity and vibrancy of our state's multicultural communities, and we congratulate the Victorian Multicultural Commission on its 40th anniversary, and yet another successful Gala, with a record-breaking 1300 attendees.
It has been a big month of celebrations and festivals. We wish our Muslim friends Ramadan Kareem.
Eddie Micallef, Chairperson
SUPPORTING | First Nations Voice to Parliament
ECCV has released a Position Statement on the upcoming referendum this year on enshrining a First Nations Voice. Developed in consultation with Reconciliation Victoria, and in line with FECCA, the Statement affirms our support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and emphasises the importance of working to achieve all three pillars of action: Voice, Treaty and Truth.
EXPLORING | Multicultural Disability Hub | now live
We've been delighted by the response to our Multicultural Disability Hub, launched on our website last month. The Hub centralises our work supporting people with disability in multicultural communities, including our policy publications as well as in-language resources and a directory support service directory. We also put in place a Digital Accessibility Tool to make our website more accessible.
MELB | METRO | IMPROVING | Access to Melbourne's train network
ECCV is working with Metro Trains Melbourne (METRO) to learn more about the barriers migrant and refugee communities face in using Melbourne’s train network. As part of this work, we are conducting a survey to better understand the concerns, experiences and ideas of people from diverse backgrounds for how to improve access to travel and information about the train network.
VIC | CAVI | FORUM | Multicultural carer needs | next week
ECCV is partnering with Carers Victoria (CAVI) to host a forum looking at how to engage with and support carers in migrant and refugee communities, with a focus on older carers. The forum will feature guest speakers from Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Carers Victoria lived experience representatives.
- The event is part of our Recognising and Respecting Carers project.
INTRODUCING | New All One Together anti-racism ambassador
ECCV would like to warmly welcome Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) as a new ambassador for our All One Together anti-racism project, which supports workplaces to improve their diversity and inclusion policies and practices. ECLC joins 25 other ambassadors that have committed to ending racism in the workplace.
SUPPORTING | Our communities to access the PSB
The latest round of the Victorian government's $250 Power Saving Bonus program began on Friday, 24 March. ECCV's experienced multicultural outreach team is ready to support people from migrant and refugee backgrounds across the state to claim the new $250 payment and learn more about how to save on utility costs. Our team can help people in their language.
TRAINING | Free elder abuse awareness training 2-Day program | 2 & 9 May 2023
ECCV is running a two-day bilingual community educator training workshop on 2 and 9 May, as part of our Elder Abuse Awareness project. This free training program aims to equip people with the skills and resources to deliver in-language information sessions on how to prevent, identify and respond to elder abuse. Educators are paid for the sessions they conduct.
CO-DESIGNING | A program for preventing falls
ECCV is part of a research team with Melbourne Health, University of Melbourne, Western Health and multicultural service providers to develop an exercise program to prevent falls, part of the MOVE Together project. We are seeking people aged over 65 who are Arabic, Italian and Chinese speakers to help co-design the program by taking part in small workshops in May.
VIUN | HEARING | Your say: Improving Racism Reporting Pathways Survey
Victoria University (VIUN) is conducting a survey to understand the barriers to reporting racism and the gaps in support faced by people who experience racism. The survey is part of a research project led by Victoria University in partnership with ECCV and Islamic Council of Victoria, with funding from VicHealth. Participants will enter a draw to win a number of gift vouchers.