Welcome to April which marks Holy Week for Christians and Nowruz/ Nevroz/ Newroz, the new year for 300 million people across the world including the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
With all its significant occasions, this time of year highlights the very best in Victoria's cultural diversity and social cohesion. It's wonderful to see and even better to participate in.
For those unfamiliar with Nowruz, it's a 3,000-year-old tradition celebrating the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
I was fortunate to attend the Australian-Iranian Society of Victoria's Nawroz, which was held in honour of women, life, and freedom - for all the women and girls in Iran and worldwide fighting for basic human rights at a personal cost.
I would like to take a moment to thank my hosts for allowing me to join them on this special occasion and for the relentless advocacy of their all-female executive.
At the VMC we continue to pursue those core values of equity and gender equality.
I recently joined the Human Appeal Australia Sisters’ Iftar fundraising event and noted the power of sisters from different walks of life coming together to celebrate Ramadan.
They also raised funds for women in Afghanistan, Palestine and Lebanon who have lost their husbands in war, earthquakes and other tragedies.
I was overwhelmed by the sisterhood, compassion and generosity of these women.
At a systemic level, I took our shared vision for more Women of Colour leaders to the 2023 Chief Executive Women conference.
The theme was "BE BOLD", and I want to encourage you to "be bold".
Be bold with your ambition, and I promise we will be bold in our advocacy and support.
And finally, although our Multifaith Advisory Group have been very active in the first quarter of the year, they will hold their first official meeting this week.
Their work is another arm of the VMC and works alongside our Regional Advisory Council and Multicultural Youth Network to extend our reach and listen to more people from more diverse places and backgrounds. Your perspectives play a big role in informing our work.
Thank you
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
News and Events
MELB | ASAC | ADVISING | Tickets for "Brown Women Comedy" are selling fast | 6-12 April 2023
Produced by the Australian South Asian Centre (ASAC), "Brown Women Comedy" is the largest lineup of Indian, Pakistani and South Asian women comedians at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Six shows.
- Where: Queen Victoria Women's Centre and Trades Hall in Melbourne
- Cost: $37-$50. Use the code "Community" for a 10% discount.
- Bookings: Tickets Available HERE
VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Vouchers to support your child's sports and recreation activities
Applications for Round six of the "Get Active Kids Voucher Program" are now open!
If your family or child has a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, you may be eligible for up to $200 to put towards the cost of your child’s participation in sports and active recreation activities.
Health
AUST | TSF | CALLING | Diverse Stroke Survivors to create culturally appropriate resources
The Stroke Foundation is seeking community's help to develop eight in-language versions of its health resource "My Stroke Journey".
Hospital health professionals deliver this resource in the first few days after a person’s stroke.
The Stroke Foundation is looking for culturally diverse people who have experienced a stroke or whose loved ones have experienced a stroke to share their stories.
This information will help stroke survivors and families from CALD communities have the best possible recovery.
Employment & Opportunities
GRANTING | Applications for funding through the Multicultural Festivals and Events Program | close 3pm Tuesday 11 April 2023
Grants of up to $50,000 are still available to support multicultural and multifaith community organisations to host events and festivals.
Events must be held between 1 July and 31 December 2023.
This round prioritises applications for events in regional and rural areas, events delivered by new and emerging community groups, as well as events led by multicultural women.
Gender Equality
CALLING | Nominations of exceptional culturally diverse women for the Victorian Honour Roll of Women | nominations close 11.59pm Monday 29 May 2023
The 2023 Victorian Honour Roll of Women is now open. More than 700 women whose achievements have helped shape Victoria, the nation and the globe have been inducted into the Honour Roll since it began in 2001.
The Honour Roll is proud to celebrate the contributions of women of all faiths, cultures, ages, sexual identities and abilities.
CALLING | Multicultural women for SisterWork's cultural spectacular | Saturday 9 September 2023
Join SisterWorks for a one-day event that promotes different cultures and helps enhance the economic empowerment of multicultural women.
Around 700 people are expected to join the SisterWorks cultural spectacular at the Abbotsford Convent.
The spectacular will feature sisters’ culture, stories, arts, craft, food, music, dance, and 40 stalls showcasing SisterWorks’ Entrepreneurship and Small Business Programs.