Sharing some updates and events celebrating our diverse communities.
We are a few days away from Refugee Week, which runs from 18–24 June. This annual awareness week is an opportunity to honour people with a refugee or asylum seeker background for their resilience, courage, and contributions.This year's theme is “home away from home, a world where refugees are always included", which is a fitting reminder of the journey and the search some people must go through to find safety and a new beginning.
During this important week, the VMC will proudly present the Victorian Refugee Awards on World Refugee Day, 20 June. We thank the Minister for Multicultural Affairs the Hon. Colin Brooks, in advance for his attendance at this important event.
These awards exemplify the power of elevating culturally diverse stories and sharing our unique experiences with each other.
By knowing and celebrating each other, we build understanding, connection, and community and smash stereotypes.
I invite you to celebrate Refugee Week by actively engaging in conversations and embracing differences.
Let's reaffirm our commitment to making Victoria a welcoming and inclusive environment where every voice is heard and valued.
I also want to extend a big congratulations to the 1,192 Kings Birthday Honours List recipients. It's important to note that most recipients in the general division are women. This is the first time women have outnumbered men since the Order of Australia was established in 1975. I see this as a testament to our nation's progress on gender equality.
Recognition matters and we congratulate all culturally diverse recipients, including Sheikh Alaa Elzokm, OAM of the Elsedeaq Mosque, Australian National Imams Council and Honourary Community Ambassador of the Islamic Council of Victoria, who was recognised for his service to the Islamic community.
Lisa Kennett OAM, President of Jewish Care Victoria, who was recognised for her service to the Jewish community and Dr Diana Cousins of the Buddhist Council of Victoria.
The diversity among these honorees inspires us all.
And finally, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing has launched a Better Practice Guide for Multicultural Communications. It can help you to improve communication and engagement with multicultural communities in Victoria.
This guide includes two principles for improving communications. It explains different ways to communicate, depending on your organisation’s capacity. It also includes examples of good practices in multicultural communications.
Warm regards,
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
News and Events
JOINING | VMC database!
In the last couple of years, the VMC has played a significant role in supporting, engaging and informing the multicultural and multifaith communities during extremely tough circumstances, like the floods, fires and the pandemic.In order to continue this effort, we need a robust and up-to-date Multicultural Communities Database.
Please help us by providing your organisation's contact details.
There are two questionnaires - please only fill out ONE.
You can complete a questionnaire on behalf of an organisation you represent OR as an individual.
- Individuals Questionnaire
- Organisations Questionnaire
- If you have any questions, please email the VMC
You must complete the above questionnaire and consent to the VMC having information about your organisation to be among the first to know of relevant Governmental or community resources, awards, grants, news, events, programs, and other opportunities, including VMC-hosted events such as the Multicultural Gala Dinner.
The VMC and DFFH will contact people on the database from time to time to ask for their views on important issues.
SHARING | Bendigo Karen Youth Network celebrates Refugee Week with storytelling
During Refugee Week, the Bendigo Karen Youth Network will launch a digital storytelling project called "Our Australian Dream: Sharing with Love".Through the power of storytelling, they hope to address and reduce discrimination and bias against people of refugee background, particularly the Karen people.
Through the project, they want to empower and inspire individuals of refugee background to embrace their identity and be proud of who they are and their unique lived experiences.
ANNOUNCING | 2023 Victorian Youth Fest Recipients
The Victorian Government will support young people across the state to hold youth-led events during the 2023 Victorian Youth Fest in September.More than 100 successful recipients of the grants will host events led by and for young people aged between 12 and 25.
Successful recipients include Victorian Afghan Students Association for Afghanistan's Got Talent, Campaspe Cohuna Learning and Employment Network hosting Kyabram Youth Expo.
Mental Health
LAUNCHING | Dedicated emergency mental health hub opens at Monash Medical
A new $5.3 million mental health hub located within Monash Medical Centre’s emergency department is now open.The new facility is part of the Victorian Government’s $32 million investment in six hubs across the state, providing specialist and integrated assessment, treatment and post-discharge support.
The other hubs are already operating in Geelong, Sunshine, and St. Vincent's Hospitals, with more to come.
Employment & Training
BOOSTING | Victorian Creative Careers
Applications for the 2023 Weasle Eicke Scholarship program are now open to budding young musicians looking for training, mentorships, and industry placements.This program addresses critical staff shortages in the live music and major events sectors by growing the state's crewing workforce.
CALLING | Nominations for the 2023 Volunteering Awards | nominations close Monday 17 July 2023
Volunteering Victoria and the Victorian Government host the Volunteering Awards to celebrate inspiring volunteers and outstanding community organisations.Anyone can nominate. It’s quick and easy. And you’ll help ensure deserving volunteers and community organisations are recognised for their important contribution to our state.
Gender Equality
INVESTING | Multicultural Small Businesswomen
Multicultural women who own a small business can now connect with experts from across Australia via a dedicated online marketplace - Made by Many Minds.Made by Many Minds is a one-stop digital platform that provides Migrant Women in Business members with a range of services, including legal, finance, marketing and merchandising.
The platform was developed with a $150,000 grant from the Victorian Government, and most of the services offered are owned and run by migrant women.