Last month, the Australian Government launched the Multicultural Framework Review.
This is a good step towards redefining the narrative surrounding multiculturalism and building a stronger, more inclusive, and socially cohesive Australia.
It will assess our most important national systems, policies and programs to ensure they work for our multicultural communities.
The VMC will make a submission and we thank you all for your ongoing engagement, which helps inform us in all of our discussions and submissions to government.
I also encourage you all to visit the Home Affairs website to learn more, and to consider participating in consultations or to file your own public submission. We all have the human right to civic participation, and your voice is important in ensuring inclusive decision-making for this reform.
On another note, NAIDOC Celebrations have closed for another year, I want to thank the Monash Interfaith Gathering for allowing me to join their event. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the connection between the Indigenous environment and their cultural practices from Uncle Andrew Gardiner. The VMC is proud to support Indigenous Australians; we are always seeking to collaborate and learn from each other.
And finally, I’m pleased to remind you that the second round of the 2023 VMC Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) meetings have kicked off.
The demographics of regional Victoria are changing at a rapid pace and our RAC’s are an important part of informing the VMC’s priorities and helping us to understand and support local communities through their individual issues, challenges and successes.
If you have a passion for regional Victoria and for multiculturalism I urge you to consider joining our Regional Advisory Committee. We are now inviting expressions of interest for the next term 2023- 2025
Thank you and keep reading below for the latest on VMC news and events and don’t forget to sign up to the VMC database below.
Warm regards,
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
News and Events
JOINING | The 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.
The Scanlon Foundation Annual Community Grants 2023 | applications now open, close midnight Friday 1 September 2023
This year’s community grants will provide up to a maximum of $30,000 for projects that support migrant communities in employment pathways or with English literacy. The grant is open nationwide to all locations in each state. Projects should consider the experience of migrants and of receiving communities and aim to nurture positive outcomes.
CEH | PUBLISHING | Long COVID plain language and translations website
The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (CEH) has developed a plain language and translated website on long COVID, which addresses the need for inclusivity across diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds and literacy levels.
The site has been professionally translated into Arabic, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese, and is also available in plain English for easy comprehension.
Approved by the Department of Health, this website raises awareness about long COVID, including symptoms, prevention strategies, and available treatments. It also offers a library of links to resources in multiple languages from reputable sources, produced locally and internationally.
- More information: Long COVID campaign resources - Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health (ceh.org.au)
LWB | TRANSLATING | Resources in 45+ community languages on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
To encourage participation in the Referendum for all Australians, Polaron Language Services with Life Without Barriers (LWB) and several partner organisations have developed accessible translated resources in more than 45 languages.
These are free to download and aim to break down language, literacy and communication barriers among Australia’s diverse communities. This includes:
- Three social media tiles in 45+ languages that are shareable and easy to disseminate.
- Factsheets in 45+ languages letting communities know about the upcoming Referendum
- 30-second in-language videos – with subtitles and voiceovers.
Anti-racism
VIC | GOV | HEARING | Your say: Strengthening Victoria’s anti-vilification laws
The Victorian government wants your input on strengthening Victoria’s anti-vilification laws.
Consultation between government and community is happening now.
This first stage of consultation is focused on:
- Extending vilification protections beyond race and religion.
- Ensuring that Victorians can make vilification complaints for more than one attribute.
Community members can fill out a survey or upload a submission to respond to the consultation paper available on the Engage Victoria page. The deadline for feedback is 5pm Friday 8 September 2023.
VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Victoria bans display of Nazi symbol
It is a criminal offence in Victoria to publicly display the Nazi Hakenkreuz symbol.
Unfortunately, neo-Nazi groups still use this Nazi symbol to intimidate, incite hatred and violence against the Jewish community and other diverse groups. It is fundamentally incompatible with Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith society.
However, the sacred Swastika should not be mistaken for a Nazi symbol - they are not the same. The Sacred Swastika has been used by Buddhist, Hindu and Jain communities for thousands of years to represent auspiciousness, purity, peace, good fortune and love. Buddhists, Hindus and Jains can continue to display their sacred Swastika for religious and cultural purposes.
Emergency Management
VIC | EMV | GRANTING | Support for natural disaster preparedness and response in Victoria | applications close 4pm Thursday 10 August 2023
Applications are now open for Emergency Management Victoria's (EMV) Risk and Resilience Grants Program.
It’s a funding scheme available for initiatives that reduce the risk and limit the impact of disasters associated with natural hazards in Victoria.
Projects are required to focus on at least one of the following key themes:
- Climate change adaptation and risk reduction
- Designing for risk and resilience – supporting initiatives that strengthen the resilience of Victoria infrastructure, including government and community infrastructure
- Managing local and regional risks and building resilience – support initiatives that improve understanding of local or regional disaster risks, strengthen accountability for and governance of regional risks, and/or support initiatives that are seeking to directly reduce disaster risk at a local or regional level.
Gender Equality
Helping women serve and shape their local communities
The Victorian Government is providing women across Victoria with the tools and connections to advance their leadership ambitions ahead of local government elections next year.
Women Leading Locally is delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia in partnership with Women for Election. 65 women are currently participating in the second wave of the program.
Participants were selected from across the state with a focus on regions where women are underrepresented in councils. The 60 participants from the first year of the program will graduate in August.
Women participating in the program also represent other historically underrepresented groups including Aboriginal women, young women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, women living with disability and women who identify as LGBTQI+.
Justice and Community Safety
Crime Stoppers Victoria empowers communities with accessible support
Crime Stoppers Victoria have expanded their translated resources, which are aimed at providing crucial information and support to people from diverse backgrounds.
Latest additions include:
- Car security checklist,
- Home security checklist,
- Drug harm frequently asked questions pamphlet,
- Frequently asked questions flyer, and
- Youth advisory group sign up flyer.
These new resources complement existing materials, such as the Crime Stoppers information poster and the Tri-service magnet, ensuring a comprehensive range of support tools. Crime Stoppers Victoria understands the importance of accessible information in promoting safety and crime prevention within our diverse communities.
These resources are now available in a wide range of languages, including Amharic, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Dinka, Farsi, Italian Khmer, Korean, Nepali, Punjabi, Somali, Thai, and Vietnamese. While some resources may have more translated options available than others, Crime Stoppers Victoria strive to cover as many languages as possible to reach as many individuals as they can.
People with disability
EFA | JOINING | Fun at friendship groups for young people with disability
The Tham Gia (Join In) program by Extended Families Australia (EFA) runs inclusive community friendship groups, targeted for young people with disability. There are currently groups located in the western and southern suburbs of Melbourne.
It’s all about helping young people with disabilities and their families with a multicultural background become more involved in community activities and learn skills that assist community inclusion.
There are two streams - the Explorer Program, which is for young adults aged 17-25, and the School Holidays Program, which is for the primary school age group and the secondary school age group.
- If you or your family are interested, complete the expression of interest form
- More information
Senior Victorians
Multicultural education campaign zeroes in on elder abuse
Launched this year on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June), the ‘Have You Thought About Later Life?’ campaign urges older people to safeguard themselves by organising their wills and other important legal documents.
For elderly Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, additional barriers to later life planning include lack of awareness as well as confusion due to different approaches in their home country.
The campaign provides a range of relevant educational resources in English, Mandarin, Arabic, Greek, Vietnamese and Italian. It is being promoted through community-specific media and by influencers within each community.