Last week on World Refugee Day, the 2023 Victorian Refugee Awards were hosted at the beautiful Immigration Centre.
It was an incredible evening celebating worthy award winners and it was impossible not to be moved by their stories of resilience and excellence.
Again, I want to congratulate this year's recipients - you embody the power and passion of Victoria's refugee communities.
I warmly invite you to take the time to read about the Victorian Refugee Award recipients for 2023.
As you know, June is an annual awareness month for people with a refugee background, and we've already making plans to grow and expand our work in this area into 2024.
June is a busy and significant time, and it's also when we come together for Pride Month to honour the LGBTQIA+ community's history, achievements, and ongoing struggle for equality.
In the closing days of June, let's embrace acceptance, love and diversity and be proud of our state's position as a leader in celebrating diversity and upholding the rights of all Victorians.
The VMC acknowledges the impact of intersectionality in this work, especially between sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, and refugee or asylum seeker background.
To get involved and to learn more, I encourage you to explore the Australian GLBTQI Multicultural Council and INTERSECT's work in the LGBTIQ+, multiculturalism and multifaith spaces.
We're a few days away from the National Aboriginals and Islanders Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week, which runs from 2 July – 9 July.
This week celebrates First Nations cultures, histories, and achievements.
I love this year's theme, 'For Our Elders,' because even though we celebrate different cultures, we can also embrace commonalities - and what better way to do that than by reflecting on the role elders have within all our families and communities?
They nurture, guide, and inspire - passing on wisdom and cultural knowledge for generations.
NAIDOC celebrations are inclusive and joyous, and I encourage you to visit the NAIDOC website to find events near you.
More unites us than divides us.
Thank you and keep reading below for the latest on VMC news and events.
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.
If you have any questions, please email 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.
CELEBRATING | Ways our community strengthens multiculturalism in Victoria
Now in its 22nd year, Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) runs the Multicultural Awards for Excellence.
The Multicultural Awards for Excellence (MAEs) formally recognise people and organisations who have supported Victorians with migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.
This year, we see the Multicultural Honour Roll brought back into the MAEs further to extend the celebration of individuals throughout the state.
With 15 categories across a range of areas, we hope you’ll consider nominating someone for a Multicultural Award for Excellence.
Art, Design & Media
Bringing new voices to Victorian screens | applications close Tuesday 11 July 2023
Following the success of Originate Features, the initiative is now focusing on television. This marked the launch of Originate Series – a new talent and skills development program for Victorian writers looking to propel their careers in television.
Eight aspiring early-career to mid-career writers will be selected to undertake masterclasses and paid professional development opportunities, mentored by experienced TV series writers, producers, and mentors.
Participants will also complete the renowned eight-month online screenwriting program delivered by University of California (UCLA) School of Theatre, Film and Television, starting in October 2023.
Originate Series is now open for applications from Victorian writers, closing Tuesday 11 July.
Employment & Training
Free English lessons for people with migrant and refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is a free service which helps eligible migrants and refugees or asylum seekers to improve their English language skills and settle into Australia.
It can further education, a new career, or a chance to transfer existing skills to the Australian workplace. You can also meet other people learning English and make new friends.
The program is delivered at around 300 locations across Australia in major cities, as well as regional and remote areas. You can join your class online, go to COVID-safe face to face classes, or learn remotely by distance learning.
Boosting training and jobs for more young Victorians
The upcoming Linking Youth to Foundation Training (LYFT) program is aimed at young people who have had challenges with ongoing education.
It focuses on personal development and successfully transitioning through education and onto further study, training or work – helping young people explore their aspirations and set realistic goals.
LYFT builds on the success of the Pathways to Employment program, delivered in partnership with Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education (PRACE). PRACE supports disadvantaged people in the Reservoir and Preston communities to prepare them for career and employment opportunities.
LYFT has been supported by a $50,000 investment through the Victorian Government’s Reservoir Suburban Revitalisation Board, which works with the community to identify critical locally-led projects to help Reservoir thrive.
Gender Equality
VIC | GOV | ADVANCING | Female and gender diverse leaders | applications close 11.59pm Sunday 16 July 2023
Delivered by Leadership Victoria, the Joan Kirner Emerging Leaders Program supports women and gender diverse people to develop practical skills and strategies to advance their leadership careers.
Applications are welcome from women and gender diverse people who are aged 22 to 40 and are from multicultural communities or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
Participants will take part in interactive learning development workshops, collaborative group work, structured networking, and mentoring activities.
Participants will be encouraged to apply their new knowledge with a supportive network of peers and offered the opportunity to develop their individual leadership style.
The program will run from 11 October to 20 November 2023.
AUST | AMF | HONOURING | Carla Zampatti’s legacy in breaking barriers by supporting the aspirations of CALD women | applications close 5pm Friday 14 July 2023
The Carla Zampatti Scholarship for Young Women is a national initiative developed by the Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF).
The Scholarship supports young women from new and emerging culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to achieve their aspirations and goals in life where there may be hardships, barriers or challenges to achieving these goals.
Eligible applicants can receive a grant of up to $10,000 toward a personal venture, goal, or activity.
VIC | GOV | SUPPORTING | Grassroots gender equality projects
The Investing in Women’s Grassroots Grant Program aims to build the capacity of grassroots organisations to dismantle some of these drivers of gender inequality through community engagement events, leadership, training programs and advocacy projects.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins has congratulated 44 community organisations which will receive grants of up to $10,000.
Grant recipients include projects that support women and gender diverse people from First Nations, multicultural and LGBTIQ+ communities and those at risk of homelessness.
The Victorian Government first announced its $200,000 investment towards the program in early May 2023. However, due to overwhelming interest, this has been doubled to $400,000.
Senior Victorians
Improving connections for multicultural seniors
The Victorian Government is supporting seniors from multicultural communities to foster stronger community connections and promote vibrant local activities.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Colin Brooks has announced that more than 1,000 multicultural seniors’ organisations will benefit from a significant investment in the Multicultural Seniors Support program.
An investment of $2000 is being provided to each community group to deliver social and cultural activities, purchase equipment and establish digital support networks. Recipients also benefit from complimentary public liability insurance and group accident cover