Next week has the premiere of our Multicultural Film Festival!
This years’ program is amazing as it explores diverse voices and gives a platform to so many talented story tellers.
If you can, join us ACMI in Federation Square for this fun and important event, I look forward to seeing you at Multicultural Film Festival!
The Victorian government is seeking your inputs into the anti-vilification protection reforms.
This includes amending the Racial, Religious and Tolerance Act, one that is very dear to multicultural and multifaith communities, but one that has had limitations since its establishment in 2002.
The VMC will be holding engagement sessions with the communities, but your voice is central to making Victoria a safer, more inclusive state.
Please visit Engage Victoria’s website and provide your feedback, be it in 50 words, 500 or 5000 words.
The VMC greatly values your perspectives and views.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the VMC and we've developed a research project aimed at better understanding the VMC’s impact over time, while also seeking your views on expectations into the future.
The Social Research Centre (SRC) is leading the project and they're asking for your input.
We would like to invite you to complete an online survey designed by the SRC which will take between 8-10 minutes to complete. This is the link to the survey.
Participation is voluntary so you do not need to participate if you do not want to.
Please feel free to email SRC if you have any questions.
Thank you and please keep reading below for the latest on VMC news and events and remember to sign up for the VMC database below.
Warmly,
Viv Nguyen. Chairperson
News and Events
VIC | VMC | 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.
AUST | FECCA | CALLING | Expressions of Interest for membership of FECCA Advisory Groups | applications close Friday 25 August 2023
The Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA) is calling for expressions of interests to join their advisor boards.
FECCA is creating the following three Advisory Groups:
- Ageing and Aged Care
- Regional and Remote
- Women.
The first Advisory Group meetings will be scheduled for early September.
AUST | RCAA | AMPLIFYING | Voices of Victorian refugee communities
The Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) are holding their inaugural conference in Melbourne in September 2023.
This will bring refugee communities together with various stakeholders to begin a conversation, share knowledge and advance the capacity of people with lived experience to join with RCAA in achieving our vision.
The conference theme is "Building on the Foundation of Lived Experience".
The RCAA invites delegates from multicultural communities, refugees, migrants, asylum seekers, governments, settlement services and businesses from across Australia and internationally to register for this significant event.
Education and Training
MELB | STEMsis | SHARING | Sisters' scientific stories on soapbox
Members of the public will be able to hear from 12 women leaders in STEM this Friday in Melbourne’s State Library Forecourt as part of National Science Week, thanks to support from the Victorian Government.
Organised by STEM Sisters (STEMsis), Melbourne’s second annual free Soapbox Science event is designed to inspire young women to pursue careers in STEM – featuring leaders from diverse backgrounds who will share their research discoveries and experiences in the field of science.
The Victorian Government is backing the event as part of $400,000 in funding announced earlier this year for the Investing in Women’s Grassroots Grants Program. The program is supporting 44 organisations throughout Victoria with up to $10,000 for their work to advance gender equality.
STEM Sisters was founded by Ruwangi Fernando six years ago to break through the barriers that prevent women of colour from pursuing and excelling in STEM fields. It offers programs to support women at every stage of their career, from students to leaders.
VIC | GOV | ANNOUNCING | Vamos! Spanish green tech company sets up in Melbourne
A Spanish company helping to drive the take-up of electric cars has established its Australian and New Zealand headquarters in Melbourne, attracted by Victoria’s innovation culture and advanced tech workforce.
Wallbox is a pioneer in bi-directional technology, allowing the use of an EV battery or a fleet of connected EVs for energy storage and use.
New investments facilitated by Invest Victoria in 2021/22 are expected to create almost 3,700 jobs and generate more than $420 million in wages.
Community
VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Victorian African Communities Committee
Established in late 2022, Victorian African Communities Committee (VACC) is the new advisory committee for Victoria’s African communities. The VACC builds on work of the former Implementation Committee and is led by 13 members, including two Community Deputy Co-Chairs, and chaired by Pauline Richards MP.
- Find out more about the 13 members of the Victorian African Communities Committee (VACC)
VIC | GOV | BOOSTING | Support for South Sudanese young people
The Victorian Government is continuing to invest in Victoria’s South Sudanese community, supporting young people and encouraging prevention and diversion away from the youth justice system.
This month, six grants worth $500,000 for community programs have been announced and an additional round of community grants worth $400,000 has been opened.
Applications for the new $400,000 grant round will focus on programs that fund and support projects that strengthen South Sudanese Australian young peoples’ connection to community and culture through sports, arts, education, training, and pathways to employment.