[Edited extract from public address]
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced 14 October as the date for the referendum on a First Nations Voice.
It has been said many times before, but this referendum is a once- in-a-generation opportunity to achieve meaningful, practical change for First Nations peoples. It is also a pivotal moment in our nation's journey to shape a fairer, more inclusive Australia.
Earlier this year, the ECCV Board committed to leading a campaign to raise awareness among multicultural communities about the referendum and the importance of recognising Indigenous peoples in the Constitution. On 15 August, we launched this campaign at Parliament House, with more than 80 multicultural and multifaith leaders, Multicultural Affairs Minister Colin Brooks and Treaty & First Peoples Minister Gabrielle Williams, and other MPs. The event was a testament to the strength of multicultural Victoria's support for a First Nations Voice.
ECCV has been working with our members and partners to co-host events across Melbourne to inform and engage with migrant and refugee communities about the referendum. At a community town hall on 13 August in Springvale, which drew more than 700 people, we heard from the likes of Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney MP, and former AFL legend and Indigenous activist Michael Long OAM. This week, we co-hosted a community forum in Footscray, and spoke at a forum hosted by the Greek Community of Melbourne and there are more events in the works.
On 25 September ECCV will be hosting a forum at Coburg Town Hall exploring why a First Nations Voice is a positive step forward for all Australians, and why multicultural communities have a crucial role to play in the referendum's success. Now is the time to have those hard conversations, to ask questions, to dispel the myths, which us why our forum will include an extended Q&A session between our guest speakers and audience members. We invite you to come along and be part of this important conversation for all of us.
Eddie Micallef, Chairperson
Highlights
LAUNCHING | Victorian Multicultural Voices for 'Yes'
ECCV launched our Victorian Multicultural Voices for 'Yes' campaign at Parliament House this month. The launch was attended by more than 80 community leaders, and featured speeches from Aunty Esme Bamblett, CEO of the Aboriginal Advancement League, Minister for Multicultural Affairs Colin Brooks MP and Minister for Treaty & First Peoples Gabrielle Williams MP. CONSULTING | Multicultural Framework Review
ECCV met with members of the Multicultural Framework Review Panel this week, as part of consultations being held across the country to inform the Review's recommendations on what institutional, legislative and policy settings can best build Australia’s multiculturalism over the next decade. In the coming weeks, ECCV will be consulting broadly to prepare our submission.
GATHERING | Learning more about the Voice at ECCV's forum | 25 September 2023 | 6-8.30pm
ECCV is hosting our '
Why Yes? Why now? Multicultural Communities and the Voice' forum at Coburg Town Hall. The forum will feature a panel discussion with First Nations Elders, multicultural leaders and legal experts sharing their insights on the referendum and why a First Nations Voice matters. This will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
PUBLISHING | New ECCV paper on multicultural mental health
ECCV released a paper this month that explores the mental health issues facing multicultural communities, and makes recommendations for a mental health system that is culturally safe, equitable and inclusive for all Victorians. In particular, the paper highlights the challenges confronting bicultural mental health workers, who are under excessive pressure and at risk of burnout.
REPORTING | Submission on reducing gambling harm
This month, ECCV made a submission to the Inquiry into the Auditor-General's Report on Reducing Gambling Harm, which outlines our findings about gambling harm in migrant and refugee communities and recommends strategies for prevention and reduction. One of the strategies put forward in the report is taking a public health approach in order to lift stigma and lessen individual responsibility.
REPORTING | New joint research on regional aged care
ECCV partnered with the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing, the National Ageing Research Institute and Icon Agency to produce a new report about the needs of aged care providers in regional Victoria. The report was informed by consultations with aged care providers and stakeholders on the needs of seniors from multicultural backgrounds in rural Victoria, and it makes 10 key findings.
Opportunities and Resources
HIRING | Principal Adviser | Applications close 15 September 2023
ECCV is seeking an experienced and highly competent Principal Adviser to join our team. This is an exciting role, with key responsibilities in strategic and operational functions across ECCV, including governance, risk management, identifying grant and funding opportunities, and overseeing delivery of our Emergency Management programs.
HEARING | Your say: improving reporting pathways of racism
Have your say on how to better support Victorians who experience racism. We invite you to take a
short survey for a research project led by Victoria University in partnership with ECCV and the Islamic Council of Victoria, with funding from VicHealth. The project will inform recommendations on how to improve reporting pathways and support services for people who experience racism.
MORE:
Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV)
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058
Tel: (03) 9354 9555
