On Wednesday 20 September, the Premier made a big announcement about a landmark package to boost housing supply and affordability in Victoria.
The report Victoria’s Housing Statement – The Decade Ahead 2024-2034 sets a bold target to build 800,000 new homes across the state over the next 10 years.
There is a link to the detail of this program below and I encourage you to read this statement - the VMC will do the same.
We'll hold discussion sessions to increase understanding of how this will impact multicultural communities, particularly those people and larger families on the wait list for housing.
Back in our Lonsdale St office, we hosted our first community of practice session for the 2022/23 recipients of the community support fund.
This means that fourteen organisations making a difference in multicultural communities came together to collaborate, share knowledge and build networks.
The Victorian government is currently offering the following grants, which you might be interested in "Free from violence local government program" and "Making accessible places".
Please click on the link and check out the websites for more information. And stay tuned for the upcoming Festivals and Events grants for the January to June 2024 period.
At the VMC, we always look to improve how we support the community and inform the government. This includes how we communicate and what we communicate about. If you can help us, we have created a survey for feedback on this newsletter.
Finally, some of you may be aware that the Refugee Communities Association of Australia is hosting their annual conference this week.
The event puts the lived experience of refugees front and centre. It amplifies their voices and increases their influence and advocacy. Thank you, RCAA, for continuing to share the voice of refugees.
Please keep reading below for the latest VMC news and events. 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 | SBS | SCREENING | MFF films on SBS on Demand
If you did not attend VMC's 2023 Multicultural Film Festival, don't worry! You can watch all the Official Selection films on SBS on Demand!
Mark your calendar, as a majority of the films will be available to watch in early October.
AUST | GOV | CALLING | Last days to make a submission to the Multicultural Framework Review | Submissions close Friday 29 September 2023
The Multicultural Framework Review is asking for submissions to help the government on how to best build Australia’s multiculturalism over the next decade and meet its needs.
You can put in a submission on behalf of an organisation you represent or as an individual.
VIC | GOV | ANNOUNCING | Building 800,000 new homes in the next ten years.
Victoria is the fastest-growing state in Australia, with our population set to hit 10.3 million by 2051.
We need 2.24 million homes built, including 425,600 across regional and rural Victoria, to ease the housing pressure.
The Victorian Government plans to address this over the next ten years.
Click on the link for further details, including how this plan relates to housing affordability, renters' rights, and social housing.
DANDENONG | GOV | SUPPORTING | Afghanistan's Got Talent at this years' Youthfest | Friday 29 September 2023 | 6–10.30pm
The Victorian Afghan Student’s Association (VASA) will be hosting its first Afghanistan’s Got Talent.
Celebrate the talents and passions of young Victorians with roots to Afghanistan, as they will perform and showcase their art to the community.
- Find out more
- Where: Kabul Reception, 8 Raylee Place, Lynbrook, VIC 3975
- Cost: $30 + booking fee
- Bookings: online through Humanitix
VIC | GOV | HEARING | Your say: About Women's Health in Victoria | survey closes Friday 29 September 2023
Women and girls make up more than half our population, and yet women's health continues to be overlooked and underdiagnosed.
The Victorian Government wants to change this and wants to hear from you.
Share your opinion and experiences about women's health care through the Engage Victoria survey.
By completing this survey, you are helping the Victorian Government to improve in delivering better women's health care.
Share this survey with your family and friends to break down the stigma about women's health care and women's experiences in the health system.
VIC | VEOHRC | LAUNCHING | New resources kit helping LGBTQA people of faith to live authentically and with pride
The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) have created a resources kit to explain the recent law that affirms that faith and LGBTQA identity can coexist.
This resources kit includes a short animated explainer and factsheets that you can share with your community and networks.
MELB | STME | ENGAGING | International Students Upcoming Events
Study Melbourne (STME) has many free or low cost events for international students who are studying and living in Victoria.