Today is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, and we would like to wish Ramadan Kareem to all those who celebrate.
We acknowledge this is a particularly difficult time for Victoria's Muslim communities, many of which are hurting and mourning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Our thoughts are with you all, and we hope this month brings peace, reflection and spiritual enlightenment.
Last Friday was International Women's Day, which we were pleased to mark with a special morning tea with guest speaker Voula Messimeri AM. Currently serving as the Chair of Settlement Services International and National Accreditation Authority for Translators & Interpreters, Voula is a long-time champion of multiculturalism. She delivered a powerful address to ECCV staff and Board members acknowledging the contributions of migrant and refugee women throughout Australian history.
Also last week, ECCV made a submission on the federal government's Aged Care (Exposure Draft). Informed by the experience and expertise of our Positive Ageing & Aged Care Policy Advisory Committee, the submission emphasises that the new legislation must centre the interests and needs of older people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, not treat them as ‘additional’ or optional.
Last but not least, I was honoured to be re-elected as ECCV Chairperson at the first Board meeting of the year. This is a landmark year for the organisation, marking 50 years since it was founded. I could not be more delighted to work with the Board to make ECCV's 50th anniversary celebrations a success.
Eddie Micallef, Chairperson
Highlights
ANNOUNCING | Office bearers for ECCV board elected
Last month, the ECCV Board held its first Board meeting of the year where they elected the next term of office bearers. Eddie Micallef was re-elected as Chair and Jenny Matic as Treasurer. Jill Morgan AM was re-elected as Deputy Co-Chair alongside Gabrielle Marchetti. We also welcome Joe Caputo OAM who was elected as Secretary.
SUBMITTING | ECCV feedback on new Aged Care Act draft
ECCV provided feedback on the federal government's new Aged Care Act (Exposure Draft) last week to ensure the law meets the needs of older people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, as well as carers and workers in the sector. A key recommendation in ECCV submission is the development of a Multicultural Aged Care Strategy to elevate the cultural appropriateness of the aged care system as a whole.
WISHING | Happy International Women's Day
To mark International Women's Day on 8 March, ECCV was delighted to host Voula Messimeri AM as guest speaker at a gathering last week for staff and Board. Voula served for 27 years as CEO of Australian Greek Welfare Society, one of ECCV's founding members, and was the first woman to be elected as Chair of FECCA. She was bestowed ECCV Life Membership at our 2023 AGM.
REPORTING | Multicultural input crucial for NDIS reforms
ECCV's Statewide Disability Network (SDN) held its first meeting of the year last month, where members discussed findings from the NDIS Review's final report. Participants agreed now was a vital time for the Network to help shape the new system to ensure the needs and interests of people with disability from migrant and refugee backgrounds are well-represented.
Opportunities and Resources
JOINING | Our mental health workshops
Do you work in the mental health sector and want to learn how to provide culturally safe services? ECCV is holding workshops to help practitioners understand the factors impacting poorer mental health outcomes for multicultural communities. To arrange a workshop, contact Partnerships & Engagement Lead Surmeli Yesilyurt on 0481 589 664 or via email at syesilyurt@eccv.org.au.
RAISING | Voices of diverse people with disability
In partnership with the Migrant Resource Centre North West Region, ECCV is delivering workshops to empower people with disability from migrant and refugee communities. The Raise Our Voices program supports people with disability from multicultural backgrounds to understand what self-advocacy is, why it's important and how they can improve their self-advocacy skills.
PUBLISHING | Golden Years hot off the press: read latest edition
The new Golden Years is out now! Golden Years is ECCV's triennial eMagazine for seniors from migrant and refugee backgrounds and the multicultural aged care sector. Inside this new edition, you will find articles on Islam and ageing, the new Australian Aged Care Act, financial elder abuse, the importance of culturally appropriate food options for aged care residents, and more.
SUBSCRIBING | to ECCV's disability newsletter
ECCV’s monthly Multicultural Disability Bulletin features the latest disability news, events and resources for people with disability from migrant and refugee communities, their carers and families as well as the disability sector. This month's Bulletin includes stories about the findings from the recent NDIS review and how ECCV's 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission advocates for people with disability.