As we continue through this season of reflection and connection, we are reminded of the strength and compassion that hold our communities together.
We extend our warm congratulations to Julian Hill MP on his recent appointment as the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs. Minister Hill spoke passionately about fostering inclusion, strengthening community cohesion and addressing racism in our society at the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Multicultural Gala dinner in Geelong in August last year and we look forward to continuing our work together—particularly in areas such as anti-racism and social cohesion—and supporting communities to build a more inclusive and respectful Australia.
Here in Victoria, the Victorian Multicultural Review, led by George Lekakis AO, is in its final consultation stages. This Review has been a valuable opportunity for individuals and organisations to help shape the future of multiculturalism in our state. I strongly encourage you to take part if you haven’t already done so. Your input helps ensure that Victoria’s multicultural policies reflect the needs, aspirations and lived experiences of all communities.
As we celebrated Mother’s Day last Sunday, we honoured the vital role mothers play in our homes, communities and across cultures. One of the great strengths of our multicultural society is the way we embrace a wide range of cultural and spiritual traditions—yet moments like Mother’s Day remind us of the shared values that unite us. While we celebrate, we also acknowledge the challenges some mothers and women face, including family violence and structural inequality. I hope as a society we continue to work harder to support them and I take this opportunity to thank the organisations and individuals who are working in the prevention of family violence, to ensure that all mothers and women are respected, supported, and safe - every day of the year.
Thank you for your continued commitment to building a safer, more inclusive and compassionate Victoria.
Warm regards,
Viv Nguyen, Chairperson
News and Events
VIC | GOV | HEARING | Your say: Victoria's Multicultural Review
The Victorian Multicultural Commission encourages you to take part in a community consultation as part of the Victorian Government’s Multicultural Review.
The Review is a great opportunity for you to provide valuable input to help strengthen social cohesion, combat discrimination and ensure multicultural policies reflect the needs of all Victorians.
Community consultation sessions will be taking place online and in-person across regional and metropolitan Victoria.
AUST | CRSA | RAISING | Awareness, Funds and Support for Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia
Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) is a national, independent charity that enables local communities to play a meaningful role in supporting newly arrived refugees.
Through the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP), groups of five or more volunteers – known as Community Supporter Groups (CSGs) – provide 12 months of practical support to a refugee household from the day they arrive in Australia. This includes help with securing housing, navigating essential services and building local connections.
CSGs can be based anywhere in Australia, including regional and metropolitan areas, where they can demonstrate the capacity to provide culturally safe and appropriate support.
VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Men’s Shed Grants | applications close 4pm Thursday 17 July 2025
The 2025–26 Men’s Shed Funding Program is now accepting applications to support the development and expansion of men’s sheds throughout Victoria.
More than $860,000 in funding is available to:
- Construct new men’s sheds
- Upgrade or expand existing facilities
- Purchase tools, equipment, or machinery
The program focuses on projects that reduce social isolation and deliver tangible benefits to local communities, particularly in areas lacking shared spaces for connection.
With more than 360 men’s sheds across the state, these spaces continue to provide valuable opportunities for social connection, skill sharing and support for men from all walks of life.
VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Free Pads and Tampons Now Available Across Victoria
Victorians can now access free pads and tampons at hundreds of public venues across the state, as part of the Allan Labor Government’s continued rollout to ease cost-of-living pressures and improve access to essential hygiene products.
A further 90 new locations, including 18 shopping centres, will receive free vending machines—adding to the 1,500 machines being installed across up to 700 venues including libraries, hospitals, TAFEs, train stations and cultural institutions.
More than 25,000 packs have already been dispensed in the first six months of the program, which builds on Victoria’s initiative to provide free period products in all government schools.
Access to pads and tampons is a basic need – yet one in five women and girls report struggling to afford them.
MELB | SFRI | GATHERING | 2025 Australian Social Cohesion Summit | Thursday 16 October 2025 | 8.30am-5pm
With the theme "Building On Our Strengths: The Role of Youth, Women, and Neighbourhoods in Fostering Social Cohesion" this national event will bring together 200 leaders and changemakers from across Australia, including government, academia, industry, and community sectors.
VIC | GOV | ADVISING | Victorian Renters to Know the Funda-rentals
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) has launched the ‘Know the Funda-rentals’ campaign to help renters across the state understand their rights and access support.
With around 2 million Victorians now living in rental properties, the campaign addresses common rental issues such as urgent repairs, minimum standards, rent increases, and understanding rental agreements.
The campaign supports CAV’s goal to strengthen consumer protections and build a fairer, safer rental market in line with the Victorian Government’s broader housing priorities.
Victoria has the strongest rental laws in Australia, with more than 130 reforms introduced in 2021 and more changes on the way in late 2025.
VIC | GOV | OFFERING | Free Dental Care for Victorian Schoolchildren
The Smile Squad school dental program is helping thousands of families save up to $400 per child per year by providing free, high-quality dental care at government schools across Victoria.
Since its launch in 2019, Smile Squad has visited over 900 schools and supported more than 127,000 children.
Delivered by mobile oral health teams in bright orange vans, the program offers:
- Free dental check-ups
- X-rays, teeth cleaning, and fluoride treatments
- Fillings, sealants and root canals where needed
To make access even easier, a simplified consent form is now available in 31 languages.
Smile Squad also offers specialist dental services through hubs in Geelong, Bendigo, and Gippsland, ensuring follow-up care is available to all children referred through the program.
With Term 2 now underway, parents are encouraged to register their child.
