Entering a new financial year, ECCV renews focus on what matters most: standing up for multicultural communities.
We champion cultural diversity and work to strengthen community cohesion across Victoria. ECCV recently launched translated elder abuse prevention brochures. Another highlight was our roundtable in Melbourne's west where organisations for high-needs communities shared concerns. These efforts show the power of collective action in a challenging time.
ECCV remains deeply concerned about the rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia, and far-right extremism targeting First Nations people, migrants and refugees. We support the State Government’s Anti-Racism Strategy and welcome the stronger anti-vilification laws passed this year.
Standing against hate is compatible with free speech. In a democracy, the right to protest peacefully must be respected. Silencing marginalised voices only deepens mistrust.
Tackling hate ultimately requires a whole-of-community effort.
We welcome newly launched anti-racism hubs in Wyndham, Whittlesea, and Melbourne’s southeast including Casey, Dandenong and Cardinia. These grassroots initiatives, which have involved ECCV members, demonstrate what is possible when communities lead, rather than relying on top-down approaches that get headlines but don’t shift the dial.
I sincerely believe in our diversity lies great strength.
Abiola Akinbiyi, Chairperson
Our highlights
CONDEMNING | Synagogue Attack
ECCV was in contact with our longstanding member, the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV), soon after the hateful arson attack on the historic synagogue in East Melbourne earlier this month. A swift arrest has been made and charges laid against the alleged perpetrator from NSW.
WELCOMING | Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner
ECCV CEO Farah Farouque welcomed Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner Giri Sivaraman to our Coburg office last week. Since last year, Mr Sivaraman has been advocating for the adoption of an ambitious National Anti-Racism Framework. The 10-year road map, developed by the Australian Human Rights Commision with extensive community consultation, makes 63 recommendations for change.
HOSTING | Community Roundtable
Last month, we hosted representatives from grassroots multicultural organisations at a community roundtable to discuss Victorian communities with high needs and the unique challenges they face. Held at Millennium House in Melbourne's west, we were pleased to be joined by more than 20 groups and organisations. Thank you to everyone who attended to share their ideas and insights, and to our discussion facilitator Tigist Kebede.
GAUGING | Impact of Aged Care Reforms
ECCV recently partnered with Seniors Rights Victoria and COTA Victoria to gauge the impact of aged care reforms on Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) providers servicing multicultural communities. While most providers surveyed believed the reforms were positive for the sector and older people, there were concerns that their capacity to meet the needs of multicultural clients may be diluted under the new arrangements.
TRANSLATING | Elder Abuse Prevention Brochures
We are proud to publish new translations of our "Dignity & Respect" brochures, a cornerstone of our decades-long work raising awareness of elder abuse in Victoria's migrant and refugee communities. The latest translations in Italian, Burmese, Farsi, Dari and Somali extend the reach of our work supporting seniors from multicultural backgrounds to identify elder abuse and seek help.
Resources & opportunities
SHOWCASING | Sinhala, Spanish and Turkish stories of migrants and refugees living well with disability
As part of the latest phase of the Australia-wide Speak My Language (Disability) project, ECCV has produced video-podcasts in Sinhala, Spanish and Turkish that showcase the stories of migrants and refugees living well with disability. The video-podcasts feature conversations between real Victorians, like Rocio and Sahily, who talk about how being able to play accessible sports after acquiring a disability has been so important to them.
MARKING | World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Golden Years
To mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) last month, ECCV published a special elder abuse awareness edition of Golden Years, a digital magazine for multicultural seniors and the aged care sector. The edition takes an in-depth look at elder abuse in multicultural communities and what's being done to end it. You can also learn about what will change under the new Aged Care Act, how the housing crisis affects older migrants and more.
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Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV)
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058
Tel: (03) 9354 9555
ECCV acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, and pays respect to their Elders past and present.