Victoria's Treaty Legislation, which has now been passed by the State Parliament, marks a historic step for truth, reconciliation and racial justice for Aboriginal peoples in Victoria.
As we reflect on what justice and belonging means, it’s important to acknowledge that we are all migrants on this land, except the First Peoples.
The Treaty, the first-ever for Australia, is expected to become law this year, and for our multicultural communities, this really matters.
At ECCV, we believe that justice for First Peoples is the foundation for justice for all of us. Victoria is setting a standard for how we value all cultures, histories and identities.
Treaty will deliver a formal apology and embed Aboriginal truth-telling about past injustices and the ongoing legacies of colonisation. It will also restore traditional names to parks and waterways.
Treaty will establish Gellung Warl, a new representative body ensuring that government decisions are guided by fairness and accountability.
When the oldest living culture on Earth is respected and empowered in this way, every community benefits from a stronger, fairer and more inclusive Victoria.
As we work towards the key issue of reconciliation, we should also recognise everyday challenges faced across our state. Like so many others, multicultural families say they are feeling the pressures of rising living costs, housing insecurity and access to essential services.
ECCV continues to call for stronger social housing investment and culturally responsive support across services, so that no one is left behind as we build a fairer Victoria.
Abiola Akinbiyi, Chairperson
News & Advocacy
ECCV | REMINDING | Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday 25 November 2025
Our AGM is an opportunity to come together, reflect on the year’s achievements, and help shape ECCV’s priorities for the year ahead. It is also offers an exceptional networking opportunity to meet and connect with our diverse communities.
If you’re not yet a member, there’s still time to join and receive your invitation. ECCV members play a vital role in strengthening our advocacy and ensuring the voices of multicultural communities are heard. This year we will also be electing a new board.
If you’re not yet a member, there’s still time to join and receive your invitation.
If you are a member and haven't received your invitation, please email membership@eccv.org.au
REPORTING | Seniors Month and the Victorian Seniors Festival
October has been a wonderful opportunity to recognise the contributions of older Victorians throughout Seniors Month and the Victorian Seniors Festival.
ECCV's Ageing Well team joined in at Celebration Day - the Seniors Festival's official launch - in Federation Square, the Living Well Expo in Dandenong, and Spectrum’s Making Connections event in Broadmeadows.
Our CEO, Farah Farouque, also attended the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards, honouring the remarkable achievements of seniors across the state.
ECCV congratulates all award recipients and nominees, with a special mention to Dilnaz Billimoria, recipient of this year’s Promotion of Multiculturalism Award.
Supporting the rights and wellbeing of older people from migrant and refugee backgrounds has been central to ECCV’s mission since our founding in 1974.
PROMOTING | Mental Health Awareness Month
We’ve continued our work to promote culturally safe mental health care across Victoria during Mental Health Awareness Month.
We kicked things off with our free Lunch & Learn Multicultural Mental Health Webinar at the end of September, which drew 113 attendees and received fantastic feedback.
Throughout October, our mental health team delivered Multicultural Mental Health Training sessions in Brimbank, Doveton, and Broadmeadows (twice), building skills and confidence among community leaders and service providers.
We also launched an Instagram campaign sharing the real-life stories of Melisa, Don, Shahin and Anna, each showing how inclusive, culturally safe mental health care can change lives.
As part of ECCV’s Diverse Communities – Mental Health & Wellbeing project, we invited migrant and refugee community members with lived or carer experience of mental ill-health to share their stories navigating mainstream mental health services.
ECCV thanks the storytellers who shared their lived experience. We also warmly thank Dr Judy Tang and Invictus Health for their participation and guidance throughout the project.
Opportunities and Resources
- JOINING | Dumplings Against Depression ECCV will be joining this unique event at the Immigration Museum to connect over something we all love – dumplings! There will be the opportunity to hear from panels of multicultural mental health experts and community voices, connect with local service providers and learn about culturally safe, community-based mental health and wellbeing supports. Please come by our stall and say hi!
- Treaty Resources Learn more about Victoria’s Treaty process from the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria
- Opinion: Treaty and Us Read Neos Kosmos columnist Dean Kalimniou’s piece on how Victoria’s Treaty process speaks to multicultural communities and shared justice.
- Thrive: Multicultural Women’s Festival- Saturday 1 November 2025 Celebrate women’s leadership, creativity and community at Thrive: Multicultural Women’s Festival in Federation Square this Saturday
- Refugee Education Scholarships Apply now for the 2026 SSI Allianz Refugee Education Scholarships, offering $500–$4,000 for students and participants in skills programs. Applications close 14 November 2025
- Multicultural Youth Prize Young Victorians aged 18–30 can enter the TAC Multicultural Youth Prize by creating a short film on road safety. Entries close 18 November 2025.
- Multilingual Mental Health Animation Videos The Victorian Refugee Health Network has launched animation videos about free mental health local services for people aged 26+, now available in 12 languages.
- Join the VACC Committee Applications are open to join the Victorian African Communities Committee (VACC), advocating for African Victorians. Apply by 9 November 2025.
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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.