Mother’s Day, marked across Victoria in the last fortnight, is a moment I hold close.
It is a reminder of the strength, wisdom and determination that women across our communities bring to the lives of those around them, and to the fabric of our shared society.
It is in that spirit that I am pleased to share news of the South Sudanese Australian Women’s Action Plan: Empowerment and Safety, developed by the South Sudanese Community Association of Victoria (SSCAV), with support from the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Victorian Violence Reduction Unit and a range of community partners.
Over 500 women came together through crisis meetings, community forums and a Women's Leadership Retreat to identify what empowerment and safety look like for their community. This was a plan written by South Sudanese women: their voices, their priorities, their vision. These women are torchbearers — for their community, and for what community-led work can truly achieve.
Doris Lolik, from the executive of the SSCAV, captured it best: "The … Action Plan is not just a piece of document — it is the tears and pain of women who lose their children to violence in our streets. It is what our South Sudanese Australian women believe would be a solution to some of the challenges we face as part of the minority group in Australia, and most importantly, it is what we are setting up for our sons and daughters' future so that they don't have to experience the same challenges we did".
It is precisely this kind of hard-won lived experience that the Victorian Violence Reduction Unit has also sought to centre. This fortnight, the Unit held the inaugural meeting of its Violence Prevention Partnership Collective, of which I am a member. This new multidisciplinary body brings together experts across justice, public health, mental health, education, multicultural affairs and community development. As a member of the Collective, I was honoured to participate as in its inaugral meeting as keynote speaker and panellist. The Collective reflects a serious commitment to ensuring that systemic responses to violence are shaped by, and not imposed upon, the communities they serve. More information about the initiative will be shared in due course. In the meantime, you can find out more about the Violence Reduction Unit here.
Nominations for the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence (MAEs) are now open. Now in its 25th year, the MAEs are Australia's longest-standing awards of their kind. They recognise individuals and organisations whose work strengthens multicultural Victoria. If you know someone who has made outstanding contributions, I encourage you to nominate them. Nominations close 13 July 2026.
The Federal Budget, delivered recently, included a number of measures relevant to multicultural and migration-affected communities. We note in particular the continued investment in the Employment Pathways to Refugee Integration (EPRI) program — an important recognition that social cohesion and economic inclusion depend on strong settlement and employment pathways.
Thursday 21 May 2026 marks the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. It is a moment to reflect on what genuine dialogue and equitable participation require, and to recommit to each. We extend warm wishes to Jewish communities as Shavuot begins tomorrow through to 24 May, a time of learning and renewal. We also extend our wishes to Muslim communities as Hajj is undertaken and Eid al-Adha is celebrated from 27 May, a time of devotion, sacrifice and giving to others. This period also coincides with National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June — calling us toward the ongoing work of truth-telling and building relationships grounded in respect.
Warm regards,
Vivienne Nguyen AM, Chairperson
News and events
VIC | VMC | ANNOUNCING | Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence 2026 | nominations close at 11.59pm Monday 13 July 2026
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence (MAEs). Now in its 25th year, the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence are Australia’s longest‑standing multicultural awards. The MAEs recognise individuals and organisations making outstanding contributions to Victoria’s multicultural communities and intercultural and interfaith understanding.
The 2026 MAEs include 13 categories: Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll, Premier’s Award for Intercultural Connection, Arts and Culture, Business and Employment, Media, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Prevention of Family Violence, Public Sector Diversity and Inclusion, Police, Refugee Leadership, Refugee Youth Leadership, Sport and Recreation, and Youth Leadership.
You may nominate any individual or organisation you believe deserves recognition. Prior to nominating, please read the nomination guide. Nominations can then be submitted through the nominations portal.
For questions about the nomination process, contact the Awards team: awards@vmc.vic.gov.au
MANNINGHAM | VMC | SUPPORTING | Mental Health in the Iranian Community: Free Workshop | Thursday 21 May 2026 | 6-8.30pm
The Victorian Multicultural Commission, together with the Iranian Australian Association of Mental Health Professionals, is hosting a free community mental health session for the Iranian community in Victoria.
Delivered in Persian and English by Iranian mental health practitioners, the session will explore trauma, stress and anxiety, practical coping strategies, and available mental health supports in Victoria.
It is especially for Iranian families, students, temporary visa holders, and others experiencing distress, isolation, or uncertainty following the ongoing conflict in Iran.
- Where: Manningham Function Centre, Doncaster VIC Australia
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: Places are limited. To secure your seat register online via Humanitix
VIC | VDWC | WEBINAR | Code of Conduct for Disability Workers | Tuesday 26 May 2026 | 10-10.30am AEST
The Victorian Disability Worker Commission (VDWC) invites all disability workers to attend their free Disability Service Safeguards Code of Conduct webinars.
Learn how the Code applies to everyday practice and the legal responsibilities of disability workers when providing safe, quality services to people with disability, regardless of funding arrangements.
The May webinar will cover steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that may impact the quality and safety of supports and services provided to people with disability
- Learn more about the Code
- Where: Online Event
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: online via Humanitix
AUST | GOV | ADVISING | Health Precautions for Hajj Pilgrims
The Hajj pilgrimage will take place from Sunday 24-Saturday 30 May 2026, marking a deeply significant and sacred time for those undertaking the journey.
If you are travelling, the Australian Government encourages awareness of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a viral respiratory illness that has been associated with travel in the region.
Simple precautions can help reduce the risk of illness, including regular hand hygiene, avoiding contact with camels and uncooked camel products, and seeking advice from a health professional before you travel.
VIC | WWP | TRAINING | Free lung cancer screening education sessions
The Water Well Project (WWP) is offering free education sessions for multicultural communities on the new national lung cancer screening program, including who is eligible and how to access it.
Sessions are delivered by healthcare professionals with interpreters and are available across Victoria, particularly for Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese and Hindi-speaking communities.
VIC | GOV | OPENING | Doors into the housing market with more affordable homes
The Victorian Government is opening the door to home ownership, with more affordable homes planned in well-connected communities close to trains, trams and everyday services.
Stamp duty has been slashed on eligible off-the-plan apartments and townhouses, and a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant is available for those building or buying their first home.
VIC | CDS | RETURNING | Win a Million! Cents Competition | Monday 4 May-Sunday 14 June 2026
The Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) Vic Win a Million! Cents competition has returned, providing an opportunity for Victorians to participate in the CDS while supporting positive community outcomes.
By returning 50 or more eligible containers at a CDS Vic refund point, participants will go into the draw to win one of five $10,000 cash prizes (equivalent to one million cents). In addition, one winner will have the opportunity to direct a $10,000 donation to a registered CDS Vic donation partner, supporting community organisations and local groups across Victoria.
- Further information. Multilingual resources are available.
VIC | GOV | HEARING | Your say: on Multicultural Health | survey closes Sunday 31 May 2026.
Victoria’s cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths. The Victorian Government is seeking input from multicultural communities to help improve health outcomes and ensure services are fair, inclusive and culturally responsive.
Share your views on the health issues that matter to you, your experiences with healthcare, and how services can better support language needs, cultural inclusion and address racism and discrimination.
The survey takes around 15-20 minutes to complete, is anonymous, and is available in English and 14 languages. You can also complete it on behalf of someone you support.