From Community Voices to Collective Action
I am excited to begin this update by sharing an important milestone for Victoria's multicultural and multifaith communities. The Multicultural Victoria Amendment (Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria) Bill 2026 has now passed parliament.
From 1 October 2026, the Victorian Multicultural Commission and Multicultural Affairs will merge to form a new independent entity, Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria. This marks a significant step forward in how the Victorian Government engages with multicultural and multifaith Victorians, recognising the invaluable social, cultural and economic contributions that communities make to our state every day.
As we look ahead to this new chapter, I have been reminded over recent weeks of the strength, resilience and diversity that continue to define communities across Victoria.
On Monday 31 August, the Victorian Multicultural Commission joined Victoria’s Nepali community at a candlelight vigil, standing together in support and solidarity following the devastating floods in Nepal. The floods have brought immense loss and suffering to many families and communities. Our thoughts remain with those who have lost loved ones, and with everyone continuing to recover from this tragedy.
This sense of connection was also present at the South Sudanese Women's Conference, where I joined women leaders, advocates and community members from Victoria. The conference highlighted the power of unity and collaboration, demonstrating how shared experiences can inspire collective action. When our communities feel empowered, we can create inclusive, culturally responsive solutions that are grounded in lived experience.
The VMC partnered recently with Blacksand Pictures to consult with members of Victoria’s African Australian community on media representation and storytelling. This work completes the recent release of Tastes of Africa (EP1, 16 mins), a new three-part online documentary series celebrating Melbourne’s African communities. I encourage you to view the series and learn more about the rich contribution our African communities make to Victoria.
Storytelling sits at the heart of the Multicultural Film Festival, an annual celebration of diversity through film. The festival kicks off on Friday 18 September at St Arnaud Community Cinema at 4.30pm. I hope to see you there.
Finally, the Multicultural Business Skills Fund Grant Program has opened! This Program will support business associations to educate, inform and upskill multicultural small business owners and their staff, enable business and operational improvements, and build connections across Victoria’s multicultural businesses. Applications are due by Monday 28 September 2026 and I encourage eligible organisations to consider applying.
I look forward to meeting and engaging with many more of you, hearing your stories and learning about the work occurring across Victoria’s communities.
Warm regards,
Louise Perry, Chairperson
News and events
STREAMING | Highlights from the Premier's Multicultural Gala Dinner
This year's theme at the Premier's Multicultural Gala Dinner, Stories of Us, celebrated the people, cultures and experiences that enrich Victoria's multicultural community.
The event captured the spirit and the stories that continue to shape multicultural and multifaith communities in Victoria. Watch the video, share it with your networks and we hope to see you there next year.
Thank you to our community partners, sponsors and attendees for your support and we look forward to working together in the future!
- Watch Here (2 mins)
TOURING | Multicultural Film Festival to St Arnaud Community Cinema
Tickets for the Multicultural Film Festival Tour screening in St Arnaud, situated in the Northern Grampians Shire, are on sale now!
The Multicultural Film (MFF) celebrates migrant and refugee stories through a series of short films that share experiences of multiculturalism in Australia.
This event is delivered in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology, SBS and the Northern Grampians Shire Council.
VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Skills Fund Grant Program
Grants of $5,000 are available for business associations to help multicultural small business owners and their workers build their business skills. The funding can be used to deliver projects that provide business advice, training and mentorship.
Eligible activities include training, short courses, and facilitated business learning, such as in-person workshops and online webinars, information sharing including in-language resource development and business mentoring.
The Multicultural Business Skills Fund is an initiative under the Victorian Government's Supporting our multicultural Traders and Precincts commitment.
WATCHING | The Tastes of Africa
Tastes of Africa, a new three-part YouTube series hosted by journalist and filmmaker Santilla Chingaipe, explores the food, culture and stories of Melbourne's African-Australian community. The show is created and produced by Kauthar Abdulalim of Blacksand Pictures, written and directed by Rendah Haj and edited by Kalu Oji. Kauthar, Rendah and Santilla's perspectives have been central to shaping the creative approach and tone of the series.
While the series explores food, it captures the migration, memory, belonging and the survival stories behind these dishes. African food in Australia is evolving alongside new generations and communities, and this engaging documentary series showcases this. It is free to watch on YouTube.
- Watch here (16 mins)
VIC | GOV | REMINDING | Half price and contactless travel
Public transport in Victoria is half price for all passengers until 1 January 2027.
Transport Victoria has also rolled out contactless payment across trams and train stations where myki is accepted, for full fare customers only. Concession card holders should keep using their concession myki to ensure they are charged the correct fare.
UPCOMING | Leadership Exchange event
CALD2LEAD is a not for profit that support CALD women in their leadership and board journeys.
CALD2LEAD are hosting an event on Friday 18 September at 5.30pm on Leading with Confidence: Finding your Voice. The event will bring together CALD community members for an interactive evening of leadership, connection and inspiration.