One of the great joys of living in Victoria is the richness of our shared cultures, which is especially visible during the Lunar New Year season.
Across the state, communities are coming together at festivals to enjoy food and music, connect with one another, and stay informed about government and community services. Families are also gathering at home and in places of worship, children are receiving red envelopes, and homes are filled with good wishes for the year ahead.
As we welcome the Year of the Horse, I extend my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating. May the year ahead bring health, prosperity and happiness to you and your loved ones.
These celebrations also remind us of the importance of supporting children and families to stay active, connected, and engaged in community life. I encourage eligible families to take advantage of the Victorian Government’s
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, which has now returned. This initiative helps more children participate in sport, camps, and recreational activities, strengthening wellbeing and a sense of belonging.
This same spirit of unity was evident last week when the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s
Multifaith Advisory Group (MAG) came together to mark
United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week on the second day of Parliament sitting week. The Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ingrid Stitt MP, and Members of Parliament joined MAG members on the steps of Parliament House in a powerful show of solidarity and peace. The gathering promoted respectful dialogue and understanding across faiths, reinforcing the vital role interfaith engagement plays in building a more inclusive Victoria.
We also joined many Victorians taking part in the
Victorian Mosque Open Day, which welcomed people of all backgrounds into local mosques to learn more about Islamic faith and practice and to engage in meaningful conversation. Events like these help break down misconceptions, build trust and strengthen community understanding through simple acts of welcome and exchange.
Thank you, as always, for your commitment to building a stronger, fairer and more connected Victoria.
Warm regards,
Vivienne Nguyen AM, Chairperson
News and Events
VIC | CDW26 | CELEBRATING | Victorian Multicultural Festival | Saturday 21-Sunday 29 March 2026
Cultural Diversity Week (CDW) invites communities across Victoria to come together under the theme Culture connects us all.
A key highlight of the week is the Victorian Multicultural Festival, where culture is experienced through food, music, performance and community connection. The festival is an opportunity to learn from one another, celebrate shared values and enjoy the richness of Victoria’s cultural diversity in one place.
We encourage individuals, families and community groups to attend the festival, take part in activities and experience the stories, traditions and creativity that connect us all.
Alongside attending the festival, communities are also encouraged to host and register their own events throughout the week, helping extend the celebration across Victoria.
VIC | VMC | WELCOMING | Submissions for Multicultural Film Festival 2026 | entries close Tuesday 10 March 2026
The Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology and SBS, is calling all filmmakers to share their stories. The Multicultural Film Festival (MFF) invites people from all backgrounds, including emerging creators, established filmmakers and young creatives, to share stories that reflect the richness of multiculturalism.
Submit a short film of 10 minutes or less across five categories. The premiere event will screen in Melbourne during Refugee Week on 18 June 2026 at ACMI Cinemas. Films in the Official Selection will screen at multiple venues and on SBS On Demand.
Prizes of $2,500 to be won per category!
AUST | GOV | OFFERING | Free health advice when you need it most
If you need health advice but are not sure where to start, 1800MEDICARE is a free national phone service, website and app providing expert health information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1800MEDICARE can help if you or someone you care for is feeling unwell or injured, if you are unsure whether to seek medical help, if you are away from home or far from medical services, or if you need advice about health services in your area. It is for situations that are not an emergency but where immediate advice is needed.
Call 1800MEDICARE (1800 633 422) for free, trusted health advice and support to connect you with the right care, anywhere in Australia.
- Language assistance can be obtained by contacting the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 before calling.
- For more information
VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Strengthening multicultural organisations | close 3pm Thursday 19 February 2026
Community organisations can now apply for funding to build capacity and support operations. Grants of up to $400,000 are available through the 2025-26 Multicultural Capacity Building Program (MCBP).
VIC | GOV | REMINDING | Road Safety is for Everyone
Keeping our roads safe is a shared responsibility across Victoria’s diverse communities. Risky driving behaviours put lives at risk and are likely to be detected anywhere, anytime and to anyone.
Seatbelts save lives. Drivers who are not buckled up face a $407 fine and 3 demerit points.
The Victorian Multicultural Commission encourages all community members to buckle up and look out for one another, because safety on our roads protects families, friends and communities.
MELB | PMW | CELEBRATING | Balance the Scales – International Women’s Day | Thursday 5 March 2026 | 5.30-8pm
Join
Professional Migrant Women (PMW) for this empowering event brings together women from diverse backgrounds to amplify voices, share stories, and inspire change. Be part of an uplifting celebration of equity, resilience and community connection.
MELB | AFFA | SCREENING | Africa Film Festival Australia | Friday 27-Sunday 29 March 2026
Africa Film Fest Australia (AFFA) celebrates the diversity, creativity and power of African storytelling through film screening during Cultural Diversity Week.
The festival showcases contemporary African cinema and stories from the African diaspora, creating space for connection, dialogue and cultural exchange.
Audiences are invited to experience a rich program of screenings, events and conversations that highlight African voices, perspectives and lived experiences.
MORE:
Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Address: Level 6, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
VMC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and pay our respect to them, their culture and their Elders past and present.
