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Showing posts with label First Nations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Nations. Show all posts

VIC | MMV | UPDATING | Community, News and Information | Wednesday 28 October 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Building the future, together

Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria (MMV) was a key recommendation of the Victorian Multicultural Review, led by George Lekakis AO and supported by multicultural experts including Hass Dellal AO, Carmel Guerra OAM, Miriam Suss OAM and Mark Duckworth PSM. 

The establishment of MMV on 1 October 2026 marked an important moment for Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith communities, and for the broader sector, at a time when thoughtful leadership and strong partnerships matter deeply. 

MMV means a lot to me, both personally and professionally; that is why I am pleased to share that I have agreed to remain as Interim Multicultural Coordinator-General during the coming months.

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to help establish MMV as the strong, effective and trusted institution it needs to be, while providing continuity, care and, most importantly, a clear foundation for change. 

MMV has so much potential. The issues that matter most to communities extend across every aspect of life – from employment, skills and small business growth to education, housing, settlement support and mental health.

Creating lasting change means working across sectors, building new partnerships and finding common ground with people and organisations that may not traditionally have been part of the conversation.

As a Burmese woman, a migrant and the daughter of a refugee, the opportunity to help build MMV is deeply personal. As someone who has spent more than a decade working in international development and human rights, this opportunity is energising. As a public servant of almost 10 years, I feel strongly about the importance of supporting government to work effectively with diverse communities to improve outcomes for all Victorians.

In the months ahead, I look forward to working with the many brilliant leaders, volunteers and community members across our multicultural and multifaith communities, as well as with businesses, local government and the Victorian Public Sector. By bringing together partners from different sectors and perspectives, we can maximise the opportunity that MMV presents – and strengthen the cohesion that underpins Victoria.

And I look forward to working with you.  
Louise Perry. Interim Multicultural Coordinator General

 

 News and events 

NARRE WARREN | MVV | SCREENING | MFF tour heads to Bunjil Place | Saturday 31 October 2026

The next screening for the Multicultural Film Festival (MFF) roadshow will be at Bunjil Place.  

Two of our amazing film makers, Alex Nesic and Sarah Ghassali, will be on a panel to offer insights into the creative process and the stories behind their films. 

The MFF celebrates migrant and refugee stories through a series of short films that share experiences of multiculturalism in Australia. 
 

SUNSHINE | VMA | DISCOVERING | The first Vietnamese Museum Australia

Discover the stories, journeys and contributions of Vietnamese Australians at the Vietnamese Museum Australia.

The curation of these stories aim to inspire people by sharing the incredible stories of the Vietnamese boat people, who persevered through adversity, seized their opportunities and remained resilient in the most challenging times. 
 

MELBOURNE | NGVA | EXHIBITING | Passage: The Art of Atong Atem | Friday 30 October 2026–Monday 14 June 2027

Through portrait photography, Melbourne-based South Sudanese artist Atong Atem uses her body as a canvas adorned with textiles, paint and symbolic objects. Passage is Atem's first major Australian solo exhibition, presenting new and existing works by a leading contemporary photographer of her generation. 
 

AUST | SWA | ADVISING | October is National Safe Work Month

Safe Work Australia (SWA)'s National Safe Work Month is a national campaign that raises awareness of work health and safety and encourages all workplaces to make health and safety a priority.  

The 2026 theme, 'Safe work is for life', reflects the fundamental purpose of workplace health and safety: protecting people from injury, illness and harm that can affect every aspect of life, both at work and beyond. It recognises that creating safe workplaces is not just about preventing immediate harm, but about supporting people throughout their work lives and into the future. 
 

CAULFIELD | GECC | PERFORMING | La Ofrenda: Day of the Dead Tales | Saturday 14 November 2026 | 4-5pm or 6-7pm AEDT

This Día de Muertos, Son de México brings five ancestral Mexican legends to the stage in La Ofrenda: Day of the Dead Tales – a bilingual celebration of folkloric dance, live theatre, and storytelling exploring the world of the living and the world of the dead. One night only
  • Where: Glen Eira City Council Theatrette, Glen Eira City Council, Caulfield VIC, Australia
  • Cost: From $30
  • Bookings: online via Humanitix
 

MELBOURNE | AMCF | CELEBRATING | 2026 African Music and Cultural Festival | Friday 20–Sunday 22 November 2026 | from 10am

The annual African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF) brings together more than 40 African communities to showcase the richness and diversity of African cultures through music, dance, food, fashion and cultural performances. 

Born from a vision to celebrate diversity and harmony. What began as a one-day event has grown into a three-day festival at Fed Square, Melbourne, uniting over 40 Victorian African communities in its planning and delivery and drawing over 50,000 people to share music, food, fashion and culture
 

MELBOURNE | CEIN | CELELBRATING | Victoria's Festival of Diwali 2026 | Saturday 31 October 2026 | 11.30am-10pm

The beloved annual Celebrate India (CEIN) Diwali festivities return to Fed Square, for its 21st year.

To celebrate, come and experience the traditional and contemporary cultural feast of India, with live music, classical, folk and Bollywood dance performances, kirtan, yoga, meditation workshops and craft activities for children.
 

VIC | AMVI | HELPING | Give every heart a chance – Shocktober 2026

This October, Ambulance Victoria (AMVI)'s Shocktober campaign is encouraging Victorians to learn the lifesaving skills needed to respond to cardiac arrest, including how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator. Ambulance Victoria have a range of resources translated into several languages for your access below. 
 

VIC | VDWC | WEBINAR | Sign up for free Code of Conduct series | Thursday 26 November 2027 | 10am-10.30am AEDT

The first in a new webinar series on Disability Services Safeguards Code of Conduct open to all disability workers in Victoria.

The Victorian Disability Worker Commission (VDWC) first webinar will be on Acting with respect for individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination, and decision-making in accordance with applicable laws and conventions. 

VIC | TRVI | OFFERING | New ways to tap and go for concession cardholders

Transport Victoria (TRVI) has rolled out contactless payments for concession holders, making public transport easier and more accessible in Victoria. If you travel on a concession fare, you can now tap and go with your bank card, phone or smartwatch. Always carry our proof of concession and tap on every time you travel. 

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Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria (MMV)
Level 6,121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

The Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

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AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | October 2026

[Edited extract from public address]
Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following may include the names of First Nations people who have passed away. This email also includes distressing content.

Welcome to the October issue of the Justice Brief.

 News and Updates 

The law is meant to protect us. So why is it still so hard to get justice?

Discrimination can happen anywhere, at work, in hospitals and in schools. NSW’s anti-discrimination laws are meant to protect people. But what happens when the system makes it too hard to get justice? We’re looking at what’s broken, who gets left behind and how the law needs to change.
 

COMMUNITY | Victoria’s prison system is failing First Nations people

Why are First Nations people still dying in custody? Aboriginal health organisation VACCHO explains the prison healthcare reforms needed to stop further deaths.

HEAR ME OUT | When police get it wrong, we have to speak up

Everyone has the right to speak up when something goes wrong with police. Hear Me Out helps people understand how to make a complaint and what to do next.

ADVOCACY | Who is protecting children in detention?

Children in youth detention should be protected and cared for. But for some kids as young as 10, youth detention means being locked away for up to 23 hours a day.

AFR | A day of action for alternatives to police

The Alternative First Responders campaign joined students and advocates at ANU to explore better ways to respond when people need help and support communities.
 

GATHERING | Ask A High Court Judge Hon. Michael Kirby | Monday 7 December 2026 | 5.30-7.30pm

Join us for an evening with two of the most respected legal minds in Australia’s history, the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG and Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO.

As a former Justice of the High Court of Australia, Justice Kirby has spent more than five decades at the forefront of Australian law and law reform.  

Our incredible Chair, Professor Behrendt, one of Australia’s leading Indigenous legal scholars and advocates, will host the evening and ask Justice Kirby your burning questions.

Nothing is off limits: the law, the dissents that made headlines, life on the bench, the cases that changed him, and what he really thinks about the state of justice today. 
  • Where: University of Technology, Sydney. Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building
  • Cost: From $30
  • Bookings: online via Humanitix

 In the Media 


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National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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AUST | CUIN | UPDATING | Culturally Responsive and more | October 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Culturally responsive practice is grounded in more than 30 years of educational research. 

It recognises that people’s cultural backgrounds influence how they learn and interact, and that responding effectively across cultural differences is a skill we can develop.

Whether you work in education, business, healthcare or the community, greater cultural responsiveness expands our understanding, strengthens our relationships and creates safer and more vibrant settings for everyone.

This month, we also mourn the loss of two people who made significant contributions to Cultural Infusion and the broader community: Dr Colin Benjamin and Matt Fagan.

We invite you to discover our new Culturally Responsive Teaching courses and explore the other ways Cultural Infusion can support you in building greater cultural capability in your own workplace or community.

In This Issue

     1. Education & Experiences 

    TRAINING | How We Respond Matters: Professional Development for Culturally Responsive Teaching

    What if the behaviour you’re seeing in the classroom isn’t the full story?
    The Culturally Responsive Teaching Professional Development program aims to give educators practical ideas and skills for today's superdiverse classrooms. Grounded in Cultural Infusion’s unique, multidimensional approach to cultural identity and designed for application across diverse international education systems, this six-course program for primary and secondary educators draws on decades of experience and the latest pedagogical research.

    The first two courses are available now through Cultural Infusion's Learning Hub, with OpenLearning Marketplace access coming soon.

    Each course takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete and is flexible and self-paced.

    In these courses we explore what it might mean and how we can skilfully approach it if:
    • A student is reluctant to speak in front of the class.
    • A student refuses to follow a school rule.
    • A teacher interprets quietness as disengagement.
    • Parents rarely respond to school emails.
    • A student is struggling to fit in.
    • A student's cultural knowledge isn't recognised in classroom learning.
    • A family rarely engages with the school community.
    And much more!

    Each of the six courses offers educators:
    • practical classroom scenarios
    • Cultural Infusion’s original practical conceptual frameworks
    • concise conceptual insights, including the latest pedagogical frameworks
    • reflection activities
    • strategies you can apply immediately
    • motivational videos featuring Cultural Infusion voices
    • a certificate on completion
    Access to courses available NOW through Cultural Infusion’s Learning Hub and available soon through OpenLearning!

    Culturally Responsive Teaching Program pricing
    • Course 1: A$29
    • Courses 2-6: A$49 each
    • Complete six-course program: A$199
    Already booking a Cultural Infusion program? All program bookings include complimentary 3 months' access to the full six-course program via the Cultural Infusion Learning Hub.
     

    TOURING | Sumardi's Australian Tour Begins with a Cultural Homecoming

    Dalang Sumardi's Australian tour has begun with warmly received performances and workshops on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, marking the start of a cultural journey across multiple Australian states.

    The Cocos visit holds particular significance, reconnecting the community with Wayang Kulit, a tradition once woven into island life but not performed by a local dalang for more than 75 years. How fitting that the ABC wrote a piece about this very significant tour on 17 October, a date marked by UNESCO as International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

    This is Sumardi’s 13th Australian tour with Cultural Infusion across 21 years, accompanied this year by Demetrius Mousaferiadis. We are grateful to Sumardi for 21 years of friendship, dedication and extraordinary cultural generosity. Thanks also to the communities of the Cocos and Christmas Islands.

     2. Cultural Infusion Foundation Internships & Fellowships Program 

    PARTNERING | MASCA Victoria Next Gen 2026 – Saturday 24 October 2026, Melbourne

    Cultural Infusion Foundation Australia is pleased to partner with the Malaysian Student Council of Australia (MASCA) Victoria for NextGen 2026, an initiative connecting university students and recent graduates with employers and industry professionals.

    Through this collaboration, Cultural Infusion’s Internship & Fellowship Programme will be promoted in the event’s networking space, introducing students and graduates to opportunities for practical experience, professional development and career growth.

     3. The Atlas Platform 

    ATLAS Survey Builder

    Cultural Infusion Atlas’s survey library contains Atlas Core, PCI and AIRI surveys, and a modern take on engagement and pulse surveys, with questions staff actually want to answer.

    Many survey companies can boast modern technological advancements in display and deployment of survey questions and the visualisation of answers, but they’re using the same old 1990s questions. The true innovation is in the questions, the answers, and how these can relate back to desired outcomes. Cultural Infusion spoke with more than 100 HR Leaders globally and the overwhelming messages were:
    “Engagement surveys aren’t very engaging.”
    “The scores don’t mean much to anyone.”
    “The staff aren’t being asked questions they want to be asked.”
    “The leaders aren’t getting answers to their most pressing questions.”
    “Trust in HR systems is low.”
    “Data security / protection of identity awareness is super high”
    “AI reporting is dull.”
    “They’d rather a ‘culture’ score than any other score; one that captures behaviours, values and real-world experiences.”
     Newer, modern, progressive and meaningful sets of questions address all these issues.

     4. Key Events 

    MELBOURNE | AISA CyberCon | 15 October 2026 

    As AI takes over entry-level work, the skills that matter most when hiring are not technical but critical thinking and interpersonal skills, according to Cultural Infusion’s CTO Rezza Moieni, who gave two talks at Australia’s premier cyber security conference, AISA CyberCon 2026, in Melbourne on 15 October.
     

    STREAMING | Are You Data Literate?

    Data can mask or reveal important information. Data integrity is therefore crucial, but how many of us are data literate enough to know if we can trust our data?

    Cultural Infusion’s great friend and data expert Roman Ružbacký is teaming up with Rezza Moieni for an in-person interactive half day workshop on diversity, equity and inclusion data.
     

    LONDON | Big Data LDN panel

    Kasia Hayward represented Cultural Infusion at Big Data LDN 2026 on the panel Data for Good: Building a Better Future with Data, AI and Human Judgement, exploring how organisations can pair data and AI with human insight.
     

    NEW YORK | AI 2030 Summit

    When AI can think, coordinate and act: what will the world look like in 2030? Cultural Infusion’s VP of Innovation and Impact Ben Christensen facilitated a session exploring this question at the AI 2030 Summit in New York.
     

    MELBOURNE | Melbourne Build Expo | Wednesday 25-Thursday 26 November 2026 | 9.30am-5.30pm

    Will you be joining Peter Mousaferiadis at this industry event, which is open to the public for free? He will be taking the stage to share some thoughts on inclusion and culture in an industry that affects everyone and has taken great strides forward in recent years.

    • Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) - 1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf, VIC 3006
    • Cost: Free To Attend
    • Bookings: Register online

     5. Voices of Cultural Infusion 

    ARTICLE | Cultural Data Infrastructure: The Missing Layer in AI’s Infrastructure Era

    Peter Mousaferiadis on building cultural data infrastructure into AI design, ahead of Tech Week Singapore. 

    RADIO | The Problem with Collective Guilt

    Peter Mousaferiadis on 3AW’s Drive program with Jacqui Felgate, 16 October. 

    BOOK | The Cultural Age

    We celebrate the latest book by our longtime friend D. Paul Schafer, endorsed by Peter Mousaferiadis. 

    INTERN POST | Am I Misreading My Students’ Behaviour?

    Intern Libby Pachul on reading the classroom through a cultural lens. 

    PODCAST | How Can We control AI?

    Ben Christensen on cultural intelligence and AI, in the AI and Faith podcast. 
     

    IN MEMORIAM | Dr Colin Benjamin and Matthew Fagan

    This month Cultural Infusion and its Foundation mourn the passing of two people who made profound contributions to our organisation and the broader culture.

    Dr Colin Benjamin
    A deeply valued Chair of the Cultural Infusion Foundation Board of Directors for nearly 15 years, Dr Benjamin had a long and varied career in public service and the not-for-profit sector, contributing to community organisations and initiatives including the Life. Be in it. campaign, which he supported from its inception in 1975.

    Peter Mousaferiadis refers to him as ‘a brilliant mind, a dear friend and a fierce agent of change.’ In Peter’s words:
    "In 2012, at the last of our nine Australia Day concerts I produced at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, we paid tribute to the television jingles and campaigns that generations of Australians had grown up watching, hearing and singing along to. And who should make a cameo appearance in the final moments? Colin himself, dressed in Norm's unmistakable outfit. It was a wonderful moment, made all the more memorable by seeing the man behind the campaign become the character himself.

    But Colin’s contribution extended far beyond the campaigns that made him famous. Over some four decades, he developed ColourGrid, a remarkable framework exploring how human beings think, make decisions, respond to change and interact with one another. Built around 16 colour coded thinking patterns, his work found applications in leadership, recruitment, organisational culture, career development and behavioural change. He was endlessly curious about the human condition and never stopped searching for ways to better understand it. To say that rubbed off on me is an understatement.

    What I will miss most, however, are our conversations. His ability to challenge my thinking, to see possibilities where others saw obstacles, and to remind me, sometimes rather bluntly, that there was always another way of looking at things. Colin was not interested in telling people what they wanted to hear. He was interested in making them think. And I was fortunate to be on the receiving end of that wisdom for twenty years."
    Cultural Infusion extends sincere condolences to Dr Benjamin’s family, friends and colleagues and remembers his significant contribution with respect and gratitude.
     
    Matthew Fagan
    It is with equal sadness that Cultural Infusion acknowledges the passing of Matthew Fagan, a supremely talented guitarist, composer, musical director and a cherished friend and collaborator of Cultural Infusion.
    Peter Mousaferiadis first met Matt when he was a young student at the Victorian College of the Arts. It was the beginning of a creative relationship that would span decades, bringing together a shared love of music, cultural expression and the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when musical traditions meet.
    Over the years, Matt and Peter worked closely together on much-loved Fairfield Amphitheatre Concerts and countless major productions, including the Parliament of World Religions. Matt served as musical director for four of the nine Australia Day Concerts produced under Peter's artistic direction, helping bring together musicians and performers from diverse cultural traditions in celebrations of Australia's rich cultural tapestry.

    Matt's Celtic Suite for Orchestra, his first orchestral composition, was first conducted by Peter with the Orana Chamber Orchestra and performed at Government House in Melbourne. It was a beautiful expression of Matt's ability to move effortlessly between musical worlds, weaving tradition, innovation and his own distinctive musical voice into something entirely his own.

    Matt was a musician of extraordinary versatility. Equally at home with classical, flamenco, Celtic, jazz and contemporary music, his virtuosity on the guitar was matched by an insatiable curiosity and openness to the musical traditions of the world.

    His remarkable career took him to more than 120 countries, performing alongside some of the world's most celebrated artists, including Billy Connolly, Natalie Cole, Shirley Bassey, Michael Crawford and the Buena Vista Social Club. Beyond the international stages and accolades was a musician who understood that music is much more than performance. It is a language through which people could connect, communicate and find common ground. Billy Connolly described Matt as the best touring artist he's ever travelled with.

    Matt embodied one of Cultural Infusion’s core beliefs: that culture is not something static to be preserved behind glass, but is living, evolving and enriched through exchange.

    His passing is a profound loss to Australia's musical community and to all those whose lives were touched by his artistry.

    For Peter and the many musicians and colleagues who worked alongside him, Matt leaves behind a body of music and memories of remarkable collaborations, friendships forged through creativity and the joy of making music together.

    We extend our heartfelt condolences to Matt's partner Kellie, his family, friends and the countless musicians and audiences whose lives he enriched.

    Peter writes:
    "The final notes may have sounded, but the music, the memories and the connections Matt created will continue to resonate for generations.

    Vale, Matt. Thank you for the music, the friendship and the extraordinary journey."

     6. Calendar Spotlight 

    Bunka no Hi (Culture Day) | 3 November 2026

    First established in 1648, Culture Day, or Bunka no Hi (文化の日), is a national holiday in Japan dedicated to celebrating culture, the arts, and academic achievement. It’s a perfect opportunity for schools and communities to explore Japanese traditions, creativity and cultural expression.

    Japanese Cultural Workshops We Offer
    Bring the spirit of Culture Day to life with immersive, curriculum-aligned programs:
    Bring authentic Japanese cultural experiences to your school or community on or around 3 November.

    Thanks for reading! Be more culturally responsive, be well, and see you next month!


    MORE:

    Cultural Infusion (CUIN)
    Address: Level 1, 1/105 Rupert St, Collingwood VIC 3066

    Cultural Infusion has its offices based on the ancestral land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge and pay respect to the past, present and future traditional custodians and elders and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia.

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    VIC | MMV | UPDATING | Community, News and Information | Thursday 15 October 2026

    [Edited extract from public address]

    It has been a busy first fortnight for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria (MMV), and we thank communities across Victoria for the warm welcome as we begin this new chapter.

    MMV was established on 1 October 2026 to strengthen engagement with multicultural and multifaith communities and promote participation, inclusion and social cohesion in Victoria. 

    Across Victoria, communities have been celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights. It has been a joy to join these celebrations and acknowledge the values at the core of this Festival: hope, new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil. 

    Last night we honoured the winners of the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence, held at Government House. I was joined by the Premier, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the Attorney General alongside our incredible recipients and their guests. The evening celebrated the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations, who help build a more connected and inclusive Victoria. 

    Congratulations to all Award Winners and Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll Inductees. Your commitment, leadership and service makes a lasting difference to our communities and this recognition is deserved. 

    As MMV progresses, we look forward to listening, learning and working alongside communities across Victoria. Together, we can build on Victoria's strengths, and create an even greater sense of belonging, participation and opportunity for all who call Victoria home. 

    Louise Perry, Interim Multicultural Coordinator General

     

     News and events 

    VIC | MMV | RECOGNISING | Multicultural Honour Roll Inductees and Award Winners

    The 2026 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence have shone a spotlight on the remarkable contributions of individuals and organisations across Victoria.

    Award recipients were recognised across 13 categories, ranging from Prevention of Family Violence and Mental Health to Arts, Business and Employment, and Media. Twenty-three Victorians were also inducted into the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll, celebrating their exceptional service and impact across the state's diverse communities.

    ROSEBUD | MMV | SCREENING | MFF tour heads to Peninsula Cinema in Rosebud | Saturday 17 October 2026 | 4-5.30pm

    The next screening for the Multicultural Film Festival (MFF) roadshow will be in Rosebud, Mornington Peninsula. 

    The MFF celebrates migrant and refugee stories through a series of short films that share experiences of multiculturalism in Australia. 
     

    VIC | GOV | ANNOUNCING | Multicultural Festivals and Events recipients

    More Victorians will be able to celebrate the many cultures that make up our state, as 112 organisations will receive funding to support free, accessible and inclusive celebrations through the Multicultural Festivals and Events program.

    The recipients represent the diverse cultural landscape of Victoria, with more than 27 different ethnicities and 50 faith groups represented in this latest round of grants.
     

    AUST | GOV | MARKING | October being National Safe Work Month

    National Safe Work Month is a national campaign that raises awareness of work health and safety and encourages all workplaces to make health and safety a priority.  

    The 2026 theme, 'Safe work is for life', reflects the fundamental purpose of workplace health and safety: protecting people from injury, illness and harm that can affect every aspect of life, both at work and beyond. It recognises that creating safe workplaces is not just about preventing immediate harm, but about supporting people throughout their work lives and into the future. 
     

    AUST | SBS | HEARING | Your say: SBS's Language Services Review

    The  SBS Language Services Review considers how language services are delivered, helping ensure SBS continues to meet the changing needs of our diverse multicultural and multilingual communities. 

    SBS is seeking community input on the draft selection criteria, which will be used alongside the 2026 Census data to determine the languages to be serviced for the next five years. This will help inform the way these services are delivered including radio, podcasting, digital TV, and other digital platforms. 
     

    MELB | FEIN | GATHERING | Festival Indonesia | Saturday 24 October 2026

    The outdoor Festival Indonesia (FEIN) on Saturday 24 October is Melbourne's largest celebration of Indonesian heritage. 

    The Festival will bring together traditional and contemporary Indonesian arts, live music and dance performances, batik and craft workshops, and dozens of food stalls showcasing regional Indonesian cuisine. 
     

    MELB | FESQ | GATHERING | For Ocker in Fed Square

    See Australia's leading First Nations-led contemporary circus company bring a new acrobatic performance to life in Fed Square during the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

    Ocker is a moving circus performance that travels through Fed Square on a railway track built in real time. As the performers make their way through crowds, laneways, and tram lines, they follow an exciting chase for something just beyond their grasp.

    VIC | AMVI | HELPING | Give every heart a chance this Shocktober 2026

    This October, Ambulance Victoria (AMVI) and Shocktober campaign is encouraging Victorians to learn the lifesaving skills needed to respond to cardiac arrest, including how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator.

    Ambulance Victoria have a range of resources translated into several languages for your access below. 
     

    VIC | TRVI | GRANTING | Half-price and contactless travel

    Public transport in Victoria is half price for all passengers until 1 January 2027.

    Transport Victoria (TRVI) 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.


    MORE:

    Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria (MMV)
    Level 6,121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

    The Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

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    AUST | RGA | RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds this GiveOUT Day | Thursday 15 October 2026

    [Edited extract from public address]

    Happy GiveOUT Day.

    It’s time to make your move. Dollar matching is live until midnight. That means $35 = $70, $55 = $110 and so on (limits apply).

    Today, 150 LGBTQIA+ causes are raising funds to do incredible things across Australia: to fight for our rights, to build safe spaces where we belong, to open doors to healthcare, education and justice, and to bring about more queer joy. 

    Together, these rainbow causes are an ecosystem of love. So let’s love them right back!

    Thanks to early donations, we’ve already raised $190,000. We need to keep the momentum going to make sure each cause gets the love it deserves. 

    Every move adds up until midnight. What’s yours?

    If you can’t decide on a cause, donate to the Community Chest and we’ll direct your gift to where it’s needed most.
    I can’t wait to see what we achieve together. Let's move!

    With love, 
    Jake Smith (he/him), Marketing and Engagement Manager
    Rainbow Giving Australia

    P.S. Find a cause you love and donate now. Dollar matching is live until midnight tonight.


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    Rainbow Giving Australia (RGA)

    Rainbow Giving Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present. Rainbow Giving Australia is committed to working with First Nations LGBTQIA+ organisations and initiatives to mobilise the resources they need for their important work.
    This always was and always will be Aboriginal land. Sovereignty has never been ceded.

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    AUST | NCJWA | STATING | Linking arms to mark 7 October and global violence against women

    [Edited extract from public address]

    “We are proudly Australian Jewish and Iranian women. We are friends and colleagues, representing thousands of women in our respective communities: daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers.

    We see each other and take this opportunity on the third anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack of 7 October to say:

    We see the Israeli women who were subjected to extreme sexual violence on and after October 7, and whose Australian sisters carry with them the images and reverberations of that harm. For many, a second wound followed as their suffering was denied, doubted, minimised or met with silence.

    We see the Iranian women who have been silenced, jailed, attacked or murdered for the ‘crime’ of trying to live as free people. We honour the survivors who found the courage to speak about sexual violence in detention, knowing that speaking could cost them everything. We grieve for those whose voices will never be heard again.

    Iranian Mahsa Amini and Israeli Shani Louk and thousands of women like them were victims of the same woman-hating Islamist ideology that threatens the safety and freedoms of women in all societies across the world.  

    Every woman deserves to be safe, to be believed and to be free from violence, whatever her faith, her ethnicity or her story. Recognising one woman’s pain does not mean negating the pain of any other.

    We ask Australia’s government, institutions, NGOs and all Australian feminists to stand with us:
    • To speak out about and act against gender-based violence
    • To protect those who are threatened, harassed or intimidated or harmed
    • To make sure support services are available to all
    To every woman who has been the victim of gender-based violence here or overseas, we see you and we believe you.”

    Lynda Ben-Menashe, National President NCJWA and Tina Kordrostami, Councillor, City of Ryde

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    National Council of Jewish Women Victoria (NCJWV)

    NCJWA Vic would like to acknowledge the Boon Wurrung and the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations and all traditional owners of the land that is Australia.  We recognise the traditional owners' continuing connection to the land, waterways and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and we acknowledge their stories, traditions and living cultures. As Jewish women, we specifically honour and acknowledge First Nations’ women who, like our matriarchs, are strong, brave, determined and resilient.

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    VIC | MMV | UPDATING | Community, News and Information | Friday 2 October 2026

    [Edited extract from public address]

    Welcoming Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria

    Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria (MMV) officially commenced on 1 October 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Victoria's multicultural story. It is an exciting opportunity to strengthen how government listens to, works with and supports multicultural and multifaith communities across our state.

    As we take this next step, I have been reflecting on the important role that migrant and refugee communities play in shaping modern Australia and Victoria. I recently attended the book launch of Three Shocks by journalist, economist and demographer George Megalogenis, which explores some of the major social and economic changes that have influenced Australia's modern identity.

    One key focus is Australia's status as an English-speaking nation where migrants and our children make up the majority of the population. Here in Victoria, culturally and linguistically diverse communities continue to drive our growth and enrich our communities. 

    Behind these statistics are the stories of people who have chosen to make Victoria home. People who have helped build our industries, established businesses, strengthened our institutions, shared cultures and traditions, and improved every aspect of community life.

    Our diversity is not simply something we celebrate; it is one of Victoria's greatest strengths and a vital part of our future.

    The creation of MMV reflects this, ensuring that multiculturalism is not confined to a single government portfolio. It touches every aspect of Victorian life, from education, health and transport to business, industry and economic development. Ensuring multicultural and multifaith communities have a strong voice in shaping that future is at the heart of MMV.

    As we embark on this next chapter we would also like to thank our outgoing Commissioners, Dr Judy Tang OAM and Sylvia Coombe, for their dedicated years of service. Their contribution to the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and to multiculturalism in Victoria more broadly, has been invaluable. We wish them every success in the next chapter of their journeys.

    This week, we also congratulate The Huddle on reaching the remarkable milestone of supporting 200,000 young people. Through its work to engage, support and empower young Victorians, The Huddle continues to help build more connected and inclusive communities. We look forward to seeing its impact continue to grow.

    I am excited about what lies ahead and look forward to working alongside communities across Victoria as we write this next chapter, together.

    Warm regards,
    Louise Perry, Interim Multicultural Coordinator General

     

     News and events 

    ROSEBUD | MMV | TOURING | Multicultural Film Festival 2026 heading to Peninsula Cinema in Rosebud | Saturday 17 October 2026

    The next screening for the Multicultural Film Festival (MFF) roadshow will be in Rosebud, Mornington Peninsula on 17 October 2026. 

    The 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 Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. 
     

    VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Multicultural Venues Program | applications close Monday 12 October 2026

    Grants of $5,000 are available for multicultural community organisations to support the cost of hiring venues for community meetings and gatherings. 

    Eligible activities must support Victoria's multicultural communities to come together and share their history and traditions, and build connections and networks within their community. 

    Join an upcoming online information session to find out more about the application process.
     

    MELBOURNE | MFF | ENGAGING | ‘Obang’ 오방 is an interactive exhibition designed for children ages 0-5

    Melbourne Fringe Festival (MMF) is on 29 September-18 October 2026, and there’s plenty to explore, including the free exhibition ‘Obang’ 오방. Based on an original concept by Multicultural Film Festival award-winners Youbi Lee and Taka Takiguchi, the experience is inspired by the traditional Korean concept of Obang, which refers to five primary colours connected with five different spaces at home. This is an immersive and multi-sensory environment that encourages little ones to explore their curiosity, engage with their surroundings, and share in a beautiful cultural experience. 

    RICHMOND | MYA | GATHERING | Multicultural Youth Awards | Sunday 4 October 2026 | 5-10pm AEDT

    The Multicultural Youth Awards recognise young people aged 16 to 25 who are creating meaningful impact across leadership, sport, education, arts and culture, advocacy, entrepreneurship, community service and more. 

    The Multicultural Youth Awards are a celebration of identity, resilience, excellence and possibility - it is a platform that amplifies youth voices, honours diverse stories, and brings together young people, community organisations and sector leaders. 
     

    VIC | AMVI | CAMPAIGNING | Shocktober 2026 - Helping give every heart a chance

    This October, Ambulance Victoria's Shocktober campaign is encouraging Victorians to learn the lifesaving skills needed to respond to cardiac arrest, including how to perform CPR and use an defibrillator. Ambulance Victoria have a range of resources translated into several languages. 
     

    VIC | TRVI | GRANTING | half-price and contactless travel | until 1 January 2027

    Public transport in Victoria is half price for all passengers.
    Transport Victoria (TRVI 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.

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    Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria (MMV)
    Level 6,121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

    The Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

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    MELB | HOHU | GATHERING | Disruptive Ideas in Disability Housing – Challenging the Status Quo, a National Event | Tuesday 6 October 2026 | 10am-6pm AEDT

    [Edited extract from public address]

    Whilst the NDIS has led to many life changing outcomes for people with disability, there's more to do to ensure that people with disability shape the systems and the housing decisions that affect them.

    This national event will provide a platform for provocative and challenging conversations that test established ways of working, push boundaries and explore new possibilities for people with disability their families, and those who support them.

    Explore a full day of lived-experience perspectives, provocations, panels, debate and practical discussions.

    How much does it cost to attend?

    Community attendees * | $29

    For people with disability attending in a personal capacity, family members & companions of people with disability

    People with disability receive a $20 Bunnings voucher when registering in-person on the day of the event

    Professional attendees *

    For people with disability attending in a professional capacity, disability housing & support service providers, allied health & other sector professionals and government representatives | $499

    SDA Alliance members | $449

    Housing Hub Premium Plan holder * | $449

    Housing Hub Growth Plan holder * | $474

    If you're a SDA Alliance Member or a Housing Hub Premium or Growth Plan holder, contact us at events@housinghub.org.au to receive your access code to unlock these discounts.

    Livestream Pass
    To support participation and accessibility, we're offering a livestream pass for people that are unable to attend in-person.

    Community attendees | $15

    Professional attendees | $199

    Prices exclude GST and Humanitix transaction fees.

    * People with disability attending in a personal or professional capacity can bring one companion to the event free of charge. You'll need to provide details at check-out.

    About the Housing Hub

    The Housing Hub is Australia’s leading accessible housing platform. Since the early days of the NDIS, we have been part of the market’s development and have grown to become the largest connector between housing seekers, providers and support services across Australia.

    We are in the business of solving housing challenges. Our role is to make it easier for people with disability to find housing that suits their needs and connect with the right supports.


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    Housing Hub (HOHU)
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    AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | September 2026

    [Edited extract from public address]
    Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following may include the names of First Nations people who have passed away. This email also includes distressing content.

    Welcome to the September issue of the Justice Brief.

     News and Updates 

    ASKING | Justice Kirby your question | Monday 7 December 2026 | 5.30-7.30pm AEDT

    Ever wanted to ask one of Australia’s most influential legal minds a question? Here’s your chance. Join us for an exclusive evening with the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, former Justice of the High Court of Australia and a leading voice in Australian law. You’ll have the rare opportunity to put your own question to Justice Kirby, with the event hosted by our incredible Chair, Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO.

    HIGHLIGHTING | People are at risk of harm in their own home

    We are highly concerned about recent police raids in NSW and WA and the choice to use force. Police cannot continue to be the first response to public and health concerns. If mistakes are going to happen people must not be faced with the end of a gun.

    ANNOUNCING | Call It Out gets huge funding boost

    Minister McCarthy visited the office to announce a huge funding boost to support the Call It Out First Nations Racism Register, led by Jumbunna Research and supported by NJP, to expand our important work confronting racism in this country.

    CONGRATULATING | “I want to make the law more accessible, human and just”

    We’re so proud of NJP’s newly admitted solicitor, Maryam, who first joined us as a volunteer in 2024, before working hard as a paralegal. Maryam hopes this is the start of a meaningful journey supporting people failed by the system. We know the legal profession will benefit greatly from having her join.

    ADVOCATING | Protecting people from harmful practices in custody

    People giving birth in custody should never be shackled. Children should never be strip searched. We have told Parliament why both of these inhumane practices should be banned immediately and why stronger protections are urgently needed for people in custody.

     Events 

    SAVING | The Date 16 October 2026 for Day of Action @ ANU Law School


    JOGGING | For Justice - Take on a challenge

    Over the next few months, there are some amazing running events across the country where you can take on a personal challenge while supporting the National Justice Project. Every kilometre helps power our work to advance justice and protect human rights.
     

     In the Media 


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    National Justice Project (NJP)
    Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
    Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

    We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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    VIC | VTMH | WEBINAR | Whose Care? Our Care! | Wednesday 21 October 2026 | 10.30-11.30am

    [Edited extract from public address]

    Structural inequalities intersect with social, health, economic and community inequities and impact on people’s mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. 

    Inequalities relate to but are not limited by access, wealth, available resources and power, and are reinforced through structural mechanisms related to policies, laws, everyday practices and systems of care.

    The Whose Care? Our Care! project is a Medical Research Future Fund Million Minds Mental Health Grant (MRF2032333; 2024-2029) that works with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQA+SB and multicultural, culturally diverse communities and, rural and remote communities across more than 35 Medicare Mental Health Centres (adults and kids), Safe Spaces and Safe Havens, Community Led Safe Spaces, Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals and a First Nations led and governed model.

    The aim is to co-develop multi-level collective strategies to address structural inequalities using a participatory ecosystems framework. In doing so the project is mapping culturally responsive care, lived experience integration and accessibility and communication across the different settings to explore experiences of care and what matters in care delivery to address structural inequalities. 

    Presenters
    • Professor Victoria Palmer, Co-director ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation; Whose Care? Our Care! Principal Investigator
    • Dr Matthew Lewis, Senior Research Fellow ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation; Whose Care? Our Care! Project Manager
    The project is a co-partnership with service providers Neami National, Stride, Roses in the Ocean and Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe Children’s Ground Central Australia.

    VTMH webinars are open to individuals, from all disciplines and working in all sectors, who are based in Australia and interested in diversity and mental health.  
    • Where: Online via Microsoft Teams Townhall — details to be sent to registrants in advance
    • Cost: Free
    • Bookings: essential, spaces are limited. To secure a place, please register online via VTMH

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    Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH)
    Address: St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Level 1, Bolte Wing, 14 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
    Tel: (03) 9231 3300

    VTMH acknowledges it is located on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin Nation.

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    AUST | RGA | UPDATING | Community, News & more | September 2026

    [Edited extract from public address]

    RISING | A new dawn for rainbow giving in Australia

    What an epic month! We launched our pilot year of Rainbow Giving Circle with the first Aurora Nights in Sydney, connected the extraordinary Kevin Jennings with leaders across the region, went to Brisbane for the Philanthropy Australia Conference, brought our Amplify Pride grant partners together in person for the first time and, behind the scenes, continued momentum on our 2027 Grants, GiveOUT Day and our CEO transition.

    I am still buzzing from it all. I am exhausted, absolutely thrilled, fiercely proud and more hopeful than ever about what we are building together.

    Jones Jones (they/them), Acting Co-CEO

    HOSTING | Kevin Jennings at Aurora Nights

    “What Rainbow Giving is doing in Australia is one of the most exciting philanthropic initiatives I have ever seen” – Kevin Jennings
    Earlier this month, we hosted Aurora Nights to mark the launch of the pilot year of Rainbow Giving Circle, our new community-led collective giving program. Special guest speaker Kevin Jennings, CEO of Lambda Legal (US), was so moved that he became a Founding Member of the Circle himself. If you or someone you know would like to join him and be a part of our fresh way to give to LGBTQIA+ communities, please get in touch. We’d love to welcome you.

    REFLECTING | What Kevin Jennings reminded me about hope​​​​​​: a personal reflection from Jones

    “I knew Kevin’s professional story before he arrived in Sydney: a lifelong advocate, movement leader, educator and fundraiser whose work has helped shape LGBTQIA+ progress in the United States. What I could not fully anticipate was the warmth, generosity and joy he would bring to every room – and how much I would personally take from our time together.”
     

    CALLING | more supporters to help meet demand for 2027 Grants

    This year, we received 142 expressions of interest across our 2027 Ignite Pride and Queer Futures Fund grants, reflecting both the extraordinary breadth of community-led work and the scale of unmet need. On Monday (28 September), applicants will hear whether they have progressed to the next stage.

    Supporters, we need you in this with us. Our 2027 grant pool needs a top-up. More funding means more LGBTQIA+ communities supported, more bold ideas backed and more change made possible. If you are collaborative and trust-based with $5,000 to $20,000 to contribute, please contact us at info@rainbowgiving.org.au.
     
     

    REPORTING | Sweaty Bettys at a workout

    How we made Pride Month count: a look back at Sweat with Pride 2026 by Jake
    This past June, 1,829 Sweaty Bettys moved for 21 minutes each day, rallied their supporters and raised over $240,000 to strengthen rainbow communities. In a new blog post, campaign lead Jake takes a look back at how we turned 30 days of Sweat into 365 days of Pride, with inspiring results.
     

    APPROACHING | GiveOUT Day 2026: Make an early move today

    There‘s no need to wait until GiveOUT Day on 15 October. Early donations are now open for over 100 LGBTQIA+ causes, with dollar matching so eligible gifts go twice as far.

    You can also register a Gathering for your favourite cause and bring people together to fundraise, or post a love note to a cause’s profile to inspire others. No matter your move, start by finding a cause that speaks to your heart.
     

    WELCOMING | Tasha!

    Say hello to Tasha Casey (she/her), who recently joined the Rainbow Giving team as our new Marketing Coordinator. Originally from Ireland, Tasha moved to Sydney seeking adventure and community, and we’re delighted that she’s chosen to find it with us.
     

    SPOTLIGHTING | Funding Opportunities

    Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) and Pride Foundation Australia (PFA) will provide a $60,000 grant for one short film production for LGBTQIA+ Australian storytellers at all career levels.
    Pride Foundation Australia (PFA) Small Grants of up to $1,000 are available for projects from individuals, organisations and communities who'd otherwise miss out. Projects must assist, involve or benefit LGBTQIA+ people, and promote positive social outcomes and mental health.
    We’re proud to support ACON’s Honour Awards as a community partner. Join the finalists, community leaders and celebrity guests in celebrating the dynamic spirit of NSW's rainbow communities at an inspirational awards ceremony and fabulously fun cocktail party.
     
    Across 17 days, Newcastle Pride (NEPR) is back with a variety of family-friendly activities, parties and shows, from music bingo to poetry reading. The festival’s flagship Pride Parade will take place on 24 October as one of the many free events on offer.
    With support for regional Pride festivals and grassroots projects across Queensland, the grants will help a variety of community organisations turn their ideas into action throughout the year.
     

    RELYING | On Generosity

    We rely on the generosity to help us back community-led causes that change lives. Every gift strengthens the ecosystem of rainbow love, care and creativity that enriches us all.


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    Rainbow Giving Australia (RGA)

    Rainbow Giving Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present. Rainbow Giving Australia is committed to working with First Nations LGBTQIA+ organisations and initiatives to mobilise the resources they need for their important work.
    This always was and always will be Aboriginal land. Sovereignty has never been ceded.

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    MELB | CUIN | WEBINAR | Cultural Infusion Intern Professional & Career Development Session | Tuesday 29 September | 11am-12noon AEST

    [Edited extract from public address]

    Join Cultural Infusion for an interactive online event designed for university students, recent graduates, interns, and aspiring professionals looking to strengthen their career readiness and professional presence.

    Whether you are preparing for internships, graduate opportunities, or your first professional role, this session will provide practical insights and guidance to help you stand out in today’s competitive job market.

    What you'll learn:
    • How to leverage your academic, volunteer, and internship experiences for future opportunities
    • Building a strong personal brand and professional presence
    • Enhancing your resume and LinkedIn profile
    • Presenting your skills and achievements confidently to employers
    • Creating a clear career action plan for your professional journey
    The session will be delivered by Rezza Moieni, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Cultural Infusion, who will share his career journey, industry experience, and valuable insights on navigating the transition from university into the professional world.

    Whether you're exploring career pathways, looking for internship opportunities, or preparing to enter the workforce, this session will provide practical strategies, industry insights, and actionable advice to help you build confidence, strengthen your professional presence, and take the next step in your career journey.
    • Where: Online event is via Teams. Access email will be delivered the day before the event.
    • Cost: Free
    • Bookings: online via Humanitix


    MORE:

    Cultural Infusion (CUIN)
    Address: Level 1, 1/105 Rupert St, Collingwood VIC 3066

    Cultural Infusion has its offices based on the ancestral land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge and pay respect to the past, present and future traditional custodians and elders and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia.

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    AUST | CUIN | UPDATING | Making Connections and more | September 2026

    [Edited extract from public address]

    Meaningful connections begin with our willingness to understand perspectives and experiences beyond our own. These connections shape how we engage with the world around us.

    From intercultural learning to cultural experiences that bring communities together, technological innovations that support the full, rich extent of human cultural diversity and critical thinking around artificial intelligence (AI) governance and creativity, discover how Cultural Infusion is helping connect communities through experiences and learning while contributing to conversations about identity, inclusion and representation. Finally, our CEO and Founder Peter Mousaferiadis reflects on the recent devastating floods in Nepal.

    Here, we hope you find inspiration to create more meaningful connections in your classroom, workplace and beyond.

    In This Issue
    1. Education & Experiences – For teachers & schools
    2. Intern With Us – Internships & careers
    3. The Atlas Platform – Cultural data & tools
    4. Key Events – Where to find us
    5. Voices of Cultural Infusion – Research & perspectives
    6. Calendar Spotlight – Dashain, 11–21 October

     1. Education & Experiences 

    Recipes for Harmony

    They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, and food is one of the most wonderful ways to bring people together and celebrate culture. Invite students to share dishes that reflect their cultural backgrounds through a multicultural food day, creating opportunities to discover the traditions and stories behind the food.

    Cultural Infusion’s Recipes for Harmony is an interactive, multimedia resource filled with stories, sounds and flavours from around the world – there are recipies to cultural dishes, audio clips of personal stories and greetings, short videos, fun cultural facts, background information and more. And it's now free on our website!

    Building Intercultural Capability in Victorian Schools

    The Intercultural Citizenship Ambassador Program (ICAP)* continues to build momentum across Victoria, on track to reach 600 student participants by year’s end.
    “We believe the program provided a meaningful and enriching learning experience that will continue to benefit students well beyond the classroom.” – Epping Secondary College, 2026
    Thanks to Victorian Government funding, it’s currently FREE for secondary students at Victorian government schools. With 2026 fully booked, we’re now welcoming expressions of interest for 2027 and 2028.

    * Victorian Government Funded. Available in Victoria only.
     

    Discover the Cultural Story of Your School Community with Atlas

    Atlas for Schools provides a secure and ethical way for schools to explore their cultural profile through anonymised data collection. By completing a simple survey, schools receive a tailored report highlighting insights into areas such as languages, heritage, countries of birth, belief systems and more, along with resources to support meaningful classroom conversations.

    Trusted by organisations and communities across more than 40 countries, Atlas helps schools move beyond assumptions and better understand the students they serve. We are offering Atlas free of charge to a limited number of schools.
     

    Discover New Cultural Experiences

    Two new additions to our Education & Experiences offering in Victoria — a First Nations led experience for workplaces, and a new interactive cultural program for the classroom.

    For Workplaces: Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Launch Experience
    Led by an experienced First Nations presenter, this tailored experience brings teams together through cultural activities, storytelling and facilitated discussion, connecting employees with the purpose of their RAP.

    For Schools: Afro-Colombian Rhythms & Culture
    This program introduces students to the music and cultural heritage of Colombia’s Afro-Caribbean coast, with hands-on percussion, traditional instruments and rhythms including cumbia and puya.
     

    Learning Hub

    Cultural Infusion's Learning Hub gives educators access to intercultural resources, lesson plans, interactive learning experiences and professional development.
     

    Looking ahead to 2027

    Our team is already working with schools and early learning services on their 2027 cultural calendars, with bookings and enquiries underway for significant cultural dates throughout the year.


     2. Intern With Us 

    WEBINAR | Career Readiness, Personal Branding & Life Beyond the Internship – Professional & Career Development Session | Tuesday 29 September | 11am-12noon AEST

    Practical guidance for university students, recent graduates and interns on building a strong personal brand, improving resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and preparing for career opportunities. Led by Rezza Moieni, Chief Technology Officer at Cultural Infusion.
    • Where: Online event is via Teams. Access email will be delivered the day before the event.
    • Cost: Free
    • Bookings: online via Humanitix
     

    For Interns & Fellows: LinkedIn Professional Development Initiative

    A new initiative to help interns and fellows showcase their internship experiences online. Participants share a short reflection, which our team transforms into a professionally designed LinkedIn feature highlighting their learning, skills and achievements.
     
     
    Membership: Become a Member of Cultural Infusion
    Interns are invited to join a global network of organisations, cultural leaders, experts and changemakers, with access to research initiatives, learning resources, industry insights and tools. Interns who register receive a two-year membership upgrade.

     3. The Atlas Platform 

    Every Map Is a Choice

    There is no neutral map. This is why we built Atlas with 27 maps instead of just one.

    A projection decides what looks big, what looks central and what looks peripheral. The old default made Africa look about the size of Greenland when in fact it is 14 times larger — a distortion that has quietly shaped how generations picture the world.

    Giving users a choice of projections is part of a broader principle behind Atlas: cultural data should be presented in ways that make its assumptions visible rather than hiding them behind a single default. It is the same thinking that drives our white paper research into how organisations measure culture.

    Atlas offers 27 different map projections

     4. Key Events 

    MELBOURNE | Australian Professionals of Multicultural Communities (APMC) Gala Awards

    Australia has an extraordinary amount of talent, far too much of it left on the table. Our CEO spoke at the APMC Gala Awards, exploring the necessity to rigorously define and measure cultural diversity so we can develop meaningful strategies around this underutilised and key asset.


     5. Voices of Cultural Infusion 

    SPOTLIGHTING | Employee Amira Fares, Programs Specialist & Social Media Lead

    Amira is a key part of our Education & Experiences team; she helps deliver cultural programs to schools, early learning centres, libraries and communities across Australia. Alongside this, she supports clients and coordinates programs and presenters, including the 2026 Sumardi Tour.

    Beginning as an intern as a part of her master’s degree, Amira returned to Cultural Infusion after completing her studies. Originally from Malaysia, Amira’s multicultural background has piqued her interest in cultural understanding and seeing the world from different perspectives. This and her keen interest in planning and running programs also made her a natural fit for Cultural Infusion.

    What Amira enjoys most about her job is meeting presenters from different cultural backgrounds and learning from their knowledge and experiences. She particularly enjoyed working on a new project, Meet our Presenters, which gave her the opportunity to hear directly from presenters about their cultures and passions.
     
    Amira also thoroughly enjoys reading, games, television and music from around the world. For her, it is important to remain engaged with stories from other cultures to learn, challenge our assumptions and appreciate broader perspectives beyond our own.
     

    ASKING | What If Our Future Had a Compass?

    Can culture provide the bearings societies need when technological capability is advancing faster than institutional judgement? The Age of Culture (TAOC) Project’s major report features timely ideas from Cultural Infusion CEO Peter Mousaferiadis among many other international experts in culture.
     

    AI Governance and Creativity

    Want the juice on AI, including the spate of recent lab leaks, AI creativity and its impact on art, and the most ethical way to deploy AI? Tap in to Cultural Infusion’s Innovation and Impact VP Ben Christensen’s discussion with Gilad Berenstein from AI and Faith and Dr Marcus Schwarting.

    Atlas Story: How Do We Measure Cultural Diversity?

    In 2016, Cultural Infusion CTO Rezza Moieni asked our CEO the question that led to the creation of Atlas: ‘How do we measure cultural diversity?’

    From The Blog

    How does the contemporary teacher meet the increasingly diverse needs of students in today’s classroom? Interning with us from Cardiff University, Libby Pachul wrote about this in her post ‘Am I Misreading My Students’ Behaviour?’

    A Note From Our CEO: Thinking of Nepal

    Like many, my thoughts are with Nepal and the Nepalese people in the aftermath of the most recent devastating floods, with everyone with connections and loved ones in Nepal who have been caught up in the disaster, and with all those working to support one another.

    I know Kathmandu as a place of celebration and connection from arriving there two years ago, unintentionally in the midst of Holi. Nepal’s spiritual traditions, including those of the holy men, the Sadhus, whose presence is a distinctive part of the country’s cultural landscape, have been passed down through countless generations along with local knowledge. I was lucky to meet such people on my trip.

    With such devastation, local traditions are under increasing pressure. These traditions are part of humanity’s cultural heritage, infinitely precious, and also hold the keys to resilience and recovery.

    Peter Mousaferiadis, CEO & Founder


     6. Calendar Spotlight 

    Key dates across the world worth knowing about, and marking on your own calendar.

    Dashain | 11 To 21 October 2026

    Nepal is home to many diverse groups, each with its own traditions, including more than 120 distinct language groups. Among the country’s many festivals, Dashain is one of the most widely celebrated.

    For many Nepalese people, Dashain is a time of reunion. Families come together, share food, exchange blessings and celebrate traditions passed down through generations.

    This year, as Dashain approaches, our thoughts are with those affected by the recent floods and with families who are grieving.

    Cultural Infusion invites you to experience some of Nepal’s traditions, music and cultural heritage through two of our programs:

    Thanks for reading! Keep connecting, be well, and see you next month!


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    Cultural Infusion (CUIN)
    Address: Level 1, 1/105 Rupert St, Collingwood VIC 3066

    Cultural Infusion has its offices based on the ancestral land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge and pay respect to the past, present and future traditional custodians and elders and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia.

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