Thousands join together on Walk for Harmony to support ... · Mr Brumby also announced the heart of Melbourne’s Italian precinct in Lygon Street will benefit from $3.8 million in

SHOW OF SUPPORT

Thousands join together on Walk for Harmony to support diversity

A publication of the Victorian Multicultural Commission

ISSUE 29 • WINTER 2009

Recognising refugee achievements

A look at the Emerge Festival

Celebrating 20 years of 3ZZZ

Focus on promoting harmony

Multicultural Victoria magazine

VMC CHAIRPERSON George Lekakis

EDITOR Megan Breen

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Jorge de Araujo

PUBLISHED by the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Level 3, 3 Treasury Place, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002. September 2009.

ISSN 13219340

PRINTED by Metro Printing, Roberts Road, Airport West, Victoria 3042, on Monza Satin recyclable stock using environmentally friendly inks.

DISCLAIMER Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document was accurate at the time of publication, the State of Victoria, through the Victorian Multicultural Commission, accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions, mistakes or misstatements contained in this document. The State of Victoria expressly disclaims any responsibility for any total or partial reliance on this document or for anything undertaken or omitted to be undertaken in consequence of reliance on this document. The State of Victoria excludes liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person resulting in any way from the use of, or reliance upon, this document.

Copies of this magazine can be obtained from the Victorian Multicultural Commission:

TELEPHONE (03) 9601 0651FACSIMILE (03) 9601 0612

EMAIL [email protected]

View the magazine online at: www.multicultural.vic.gov.au

news

5REPLICA REFUGEE CAMP

See what life may be like

in a refugee camp

4 Walk for Harmony: Victorians turn out to support diversity

4 FECCA Conference 2009: social inclusion up for discussion

4 Volunteer West opportunities: find out how to get involved

4 Palestinian experience: exhibition now on at Immigration Museum

5 Life in a refugee camp: replica camp educates about life for refugees

5 Lygon Street and Chinatown boost: funding to revitalise our historic precincts

5 Community consultations: Victorians give their views on a range of topics

6 Take 5: meet Wesa Chau, Australian Federation of International Students

15EMERGE FESTIVAL

New and emerging talent

on stage

10GRANTS UPDATE

Round Two of Multicultural

Festivals and Events now open

Contents

vmc update

mv MULTICULTURAL VICTORIA

7 3ZZZ celebrates 20 years: ethnic broadcaster marks milestone

8 Language Services Strategy: learn about the VMC’s language programs

10 Grants update: Round Two of Multicultural Festivals and events now open

10 It’s show time: VMC information display at Royal Melbourne Show

11 Portuguese reception: community recognised for contribution

11 Dutch celebrate Queen’s Day: special day for Dutch community

12 Keeping history alive: digital stories at the Jewish Holocaust Centre

13 Buddha Festival: how the Buddhist community celebrated

14 Amiamo l’Italia: all the fun of the Italian Festival

14 Creative Cultures: artwork from refugee artists on display

15 Emerging with the beats: music from new and emerging talent

16 Bright lights of winter: Federation Square ablaze with light installations

17 Love Burma Love Freedom: three artists focus on Burma and its people

arts and culture

18 Veterans’ stories: book recognises Vietnam War Veterans

19 Snow time: kids connect on trip to Mount Buller

19 AFL Multicultural Program: sport bringing people together

20 Community Accord signing: Geelong Netball Association supports diversity

20 Women coming together: groups learning through activities

21 Casey’s Wall of Global Friendships: cultures on public display

21 Bombers show harmony: Essendon Football Club Harmony Walk

22 Young people working to save the environment: WYPIN goes green

22 Dragon boats set sail in Whittlesea: annual festival draws crowds

22 Study looks at Serbian community: issues affecting community

23 Sports Without Borders: new partnership helps refugee kids through sport

Contents

in focus

government initiatives

33CHILDCARE

INTERPRETERS

Funding boost

for childcare centres

23SPORTS WITHOUT

BORDERS

Partnership through sport

opens doors for new arrivals

24WALK FOR HARMONY

Victorians come together to

show support for diversity

our community

24 Walk for Harmony: 10,000 join Premier to show support for diversity

28 Victorian Refugee Recognition Record: 21 recipients acknowledged

30 Promoting community harmony: understanding different religions

32 Learning about discrimination: VicHealth course combats racism

33 Tax resource: new DVD in 10 languages explains tax system

33 Funding for interpreters at childcare: boost to language services

34 Free legal service: drop-in service for international students

34 Do you have a legal problem?: free brochure from Victoria Legal Aid

34 Small business awards: multicultural businesses recognised

35 Multicultural Resources Directory: update your listing

35 Training for Interpreters: RMIT course information

35 Multicultural Register: reflecting diversity on boards and committee

Chairperson’s welcomeWelcome to the latest edition of

Multicultural Victoria. So much has happened across the state in the past few months and it is wonderful to bring you all the news.

The Walk for Harmony, which took place on Sunday 12 July, is something I particularly want to mention. It was inspiring to see more than 10,000 people join the Premier of Victoria on this public display of support and celebration for our cultural diversity. I would like to extend my genuine thanks to all of you who came along and participated.

We sent a clear message to the world that Victorians are proud of our diversity and that discrimination and racism against any part of our community will not be accepted.

The Victorian Multicultural Commission is also working with our interfaith networks to ensure that Victoria remains a peaceful place to live. Victoria leads the way when it comes to bringing different faiths and cultures together and it is inspiring to see how new programs are helping create a harmonious society. Turn to page 30 to fi nd out more.

Also in this issue you can meet the newest additions to the Victorian Refugee Recognition Record (VRRR). Each year during Refugee Week, the Victorian Government acknowledges the hard work that goes on in the background in so many communities through the VRRR and this year was no exception with 21 recipients being added.

Another great read is the Emerge Festival, a yearly event that showcases the talents of our emerging African communities as well as some favourite Indigenous groups. This year, the main event was held at the Fitzroy Town Hall and included performances from some of our best musical groups, including Blak Roots, Deline Briscoe and King Marong.

Finally, Round Two of the Multicultural Festivals and Events grants program is now open. I look forward to hearing about all the great events that are planned for next year.

Enjoy the read!

BELOW Crowds gather at the Walk for Harmony.

RIGHT Muhanamwe performs at the Emerge Festival.

GEORGE LEKAKISCHAIRPERSON

news

4 Winter 2009

our pick of who, where and what’s on

Walk for HarmonyOn Sunday 12 July 2009, the Walk for Harmony brought more than 10,000 Victorians

together to show the world our state is a truly harmonious, peaceful and prosperous

one. The Premier of Victoria, John Brumby led the walk, which he said demonstrated the

Victorian community’s commitment to cultural diversity. Read all about the walk and

see who turned out to show their support on page 24.

VOLUNTEER WEST OPPORTUNITIES

A guide to volunteering in Australia.

Volunteer West works with hundreds

of newly arrived migrants each year

who are keen to volunteer as a way

of learning more about the Australian

community and as a way of giving their

time and skills to their new country.

To assist newly arrived migrants

Volunteer West has developed

Opening up Opportunities – a guide to volunteering in Australia.

The guide provides up-to-date and

relevant information about how to

volunteer. Everyone has skills to offer

as a volunteer. There are roles for

people working full-time, looking for

work, studying or with limited English.

Contact Karen Dimmock or

Judith Myers at Volunteer West

on (03) 9687 7661 or by email

[email protected]

The Palestinian community in Australia is

explored in an exhibition called Handing on the key; Palestinians in Australia.

The majority of Palestinians living here

expected they would return home so

when they left Palestine in the late 1960s

they locked up their homes, bringing only

the key with them. Now the key is their

only reminder of what they left behind.

WHERE Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne

WHEN until 22 November

WEB www.museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum

FECCA CONFERENCE 2009

The FECCA 2009 Biennial Conference

is Australia’s pre-eminent multicultural

conference.

This year it will explore the twin themes

of social inclusion and multiculturalism,

considering how Australians from migrant

and refugee backgrounds fit into the wider

social inclusion agenda.

Held in Shepparton, a culturally diverse

regional city two hours north of Melbourne,

the conference attracts leading decision

makers, thinkers and practitioners in

multicultural affairs, settlement services,

cultural diversity and immigration.

Delegates include senior bureaucrats

from federal, state and local government,

community sector leaders and cultural

diversity officers from private and public

sectors. The topics for discussion

on each panel include:

• Multiculturalism and Social Inclusion;

• Human Rights for Ethnic and Religious

Minorities;

• Multicultural Youth: Identity and Access;

• Regional Settlement and Interfaith.

Other sessions will look at regional

settlement, interfaith, economic

participation and skills, refugee and

migrant women, environment, the arts,

youth, sport and recreation and health.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.fecca.org.au

4 Winter 2009

PALESTINIAN EXPERIENCE IN AUSTRALIA

WHERE Eastbank Centre, Shepparton, Victoria

WHEN 29–30 October 2009, 9am–5pm

Register now for a chance to participate in discussion on social inclusion and multiculturalism.

news

mv MULTICULTURAL VICTORIA 5

LIFE IN A REFUGEE CAMP

The Premier of Victoria, John Brumby

has announced the final funding under

the Victorian Government’s $10 million

Cultural Precinct Enhancement Fund to

revitalise two significant cultural precincts

– Little Bourke Street and Lygon Street.

$3.5 million in funding for the third

precinct, Lonsdale Street was made on

20 March at the Greek Antipodes Festival.

The Cultural Precincts Enhancement

Fund is dedicated to reinvigorating

Melbourne’s three major cultural precincts,

Lonsdale Street (Greek), Lygon Street

(Italian) and Little Bourke Street (Chinese).

Mr Brumby announced on 13 May that

more than $2.5 million in funding has been

allocated for streetscape improvements

in Chinatown. Melbourne City Council

is contributing $970,000 towards this

project. A further $1.2 million will be

invested in the Chinese Museum.

Mr Brumby also announced the heart of

Melbourne’s Italian precinct in Lygon Street

will benefit from $3.8 million in funding.

The announcement was made at the Italian

Festival on 31 May at Piazza Italia.

Mr Brumby said $1.45 million in funding

has been allocated for the development

of an Italian Cultural Heritage Centre at

Co.As.It in Carlton.

A further $2.3 million, including a

$620,000 contribution from the City of

Melbourne, will be invested to enrich

community life in Piazza Italia.

For the past decade the Refugee Camp in

Your City project has travelled the world

educating people about life for refugees

in a camp. The camp will be set up in the

Treasury Gardens in Melbourne from

3–11 October, 9am–5pm.

Experienced field staff will lead

guided tours and tell their own stories

about refugee camps and describe the

vulnerability of life for people who have

fled their homes.

The camp also offers information

about Médecins Sans Frontières – an

international medical humanitarian

organisation that assists victims of armed

conflict, epidemics and natural disasters.

Guides will discuss a range of issues

affecting refugees, such as malnutrition,

disease and women’s health.

Providing medical assistance to

internally displaced people living in

refugee camps requires the work of more

than just doctors, surgeons and nurses.

Field staff teams are also made up of

project managers, logistical experts,

water engineers, builders, accountants,

mechanics and people from many other

professions with the kind of skills and

dedication needed in the field.

Experienced field staff will also be

available to talk to people interested in

working for Médecins Sans Frontières.

Lygon Street and Chinatown boost

A replica refugee camp offers people the opportunity to understand what life is like for refugees in camps in countries such as Chad and Sudan.

Two more cultural precincts are set to be revitalised under the Cultural Precincts Enhancement Fund.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS

Each year, the Victorian Multicultural

Commission (VMC) invites community

members to attend consultations to

provide direct feedback on how well

services are meeting the needs of

Victorians from diverse backgrounds.

This year, 10 consultations were held

from 17–31 August in Preston, Melbourne,

Broadmeadows, Footscray, Nunawading,

Morwell, Dandenong, Geelong,

Shepparton and Mildura. The Victorian

Multicultural Commission is still taking

written submissions. If you were unable

to attend and would like to contribute,

please send your written submission by

16 September 2009 to the VMC.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.msf.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.multicultural.vic.gov.au

ABOVE Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, Lucy Tan,

Manager of the Chinese Museum and Minister Assisting

the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino. LEFT

One of the stunning new lightpoles illuminates

the gateway to Chinatown

T l l

MY ROLE is the Honorary President

of the Australian Federation of

International Students, as well as the

Direct Services Manager at Advocacy,

Disability, Ethnicity, Community (ADEC).

I am also an Executive Member of the

Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria.

THE FAVOURITE PART OF MY JOB is the

opportunity to meet many people from

diverse backgrounds and hearing their

stories and understanding different

perspectives. It is fascinating!

MY FIRST JOB was as a Website

Developer in year 10.

I AM INSPIRED by people who never

give up, despite challenges they face.

THREE THINGS I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

are music, friends and family.

I’VE REALLY ENJOYED READING

Chinese martial art novels.

MY MOST REWARDING MOMENT was

when I received a Melbourne Award in

2005 – that was when I knew my vision

was achievable.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY IS the acceptance

that every individual is unique, and

everyone deserves to be respected

regardless of differences.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT VICTORIA is the

diversity – not just the cultural diversity

– but the festivals, theatres, markets,

and yes, even the weather!

Victoria’s multicultural communities are

a showcase to the world that cultural

and religious differences are not

barriers to harmony and peace.

news

5Get to know some of the

hardworking individuals

working in Victoria’s

multicultural sector.

Wesa Chau

take 5

ABOVE Wesa Chau speaking at the Walk for Harmony in

Carlton Gardens on 12 July 2009

Wesa is a very passionate and

enthusiastic individual advocating

for multiculturalism in Australia,

especially regarding the rights for

international students and young

people from CALD backgrounds.

Wesa is the Founding Secretary and

Honorary President of the Australian

Federation of International Students.

6 Winter 2009

vmc update


A BRIEF HISTORY OF ETHNIC BROADCASTING IN VICTORIA

Since 1989, ethnic communities in Victoria have been able to broadcast in their own languages on issues of interest and importance to them on community radio station 3ZZZ.

In recognition of the service provided by 3ZZZ, the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, hosted a reception for those behind the pioneering station on 27 June 2009.

Mr Brumby was joined by the President of 3ZZZ, Mr George Saloum and the Secretary and founding president of 3ZZZ, Mr George Zangalis, as well as many broadcasters, producers and supporters of the station.

In congratulating 3ZZZ on its 20-year history, Mr Brumby said the station has given many multicultural communities a voice and that this

was largely thanks to the passion and commitment of the volunteers giving up their own time each week to keep their listeners informed and their communities connected.

“As a result of this dedication, the station has developed into one of the largest community radio stations in Australia, giving a voice to so many of our ethnic communities.

“I offer my congratulations to everyone who has been involved in 3ZZZ over the past 20 years.

“Your contribution to broadcasting and to serving the needs of our multicultural communities is to be commended and is without question a reason for us all benefi ting so richly from our cultural diversity,” Mr Brumby said.

This year, 3ZZZ Melbourne Ethnic Radio station celebrates

20 years on the air broadcasting in more than 70 languages.

3ZZZ celebrates 20 years

Ethnic broadcasting in Australia emerged from widely-supported community and political campaigns in the early 1970s.

In 1975, the community-run, and ABC owned and assisted access radio 3ZZ was born. For the fi rst time in Victoria’s history 20 ethnic communities were able to broadcast

in their own languages about issues of interest to their communities.

The station was closed in 1977 and the community worked tirelessly to accommodate ethnic programs in the community radio station 3CR, which later played a signifi cant role in the establishment of 3ZZZ in 1989.

The pioneering 3ZZ laid the

foundation for community involvement and management that ultimately carried through to 3ZZZ and all community broadcasting.

Today, more than 400 volunteers broadcast in more than 70 languages and the programs are heard across Australia and the world, via the internet.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP The Premier of Victoria

John Brumby with volunteers from 3ZZZ who

have been with the station since the beginning;

volunteers from some of the many language

programs at the station.

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receptions • programs • consultations • grants update

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.3zzz.com.au

vmc update

8 Winter 2009

Language services strategy

One of the key challenges facing government in reaching migrant communities is the language barrier. In order for people to engage with the wider community, they must feel involved and supported and have equitable access to information and services.

The Victorian Government is acutely aware or the critical role that interpreting and translating plays in providing equitable access to information and services.

The following initiatives, undertaken or supported by the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) form part of the Language Services Strategy.• The Workforce Strategy will suggest

a range of measures the Victorian Government, interpreting industry and service agencies can undertake to facilitate the adequate supply of

appropriately qualifi ed and skilled interpreters to meet the language needs of Victoria’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

• The Remote Interpreters Project is investigating how the government can better use technology to improve the effi ciency of interpreting services. To investigate the viability of using video-conferencing technology to provide language services, pilot projects are currently being conducted at Northern Health, Bass Coast Community Health, Sunshine Magistrates Court and Barwon Community Health.

• Working Effectively with Interpreters is a training package for the Victorian Public Service (VPS) designed to raise awareness of the Victorian Government language services policy. So far in 2009, more than 200 VPS

employees have participated in the training package, which promotes the use of accredited interpreters and helps participants work more effectively with interpreters.

• The VMC Translating and Interpreting External Advisory Group was established in April 2009 to bring together key stakeholders in the industry to develop strategies relevant to the provision of language services in Victoria. The group consists of representatives of language service providers, training providers, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and the health, legal and education sectors. Meetings are held quarterly and are used to generate ideas, strategies and actions that contribute to improvements in the quality and supply of interpreters and translators.

The Language Services Strategy is a key initiative of the Victorian Government

to improve interpreting and translating services for Victorians from culturally and

linguistically diverse backgrounds.

ABOVE The Minister Assisting the Premier on

Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino with Karen

and Nuer scholarship recipients.

vmc update


Iranian-born Sarir Homayuni was awarded a scholarship from the VMC to do the Advanced Diploma of Translating and Interpreting at RMIT in 2003. She is now a NAATI accredited interpreter and translator in English and Persian (Farsi) and is completing a Master of Social Science (Translating and Interpreting Studies) at RMIT.

Prior to migrating to Australia, Sarir received a Bachelor of Arts (Translation) in Iran in 1995.

She says it is critical for people interested in becoming an interpreter to study for a diploma or advanced diploma in this fi eld to become familiar with the terminology and techniques used.

Sarir says she uses her skills to facilitate communication between professional services and her clients and encourages others who are considering working as an interpreter or translator to enrol in the course to understand how the system works.

“I encourage people to do the course as soon as you can. Not only will you be able to help people access vital services but you will learn so much about the ethics and professionalism needed in the industry.

“I also encourage people to apply for the scholarship. Like many migrants, without the help it offers I would have found it very diffi cult to come up with the course fees.“

PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER: SARIR HOMAYUNI

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE VMC’s Donna Petrusma

trains people to use interpreters more effectvely;

the Remote Interpreters Project – using video

conferencing to provide language services; the

Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural

Affairs, James Merlino with Nuer scholarship

recipients.

• The Interpreter Scholarship Program provides scholarships of $1200 to students enrolled in the RMIT Diploma of Interpreting. Now in its seventh year, 152 scholarships have been awarded in 11 languages. This year 40 scholarships were awarded to students studying to become Karen and Nuer interpreters.

• The VMC is working with Monash University to develop and deliver a Professional Development and Internship Program (Translating and Interpreting).

• The VMC also supported Monash University in hosting the 3rd International Association for Intercultural Studies Conference, 7–10 July 2009. The conference attracted more than 250 delegates involved with language services from more than 30 countries.

BELOW Professional translator and interpreter

Sarir Homayuni (centre) uses her skills to help

people communicate their needs to access

services and resources.

vmc update

10 Winter 2009

Granting accessAs we near the end of the year, the grants team at the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) has been busy presenting the latest round of grants to groups across Victoria.

From interfaith groups to new and emerging communities, these grants help many communities provide much needed services to their members.

The Bendigo German Liedertafel project is a shining example of how the VMC’s grant program can celebrate and protect our multicultural heritage. The Liedertafel were an all-male German choir based in Bendigo in the 1880’s.

Around fi ve years ago a framed photographic montage of the members of the group was found at the Capital Theatre in Bendigo.

Through VMC funding and the determination of the German Friendship Society and Euro Fest Choir, the picture has been restored to its former glory and will now hang at the Bendigo Capital Theatre as a reminder that Victoria’s diverse multicultural past is centuries old.

Funding for projects which support, document and preserve our multicultural heritage is available through the Strengthening Multicultural Communities program,

which opens again in October. Round Two of the Multicultural

Festivals and Events grants program is now open. Applications for events and festivals held between January and July 2010 will be accepted until 25 September.

The VMC is always pleased to recieve so many applications for events and looks forward to seeing how our communities plan to celebrate next year. Don’t forget that Cultural Diversity Week is on again in March 2010 and is a wonderful time to show all of Victoria the range of cultures that make our state so great.

Each year, the Victorian Government, through the VMC provides fi nancial support to more than 1,000 events held across the state. These events include major festivals, conferences and special ethnic community events that encourage the participation of the broader community in celebrating and valuing cultural diversity.

We look forward to receiving your applications and to attending many of the events which celebrate Victoria’s great unity and diversity.

It’s showtimeFind out more about

the Victorian Multicultural

Commission at the Royal

Melbourne Show.

For the past 20 years the Victorian Government has had a pavilion at the Royal Melbourne Show to highlight programs and initiatives.

This year, the Victorian Multicultural Commission will set up a display at the pavilion from 17–27 September to help people fi nd out more about Victoria’s cultural diversity.

The stand will showcase All of Us, Victoria’s multicultural policy, which sets the path for Victoria’s future with regard to multicultural affairs.

Images from the photographic exhibition of the same name, by photographer Michel Lawrence will also be on display.

This stunning exhibition is a colourful illustration of Victoria’s diversity and the people from many different cultures who live here.

A range of musical and dance performances will also entertain visitors to the display and informative talks will be held in the ‘Pause’ area.

Children are well catered for in the Government pavilion with plenty of interactive craft activities and games on offer.

BELOW Visitors to Fed Square at the All of Us

exhibition.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.vic.gov.au

ABOVE VMC Grants Manager Michael Van Vliet

with the Bendigo German Liedertafal, and inset,

the restored montage.

vmc update


A reception for the Dutch community was held by the Premier of Victoria John Brumby on 27 April to celebrate Queen’s Day, or ‘Koninginne’, the birthday of the Queen of the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix.

Mr Brumby was joined at the event by Mr Hans Nieuwland, the Honorary Dutch Consul of Victoria and said the relationship between the two countries was a strong and historic one.

“The relationship between Australia and Holland dates all the way back to the merchant sailors of the 17th Century and the gold rushes of the 1850s. In fact, the Dutch were one of the earliest migrants to Australia,” said Mr Brumby.

Mr Brumby also said the Dutch contribution to Victoria had been a long lasting and important one and he thanked the community for working together to help Victoria become such a harmonious and vibrant multicultural community.

Dutch celebrate Queen’s Day

Portuguese reception The Portuguese community was

welcomed at a special event to

mark the contributions made

to Victoria.

Each year the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby holds a number of receptions for communities to acknowledge dates of signifi cance celebrated by different communities in Victoria.

Mr Brumby welcomed the Portuguese community at reception to celebrate Portugal National Day on 10 June 2009.

Mr Brumby was joined by the Ambassador of Portugal, Mr Antonio Augusto Jorge Mendes and the Honorary Consul of Portugal, Mr Carlos Pereira de Lemos and thanked the Portuguese community for its contribution to Victoria.

“National Day is a perfect time to acknowledge our Portuguese community here in Victoria and the contribution you all continue to make. The Portuguese community is a great example of why Victoria has evolved into such a harmonious

and vibrant multicultural community.Portugal National Day remembers

the great explorers Vasco de Gama, Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan who set sail for new countries during the Golden Age of Discovery.

RIGHT Honoray Dutch Consul of Victoria, Mr Hans Nieuwland

with the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby.

ABOVE Minister Assisting the Premier on

Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino, Premier of

Victoria John Brumby, Ambassador of Portugal

Mr Antonio Augusto Jorge Mendes with members

of the Portuguese community.

nio d ib l i l l i

arts & culture

12 Winter 2009

music • theatre • dance • visual arts

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Visitors to the Jewish Holocaust Centre can now

experience interactive touch screen technology; Storypod IT consultants and

RMIT graduates Nat Ayudhaya (left) and Aukrit Chadagorn (far right) with

Nat’s parents and Holocaust Centre guide Jack Fogel.

The Jewish Holocaust Centre now provides an innovative solution to a growing dilemma: how to tell Holocaust survivor stories to future generations as survivors become less able to tell their stories themselves.

The solution has been to develop user-friendly interactive technology that allows the stories to be told fi rst-hand and was launched at the Holocaust Centre’s Open Day on Sunday 14 June.

Called ‘Storypods’, the technology features seven Holocaust survivors talking about their experiences and offers touch-screen access at individual kiosks that allow visitors to view photographs as well as scans of original historical documents in conjunction with video and audio testimonies.

Through this technology, the Holocaust Centre collections relating to featured survivors have been merged into a central source for the fi rst time and will ensure that these stories continue to be told.

To date, a small range of items have been on display in glass cases within the museum. Through Storypods, visitors now have access to a wide range of primary source material, in context with the survivor’s detailed history.

The Jewish Holocaust Centre, through its survivor eyewitnesses has powerful personal stories to tell that serve to educate visitors about the horrors of war.

The Jewish Holocaust Centre has a new way

of sharing stories with visitors using advanced

interactive technology.

Keeping history alive

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.jhc.org.au

arts & culture


A record number of 84,458 people attended this much anticipated festival, which celebrates Buddha’s birthday and Melbourne’s diverse multicultural society.

Hosted by Fo Guang Shan Melbourne and the Buddha’s Light International Association of Victoria, the Festival incorporates the traditions of Buddhism.

Some of the highlights included the Bathing of the Buddha, daily Dharma ceremonies, the Wishing Bell and traditional incense offerings.

There was also a vegetarian culinary tour of Asia, cultural demonstrations, music, art and craft displays, community service groups providing information and assistance to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, plus special activities and games for everyone.

Other activities held during the two-day festival included the annual World Peace Blessing Ceremony, Sacred Songs – the Multifaith Multicultural Concert, Vegi-licious – the Karma of Being Vegetarian cooking workshops and the 2nd annual Living in Multicultural Multifaith Melbourne Youth Forum, supported by the VMC’s Multifaith Multicultural Youth Network and the Centre for Multicultural Youth.

“Melbourne’s acceptance and encouragement of the Festival, year after year has been astounding,“ said Mrs Dominique Yu, President of the Buddha’s Light International Association of Victoria.

Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival is sponsored by the City of Melbourne, the Victorian Government through the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Federation Square and City West Water.

Buddha Festival

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Buddhist monks perform a ceremony, participants take part in the

Bathing of the Buddha; and traditionally dressed Buddhists make an offering.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.buddhaday.org.au

Melbourne celebrated the 14th annual Buddha’s Day and

Multicultural Festival on the weekend of 16–17 May at

Federation Square.

arts & culture

14 Winter 2009

Creative CulturesThe Spectrum Migrant

Resource Centre staged the

“Creative Cultures” exhibition

during July to present a

collection of works by migrant

and refugee artists.

The exhibition provided an opportunity to showcase the artwork of local refugee artists. Seven artisits from Sierra Leone, Iraq, Colombia, Lebanon, Kurdistan and Malayasia were involved in the exhibition.

One of the artists, Carmenza Jimenez, said the event was an opportunity to tell her story using art as a medium.

“My work is very political, based on my experiences in Colombia’s civil war, the displacement arising, the conditions suffered by the Indigenous people in my home country and the notion of borders.

“I use my artwork as an opportunity to talk about my feelings about the war in my country – one of the reasons I left to come to Australia and was displaced myself. War has a disproportionate impact on women and children and I explore this in my work,” said Ms Jimenez.

“The Creative Cultures exhibition allows us to celebrate the diversity of Victoria’s artistic community by merging traditional art forms with contemporary designs. The intent is to create a meaningful network for the artists and exhibit in a space providing exposure to a different audience,” said SMRC Exhibition Co-ordinator, Sophie Mast.

Amiamo l’ItaliaCrowds celebrated Italy’s ‘la dolce vita’ at the annual Italian

Festival, held over two weeks.

The Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino offi cially opened the festival on 23 May 2009 at a concert paying tribute to the Italian fi lm director Sergio Leone and the legendary fi lm composer to many of his fi lms, Ennio Morricone.

Mr Merlino said the festival was a wonderful celebration of Italian culture and a good example of Victoria’s multiculturalism.

“The Italian Festival is a great opportunity for the broader Victorian public to experience a slice of Italian life and to become involved in the Italian community,” Mr Merlino said.

“Italian migrants are known everywhere for their hard work and rich cultural traditions and have made an enormous contribution to Victoria.”

Featuring high-profi le international and local artists, the rich tapestry of traditional and contemporary Italian culture was showcased through a diverse program covering cinema, theatre, literature, music, exhibitions, food, wine and outdoor festivals at various venues across Melbourne

and regional Victoria. Highlights included an outdoor

festival, Ieri e Oggi (Yesterday and Today) at the Piazza Italia on Lygon Street on 31 May, during which the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, announced $3.8 million in funding for the revitalisation of the Lygon Street precinct.

This will include a permanent stage at Piazza Italia plus additional seating and trees.

The Ieri e Oggi celebrations included bands and DJs from Melbourne and Adelaide, along with special guests, live entertainment and authentic Italian food.

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs also hosted events during the Italian Festival to mark the region’s history of early Italian settlement. Italian cuisine was in the spotlight, with several dinners and musical evenings held in the area.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Premier of Victoria, John

Brumby with members of the Italian community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.melbourneitalianfestival.com.au

arts & culture


From the traditional to the contemporary, from the emerging

to the established, the Emerge Festival continues to showcase

new and established talents from our many communities.

Emerging with the beats

n

The Emerge Festival is an annual dynamic celebration of Victoria’s many rich and undiscovered refugee and emerging cultures. Held during Refugee Week to commemorate the United Nations World Refugee Day, the Festival is a series of amazing performances and unique cultural experiences held from 16 June to 26 July.

Co-ordinated by Multicultural Arts Victoria, the Festival is a great opportunity for new musicians as well as established groups to gain exposure for themselves whilst entertaining capacity crowds.

The Fitzroy Town Hall opened its doors for the main event on 21 June. Napier Street in Fitzroy was closed for two non-stop stages of world music, a vibrant cultural marketplace, an Ethiopian coffee ceremony and stalls serving authentic foods from all corners of the globe.

Cultural workshops in Pacifi c Island body percussion with Steve Tafea,

vocal gymnastics with Carl Pannuzzo, African drumming with King Marong, bellydancing with Underbelly, henna tattoos, hairbraiding and much more also kept the crowds entertained and educated throughout the day.

Many other events took place over the course of the Festival, including Visible Sessions Live at the Black Box, a new series of live music and jam sessions with sounds from around the world.

The MIX IT UP program also brought Victorians the Visible Concert on Sunday 26 July at the Arts Centre, where contemporary and traditional African cultures came together to launch the annual Visible CD.

For the past three years, Multicultural Arts Victoria’s Visible music mentorship project has given a kickstart to an incredible range of musical talents from around the globe.

FROM TOP Crowds filled the Fitzroy Town Hall for

Blak Roots; Deline Briscoe; Muhanamwe, Eshak Awi.

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arts & culture

16 Winter 2009

Bright lights of winterFederation Square sparkled and glittered during this year’s

Light in Winter display.

The Light in Winter display at Federation Square in June brought together artists, designers and communities to explore their ideas of light, enlightenment and hope.

Directed by Robyn Archer, this annual winter festival celebrates the warmth of Melbourne’s diverse community and shared cultural experiences.

This year the festival featured a stunning international commission, VOLUME by UK-based, United Visual Artists. Put together by Robert Del Naja and Neil Davidge, VOLUME is a fi eld of luminous, sound-emitting columns that respond to visitor movements to create an immersive, constantly shifting visual and musical experience.

A key component to the festival was also ’The Gift of Light’, in which community groups worked with a local artist to create an installation about what light means to them. Facilitated in collaboration with the Footscray Community Arts Centre, the 13 communities and groups represented included: Indigenous;

Vietnamese; Afghan; Japanese; Latin American; North African; Indian; Turkish; Kiribati and Tuvalu-South Pacifi c; Greek; Italian; Burmese and the Centre for Multicultural Youth.

On 21 June, over the weekend of the Winter Solstice, each artwork was unveiled at Federation Square during a celebration of music, dance, storytelling and food.

In the midst of a cold and grey Melbourne winter, Federation Square glowed with the warmth of a traditional Indigenous fi re, cherry blossoms, moon lanterns and an illuminated peacock!

Artist, Konstantine Dimopoulos brought further drama to the Square, with his installation Black Parthenon – a response to the issue of cultural appropriation.

As dusk fell on the city, thousands of people descended on Federation Square to admire the works and enjoy a carnival-like atmosphere, with performances by the haBiBis, Nubian Knights, Fonda La Clinica and many more.

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ABOVE AND BELOW Crowds enjoy the Light in

Winter at Federation Square.

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arts & culture


For more than fi ve decades, Burma has been caught up in political and armed confl ict between the ruling military regime, political opponents and ethnic groups, which has resulted in the displacement of millions of Burmese. More than 100,000 Burmese people are living as refugees in the nine camps along the Thailand Burma border.

Although Burmese refugees have settled in Australia since the 1960s, recently the Australian government has been accepting a larger number of Burmese refugees. As a result, Australia, and particularly Victoria, has seen a growth in new arrivals to the Burmese community.

During Refugee Week (16 June to 26 July) the Love Burma Love Freedom exhibition brought together three artists working in different disciplines.

Andrea Draper, a digital artist with Burmese origins and Timothy Syrota, an author, photographer and fi lm maker

A unique art exhibition focuses on Burma and its people.

Love Burma Love Freedom

whose work has focused on Burma since fi rst visiting the country in 1997, both contributed pieces.

The third artist was Burmese refugee Saw Chu Cil, who lives on the Thailand-Burma border alongside the 100,000 or more Burmese people in the nine refugee camps there.

Through different styles, this exhibition explores preconceived ideas about the people of Burma, looking at more than just the political problems of the troubled nation. The exhibition was presented as part of Multicultural Arts Victoria’s Emerge Festival, which celebrates and showcases the contributions of newly arrived refugee communities to Victoria’s cultural life.

This project was supported by the City of Melbourne, the Victorian Government through the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria.

TOP Artists Andrea Draper and Timothy Syrota

at the opening of the exhibition. ABOVE A visitor

to the exhibition wears a portrait of the Burmese

Oppositon leader Aung San Suu Kyi by artist

Saw Chu Cil.

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our community

18 Winter 2009

events • festivals • programs

The Minister Assisting the Premier on Veteran’s Affairs, Tony Robinson offi cially launched a historic record of Greek-Australian servicemen at Queens Hall on 22 May 2009.

Greek Australians in the Vietnam War 1962-72, by Steve Kyritsis, is a collection of the personal experiences of more than 40 veterans who served in the Vietnam War.

In launching the book, Mr Robinson said the contribution of these servicemen was one that deserved to be chronicled and he congratulated Mr Kyritsis for his dedication and hard work in compiling the book.

“This collected anthology of the experiences of 46 Greek-Australian men during the Vietnam War is not only an insight into their experiences as war veterans and migrant, it is also an important historical document.

“I commend Mr Kyritsis for his efforts and determination in collecting the accounts of those who served in Vietnam,” Mr Robinson said.

Mr Kyritsis spent more than three years locating and contacting the more than 120 veterans of Greek descent who served during the Vietnam War and said the project was a huge task but immensely important.

“The purpose of this book is not to tell the story of the Vietnam War, but

rather let those Greek Australians who served there tell their own stories,” said Mr Kyritsis.

Written in both Greek and English, Greek Australians in the Vietnam War 1962-72 is an engaging read. At times it is both funny and sad, heart-warming and heart-breaking. There are mentions of Post Traumatic Stress disorder, a relatively unheard of and often ignored syndrome in the 1960s and 70s.

There are stories of the struggle to fi t into a new life in a new country – circumstances which many of today’s migrants will identify with.

It also serves as a lasting testament to those who heroically fought and died for Australia.

Please contact Steve Kyritsis at PO Box 545, Black Rock, VIC 3193 for a copy of Greek Australians in Vietnam War 1962-72.

An historic record of Greek-Australians who fought in the

Vietnam War provides an important resource for all Australians.

Veterans tell their stories

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Minister Assisting the

Premier on Veteran’s Affairs, Tony Robinson with

Greek-Australian Vietnam Veterans; Premier of

Victoria John Brumby greets the group; a mock

Greek Embassy in Vietnam and author

Steve Kyritsis in Vietnam.

our community


AFL Victoria is working closely to build strong working relationships with many diverse communities to identify barriers and to develop strategies to encourage involvement.

The experience of dislocation and resettlement in a new country can be harrowing for many people.

AFL Victoria has realised that for many people, doing something as simple as joining a team can help develop the strength to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

A range of resources and programs, such as the AFL Multicultural Program have been developed to help local leagues and clubs located within diverse communities to take action that ensures their activities are welcoming and inclusive.

Some of the highlights of the program have been:• The participation of Team Africa,

Team Asia and the Kingdom of Tonga in the 2008 International Cup.

• The AFL Multicultural Schools Program, which was implemented in 101 schools and exposed 9,300 students to Australian Football.

All students participated in a “10 experiences program“ as well as receiving a workbook full of exercises to do in their own time.

• 18,000 people have now visited an AFL game, most for the fi rst time.

• 5,600 students visited the National Sports Museum and went on a tour of the MCG.

• 200 children have taken to the ground at half-time at the MCG and Telstra Dome. The program has introduced many

people to the benefi ts that playing sport can bring, not only through exercising but also by building new friendships and networks.

The AFL Multicultural Program is a joint initiative between AFL Victoria and the Victorian Government, through the Department of Planning and Community Development.

AFL Multicultural ProgramAFL Victoria recognises that sport has the capacity to

bring people together from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Snow timeA group of students from

the youth class at the Adult

Multicultural Education Service

Werribee recently experienced

snow for the first time

in their lives.

The class was a diverse group of students aged 18–26, mostly from the Karen community who are refugees from Burma, as well as students from Ethiopia and Sudan.

The class travelled to Mount Buller on 24–25 June. The trip was supported by the Victoria Police Multicultural Liaison Unit who supplied the bus and driver, Buller Sports who supplied snow gear and toboggans, Mt. Buller Resort Management and Mansfi eld Holiday Park.

It was also kindly supported by personnel from various agencies who accompanied the group – Victoria Police Multicultural Liaison Offi cer, Leading Senior Constable – Richard Dove, Sgt. Ron Fenton from Werribee Police, Western Bulldogs Engaged Communities Coordinator – Kiemi Lai and AMES Youth teachers Tanya de Graaf and Felipe O’Reilly.

“It was an amazing trip. They loved it so much they begged to go back the next day but we had run out of time. None of the students had ever seen snow,“ said Leading Senior Constable Dove.

“We created this program to give the students an exceptional experience. It was a really good introduction to Australia for them.

“The tobogganing was a real highlight, as well as eating the food prepared by the Karen young people,” he said.

capacity to

FOR MORE INFORMATION email [email protected]

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Keen Team Africa player

Tut Nienkel with team members at the international

Cup; AFL’s Kim Kershaw with players.

our community

20 Winter 2009

Women coming togetherThe Oakleigh New Hope

Foundation recently organised

a number of activities to

facilitate interaction between

four different CALD community

groups and the wider Australian

community.

A range of recreational activities have allowed migrant women and refugees to learn about their adopted homeland through the process of sharing and learning with others in a safe and welcoming environment

Some of the activites included bushwalking with the Mt Waverly Bush Walking Club and the Australian Burmese Women’s Group. These trips created an opportunity for members of the club to learn more about the recently arrived Burmese community and for the Burmese to be introduced to walking as a healthy recreational pursuit and develop an understanding of some of Australia’s fl ora and fauna.

The Clarinda Multicultural sewing group participated in two 10-week pottery sessions with the Clayton Clarinda Arts Centre. This encouraged an interesting exchange of different ceramic and sewing techniques.

Other activities included members of the Cook Island community attending a camp with Life Saving Victoria and the Sudanese community attended a scout camp organised by Scouts Victoria and the Futuristic Group for Southern Sudanese in Australia.

Geelong Netball Association signs Community AccordAt a special gala night, the Geelong Netball Association

showed its support for cultural diversity and inclusion.

On Thursday 18 June, 45 participants bared the cold and took part in an All Inclusive Netball Clinic held at the Geelong Netball Association (GNA).

Diversitat, Leisure Networks, Karingal, St Albans and Bell Park Netball Clubs, arranged for representatives to attend clinics conducted by Geelong Cougar players, Kathryn Vickers and Jess Griffi n.

Bell Park‘s Under 15 team combined with disability teams from St Albans and Karingal to play in a fun-fi lled game, while some new recruits were discovered amongst the Sudanese and Liberian groups who also attended. Many of these newcomers are now keen to play netball on a weekly basis.

Commissioner Linda Sydor Petkovic from the Victorian Multicultural Commission and Stephen Smith, a representative from GNA used the occasion to sign the Community Accord to demonstrate the GNA’s commitment to respect all ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic communities.

The Community Accord continues to be signed by community groups and organisations to demonstrate their commitment to the principles outlined in the Multicultural Victoria Act 2004. Please contact the Victorian Multicultural Commission on (03) 9651 0651 to fi nd out more about the Accord.

TOP VMC Commissioner

Dr Linda Sydor Petkovic and

Geelong Netball Association’s

Stephen Smith with the Accord.

RIGHT supporters at the gala

netball night.

our community


The Walk in Harmony was established by the Essendon Football Club in 2007 as part of its Multicultural Program. Since then, more than 4,000 people from various backgrounds have completed the 4km walk from the Flemington Community Centre to Etihad Stadium.

This year, the Walk in Harmony activities started at the Flemington Community Centre at 9am with participants given the chance to meet Essendon players, watch

BOMBERS SHOW HARMONY

Essendon Football Club and supporters walked for harmony to celebrate Victoria’s success as a culturally diverse society and to promote social cohesion.

an African henna and tea ceremony, sample some multicultural music and food and take part in various football activities and games.

The Walk made its way to the stadium where the crowd listened to Essendon player Bachar Houli speaking on the importance of multiculturalism on the big screen prior to the match between Essendon and Adelaide.

Essendon Football Club says it is proud to be involved in working with Victoria’s migrant and refugee communities.

Casey’s Wall of Global Friendships

call Casey home. It is hoped that all of the multicultural communities living in Casey, and Casey’s sister cities, will donate a plaque so that the area becomes a popular community attraction and a place for people to gather to celebrate multicultural ceremonies, special occasions and national events.

The Wall of Global Friendships is an outdoor community space which celebrates and acknowledges Casey’s diverse cultural community and sister city relationships with Berwick-Upon-Tweed, UK, Springfi eld, USA, and friendship city Ermera in East Timor.

It aims to recognise the contribution of various multicultural groups that have settled in Casey, and to promote international friendship, harmony and goodwill.

Located at the Balla Balla Community Centre, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East, the wall will feature a collection of inscribed plaques from different cultural groups that have come to settle in Casey and plaques also from Casey’s sister cities.

City of Casey Mayor, Geoff Ablett said the concept of a Wall of Global Friendships came from within the local community.

‘It is an interesting and unique outdoor space for everyone to explore, interact and celebrate Casey’s cultural diversity. The landscape will incorporate walls bearing messages of friendship and goodwill with gardens, paths, seating and fl agpoles,’

Multicultural groups are now invited to become involved in the Wall of Global Friendships by contributing a plaque representing the people of their ethnic community who now

TOP City of Casey councillors and community members Yasmin Khandwalla,

Adbulhamid Khandwalla, Silvanna Acuna, Ann Pathmisiri, Saleh Parker, Geoff

Ablett, Cecille Wheare and Lisa Speirs. ABOVE The Wall of Global Friendships.

The City of Casey, in partnership with the local

community, is undertaking an exciting project

known as the Wall of Global Friendships.

FOR MORE INFORMATION phone (03) 9705 5200 or visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/globalfriendships.

our community

22 Winter 2009

STUDY LOOKS AT SERBIAN COMMUNITY

Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Mr George Lekakis, offi cially launched the study on 25 May 2009. Mr Lekakis was joined by Cr Pinar Yesil, Mayor of City of Greater Dandenong.

The study concentrated on the pertinent issues affecting different subgroups of the Serbian community. Some key issues expressed in the study included; integration into the Australian society due to language diffi culties, mental health issues, a need for linguistically and culturally

appropriate aged-care and access and information about physical and mental health services.

Mr Lekakis praised the members

of SWAV for undertaking such a study.“This study will offer important

insights and challenges faced not only by the Serbian community, but other culturally and linguistically diverse communities, residing in Victoria. Such understanding will allow further strengthening of cultural ties and promotion of multiculturalism” said Mr Lekakis.

The Victorian Government, provided funding to SWAV as part of the Community Strengthening Grants program.

Dragon BoatFestival in WhittleseaThe Dragon Boat Festival is a signifi cant event in the Chinese calendar. It commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet and Minister in the state of Chu, who drowned himself in protest against a corrupt government in 277 BC.

More than 120 members of the Whittlesea Chinese Association, the local Chinese community and residents of the City of Whittlesea attended the Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday 6 June 2009 at the Lalor Senior Citizens Centre.

The Festival included belly dancing by Zabelle and Princess Pamela, plus a short play about the death of Qu Yuan which was performed by students from Abbotsford Primary School.

There was also a multicultural fashion parade and a performance from the Whittlesea multicultural choir.

“Local residents of all ages and backgrounds came together and attended a variety of creative, entertaining and colourful festival activities,” said Arthur Yong, President of Whittlesea Chinese Association.

Young people working to save the environmentNewly arrived young people are

learning practical information

about conservation and the

environment.

The Home Sweet Home project was developed to raise awareness about the drought, energy and waste in Victoria and to empower young people to take action at home to help the environment.

This project was driven by two young people involved with the Western Young People’s Independent Network (WYPIN) who are very passionate about the environment.

Organisers May Joy Toke and Toruna Ujoodah relate their experiences back to their country of origin and the hardships that they had to face as migrants to Australia. They both agree that coming to a new country and taking the apparent ready availability of resources as an indication of its bountifulness can be a common misconception for newly arrived migrants.

With this is mind, raising awareness of the environment and pointing out some simple ways that everyone can reduce their use of water, energy and

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit http://whittleseachineseassociation.blogspot.com

FROM LEFT VMC Chairperson George Lekakis

with members of the Serbian Welfare Associaton

of Victoria at the launch of the study.

The Serbian Welfare Association of Victoria recently undertook a study to ascertain the current needs and challenges faced by the Serbian community in Victoria.

waste was the focus of the Home Sweet Home Project. The project was delivered to 50 young people from diverse cultural backgrounds from two schools.

The fi rst workshop with Western English Language School students was followed by an excursion to the Iramoo Sustainability Centre in St Albans.

The second group were from Victoria University English Language classes and the workshops were followed by an excursion to CERES Environment Park.

From the project, the young people have reduced their eco-footprints by using low energy lights, reducing hot water use, taking four-minute showers, recycling and composting.

FOR MORE INFORMATION phone (03) 9680 8265 or email [email protected]

our community


The Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino was a special guest at the launch, which also featured a Victorian Government funding announcement of $120,000.

Mr Merlino said the partnership with the Austrlian Multicultural Foundation (AMF) was an exciting move and congratulated the work done by Sports Without Borders (SWB) in assisting newly arrived migrants through sport.

“Sports Without Borders is a wonderful and unique program that brings together our love of sport, our multicultural diversity and our commitment to an open and fair society.

“Sport at any level helps to build confi dent people and has the power to bring us together, to connect us to new communities and to open doors no matter what our background may be,” said Mr Merlino.

A series of grants from Sports Without Borders were also presented to a diverse group of recipients including

The Sports Without Borders Foundation launched its new partnership with the Australian

Multicultural Foundation on 11 May 2009 at CO.AS.IT in Carlton.

Sports Without Borders

FROM TOP Sunshine Heights junior soccer

players on the field and receiving a grant from

the Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural

Affairs James Merlino, AMF’s Hass Dellal and SWB’s

James Demetriou. BOTTOM James Demetriou with

Sunshine Heights cricket players.

the South West Sports Assembly, Sunshine Heights Cricket Club, the Youth Junction Centre, Timas Harik, Sunshine Heights Junior Soccer Club and Flemington Football Club.

A highlight of the event was a speech by Wada, a nine-year-old Sudanese player from the Sunshine Heights cricket club who described how the program had helped him.

“I come from Sudan and have been living in Australia for four years. I really like my new country and would like to say a big thank you to Sports Without Borders for helping me to play cricket for Sunshine Heights,” said Wada.

Sports Without Borders provides funding for key expenses including equipment and uniforms, club registration fees, transport and travel, scholarships, training, education and community sporting events.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.sportswithoutborders.net.au

24 Winter 2009

in focuswalk for harmony • victorian refugee recognition record • promoting harmony


The Carlton Gardens was transformed into a blaze of colour

and noise as 10,000 people came together to celebrate cultural

diversity and religious freedom in Victoria’s Walk for Harmony.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Led by the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, the crowd makes its way

down Swanston Street; a volunteer hands out balloons; Joe Camilleri on stage at Federation

Square; walkers in the Grampians show their support; friends gather to join the Walk.

Following the violence against international students in Melbourne in mid 2009, the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby announced a Walk for Harmony to give all Victorians the opportunity to show their support for cultural diversity and to say no to racism.

On 12 July, Mr Brumby led fellow Victorians through the streets of Melbourne to reaffi rm to the world Victoria’s strong support for multiculturalism and cultural diversity. Similar walks were also held in locations across the state, including Great Western, Shepparton and Mildura.

“Victorians delivered a clear, powerful and unambiguous message in our Walk for Harmony: that our strength lies in our diversity,” Mr Brumby said.

“The Walk for Harmony provided Victorians with an opportunity to come together to celebrate our rich multiculturalism – and to stand up and reaffi rm our embracement of diversity.”

Walkers gathered at the Carlton Gardens from 12pm and were entertained by Brazilian percussionists, Indian dohl drummers and Scottish bagpipers. Wesa Chau, Honorary President of the Australian Federation of International Students addressed the crowd and spoke about the important role international students play in our community.

Mr Brumby also announced the Government would establish a new international student care service, so that international students could obtain support and assistance 24 hours a day. The services will include referrals and assistance with crisis accommodation; counselling and support.

“This new one-stop-shop will make things easier for our international students and ensure they are supported and made to feel right at home while they are in Victoria,” Mr Brumby said.

Following the Walk, the crowd was entertained by Joe Camilleri & the Black Sorrows and Mr Brumby joined an informal cricket game held by Cricket Victoria at Birrarung Marr and played with international students and the Victorian Bushrangers.

Walk for

harmony


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in focus

26 Winter 2009

Victorians delivered a clear, powerful and unambiguous message at the Walk for Harmony; that our strength lies in our diversity.

Premier of Victoria, John Brumby

FROM TOP. 1. Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs,

Chief Commissioner Simon Overland, with two young recruits 2. The Western Harmony train

arrives to join the Walk 3. Indian dohl drummers entertain the crowd 4. Premier of Victoria

John Brumby with cricket players at Birrarung Marr. FACING PAGE Croweds gather at Carlton

Gardens as community groups and particpiants get ready for the Walk.

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in focus

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in focus

28 Winter 2009

The VRRR is an important event on the state’s calendar and this year was no exception. The Deputy Premier of Victoria Rob Hulls added a further 21 refugees to the Victorian Refugee Recognition Record (VRRR) at a ceremony during Refugee Week (14–20 June).

“The VRRR is an offi cial thank you from the people of Victoria for the hard and often unrecognised work done by many refugees that helps better the lives of other people,” Mr Hulls said.

Mr Hulls commended the achievements of the recipients and congratulated each of them for their contribution to the betterment of the Victorian community.

“Our society is enriched by the presence of a signifi cant refugee population and by recognising the contribution made by so many people we hope to encourage greater awareness of our rich diversity,” Mr Hulls said.

This year’s recipients were

acknowledged for their ongoing contribution to Victoria and for helping others through their involvement in various voluntary programs and community support services.

The nominated refugees have been involved in a range of initiatives including research in the psychological issues associated with resettlement, establishing memorials for Vietnam War veterans and Vietnamese refugees, encouraging Afghan teenagers to learn about Afghan art and culture, the creation of a multilingual Crimestoppers initiative and an innovative driving program for refugees.

Mr Akoch Manheim, a VRRR recipient from last year addressed the crowd and spoke of his own experiences as a refugee from Sudan and his work with the Lost Boys of Sudan Association.

Mr Manheim spoke of how important he felt it was for people to work

together to help create and maintain harmony in society.

“Let us look to the future and help keep Victoria the most multicultural and harmonious place to live in Australia,“ Mr Manheim said.

The Victorian Government invited students from Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE to create a photographic record of the recipients.

This partnership connects students with community members and helps to share the story of each of the refugees with the wider Victorian community.

Mr Hulls congratulated the students and recipients for their participation in the project.

“It is inspiring to see people coming together and the recipients have been portrayed in a compelling way that helps tell their stories,“ Mr Hulls said.

Victorian Refugee Recognition Record

Each year the Victorian Government recognises the achievement of refugees who work

tirelessly to help others in their community and beyond.


in focus


LIST OF RECIPIENTS

Mr Terefe Aborete Horn of Africa comunity

Mr Javad Alizada Afghan art group Nawin Art

Mrs Immaculate Bihamba Congolese community

Mrs Lydia Charlamow Russian community

Mr Hung Xuan Chau Vietnamese community

Mrs Rose Elias Wellsprings for Women

Ms Farah Faiq Iraqi community

Ms Fartun Farah East African Women’s Foundation

Mrs Saba Feniger Jewish Holcaust Centre

Mr Sash Herceg AFL Multicultural Liaison

Mrs Qingyun Huang Cambodian community

Mrs Nida Hussein Wellsprings for Women

Mrs Fowzia Issa Somali community

Mr Thon Makuei Thon Sudanese community

Mrs Malvina Malinek National Council of Jewish Women

Mrs Anita Milicevic Balkans community

Mr Chan Goch Cham Nyok Sudanese community

Mr Andrew Ohide South Sudanese Equatorian Association

Mr Parsuram Sharma-Luital AMES – Bhutanese community

Mr Leigh Phong Thanh Trinh Victoria Police – Crimestoppers

Ms Farhnaz Zamani Afghani community

PREVIOUS PAGE Immaculate Bihamba,

photo by Martin Bennett CLOCKWISE

FROM ABOVE Terefe Aborete, photo by

Bronwyn Kemp; Farhnaz Zamani, photo

by Jane Purchase; Quingyun Huang,

photo by Gerard Hynes; Sash Herzeg,

photo by Geoff Morrissey; Malvina

Malinek, photo by Natasha Ward.

in focus

30 Winter 2009

Victoria leads the way when it comes to people from different faiths and cultures living side

by side in harmony, thanks to a range of initiatives.

Promoting

Since 2006, the Victorian Government’s community harmony investment has instituted a range of initiatives including community grants for interfaith and multifaith activities.

These have included strategic partnerships between the Government and peak faith organisations; mentoring and leadership initiatives for youth and women from culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and ongoing consultative structures between the Government and our diverse religious communities.

In the 2009–10 budget the Government committed $2 million over two years for the Boosting our Multicultural Advantage suite of initiatives.

During May, the Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs James Merlino presented more than $40,000 to organisations who are

promoting community harmony and understanding through interfaith dialogue and activities.

On Friday 22 May, Mr Merlino met with representatives of the Baha’i Council of Victoria, and members of the growing Baha’i community, to award $7,500 for their program Soul Food. Held once a month at the State Library, Soul Food features live music, audio-visual presentations and readings on spiritual themes from different faiths and indigenous cultures.

Mr Merlino also presented two cheques totalling $25,500 to the Zionist Council of Victoria and the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission for the Zionist Council’s public educational forums on Judaism and the Commission’s leadership training and mentoring program for young people of diverse faiths. Another cheque

presentation was held at the Blackburn Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, where Mr Merlino awarded the Sikh Interfaith Network $10,200 for programs that create greater awareness and understanding of Sikh beliefs and culture.

In August, Mr Merlino presented a further $319,000 to 46 community organisations for an impressive range of multifaith projects and interfaith network initiatives.

The Multifaith/Interfaith Grants Program is part of the Victorian Government’s Community Grants Program and Promoting Multifaith and Multicultural Harmony Initiative.

community harmony

ABOVE Faith leaders with the Minister Assisting the

Premier on Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino.

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in focus


The Multifaith Multicultural Youth Network (MMYN) was established in September 2007 to provide advice to the Victorian Government, through the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Offi ce for Youth.

MMYN members also have the opportunity to highlight key issues facing Victoria’s diverse young people and develop youth led projects which respond to some of these issues.

Since 2007, MMYN initiatives have included:• Assisting with the planning and

coordination of the Faith and Culture Youth Forum 2007.

• Providing input into the development of fi ve Youth Led Initiatives

• Developing and undertaking a Regional Schools Tour where members of the MMYN travelled to regional centres to discuss issues of faith, culture and

human rights with secondary school students.

• Hosting a panel discussion at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s Everyday People, Everyday Rights Conference.

• Consulting on the Victorian Government’s new Multicultural Policy, All of Us.Applications recently closed

for new recruits for the MMYN, the new members will be announced in the coming weeks.

MULTIFAITH ADVISORY GROUP

The Multifaith Advisory Group (MAG) was established in January 2008 as part of the Government’s commitment to ongoing dialogue with Victoria’s faith leaders to look at how we can best promote harmony in our State.

The MAG meets quarterly and is made up of approximately 20 senior faith representatives who provide advice to the Government on issues of interest and concern to faith communities and opportunities and strategies to promote community harmony.

The MAG has been involved with many projects including helping coordinate the presence and statement from faith communities at the National Day of Mourning event for the Victorian Bushfi res on Sunday 22 February; promoting the Walk for Harmony on 12 July and developing an Interfaith Calendar, which is available at www.multicultural.vic.gov.au

MULTICULTURAL MULTIFAITH YOUTH NETWORK

7.

h

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Sikh Gurdwara in Blackburn; grant

recipients from different faiths at the Immigration Museum;

members of the Jewish community with Minister Assisting

the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino.



32 Winter 2009

programs • funding • resources

Learning about discriminationAustralia’s first short course aimed at supporting diversity, reducing race-based discrimination and

associated health impacts has been put together by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).

Following in the footsteps of other successful short courses offered by VicHealth in mental health promotion, the new two-day intensive course will be targeted at local governments, community and health organisations around Australia.

The course has been developed by VicHealth, together with leading academics in the area of race-based discrimination and cultural diversity, Dr Yin Paradies and Natascha Klocker.

While the course’s subject matter will be likely to stimulate some passionate discussions, Dr Yin Paradies said the structure of the two day short course “is spot on”.

“The short course aims to detail the extent and nature of race-based discrimination in Victoria, including its impact on health and wellbeing;

and to enhance the capacity of practitioners to design, implement and evaluate anti-discrimination activities,” said Dr Paradies.

The connection between health and race-based discrimination is central to Dr Paradies’ work at the VicHealth Onemda Koori Health Centre. Dr Paradies’ studies on the links between race-based discrimination and health formed a central plank of a ground-breaking 2007 VicHealth report, More Than Tolerance.

“There is strong evidence of links between racial discrimination and health, particularly depression, anxiety, stress and harmful intake of substances such as tobacco and alcohol,” said VicHealth CEO Todd Harper.

“This course has been developed because despite the fact that 90 per cent

of Victorians embrace cultural diversity, there is still an unacceptable level of racial discrimination taking place.”

“Combined with a range of other initiatives VicHealth is undertaking to prevent race-based discrimination, the course should enhance our strong commitment to a healthy cultural diversity here in Victoria,” said Mr Harper.

Dr Klocker agrees that the course should make a difference. “I am excited to be involved in a project that encourages people to think critically about race-based discrimination, motivates them to make it a priority, and demonstrates how they can take practical steps to address it.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.vichealth.gov.au



Funding for interpreters at childcareFamilies from Victoria’s culturally and linguistically diverse

communities now have even better access to early childhood

services thanks to a $4 million Victorian Government boost

to interpreting services.

Making the announcement at the Carlton Family Resource Centre on 26 May 2009, Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand said the funding is part of the $54.9 million allocation to Maternal and Child Health Services to support the Healthier Mothers and Babies initiative.

“The Victorian Government is taking action to ensure that language is not a barrier for families to access the wide range of early childhood information, resources and services available in Victoria,” Ms Morand said.

“It is vital that all families have access to information that supports the health, development and wellbeing of their children,” she said.

The funding package for interpreting services includes:• $3.2 million to expand interpreter

services over the next four years and to translate a range of early childhood resources into community languages;

• $87,000 to develop, broadcast

and evaluate community service announcements for Arabic and Chinese Community radio on positive early childhood themes including nutrition and literacy;

• $200,000 to the Parenting Research Centre to develop short videos in community languages and non-verbal pictorial materials to support the key messages covered by the Maternal and Child Health Service;

• $213,000 to the Victorian Multicultural Commission to develop a series of training resources to enhance cultural awareness among professionals who deliver early childhood services; and

• $300,000 for the further development of resources supporting the effective delivery of these services.“This investment will enable more

families to access interpreting services more often and extend information and resources available on early childhood to more communities to ensure that every Victorian child gets the best start in life,” Ms Morand said.

Learning about taxNewly arrived migrants

now have access to a new

educational tool to help

them understand their tax

and superannuation rights

and obligations.

Many new arrivals to Australia have no knowledge of the tax system. It can be a daunting prospect to learn what you are required to provide and even more so if English is a second language.

For this reason, the Australia Taxation Offi ce (ATO) has developed a new tool to help people navigate the complex tax system.

The Commissioner of Taxation, Michael D’Ascenzo and Assistant Treasurer, Nick Sherry, launched an educational DVD, called Tax in Australia on 5 August 2009.

It includes basic information on the way the Australian tax and superannuation system works, why we pay tax, and the tax information people need to know when starting work.

Tax in Australia is available in the following languages, English, Burmese (Karen), Mandarin, Korean, Dari, Dinka, Vietnamese, Arabic, Thai, Farsi.

Tax in Australia is one of a range of in-language products developed by the ATO to cater to the needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD).

Other information includes brochures and fact sheets providing basic information about tax, and an extensive media program including SBS, community radio and CALD press to communicate relevant messages.

The ATO’s Access and Diversity Unit is a centre of expertise for communicating with diverse audiences and delivering in-language personalised seminars in 18 different languages plus community advisory visits.

FOR MORE INFORMATION please contact the ATO’s Access and Diversity Unit at [email protected] or visit www.ato.gov.au.

ABOVE Children and Early

Childhood Development

Minister Maxine Morand with

a child at the Carlton Family

Resource Centre.


34 Winter 2009

Speaking at an event during the Energise Enterprise Festival, Minister for Small Business, Joe Helper said Victoria’s multicultural communities were vital to the success of the state’s small business exports and he applauded their contribution.

“The Victorian Government is taking action to encourage small business investment and growth among Victoria’s multicultural

businesses,” Mr Helper said. “Victoria is Australia’s most

multicultural state and almost 30 per cent of our small business operators were born overseas and 45 per cent are either fi rst or second generation Australians.

“We believe that by working together, we can create even better opportunities to promote Victoria’s exports and attract investment in

Victoria,” Mr Helper said. The Energise Enterprise Small

Business Festival is held annually and features more than 400 business-related events taking place across the state to provide ideas and information for business owners, operators or anyone considering starting their own business.

MULTICULTURAL BUSINESSES VITAL TO STATE’S GROWTH

Established in 1978, Western Suburbs Legal Service is an independent community organisation that provides free legal advice and assistance to the people of Melbourne’s west. Western Suburbs Legal Service has a long history of working with the local community on a range of law reform and community development projects, including on projects related to racism and discrimination.

In response to reports of racism, racist violence and discrimination experienced by Melbourne’s Indian community, Western Suburbs Legal Service recently established a specialist

legal advice clinic for international students. The International Student Legal Advice Clinic (ISLAC) is a free drop-in service for international students that provides advice and on-going legal assistance and representation with the following types of legal matters: criminal matters, discrimination, employment matters, fi nes, police issues and complaint, student rights, tenancy matters, traffi c offences, victims of crime compensation.

ISLAC is staffed by volunteer lawyers and paralegals with a background in international student issues. Some

volunteers have language skills in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Tamil, and telephone interpreter services are available for other languages. ISLAC also has a highly experienced Student Rights Offi cer present at every advice clinic, who can assist students with problems related to the education provider.

ISLAC operates every Wednesday from 6.00pm to 8.00pm from Western Suburbs Legal Service, at 30 Hall Street, Newport. No appointment is necessary.

Victoria Legal Aid has launched a new version of the brochure ‘Do you have a legal problem?’ For the fi rst time this free brochure is available in three African languages – Dinka, Somali and Amharic.

Victoria Legal Aid acknowledges many people in these rapidly growing communities might not know of its services, but could benefi t from information about where to go to get help on legal matters.

The brochure is also available in

Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese and Turkish.

Victoria Legal Aid also has several other publications in community languages, which are a great resource for people wanting to know more about the law in easy-to-understand formats. These include brochures on family law, traffi c offences, going to court, and our service for refugees.

To order Legal Aid publications contact Kerrie Soraghan on (03) 9269 0435 or [email protected]

Do you have a legal problem? Victoria Legal Aid brochure now available in seven languages.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.business.vic.gov.au

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

The value and importance of Victoria’s multicultural business networks were recognised as part of the Energise Enterprise Small Business Festival in August.

Free legal service for international students

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION about ISLAC, please call Western Suburbs Legal Service on (03) 9391 2244.



Train as an Interpreter and Translator in 2010

Multicultural Resources Directory-Update

RMIT is currently recruiting for its National Accreditation

Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) accredited

Diploma of Interpreting and the Advanced Diploma of

Translating and Interpreting.

If you are fl uent in English or any of the following languages, you may be eligible to apply for a Masters qualifi cation.

DIPLOMA OF INTERPRETING

Diploma of Interpreting trains students in dialogue interpreting to Paraprofessional Level.

Languages offered in 2010 will be:• Auslan; Dari; Dinka; Hazaragi;

Japanese; Korean; Mandarin, and Tamil.

ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF TRANSLATING

AND INTERPRETING

The Advanced Diploma of Translating and Interpreting trains students to Professional Level.

Languages offered in 2010:• Arabic; Auslan; Cantonese; Greek;

Italian; Japanese; Korean; Mandarin; and Vietnamese.

MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

(TRANSLATING AND INTERPRETING

STUDIES)

Details are available at the RMIT websites.

Last year the VMC released the 2008–09 Multicultural Resources

Directory (MRD) to bring together a listing of Victoria’s community

groups, service providers and multicultural organisations.

Over the past year the VMC has received incredibly positive feedback about the Directory and as such the VMC has decided to expand the directory and improve the online system to be more user friendly.

The improved Directory will include a broader range of organisations, such as places of worship, local libraries and a more comprehensive list of Victorian ethnic media outlets. This new information will complement the existing listings which includes Migrant Resource Centres, Ethnic Communities

Councils, Neighbourhood Houses, Language Services providers, consulates and ethnic schools.

Organisations that already have a listing in the 2008–09 Directory will be sent a letter over the coming weeks requesting updated details.

If your organisation has not been listed before you can be included by completing the MRD Listing Form available from the VMC website.

During the upgrade, the Directory will be unavailable but new online Directory will be available in November.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION call 9925 2328 or visit www.rmit.edu.au/translatinginterpret and for direct applications go to www.rmit.edu.au/programs/applications/forms

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE VICTORIAN MULTICULTURAL REGISTER?

To ensure that membership of public sector boards and committees is refl ective of the gender, age and cultural diversity of the Victorian community, the Department for Planning and Community Development (DPCD) maintains a database of people from all backgrounds who are interested in serving on Victorian Government boards and committees.

The information is treated confi dentially, and is stored in accordance with privacy legislation.

The register is part of a general diversity register, set up to provide a centralised point for Victorian Government departments seeking people interested in being appointed to their boards and committees.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the diversity register please visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/diversityregister or call DPCD on (03) 9208 3120.

Level 3, 3 Treasury PlaceEast Melbourne, Victoria 3002

TELEPHONE (03) 9651 0651 FACSIMILE (03) 9651 0612EMAIL [email protected]

WEB multicultural.vic.gov.au

Documents

Thousands join together on Walk for Harmony to support ... · Mr Brumby also announced the heart of Melbourne’s Italian precinct in Lygon Street will benefit from $3.8 million in