Community Noticeboard
Welcome to the VMC Community Noticeboard. If you would like to promote your event here please email the details to the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
info@vmc.vic.gov.auBreaking The Cycle - groups for parents and carers whose adolescent is abusive and/or violent at home
A group for mothers, fathers, partners, step-parents, carers whose adolescent is abusive and/or violent at home. The groups have been running for 14 years and have been developed with parents. Previous participants say that the group has provided them with ideas for change, ways of managing their situation differently in a supportive, informative and affirming environment.
When: Various
Where: 7-11 hipley Street,Box Hill
Cost: $50 individual or $80 couple (negotiable)
Phone Number: Anglicare on 9896 6322
Bookings: Essential
Free legal information sessions for Greek-speaking grandparents
Moreland Community Legal Centre and the Austrlian Greek Welfare Society are launching a set of fact sheets on 16 March 2012 concerning grandparents and family law to help grandparents to be confident, well informed and enable them to contribute positively to the care, welfare and development of their grandchildren. The six fact sheets are available in both English and Greek and include information about: Family Law, Family Dispute Resolution, Family Violence, Child Protection, Financial Support for Grandparents and a rferral guide to free support services and free legal advice.
When: 16 March 2012
Phone Number: Contact Lynne Barratt on 03 9383 2588
Stepping Stones - small business training and mentoring support for refugee women
Stepping Stones is a program that helps refugee and migrant women living in Melbourne to develop small business skills by offering financial education, micro-business training and mentoring support. Building upon participants’ strengths and experiences, the program aims to create a model that enhances understanding of the implications of starting a small business in Australia. Stepping Stones builds refugee and migrant women’s capacity to start small business in Australia by: Facilitating understanding of financial systems, small business regulations, building participants’ capacity to develop business plans and marketing strategies, assisting in finding traineeship and work opportunities, assisting participants to adapt their business experiences overseas to the complexity and compliance issues of running a business in Australia. The program also helps to links participants to enthusiastic and experienced female business mentors in Melbourne. They are recruiting participants until 20 February 2012. The 20 week course – including computer and English skills support workshops – requires one full day per week commitment. Limited places are available
When: Recruiting until 20 February 2012
Where: Various
Cost: Free
Phone Number: Call Juliana on 03 8412 8710
Email: jlobodequeiroz@bsl.org.au
Inaugural Brimbank Cup Kicks Off
The inaugural Brimbank Cup kicks off on the weekend of 11-12 February at Keilor Lodge Reserve, Robertsons Road, Taylors Lakes. Altogether 27 local soccer clubs – 21 male and six female – will compete. A tournament highlight is an exhibition match between the Victoria Police Soccer Team and an All African Team at 12 noon Saturday 11 February. Other attractions include African food, a barbecue, helicopter fly-bys and performances from the Victoria Police Band. A crowd of over 1000 is expected. Peter Lewinsky, Chair of Brimbank City Council Administrators, will present awards to the male and female winning teams and runners-up from 3pm, Sunday 12 February. Mr Lewinsky said that the Council had teamed up with Victoria Police and the Sydenham Park Soccer Club to organise the soccer tournament. “Brimbank is the United Nations when it comes to soccer with players, like our residents more generally, hailing from all around the world. Soccer is hugely popular in Brimbank and right across the West. Internationally, of course, soccer is the game,” he said. “We’re delighted that every soccer club in Brimbank bar one (which is otherwise engaged) will be competing for the inaugural Brimbank Cup. This level of grassroots support augurs well for the long-term success of this initiative to put soccer more firmly on the local map,” he said. The tournament is built on the shoulders of last year’s African Nations Tournament but has been broadened to embrace all Brimbank soccer clubs. Mr Lewinsky said it was encouraging that seven of the clubs to vie for the Brimbank Cup are informal teams used to playing casually in local parks. “The Brimbank Cup is the perfect opportunity for players in these informal networks to catch the eye of the many talent spotters from established clubs. Most of these players are African but there are two new teams – one from the Burmese Chin community and a mixed Chin/Vietnamese side. “There’s a push for new clubs all the time but there’s simply not enough space, facilities or resources to go around. The weekend tournament will do a lot to build new relationships between informal groups and established clubs. We hope some of the parks’ players will end up being recruited,” he said. Both days of the soccer tournament start from 9am. The location and organisation of Brimbank Cup is expected to rotate annually through local soccer clubs.
When: 11- 12 February 2012, 9am kick off.
Where: Keilor Lodge Reserve, Robertsons Road, Taylors Lake.
Phone Number: 03 9249 4811
EastWeb - small grants for projects within Victoria working with Indigenous, asylum seeker or refugee communities.
The EastWeb Fund is a sub-fund of the Melbourne Community Foundation run by a group of young people who recognise that Indigenous, Asylum Seeker and Refugee communities experience significant marginalisation and discrimination which hamper their ability to fully participate in community life. The group works to counter this disadvantage, promote community capacity and self-determination. The EastWeb Fund is also committed to developing partnerships which promote equality and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and also promotes the full participation of Refugee and Asylum Seeker communities in the wider community. EastWeb gives small grants of up to $2,000 to projects within Victoria working with Indigenous, Asylum Seeker or Refugee communities in the areas of: health care; employment; education; and cultural heritage promotion and maintenance. They will fund projects that build the capacity of communities to create long term strategies for change and look to fund whole projects - Eastweb is unlikely to fund parts of larger projects. Eastweb can also help source in-kind support for your project, including volunteers to support your project, assistance with grant-writing or businesses willing to donate their products or services. They always welcomes applications and have no closing dates or grant rounds. The Eastweb Board sits monthly to make funding decisions.
When: Ongoing
Website: www.eastweb.org.au
NMIT English for Bilingual Health and Community Work Course
The NMIT English for Bilingual Health and Community Work course starts on 13 February 2012 at the Collingwood Campus. This is a 12 month, combined English and community work course for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, leading to a bilingual community/health work and/or further study in this area. Courses are also available in English and Childcare, English and Aged Care and English and Hospitality at the Preston Campus. For more information contact the NMIT's Vocational Pathways Department. vocational@nmit.vic.edu.au
When: 13 February 2012
Where: NMIT
Phone Number: 03 9269 8380
Email: vocational@nmit.vic.edu.au
Legal Reporting Awards
Entries are now open for the 15th annual Victoria Law Foundation Legal Reporting Awards. The awards recognise and promote excellence in legal journalism in Victoria. The awards acknowledge the important role the media play in helping Victorians to understand the law and legal system, and reflect the Foundation's commitment to improving the quality of legal information. In 2012, awards are being offered in 14 categories for work published or broadcast in 2011, which is about or related to Victoria and also includes a: 'Best report in multicultural media' award. Visit the website below to download your entry form and teh award guidelines.
When: Entries for the awards close at 5pm, Wednesday 8 February 2012.
Theatre Workshop BBQ
Would you like to know more about theatre? Are you interested in performing? Would you like to be involved with La Mama Theatre in 2012? The Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) and La Mama Theatre are inviting people aged 15 - 30 from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to a BBQ held at La Mama Theatre. Food and drinks will be provided.
When: Saturday 18 February, 3.00pm - 5.00pm
Where: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday Street, Carlton
Phone Number: Please contact Bree McKilligan on 0401 593 300.
Email: bmckilligan@cmy.net.au
Website: http://www.cmy.net.au/
The 2012 -13 Settlement Grants Program funding round is now open
The Settlement Grants Program has been strengthened. The changes will build the capacity of the settlement sector to support newly arrived refugees and migrants. Under the former settlement grant program, funding for ad hoc projects was prioritised over core community services. The changes reflect a decision by the government to reinvest in long term programs that will help new Australians adapt to life in Australia. The revised service types under SGP include casework, coordination and delivery of services, community coordination and development, youth settlement services, and support for ethno-specific organisations. Applications must be lodged by 5pm AEDST on 1 February 2012. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Funding will commence on 1 July 2012 and may be offered for periods of one, two or three years. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will hold information sessions on the grants, which applicants are strongly encouraged to attend before completing and lodging their application. For further information in relation to information session dates and locations, or to access the online application form and view the the application information booklet visit the DIAC website listed below Applicants can also contact the SGP Helpdesk for more information between 9am and 5pm AEDST Monday to Friday (excluding ACT public holidays).
Phone Number: 1800 453 004
Website: http://www.immi.gov.au/
Scholarships to enhance women's leadership
Applications are now open for the Victorian Women’s Governance Scholarship – a joint initiative of the Victorian Government and the Australian Institute of Company Directors which will provide 34 women with training in corporate governance through the Company Directors’ Course. Application forms and guidelines are available from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With $180,000 funding from the Victorian Government, the scholarships are available to women who are current board members of community not-for-profit organisations in receipt of state government funding. Women’s Affairs Minister Mary Wooldridge has encouraged women from across Victoria to consider applying for a scholarship to enhance their board expertise and skills. “We recognise there is a need for more women on boards,” Ms Wooldridge said. “This course is highly regarded and will enhance the knowledge and skills of participants, making them better directors in their current roles and preparing them for further directorships in the future. “I strongly encourage all eligible women across the state to consider applying for a women’s governance scholarship.” For further information about the Women’s Community Governance Scholarship Program, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Company Directors’ course visit the website below.
When: Closing date for applications is 10 February 2012
Website: http://www.companydirectors.com.au/
New publication - Us and Them: Muslim Christian relations and social harmony in Australia
This new publication by Australian Academic Press contains cross-cultural research which provides exceptional insights into the hopes and fears of dealing with people different from ourselves. The 12 essays in Us and Them attempts to paint a picture of the diverse interpretations of interfaith relations and cultural harmony present across Australia today and offers truths about interfaith relations as they are believed and expressed by Muslim and non-Muslim Australians.
When: Available now
Where: Melbourne University Bookshop
Cost: $29.95
Phone Number: 03 8344 4088
Cultural Diversity in Ageing 2012 Conference
This 2-day national conference will provide a platform for Australia’s aged care industry to explore creative ways of meeting the challenges posed by Australia’s increasingly culturally diverse older population. The conference will address a broad range of themes associated with the design and delivery of culturally inclusive services and showcase best practice and innovative service models. The conference theme this year is ‘Stories to Inspire’. This will provide delegates with an opportunity to take a unique and creative approach to cultural diversity in ageing, and encourage people to consider the stories of ethnic communities, aged care services and staff, carers and of course stories of ageing migrants in the community.
When: 7 - 8 June 2012
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Phone Number: 03 8823 7979
Human Rights Education for Immigrant & Refugee Women
The Multicultural Centre for Women's Health (MCWH) has announced a series of professional development seminars for 2012. The first is entitled 'Getting to Know Your Rights: Human Rights Education for Immigrant and Refugee Women' and will be held on 23 February, 9am-2pm at the MCWH in Collingwood. This seminar will focus on sharing experiences for developing human rights education programs tailored to immigrant and refugee women. It will explore effective strategies for human rights education including the use of story sharing as a method for women to make sense of human rights in their day-to-day lives. You can find the seminar calendar and register online at the MCWH website.
When: Ongoing 2012
Where: Multicultural Centre for Women's Health, Collingwood
Cost: $88 (includes lunch)
Phone Number: 03 9418 0999
Email: anna@mcwh.com.au
Website: http://www.mcwh.com.au/
Bookings: Essential
Survey: students with disability in Victorian schools
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is keen to hear the views of parents, students and educators about the education of students with disabilities in Victoria. Following a successful call-in day on December 3, VEOHRC is extending their phone-in to weekday working hours, enabling parents, students and educators to give their views about what works and what could be improved when it comes to the education of students with disability in Victoria. A survey is also available online. If you need an interpreter, you can call the Commission interpreter service on 1300 152 494.
Phone Number: 1300 292 153
Email: research@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Mental Health Council of Australia Survey
The festive period can be a stressful time of year for many people, and especially so for people who are caring for someone with a mental illness. The Mental Health Council of Australia (MCHA), the peak body for mental health, invites you to complete the 2011-12 Mental Health Carers Survey that is now available online and in paper format. The results of the survey will help to highlight issues of concern to people who have a mental illness and those who care for them. The MCHA wants to ensure CALD communities can have their say, so from mid-January 2012 hard copies of the survey will be available in Arabic, Chinese, Greek and Italian. The MCHA has also released a Young Carers Mental Health Survey on Facebook, specifically for people under the age of 18 who care for someone with a mental illness. To complete the survey online click here For more information contact Linda Rosie via email: linda.rosie@mhca.org.au or phone 02 6285 3100.
Phone Number: 02 6285 3100
Email: linda.rosie@mhca.org.au
Website: http://www.mhca.org.au/
Human Rights training calendar 2012
With the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 in force since August, it's time to update your equal opportunity practice. The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is offering a range of workshops in 2012 to help you understand your equal opportunity and human rights obligations and move towards best practice.The Commission can meet all your training needs, with free and cost-effective workshops scheduled in Carlton, metropolitan areas and regional Victoria. VEOHRC offer targeted workshops for employers, union delegates, government employees and advocates, and can customise training to deliver at your workplace. To view the January to July 2012 training calendar, visit the VEOHRC website (below) or call for more information.
When: January - June 2012
Where: Various locations
Phone Number: (03) 9032 3415
Would you like to contribute a game from your country?
The Australian Turkish Cultural Platform (ATCP) is seeking volunteers to submit ‘A Game from my Country’ that will go into a multicultural children’s game book. Copies of the book will be available for the use of public libraries throughout Australia and copies will be sent to both the National and State libraries, and also to the Republic of Turkey. The book will be accessible by students, teachers, scholars and researchers worldwide. Participation is entirely voluntary. A short biography/migration experience will also feature alongside each volunteer’s story, photo and game description.You can either write a game from your country and submit it with your contact details via email to the address below or send it by post. Award-winning and experienced miniature artist from Sydney, Gulay Pelin, will be illustrating the book, bringing your words to life through her art.
Phone Number: 0401 385 606
Website: http://www.atcp.com.au
Bookings: Post to: Australian Turkish Cultural Platform, PO Box 3068, Murrumbeena, VIC 3163
Free Counselling Service for Multicultural Women
A gender and culturally-sensitive counselling service has been operating at the Queen Victoria Women's Centre in the city. The Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women's Coalition's family violence advice service (FLAS) that was established in 2005 has combined with a counselling service to increase the level of support needed by multicultural women suffering from family violence. For more information see below.
Cost: FREE
Phone Number: 03 9654 1243
Email: virwc@virwc.org..au
Website: http://www.virwc.org.au
Care With Me Training Workshops
Care with Me, a Victorian based community volunteer program focused on working to support all children and young people who are in government care receive culturally suitable support, is offering four workshops with Ms Jatinder Kaur. Ms Kaur specialises in working with CALD communities and was recently commissioned by the National Child Protection Clearinghouse to prepare research on CALD and refugee communities in the child protection system. For more information see below.
Phone Number: 1300 829 335
Email: info@cwme.org.au
Website: http://www.cwme.org.au
Happiness is a glass of vino and a panino
Come and join in on an hour and a half of Italian conversation with a small and friendly group over an Italian style Aperativo. This includes your choice of a drink from a list of Italian wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks, served with some light food. The group is run by a native Italian teacher and an Australian, Italian graduate with many years in Italy. We look forward to spending an hour and a half in Italy with you.
When: Every Saturday 3pm - 4.30pm
Where: Cafe Romantica, 52 Lygon Street, East Brunswick
Phone Number: 0451489535
Email: dallaziaadriana@gmail.com
Bookings: Call or email to register