August Monthly Reflections

The last month brought up a lot emotions for me.

The Delta variant is proving incredibly challenging to contain the world over. While Australia is doing better than most, we acknowledge lockdowns continue to affect the livelihoods, mental wellbeing and quality of life of many of us.

We have challenges with local outbreaks and an urgency to drive down case numbers, but it has been inspiring to see multicultural Victorians?working so hard to protect themselves and their communities.

This month, we saw the incredible mobilisation of the Al-Taqwa College community in response to an outbreak. Swift and appropriate support was available to residents in public or social housing, and support was provided to impacted schools, parents and students throughout Victoria as well. We are seeing great work from community happening on the ground in Shepparton right now too, though we are still at a critical stage where we must contain further spread.?

Sadly, recent weeks have been even more distressing for our Afghan communities, as we learned of the terrible situation in Kabul. We are fortunate in Victoria to boast Australia's largest Afghan population. This diverse community brings so much to our social, cultural and economic lives, and it hurts to hear of the pain?and uncertainty they are feeling?right now. We are with you.?We offer the Afghan community our support and prayers during this difficult time. You can read our statement for further thoughts on this issue. If you are struggling, please continue reach out to us. The VMC's commissioners and I are here to listen to you and help you.

We said farewell to Prof Fr Gary Bouma AM in August. We all remember Gary’s work as part of the Multifaith Advisory Group in supporting and encouraging diverse religious Victorians to find their place?and flourish with dignity.

Gary was the Director of the Global Terrorism Research Centre at Monash University; the UNESCO Chair in Intercultural and Interreligious Relations – Asia Pacific; Emeritus Professor of Sociology; and Associate Priest at St John’s Anglican Church, East Malvern. He was also author or co-author of more than 25 books and 370 articles, and was granted a Member of the order of Australia (AM) for services to sociology, to interreligious relations and to the Anglican Church of Australia. He will be missed so much.

Please read on to learn about what kept the VMC and I busy in August.

We?presented many vital?COVID-19 community briefings throughout August

COVID-19 response and recovery

Community briefings

We have continued to host COVID-19 forums in partnership with the Department of Health. Premier Daniel Andrews recently joined a briefing and commended multicultural and multifaith leaders for their work in helping suppress outbreaks and appealed for their help in doing it again.

In addition to our general update meetings, we have hosted community and region-specific briefings for groups directly affected by COVID clusters. This has allowed us to deliver vital information about exposure sites, support available and the necessity of isolation and testing in a culturally sensitive manner.

We have also been working closely with COVID Quarantine Victoria to provide advice and guidance on cultural and spiritual support to CALD people who are currently in hotel or health quarantine, including recent Afghan arrivals.

Double jabbed

On a personal note, I received my second dose of the vaccine earlier this month. I have shared my experiences through social media and our Community Update emails. I will keep encouraging diverse Victorians to book their jab – this is our clearest way out of the pandemic.

Last week, we announced the winning entries?of the VMC Multicultural Film Festival

Promotion and advocacy

Multicultural Film Festival

It's around this time each year that we reveal the winners of the Multicultural Film Festival. Unfortunately, last year’s event was cancelled due to lockdown. A few months ago, we welcomed nominations for the 2021 edition of MFF and we looked set to?announce winners at a gala evening at ACME in Federation Square – just like old times. New restrictions were brought in, though, so our Events team quickly moved the event online.

We had some brilliant entries, both in the Schools category and the main festival, and some very worthy winners and honourable mentions. I love watching the films each year and I feel like we set a new standard for the competition in 2021.

Thank you to every filmmaker who entered, along with our partners SBS, the Department of Education and Training, Swinburne University and Mushroom Creative House.

You can watch the official selection of the MFF Schools competition here.

Watch the official selection of MFF here.

Viv in the media

I had some interesting news media commitments this month. I spoke with Virginia Trioli on ABC radio to highlight the growth in community involvement with the state’s COVID-19 response this year. I was a part of an ABC News television story on the great efforts of the Victorian Pasifika communities to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. And?I was interviewed by Star News on refugee mental health for a story that will be published in the coming days.?

VMC Deputy Chairperson, Bwe Thay, my advisor Celia and I met with Senator Kimberley Kitching to discuss a recent senate inquiry report

Investigation and reporting

Regional Advisory Council expressions of interests close

Thank you to everyone who submitted an expression of interest to join our Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) recently. We received more than 200 applications! Our RACs are our eyes and ears in CALD communities across Victoria. We value their feedback, concerns and ideas so much and we can’t wait to work with the new members.

Meeting with Senator Kimberley Kitching

It was great catching up with the Senator Kitching this month. We discussed the Senate inquiry into issues facing diaspora communities and the report’s findings, along with other pressing issues faced by multicultural Victorians. I shared with the Senator the urgent need to support Afghan communities overseas and here in Victoria, along with human rights support to Burmese communities who face ongoing uncertainty.

Community Leadership

Protect Preston Market

I recently met with Mayor Cr Lina Messina of the City of Darebin to discuss the future of Preston Market. Mayor Cr Messina shared Darebin Council’s concerns and that of her local diverse communities that a slated commercial development could threaten the market’s status as a cultural and hub for multiculturalism.

Mayor Cr Messina and Darebin Council are calling for a change to the planning process to guarantee that Preston Market is protected in its current location. You can sign the petition here.

New commissioners announced

I would like to finish on some brighter news, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Ros Spence recently announced the appointment of eight new VMC commissioners.

Our new Commissioners come from diverse backgrounds?–?including Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia?–?and represent varied cultural and religious backgrounds.

Congratulations and welcome to the new Commissioners:

Lunorphare (Luna) Folly (Youth Commissioner)

Abiola Akinbiyi (Community Representative Commissioner)

Tarang Chawla

Jennifer Huppert

Nyangak (Lizzy) Kuoth

Mohamed Mohideen

Bill Papastergiadis

Silvia Renda

Bwe Thay has also been successfully reappointed to the Deputy Chairperson position. My personal thanks to Bwe for his continued support.

I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of the VMC team to thank our outgoing commissioners who have completed their terms – Tina Hosseini, Khayshie Tilak Ramesh, Walter Rapoport, Mohammed Yassin and Rosaria Zarro. We are grateful for their dedication to representing the interests of diverse communities in Victoria. Their contribution and commitment has been exceptional.

I so look forward to advocating for Victoria’s diverse communities with the new commissioners, alongside our current serving commissioners Sankaran (Shankar) Kasynathan and Dr Judy Tang. Let’s get to work.

Take care and stay safe

Viv Nguyen AM

Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission

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