August Monthly Reflections

In the month of August, the VMC joined several Independence Day celebrations for Ukraine, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. It is always a joy to witness the pride communities have for their history and heritage.

The spirit of connection and support at these events cannot be overstated. It is what our communities rely on during challenging times. I acknowledge that the celebrations this month in Ukrainian and Afghan communities were dimmed by ongoing conflict in those regions.?In recent weeks, we have also been devastated to learn of widespread flooding in Pakistan.?

Multicultural Victoria's strength is the compassion of the individuals who make up this community. It is during these times of hardship that this strength is most admirable, and I hope you will join me in reaching out to members of these communities in the coming weeks to offer our time, support, solidarity and kindness.

Afghanistan and India Independence day festivities

?Another event I had the privilege of attending this month was the Vietnam Veterans' Day service organised by the Victorian branch of the?Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia. It was yet another reminder that we cannot take a peaceful, connected society for granted.?

I was particularly moved by the ceremony given my personal connection with Vietnam Veterans. I was also happy to hear that the Victorian government will be investing $10 million into the historic?National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island.

We must not forget our histories and our stories - it is through this kind of public recognition that we can honour pain, suffering and conflict and begin to heal together. It gives us the ability to pass on these stories to the next generation with resilience and pride.?

VMC Chairperson Viv Nguyen honouring Vietnam Veterans for Vietnam Veterans' Day?at the?Shrine of Remembrance

?I am always amazed to hear of the fantastic initiatives available for multicultural young people to get involved in their communities. I recently met with the CEO of Australian Football International?(AFI) and learnt of his two decades-long dedication to social cohesion through sports.

AFl is a simpler version of our homegrown sport, played in smaller teams and on a rectangular field. Among the organisations' many achievements includes the annual Harmony Cup played in Melbourne, featuring teams from Melbourne's multicultural communities.?

Sport has the power to break down cultural barriers through participation, and initiatives such as the Harmony Cup is an example of how we can move beyond diversity to true belonging. Young people often lead the way in this regard, which is why the VMC is?proud to have also accepted applications this month for our?Multicultural Youth Network.?

I encourage you to follow the VMC on social media for updates on the Network, and have your voice heard!

From left to right: VMC Deputy Chairperson Bwe Thay, VMC Chairperson Viv Nguyen and CEO of Australian Football International Brian Clarke.

Acting as a conduit between multicultural communities and the government is part of the VMC's legislated role. Our Regional Advisory Councils are an example of how we can facilitate this relationship. Another example is the first Victorian African NDIS and Skills Forum that took place this month, of which I was proud to attend as a facilitator.?

With special thanks to our host Federal Minister Bill Shorten, the forum was an important opportunity for African Victorians to express their concerns and ideas around employment, upskilling and education opportunities for their community. These contributions will now be advocated for by Minister Shorten at the upcoming National Jobs Summit - so thank you to all who participated in this important discussion!

Dimitra from?SisterWorks co-delivering this month's Small Business Sisters workshop

Employment opportunities are a key focus for multicultural communities across the state, and we are grateful for the many Victorian community organisations who already support the employment of people with multicultural backgrounds especially migrant women.

In particular, I'd like to acknowledge SisterWorks, who in this last month provided workshops to their cohort of Small Business Sisters, in collaboration with the Australian Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The information provided in these workshops helps build the confidence and expertise of migrant women looking to start their own business in Victoria.?

To conclude the month of August, the VMC was delighted to host the 2022 Multicultural Film Festival in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology.?

VMC Film Festival?

The glamorous evening showcased the extraordinary talents of multicultural filmmakers, ending with a premiere screening. Of the 346 submissions, 19 films were shortlisted for our Official Selection, an incredible achievement for these filmmakers! From this Official Selection, winners were announced on the night in 6 categories.?

Once again, on behalf of the VMC, I'd like to thank all who submitted their film to this festival, and congratulate all winning and honourably mentioned filmmakers. Your efforts have shown all Victorians that multicultural representation is deserved, celebrated and meaningful.?

Thank you,

Viv