February Monthly Reflections

My thoughts recently have been with the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian and Russian diasporas. For Ukrainian-Australians, this is a time of great anxiety and fear. I also appreciate the terror that people living in Ukraine are feeling right now, and I give my sympathies to the families of those who have already died in this violent invasion.?

I ask that you all spare a thought for what Ukraine and its people are going through. The situation is changing by the day, but we are continuing to work with Ukrainian communities in Victoria to support them. If there are ways that Victoria’s broader multicultural communities can contribute, we will be in touch.

It is also a stressful time for all refugees and former refugees of any background, so please keep reaching out and supporting one another.?

Read on to learn about some of the other things that kept the VMC busy through February.?

COVID-19 response and recovery?

COVID-19 cultural mortality data?

In mid-February, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released data showing that that most people who have died from COVID-19 in Australia were not born here. It was reported that people born overseas accounted for 64 percent of all COVID-19 deaths until the end of January 2022.?

This data didn’t surprise us at the VMC but is still difficult to digest. With high numbers of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers working in frontline and service industries, multicultural communities were always going to feel the most punishing effects of a contagion like COVID-19.?

Throughout the pandemic, we have done our best to support these Victorians through their suffering and grief. We have also advocated to government to give greater assistance to community efforts aimed at overcoming outbreaks and combating misinformation.?

This work hasn’t stopped. We are continuing to make sure vital public health messages reach culturally diverse communities. Our fortnightly COVID-19 briefing, hosted in partnership with the Department of Health, is one way we’re still doing this.??

Another is our support of the government’s distribution of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to cultural groups. We’re currently inviting multicultural organisations to express interest in receiving supplies of these tests. Click here to learn more.?

Promotion and advocacy?

I was a part of two panel events in February – the Gender and Sexuality at Work Conference (GSW) and IPAA’s Engaging Multicultural Communities Beyond COVID-19 webinar.?

Both events featured compelling discussions, and it was a pleasure to be a part of them. At the GSW conference, I highlighted the need for greater support for CALD women in the Victorian Public Service and to better examine the barriers holding back workforce gender equality.?

In the IPAA session, I spoke about the many lessons we took as a state from the pandemic in how to best serve culturally diverse communities in times of crisis. One of these recommendations was cutting back on the red tape that hindered a quick and effective response to some COVID-19 community outbreaks. Another was looking beyond direct translations and engaging CALD community leaders to reach diverse Victorians through the media they use most, including chat platforms.?

On the VMC home front, we continue to promote the great benefits of multiculturalism through our events program. Coming up in March we will again host Cultural Diversity Week, which will see the long-awaited return of the Multicultural Gala Dinner (formerly known as the Premier’s Gala Dinner). The Victorian Refugee Awards and Capturing Culture photography competition have also both opened for submissions.??

I attended and spoke at many events through February, including the large Lunar New Year celebrations in St. Albans (left) and the AMES Australia '70 Years of Welcome' dinner (right).

Investigation and reporting?

Mental Health Ministerial Advisory Commission?

The Mental Health Ministerial Advisory Commission will provide strategic guidance to the Victorian Government on the mental health transformation agenda and advocate for system change, service improvement and better user outcomes.?

I am part of the new advisory group tasked with providing implementation advice to ensure that reform initiatives reflect the Royal Commission’s intent and are led by the principles of inclusivity and equality. We had our first meeting recently and I look forward to future opportunities to be a part of this important work.?

Inquiry into support for older Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds?

VMC Executive Senior Adviser Hakan Akyol and I recently spoke at the Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee hearing for this important inquiry, which is being chaired by Natalie Suleyman MP.??

We shared some recommendations on improving services for Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds.?

We spoke about this community’s need to be fully engaged with the design and delivery of government services created for them. This group doesn’t want things to be done for them, their voices need to be heard and they deserve to be deeply involved in the supports that are created for them, from start to finish.?

Hakan and I presented to the?inquiry into support for older Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds. We are pictured above with Neil Angus MP and inquiry chair, Natalie Suleyman MP.

Community Leadership?

Amplifying the voice of family violence victims?

I attended a special memorial of Poonam and Vanessa Sharma earlier this month, after being invited by the community. I was deeply honoured to say a few words of reflection.??

One life lost to family or domestic life is too many, and these deaths were a true tragedy. We will continue advocating for the establishment of more culturally sensitive anti-violence services across Victoria, and work closely with agencies like Family Safety Victoria.?

Leadership in Action Program?

After receiving many applications, I’m pleased to say the VMC’s Multicultural Communities Leadership in Action has finalised its placements.?

I popped into the first youth session last Thursday. They were an engaged and passionate cohort – it’s a great sign for the future.??

Hundreds of emerging multicultural leaders will take part in the program over the coming months, and I look forward to meeting many of them.?

Finally, I want to wish Happy New Year to everyone who recently celebrated the start of the Year of the Tiger. For me personally, it was a wonderful time taking part in my own culture’s traditions, while being welcomed by others to experience how they celebrate this wonderful time as well.?

Until next month, take care and stay safe.

Viv Nguyen AM?

Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission?