Victorian Government Achievements in Multicultural Affairs

2006/07

Department forVictorian Communities

Level 11, 1 Spring StreetMelbourne Victoria 3000

Telephone: (03) 9208 3184Facsimile: (03) 9208 3179

Email: info@vmc.vic.gov.au

multicultural.vic.gov.au

Department forVictorian Communities

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Contents

Foreword 2

Summary 4

Introduction 6Victorian Government policy framework 6 Overview of the report 7

Part A: Major improvements and initiatives 8 Valuing diversity and promoting diversity 9– What we did in 2006–07 9– What we are doing in 2007–08 13 Reducing inequality 15 – What we did in 2006–07 15– What we are doing in 2007–08 21

Encouraging participation 24– What we did in 2006–07 24 – What we are doing in 2007–08 28

Part B: Departmental reporting 32Use of language services 33

Victorian Government multilingual publications 38

CALD representation on government boards, authorities and committees 43

Progress on departmental cultural diversity plans 44

Percentage of total spending on ethnic advertising campaigns 46

Glossary 47

Published by the Victorian Multicultural CommissionLevel 11, 1 Spring StreetMelbourne Victoria 3000

Telephone: (03) 9208 3184

June 2008

Also published on www.multicultural.vic.gov.au

Copyright State of VIctoria 2008

Ths publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

Authorised by Premier of Victoria John Brumby1 Treasury PlaceEast Melbourne Victoria 3002

Designed by Seamer Design

Printed by Metro PrintingRoberts Road Airport West Victoria 3042

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Victoria is one of the world’s great multicultural success storiesOur population is more than five million and includes people from over 200 countries speaking over 200 languages and following more than 130 faiths. This diversity is a vital part of the state’s economic success and social development. It has made Victoria one of the most welcoming, diverse and harmonious places in the world.

In 2006–07, almost one quarter of Australia’s total migrant intake settled in Victoria (including over a quarter of all skilled migrants and their families). In 2006–07 we were proud to welcome almost one third of all refugee and humanitarian entrants to Australia.

This report outlines the Victorian Government’s significant commitment to making Victoria a place where everyone can participate fully – long-standing communities as well as our newest migrant and refugee arrivals.

The following three figures suggest the breadth of our support during 2006–07:

$3.6 million to promote community cohesion and harmony through community grants that encourage local responses;

$2 million to strengthen and promote Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith diversity (over the next four years); and

$960,000 for the community-based refugee health nurses program.

But this report is about more than dollar commitments. It describes hundreds of activities across the state, that reach

thousands of Victorians, whether they are Sudanese youth surfing the waves (literally), or older people from more established communities surfing the Internet.

It shows the important work that is taking place around health, safety, faith, sport, cultural expression, education and more. Many of the projects are imaginative; many provide a model for future work. We commend all those who have worked on these projects for their passion and effort.

Feedback from the community on the government’s performance in 2005–06 was positive. Community leaders highlighted the strength of many of our projects, including the newly expanded police multicultural liaison officers, the national interpreter symbol and Victorian Interpreter Card, and the Culturally Equitable Gateway Strategy (all outlined in this report).

Community leaders also gave us ideas for further work. Three areas of interest were celebrating the heritage and culture of established communities, continuing to improve how language services are provided, and improving support and education pathways for newly arrived refugee youth.

The work we are doing in 2007–08 reflects this.

The Victorian Government understands how important it is to listen to communities if we are to build on past successes. We will therefore continue to seek your input on our current and future programs.

We look forward to hearing your views.

Foreword

Hon James MerlinoMinister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs

Hon John BrumbyPremier of Victoria Minister for Multicultural Affairs

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Note on terminology: Throughout this report CALD refers to culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Required departmental reportingIn addition to reporting on major improvements and initiatives, departments are required to report on a number of specific activities. These reports are summarised in Part B.

The reports provide a promising picture of Departmental progress in the following areas:

Use of language services and multilingual publications

The Department of Human Services, Department of Justice and the (then) Department of Education and Training invested heavily in language services during 2006–07 to make their services accessible. Their lists of multilingual publications are extensive and show a broad commitment to providing information on government programs and services in a wide variety of community languages.

CALD representation on government boards, authorities and committees

In 2006–07, the percentage of new appointees with a CALD background to boards, authorities and committees varied considerably across departments. Overall, eight per cent of new appointees to government boards, authorities and committees identified as having a CALD background. Members with a CALD background represented just over four per cent of all board numbers. The Victorian Government has a strong commitment to ensuring that government appointed boards and committees reflect our diverse communities, including people from CALD backgrounds. We will continue to encourage departments to recruit widely and to draw on the government’s Victorian Multicultural Register.

Progress on cultural diversity plans

Three departments already have cultural diversity plans in place. All other departments have commenced working on their plans and most expect them to be in place by mid 2008.

Percentage of total expenditure on ethnic advertising campaigns

Under the Victorian Government’s Multicultural Communications Policy, departments and agencies are required to commit a minimum of five per cent of their campaign advertising budget to ethnic media. In 2006–07, two departments met or exceeded the target, with an average across government of 3.3 per cent. Overall figures are up on 2005–06 and the Victorian Government will continue to work toward achieving the five per cent target.

Summary

Victoria’s cultural, linguistic and religious diversity is one of its greatest assets. This diversity is integral to the state’s economic success and social development. It has made Victoria one of the most welcoming, diverse and harmonious places in the world.

The Victorian Government has a strong commitment to fostering a community that recognises the importance and benefits of a culturally rich and diverse society – a society that contributes directly to Victoria’s economic strength and the vibrancy of our cultural life.

To this end, we have focused on creating a government that is accessible and responsive to all Victorians: an inclusive society with opportunities for all.

What we did in 2006–07 Part A of this report outlines work done by departments and agencies in 2006–07 to create an accessible and responsive government.

Highlights include: Consolidating the administration of the Multicultural

Affairs portfolio into a single statutory authority. The new-look Victorian Multicultural Commission is well-placed to deliver multicultural programs in a coordinated and community-focused way.

Delivering an expanded $3.6 million community grants program to promote community cohesion and harmony, and address the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

In 2006–07 the program supported more than 1,600 community groups. In 2007–08 it will be expanded to $4.6 million in annual funding.

Allocating $2 million over the next four years to strengthen and promote Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith diversity.

An example of the work done in 2006-07 was the Multifaith Multicultural Youth Forum, which has already led to a youth network and youth mentoring program being set up.

Providing $960,000 to the community-based refugee health nurses program. This program aims to increase refugee access to primary health services and to improve how well those services respond.

There are now seven and a half full-time refugee health nurse positions based in six metropolitan and three regional locations

Contributing $300,000 towards English as a second language services. These specialised services are built around a vocational curriculum for newly arrived young refugees.

Two schools have been funded to maintain their programs and two have been funded to run new programs. This is part of an ongoing $1.2 million commitment over the next four years.

What we are doing in 2007–08 Part A of this report also outlines what we are doing in 2007–08.

Highlights include: Offering $8 million over three years to boost the visibility

and vibrancy of Little Bourke, Lygon and Lonsdale Streets. The Cultural Precincts Enhancement Fund will be used to upgrade infrastructure and boost community resources.

Making an additional $2 million available for initiatives to strengthen and promote multicultural and multifaith diversity (from 2007 to 2009). This will include the creation of a multifaith/interfaith grants program to support projects that promote community harmony and increase understanding of diversity.

Continuing support for the Language Services Strategy with $3.1 million allocated (from 2006 to 2010) to improving interpreting and translating services. In 2007–08, there will be a focus on increasing bilingual service capacity for newly arrived refugees, assisting ageing migrants to access aged care services and supporting professional development in the mental health sector.

Committing $2.5 million to employ English as a Second Language (ESL) program officers in nine regions. The program officers will support schools in planning ESL programs and provide multicultural education support.

The Victorian Government will also continue to actively encourage skilled migration to Victoria through the Global Skills for Victoria, Skilled Migration Strategy 2008–2011.

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1 In 2005–06 there were 32,297 arrivals in Victoria. Data taken from Settler Arrivals 2006–07, Department of Immigration and Citizenship (www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/settler-arrivals)

These are: Valuing diversity;

Reducing inequality;

Encouraging participation;

Promoting the social, cultural and economic benefits of cultural diversity to all Victorians.

Multicultural Communications Policy

Under the Victorian Government’s Multicultural Communications Policy (revised 2002) departments and agencies are required to:

Ensure that ethnic communities are informed of government services and programs;

Commit a minimum of five per cent of their campaign advertising budget to ethnic media.

A Fairer Victoria: Progress and Next Steps

In A Fairer Victoria: Progress and Next Steps (2006), the government committed all departments to develop cultural diversity plans.

Under this commitment, departments are required to: Incorporate culturally-appropriate training for their staff

into the delivery of services to CALD communities;

Ensure that information on services is readily available to CALD communities;

Assess how effectively services are delivered to CALD communities as an integral part of program evaluation.

Global Skills for Victoria 2008–2011

The Victorian Government continues to work proactively to attract overseas migrants to Victoria. In October 2007, the Government launched its second skilled migration strategy, Global Skills for Victoria 2008–2011.

Building on the achievements of Victoria’s Skilled Migration Strategy 2004–07, this new strategy will contribute to:

Developing a highly-skilled Victorian workforce;

Growing the population of Victoria and regional Victoria;

Promoting state economic and social development;

Developing the state’s international links and connections.

Overview of this report

This report sets out the key activities and achievements of the Victorian Government in multicultural affairs from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007.

Part A focuses on major improvements and initiatives (as required under the Act).

It is organised around three themes, drawn from the Victorian Government’s Valuing Cultural Diversity policy statement:

Valuing and promoting diversity;

Reducing inequality;

Encouraging participation.

Part B of this report covers each department’s: Use of language services (as required by the Act);

Use of communications in languages other than English (as required by the Act and listed here as Victorian Government Multilingual Publications);

Representation of people from CALD backgrounds on boards, authorities and committees (as required by the Act);

Progress toward developing a cultural diversity plan (as required under A Fairer Victoria: Progress and Next Steps 2006);

Expenditure on ethnic advertising (as outlined in the Multicultural Communication Policy).

Victoria is proud to be such a diverse state – and proud that we continue to grow and become increasingly diverse. In 2006–07 we maintained our place as a favoured destination for migrants settling in Australia. In fact, Victoria welcomed almost a quarter of all settlers during that year: 34,698 people. This is over 2,000 more than the previous year’s intake.1

Victoria: a diverse stateThe 2006 Australian census shows that:

43.6 per cent of Victorians were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas;

23.8 per cent of Victorians were born overseas;

72.8 per cent of those born overseas come from non-English speaking countries;

20 per cent of Victorians spoke a language other than English at home.

Victorian Government policy frameworkThe Victorian Government has developed a broad legislative and policy framework to protect and enhance our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity. The government’s many targeted programs sit within this broader framework.

Legislation

Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001

The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 is designed to protect all Victorians against serious racial and religious vilification. Vilification is a public behaviour that incites hatred against, serious contempt or severe ridicule of another person or group of people because of their race or religion. The Act provides a community standard of our responsibilities towards each other in a multicultural society. It seeks to ensure that people are treated with dignity and respect regardless of their race or religion, and do not become targets of vilifying behaviour.

Multicultural Victoria Act 2004

Victoria’s Multicultural Victoria Act 2004 (the Act) includes a preamble and set of principles that accord respect for one of the state’s greatest assets – its cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.

Two core principles are enshrined in the Act: Valuing cultural, religious and linguistic diversity;

Ensuring the freedom and opportunity for all Victorians to preserve and express their cultural heritage.

The Act also requires government departments to report annually to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Parliament on their achievements in multicultural affairs over the past financial year.

Specifically, departments must report on: Any major improvements made (or initiatives developed)

to promote multiculturalism and meet the identified needs of Victoria’s CALD communities;

Their use of language services;

Communications in languages other than English;

The extent to which people from different CALD backgrounds were represented on boards and committees set up by the department (or for which the department was responsible).

Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006

The Charter came into effect on 1 January 2007. Victoria was only the second Australian jurisdiction to enact human rights legislation. The Charter establishes a framework for promoting and protecting human rights. It contains 20 rights that reflect four basic principles of freedom, respect, equality and dignity.

Consideration of human rights is now a public sector value following an amendment to the Public Administration Act 2004. This means that all public sector staff must respect and promote the rights set out in the Charter by making decisions and providing advice consistent with human rights.The Charter requires all major policy proposals, new legislation and statutory rules to be developed with regard to the 20 human rights it sets out.

Policies and strategies

Valuing cultural diversity

The Government’s Valuing Cultural Diversity Policy (2002) provides a framework for Victoria’s multicultural policies and programs. It outlines four core principles for the government’s whole-of-government approach to cultural diversity.

Introduction

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2 Under machinery of government changes, the Department for Victorian Communities became the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD). For 2007–08 future initiatives, we refer to the department as DPCD.3 Under machinery of government changes, the Department of Education and Training (DET) became the Department of Education. In early August 2007, the Department of Education became the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) as part of further machinery of government changes. In outlining 2006–07 initiatives, the Department is referred to as the Department of Education and Training. For 2007–08 initiatives, the Department is referred to as the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Valuing and promoting diversity

Part A: Major improvements and initiatives

Valuing and promoting diversity 9

Reducing inequality 15

Encouraging participation 24

What we have done in 2006–07

Valuing diversity through community grants programs

Expanding VMC Community Grants Program

The Victorian Government invested $3.6 million in an expanded community grants program administered through the Victorian Multicultural Commission. The program aims to address the needs of CALD communities, combat any disadvantage faced within these communities, and promote community cohesion and harmony.

The grants program has seven categories: Organisational Support, Multicultural Senior Citizens Organisational Support, Strengthening Multicultural Communities, Buildings and Facilities Improvement, Educational Programs, Multicultural Festivals and Events, and Women Creating Harmony.

In 2006–07, the grants program supported: More than 1,600 community organisations, school

communities and local councils;

More than 1,000 multicultural festivals;

140 projects designed to strengthen multicultural communities;

70 community language schools;

600 multicultural senior citizens groups;

500 CALD community organisations.

Creating Women Creating Harmony Grants program

In 2006–07, the Women Creating Harmony Grants program was created. This new $250,000 program supported women from various cultural and religious backgrounds to develop cross-cultural and interfaith understanding. Thirty-four grants of $5,000 or $10,000 were awarded. The program is a partnership between the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Office of Women’s Policy within the Department for Victorian Communities.2

New and Emerging Communities Fund

Victoria Police in partnership with the Victorian Multicultural Commission offered small grants for community projects to foster engagement between emerging communities and Victoria Police.

In 2006–07, the fund sponsored a range of projects including:

Excursions to the police academy by young people from CALD backgrounds;

A high challenge camp for Muslim women;

An activities program during the holy month of Ramadan;

An African Cup soccer tournament;

A strengthening communities project in Flemington.

Promoting diversity through community education programs

The Victorian Government supported a range of initiatives for teachers and students through the Department of Education and Training (DET).3

Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre

This specialist library houses over 20,000 resources on topics such as English as a second language, languages other than English, multicultural education, Asian studies, anti-racism and human rights.

During 2006–07: Over 1,100 teachers visited the centre;

350 new borrowers joined;

23,000 items were borrowed by government and non-government schools;

Six professional learning activities were held for more

than 170 staff.

Courage to Care travelling exhibition

This travelling exhibition and education program tells the stories of non-Jews who risked their lives to help Jews during the Holocaust. In 2006–07, over 4,000 students from more than 40 schools participated in Courage to Care exhibitions and workshops.

2007 Cultural Diversity Quest

As part of Cultural Diversity Week, DET contributed $70,000 towards the cultural diversity quest within schools. Through the quest, schools are invited to enter work that

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Valuing and promoting diversity

Commission (with Commonwealth and local governments) contributed to the Gippsland Migrant Wall of Recognition. Located in Morwell, the wall depicts the lives of thousands of migrants who settled in Gippsland and celebrates their contribution to the region.

An additional $70,000 was provided by the Victorian Government to create a community space (deck) beside the wall of recognition. The deck symbolises the entry point for many migrants who settled in the Gippsland area. The deck will also be a focal point for community activity. Over 3,000 people attended the launch.

Victorian Refugee Recognition Record

This record officially recognises the contribution individual refugees have made to the social, economic and cultural development of Victoria.

In 2006–07, the VMC in collaboration with students from Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE produced a photo exhibition featuring portraits of all of the refugees recognised in the record. Over 1,000 community members attended the exhibition.

Celebrating diversity through annual commemorative weeks

Celebrate our Cultural Diversity Week 2007

Celebrate Cultural Diversity Week (17 to 23 March) aims to promote racial and religious harmony and greater cultural understanding. The celebration is timed to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racism held on 21 March.

All Victorian Government departments took part in this celebration. For example:

Department of Justice convened a forum focused on the Australian expression of Islam;

Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Victorian Multicultural Commission supported the Gnatannwarr Multicultural Festival in Warrnambool;

Department of Education and Training invited the Chair of the Islamic Women’s Welfare Council of Victoria to speak, held Chinese Tai Chi classes for staff, and students performed African drumming. Orange ribbons celebrating diversity were distributed to staff. Seventy six primary and secondary schools received grants to conduct community activities;

Department of Human Services hosted a staff forum with Sir Gustav Nossal speaking on migration and multiculturalism;

Department of Industry, Innovation and Regional Development hosted an art and photo exhibition showcasing artists from Multicultural Arts Victoria and held a multicultural food festival;

Department of Infrastructure marked the week through a number of celebrations including a West African drum and dance performance;

Department for Victorian Communities held a staff seminar to highlight the experiences of new and emerging communities from Africa in Victoria. Staff also handed out orange ribbons celebrating diversity at venues in central Melbourne.

Seventy-six primary and secondary schools received grants through the Department of Education to conduct Cultural Diversity Week community activities.

Refugee Week 2007

The theme for Refugee Week in 2007 was ‘voices of young refugees’. The theme celebrated the contributions, ideas and concerns of refugee children, teenagers and young adults. The Victorian Government strongly supported this event.

Three examples of government involvement are: The Victorian Multicultural Commission worked with

the Refugee Council of Victoria as a major sponsor in presenting Refugee Week Celebrations in October 2006 and June 2007.

Over 200 Department of Education and Training staff attended an event to hear two young people of refugee background speak about their education and settlement journeys.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade ran information sessions for CALD community groups. These sessions also raised staff awareness of the importance of accessible information for a range of CALD groups, including recently arrived refugees from Burma.

Promoting diversity through community arts programs and events

In 2006–07, Arts Victoria, the Immigration Museum (Museum of Victoria), Geelong Performing Arts Centre and

demonstrates students’ understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. In 2007, the quest focused on the theme ‘Different but the Same’, and attracted entries from over 75 government and non-government schools.

Regional community education program

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has a CALD Regional Community Education program.

In 2006–07, the program conducted over 15 community education sessions in Shepparton, Warrnambool and Mildura with over 200 CALD community members. In Swan Hill, the Commission and Victoria Police hosted a cultural understanding forum involving over 900 community members.

Understanding diversity through government cross-cultural training

The Victorian Government through the Department of Justice implemented two programs aimed at developing cultural competency among staff:

A Culture and Law workshop was held to build cultural competency among staff in the South West region. Future workshops will be held in the North West Metro, Loddon Mallee and Hume regions.

Victorian Legal Aid invested $25,000 to deliver training for their lawyers and client contact staff.

In 2006–07, 20 training sessions were held on cross-cultural understanding, communication and working with interpreters. Victorian Legal Aid’s new policy and guide to using interpreters was launched as part of the program.

Increasing engagement with diverse communities

Expansion of Police Multicultural Liaison network

Two new Senior Constable Multicultural Liaison Office positions were created: one in Swan Hill; one in Broadmeadows.

The network now comprises 13 dedicated officers, one Community Liaison Officer and five Police Service Area Managers. Its focus is to increase engagement with a broad range of communities and expand the community policing approach to multicultural issues.

Victorian Police Multifaith Council

The Council builds important links between government, police and faith communities through events such as the annual multifaith dinners. The Council has worked as an advisory body in the development of the Victoria Police Multifaith Action Plan and helped inform cross-cultural training delivered to all new recruits and probationary constables.

Developing police and community relationships in Flemington

African youth in Flemington have participated in a range of projects with the help of the Police and Community Multicultural Advisory Committee: excursions to the Police Academy, a youth camp, a multicultural Australian Football program and a homework club.

Police officers from Flemington Police were awarded the 2006 Premier’s Award for community harmony, for their achievements in working with African-Australians in Flemington. Activities proposed for 2007–08 include a trip to Kokoda (Papua New Guinea) with African-Australian youth and members of the Flemington Police.

Kar Kulture

Kar Kulture is an ongoing program in Dandenong between Victoria Police, Mission Australia and the South Eastern Migrant Resource Centre. The program fosters relationships between young people from diverse backgrounds. In 2006–07, as part of this program, young people restored a car together that they will use to learn to drive.

Supporting local cultural events

The Department of Human Services supported local cultural events with a view to strengthening relationships between disability services, ethnic communities and people with a disability from CALD backgrounds in rural communities. For example, Disability Services and the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo collaborated to celebrate the Chinese New Year, ensuring it was inclusive of people with a disability.

Celebrating diversity through official recognition

Gippsland Migrant Wall of Recognition

The Victorian Government through the Department for Victorian Communities and the Victorian Multicultural

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Valuing and promoting diversity

Yvonne Chan is a Year 11 student. She was born in Australia, and is of Chinese descent. She speaks Japanese, Cantonese (Chinese) and English. She began as a youth reporter in 2007 and has written articles published on youthcentral including tutoring Sudanese students, the Japanese experience, and Chinese water painting.

What we are doing in 2007–08

Celebrating diversity through enhancing Melbourne’s cultural precincts

From 2007–08, the Victorian Government will invest $8 million over three years to boost the visibility and vibrancy of three of Victoria’s cultural precincts: Little Bourke, Lygon and Lonsdale Streets.

The fund will be used to restore key laneways and to beautify streets (through art work, landscaping and lighting). It will also boost resources for communities to help them showcase their culture and heritage.

This is a partnership between the Victorian Government, City of Melbourne and the Chinese, Italian and Greek communities.

Increasing grants to community organisations

The Victorian Government’s Community Grants program will be expanded to $4.6 million a year over the next four years.

This will enable: A significant increase in funding available to

multicultural senior citizens groups;

Additional support to women’s and youth community groups, particularly those from new and emerging communities.

Establishing Multifaith/Interfaith Grants program

A new Victorian Government grants program, administered by the Victorian Multicultural Commission, will support faith groups and formalised interfaith networks to promote community harmony, celebrate shared values and increase understanding of our differences.

The new program will focus on developing the capacity of formalised interfaith networks and building partnerships that promote interfaith dialogue.

Increasing funding to Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria

From July 2007, the Victorian Government increased the core funding provided to the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) from $180,000 to $250,000.

The additional funding will increase ECCV’s capacity to act as advocates, give information to their communities, build community relationships and strategic partnerships, and empower multicultural communities.

Creating new opportunities for community education

Making Multicultural Australia website: Victorian page

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will contribute $70,000 to develop a Victoria page for the Australian website Making Multicultural Australia in the 21st Century.

The site will support Victorian schools to continue to implement curriculum that promotes mutual respect and understanding, consistent with the principles of the Multicultural Victoria Act 2004.

Supporting All of Us photographic exhibition

The Victorian Government provided $45,000 through the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Arts Victoria and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development towards the All of Us project.

The project represents Australia’s multicultural society through a pictorial and narrative representation of Australia’s diverse cultural and faith communities.

In January 2008, the book All of Us was launched in conjunction with a photographic exhibition in Federation Square.

Developing education CD for real estate agents

Consumer Affairs Victoria (Department of Justice) produced an audio CD, Everybody Needs a Home. The CD educates real estate agents on how to work more effectively with diverse groups in the private rental market, including migrants and refugees. The CD was distributed to estate agents across Victoria in October 2007.

the Australian Centre for the Moving Image supported a wide range of projects to celebrate cultural diversity and improve access to the arts for people from CALD backgrounds.

Mix It Up program

Arts Victoria invested $850,000 in Mix It Up, a continuing partnership between Arts Victoria and Multicultural Arts Victoria. Mix It Up is designed to stimulate new work, reach potential new audiences from CALD communities and attract existing mainstream audiences to culturally diverse performances.

In 2006–07, Mix It Up supported 800 local, national and international artists from 23 nationalities. Concerts included ‘Visible’ (showcasing African and Indigenous Australia), ‘Viva La Fiesta’ (showcasing Latin music), ‘Cariba’ (showcasing Caribbean music) and ‘Cloud Gate Dance’ (showcasing Taiwanese music). In total, 46,788 people attended 96 events.

Community Connections programs

Museum Victoria’s Immigration Museum invested $135,000 to develop festivals and exhibitions that promote diverse community histories and traditions. Community-specific committees were developed to assist the Dutch, Maltese, Indian, Mauritian, Rodriguan, Swiss and Italian communities to develop exhibitions.

Resulting festivals and events included Bollywood Beats; Dutch Festival; Mauritian Festival; Beyond the Postcard Image; the Mauritians and Rodriguans in Victoria; Wine, Water and Stone; the Swiss Italians of Hepburn and the Maltese Festa. Over 121,000 people attended these events.

Folk – Multicultural Sundays

The Geelong Performing Arts Centre hosted four Folk – Multicultural Sundays. These performances of dance, music and culture showcased the talents of Geelong’s Sudanese, Chinese, Ukrainian, Macedonian, Spanish and Bosnian communities.

ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) community workshops

ACMI hosted four community workshops to provide participants from the Mauritian, Turkish, Lebanese and Jewish communities an opportunity to share their experiences and cultural identity using multimedia tools.

Those who participated – and their stories – became part of the Victorian Cultural Network’s Enduring Stories: Migrant Memories program.

Multicultural youth roving reporters Based on a recommendation from the Multicultural/Multifaith Youth Forum in 2006, the Office for Youth and the Victorian Multicultural Commission created positions for eight Multicultural and Multifaith Youth Roving Reporters. The reporters have a specific focus on multifaith and multicultural issues that are relevant to youth.

Reporters were recruited from a range of cultural backgrounds including Chinese, Iraqi, Somali, Sudanese, Vietnamese and Anglo Australian. They also came from different religious backgrounds including Buddhist, Christian and Muslim. In 2006–07, the reporters posted a range of stories on the newly-created faith and culture web page on the youthcentral website (www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au).

One of the reporters, Yvonne Chan, describes her experiences as a roving reporter:

I became a Multifaith and Multicultural Roving Reporter in August 2007 and I soon found myself loving my new job more than any other.

At first, my school’s career advisor sent us all an email telling us that we were all eligible to apply for a roving reporter position, a job perfect for students who love writing.

Out of my friends only I applied, reasoning to myself ‘what have I got to lose’? Indeed – so far – I have lost nothing! I have instead gained a great amount of writing experience, made some roving reporter friends and developed my reporting skills. The wages are an added bonus.

As a roving reporter, I brainstorm article ideas that relate to the topic of multifaith and multiculturalism and then set out to write about them. Sometimes I interview, sometimes I write about what I observe, and all the time I take photographs. The articles I have written so far have been about issues I have wanted to discuss for a long time, but I had no willing listeners. The article I wrote about Sudanese tutoring, for example, was something that I had long thought should be promoted.

I have never thought about where exactly this job will take me to, and I dare say that I don’t care too much. However, what motivates me to continue is the sense of satisfaction I get from voicing my opinions.

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4 The figures represent the 2006 calendar year.

What we have done in 2006–07

Supporting access to education

English as a Second Language program

The Department of Education and Training delivered a substantial ESL (English as a second language) program that supported new arrivals and post-new arrival students.

Key outcomes in 2006–07 included: 4,854 new arrivals received intensive or targeted support;

2,049 newly arrived students attended metropolitan English language schools and centres;

217 students were supported by visiting outpost programs;

326 new arrivals were supported through programs in Geelong and Shepparton and the isolated ESL students program in regional Victoria;

460 government schools received funding to implement English as a second language programs;

210 full-time multicultural education aide positions were funded;

22 ESL tutors were trained in eight regions to deliver an ESL teacher development course: Teaching ESL Students in Mainstream Classrooms.4

The course will be run statewide from 2007–09.

English language support for refugees

The Victorian Government through the Department of Education and Training invested $300,000 to provide additional support to newly arrived refugee students.

This support will help students to improve their English language skills and ease their transition into education.

In 2007–08, two new sites will be funded to offer new ESL Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning programs.

After-hours ethnic schools program

The Department of Education and Training supports a range of community language schools so that school-aged students can maintain their languages and culture.

Schools funding program

This is a subsidy to community-based non-profit organisations. In 2006–07, 189 organisations assisted 33,000 students to learn one of 35 community languages.

Tertiary courses and professional development

The Australian Federation of Ethnic Schools Association was funded $315,000 to provide tertiary teaching methodology courses and general professional development workshops for teachers:

Almost 400 community language teachers completed a 30-hour tertiary course;

340 teachers attended 10 professional development workshops;

110 participated in first aid courses.

Community grants program

A $70,000 contribution assisted the VMC to provide grants to community language schools to develop teaching materials and professional development programs.

Welcome to Victoria Kit

The Victorian Government through the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Department of Education and Training produced an orientation kit for all students attending English language schools and centres throughout Victoria. The kit provides orientation information on settlement and other support services available in Victoria.

In 2006–07, 4,500 kits were produced and distributed throughout metropolitan and rural areas. In 2007–08, the kits will be updated and given to over 6,000 parents and students.

Improving refugee access to services

The Victorian Government invested $600,000 in the Refugee Brokerage program. The program funds local community-based partnerships between service agencies and refugee groups. It aims to improve the use of existing services by refugee communities and to increase refugee participation in the community. In 2006–07, partnership projects were funded in eight geographical areas: Warrnambool/Colac, Shepparton, Hume, Brimbank, Greater Dandenong/Casey, Maribyrnong/Hobson’s Bay, Northern Metropolitan Melbourne, and Inner Melbourne.

Reducing inequalityValuing and promoting diversity

Increasing understanding of cultural and faith diversity within government

Launching Victoria Police Multifaith Action Plan

In November 2007, Victoria Police launched their Multifaith Action Plan. The plan focuses on developing a coordinated approach to multifaith activities and increasing awareness of multifaith issues within the Victoria Police.

It also aims to enhance community confidence in the Victorian Police. The plan is focused on three themes: advocacy and information exchange, education and awareness, and structural enhancement.

Key activities will include: Developing a multifaith forum;

Broadening the existing chaplaincy network to include other faith practitioners;

Delivering cross-cultural and religious training to Victoria Police members.

Magistrates Court Community Forums

From August 2008, the Melbourne Magistrates Court will host monthly forums for court staff to learn about cultural communities that have regular contact with the Court.

Regional cultural diversity training

The Department of Planning and Community Development through their local teams will develop regional cultural awareness training program to further understanding of new and emerging communities in Warnambool, Colac and Geelong.

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5 Particular DHS program areas allocate an annual budget for their credit lines and this budget is used to provide language services to DHS-funded services.6 Emerging language refers to a language group that is not well established or highly represented in Victoria, but is beginning to emerge as an increasingly representative language group through population/immigration flows.

Reducing inequality

Government guidelines for bilingual workers

Research was conducted into developing the role of bilingual workers within Victoria. Following community and sector consultation, guidelines were prepared to help departments and funded agencies to recruit and employ bilingual staff.

Interpreter awareness training

The Victorian Government funded three projects to develop tailored interpreter awareness training packages:

The Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit was funded $21,450 to develop a DVD for mental health clinicians on how to work effectively with interpreters. The DVD was distributed to Area Mental Health Services. It will be used as a teaching resource for face-to-face training sessions and for self-directed learning.

The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (in partnership with North West Division of General Practice) was funded $16,285 to develop an interpreter awareness course for general practitioners.

Victoria University was funded $10,000 to develop an online interpreter awareness tool for Court Services workers. The tool forms part of the Certificate IV course for Court Services Workers. It is also being applied as a model for introducing interpreter awareness training into other vocational training courses.

Increasing cultural responsiveness of health services

Expansion of refugee health nurse program

The Department of Human Services increased the refugee health nurse program from four and a half to seven and a half full-time community-based refugee health nurse positions. Refugee health nurses are now based in six metropolitan and three regional locations.

This program aims to increase refugee access to primary health services and to improve the responsiveness of health services to refugee needs. During 2006–07, over 1,600 people were assisted and over 3,700 sessions provided.

Evaluation of Culturally Equitable Gateway Strategy (CEGS)

CEGS aims to increase the use of core Home and Community Care (HACC) services by people from CALD

backgrounds. The strategy targeted 21 local government areas with high CALD elderly populations.

The Victorian Government has invested over $8 million in CEGS since the strategy commenced in 2004.

An evaluation was completed in 2006–07. It shows an overall positive improvement in participation by people from CALD backgrounds accessing services in local government areas targeted by CEGS.

New policy on Culturally Appropriate Practice for Disability Services

The Department of Human Services (DHS) developed the Disability Services Policy on Culturally Appropriate Practice as part of a new series of policies and guidelines to support the implementation of the Disability Act 2006.

The policy focuses on: Improving service access and responsiveness;

Planning and delivering culturally competent supports and services;

Encouraging participation in decision making;

Providing accessible information and effective communication;

Improving and supporting cultural competency in disability services.

Cross-cultural training for disability service providers

DHS also funded the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health $39,325 to develop and deliver a cross-cultural training program for disability service providers. In 2006–07, two courses were conducted – one on cross-cultural awareness and communication, the other on planning culturally appropriate services.

Both courses were run twice in each metropolitan region, and once in each rural region. In 2007–08, courses will be conducted in two rural regions.

Cultural responsiveness of health services (mental health and alcohol and other drugs)

DHS funded a range of initiatives aimed at improving how well health service providers responded to CALD communities.

These partnerships have increased participation of refugee communities in mainstream services by:

Offering leadership development courses for youth, women and men;

Improving the responsiveness of service networks;

Improving access to community space;

Increasing the knowledge of refugee communities about available services;

Supporting communities to build sustainable structures.

In 2007–08, the Victorian Multicultural Commission will increase partnerships with community agencies to respond to key community needs in new growth areas – with a specific focus on young people.

Improved language services

New approach to DHS language services

The Department of Human Services (DHS) improved access to interpreters and translators for DHS-funded agencies and DHS direct care staff.

DHS has set up a credit line system – a centrally funded and administered contract for language services to support funded agencies that are lower users of language services.5 $1.6 million was allocated to the credit line in 2006–07.

Direct funding has also been provided to large health services and community health services in metropolitan and rural areas to contribute to language services provision. $2.3 million was allocated through direct funding in 2006–07.

In addition, a significant proportion of the cost of providing language services is met by health services that use their general funding from government.

Improved outcomes include an increase in the use of interpreting services – particularly by agencies in rural areas and by smaller agencies (who use interpreters infrequently).

Establishing language services policies

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) developed a language services policy. The policy gives a set of protocols and procedures for the MFB to communicate appropriately with people whose first language is not English in both emergency and non-emergency situations.

The Sheriff’s Operations developed a cultural diversity and language services policy. The policy established protocols and procedures for Sheriff’s Officers in their role of law enforcement. The policy covers how to access interpreter services.

Victorian Language Services Strategy

The Victorian Government allocated an additional $3.1 million to continue the Language Services Strategy. The Victorian Multicultural Commission has coordinated a wide range of projects in 2006–07 as part of this strategy. Four are described here.

National Interpreter Symbol and Victorian Interpreter Card

A $250,000 promotion campaign supported the launch of the new National Interpreter Symbol and Victorian Interpreter Card. The symbol shows that language services are available at government offices and funded agencies. The card lets people show that they need an interpreter.

Multilingual resources were developed as part of the campaign and distributed to service providers, card distributors and people from a non-English speaking background. Over 50 information sessions on the card and symbol were held for service providers and ethno-specific organisations.

Interpreter Scholarship program

The Victorian Government invested $56,265 to continue the Interpreter Scholarship program. The program provides scholarships in targeted languages for the Diploma of Interpreting at RMIT. The aim is to increase the number of interpreters in emerging languages.6

In 2006–07, 31 students received scholarships of $1,200 each to undertake the Diploma in Nuer and Amharic languages.

Language cue cards for health services

Eastern Health was funded $14,784 to develop a series of language cue cards for health services.

The cue cards improve communication of basic health ideas between health professionals and patients with limited English. (The cards are not used in place of an accredited interpreter.)

The cue cards have been translated into 44 languages.

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Outworker advocate

Industrial Relations Victoria engaged a Chinese outworker advocate to ensure Chinese-speaking outworkers were aware of their rights, entitlements and available support systems. The advocate held five information sessions, attended by over 80 outworkers.

Participants highlighted the need for English-language support to improve employment prospects. Industrial Relations Victoria will now play a role in linking outworkers with available English language skills training as a precursor to vocational training.

CALD employment project

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission in partnership with the Victorian Multicultural Commission consulted with CALD communities about employment discrimination.

In 2006–07, four statewide consultations were held in Shepparton, Dandenong, Footscray and Broadmeadows. The consultations were an opportunity to educate community members about the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 and informed the development of strategies to combat discrimination in employment.

Tackling problem gambling in CALD communities The Government has committed $7.6 million over the next five years to tackle problem gambling in CALD communities. As part of this strategy, the Department of Justice undertook a range of projects.

The Department continued to fund the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health to improve responses to problem gambling among CALD communities ($464,963).

Key achievements in 2006–07 include: Developing partnerships with Gambler’s Help services

in the Western Metropolitan and Gippsland areas;

Setting up priority regional ethnic taskforces to develop and implement tailored community education plans;

Delivering an options paper that explored enhanced bilingual services to deal with problem gambling;

Delivering training packages to address cultural competency for Gambler’s Help workers and to improve

the awareness of problem gambling among ethno-specific service providers;

Producing communication resources, including a

quarterly newsletter, training calendar, website and translated information about gambling services.

Women’s gambling education workshops

As part of the Gambler’s Help program in the Southern Metropolitan area, a six-week program targeting Cambodian women was conducted with local service providers. The program helped improve community knowledge of problem gambling, provided opportunities to establish social connection and raised awareness of Gambler’s Help services.

The program is part of an ongoing series developed for Asian women in the Greater Dandenong area and will continue in 2007–08.

Research into community attitudes

The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health was funded $62,750 to document community attitudes to counselling, gambling and problem gambling in four refugee communities: Liberian, Somali, Iraqi and Dinka-speaking Sudanese. A project coordinator and bilingual workers were recruited for each of the target communities.

The project has produced: Demographic profiles for each community;

Findings on attitudes to gambling and help-seeking behaviour;

Information seminars and support material to assist Gambler’s Help services to provide counselling and community education.

Providing rental and tenancy advice for newly arrived communities

Consumer Affairs Victoria (Department of Justice) has funded two projects to help newly arrived communities understand tenancy rights and to promote sustainable tenancies.

African Refugee Orientation program

This program was run in the City of Greater Dandenong in partnership with the Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau. The program aims to deliver culturally appropriate

Two examples are: The Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit was funded

$200,000 to implement relevant sections of the mental health services cultural diversity plan. In 2006–07, a key outcome was a new telephone consultation service.

Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre and the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health were funded $27,930 to develop a training program focused on working better with CALD Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) clients. In 2006-07, 45 workers participated in the training program.

The program targets AOD workers and community members. It aims to increase access for CALD communities and improve how alcohol and drug issues are identified. In September 2007, a forum involving managers from both the AOD and community sectors was held. The training program will run again in 2007–08.

Refugee and migrant health: research and promotion

DHS funded three Public Health Research projects to increase understanding of particular refugee health issues:

$118,537 to Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to investigate the social practices and health literacy of newly arrived African communities;

$96,555 to Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to conduct research into health literacy in newly arrived African communities, with a focus on Vitamin D deficiency and bone health;

$89,500 to La Trobe University to conduct research into how refugee youth access, interpret and implement sexual health information.

Reports from each of these projects are expected by May 2008.

Increasing access to parenting programs

DHS funded the development of two tailored parenting programs for CALD communities in 2006–07.

Signposts for Better Behaviour

This program developed parent education materials through a process of community consultation. The program was trialed with 20 Cantonese-speaking women with minimal English who have children with autism. It aims to support parents to access and use mainstream parent education programs.

ABCD Parenting Adolescents program

The ABCD program was researched, trialed and delivered to 40 members of the Somali community. Two Somali facilitators were trained and educational materials were translated.

Increasing access to employment

Workforce Participation Partnerships

The Workforce Participation Partnership Program (WPP) matches job seekers with the skills needs of local employers. WPP assists jobseekers facing barriers to employment, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, particularly refugees and recently arrived migrants.

Administration of this Program was transferred to DIIRD as a result of Machinery of Government changes announced by the Premier in August 2007.

In 2006-07, the WPP funded a wide range of projects across Victoria. An example of a project which had a particular impact on CALD communities is outlined below.

Gippsland Multicultural Services was funded by the Department for Victorian Communities to provide preparatory training and work placements for job seekers from disadvantaged backgrounds, including people from CALD backgrounds. In 2006–07, the project placed 54 people into sustainable employment.

Vocational and education training program

Industrial Relations Victoria (Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development) continued to focus on providing alternative education and employment pathways for outworkers in the textile, clothing and footwear industry ($50,000).

A number of initiatives were specifically aimed at reskilling outworkers from Chinese and Vietnamese backgrounds.

As part of this program, 43 outworkers from a Vietnamese background completed courses in aged care, hospitality and pattern making. Fourteen workers have been placed in employment, and placements for the remaining participants are being organised.

In 2007–08, Industrial Relations Victoria will invest a further $50,000 and will focus on family day care training.

Reducing inequality

20 21

Reducing inequality

Developing multicultural policy statement

Police multicultural policy statement

Victoria Police launched their Multicultural Policy Statement in April 2007. The statement outlines Victoria Police’s commitment to CALD communities. It contains guidelines on providing equitable, accessible and responsive services.The policy guidelines are to be incorporated into regional police action plans in 2008–09. Consultations will be held across Victoria to determine how best to do this.

GippsportIn their flashy yellow uniforms, these young men from Sudan have certainly set the Inverloch Indoor Soccer competition alight.

Nicola, a Wonthaggi resident for 15 months and a talented soccer player, had played the world game in his homeland from a very young age. Now a father of four young boys, and husband to Cecilia, he has embraced playing in the local competition.

“Playing soccer keeps me active and I haven’t played for a long time” explained Nicola. “Each Wednesday, my friend Jacob and I pick up players from their homes and take them to soccer”.

Playing in an adjoining town has allowed the group to access other facilities as well as to make their mark in the wider community.

Encouraging the group to play was the idea of GippSport Program Coordinator, Mark Lindsay.

“Accessing funds through a Bass Coast Shire Community Grant enabled the team to be formed, but keeping costs to a bare minimum and providing a friendly, welcoming environment is essential in order to engage people from a refugee background,” says Mark.

GippSport, funded by VicHealth to deliver the Participation in Community Sport and Active Recreation program, has been involved with the Sudanese community for almost a year. Family barbeques with a light soccer match, scheduled at a suitable time to enable a greater attendance, were held to first introduce the program.

Involving many partners (including local government, Rural Aid for Refugees, YMCA, Community House and church groups) gave a complete community feel to events.

“Engaging people to play a game they love is one thing, but to gain their trust is another,” says Mark of his plans to further involve the Sudanese into community sport. Encouraging people to become involved with local sporting clubs and organisations is the next step.

“Under the Supporting Country Sport Program, funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria, we are hoping to work with local clubs to develop a more inclusive and supportive environment. It is hoped that people from a refugee background will be made welcome to access these sporting activities.”

Wonthaggi has a population of approximately 9,000 and is situated in the Bass Coast Shire. It is home to approximately 80 newly arrived refugees. Most members of this group are young men casually employed by the local meatworks. While some families have started moving to the area, most of the men live in shared private accommodation.

Melanie Mumford, a volunteer with the Rural Aid for Refugees, explains: “I have never seen the men so relaxed and happy. We had arranged surfing and other activities, but due to weather and other reasons, were unable to follow through. Soccer, however, has been a great lifter for the community and the whole group is buzzing. Sport is extremely important in the early settlement of refugees and is a great way to build a connection with the local community”.

What we are doing in 2007–08

Improving access to education

ESL/multicultural program officers

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) will invest $2.5 million over the next three years to appoint ESL (English as a second language) program officers in each of their nine regions. The program officers will support schools in planning ESL programs and will provide multicultural education support.

New education strategy for refugees

DEECD will publish a new education strategy, ‘Refugee Students in Government Schools, Strengthening Outcomes’.

The strategy will highlight existing DEECD initiatives that focus on refugees and inform community organisations and communities about available programs and services.

training on tenancy rights and responsibilities for newly arrived and existing African migrant communities.

The project has held consultations with community leaders and real estate agents, and a project implementation plan is being developed. As well, a multicultural liaison officer provides consumer information and advice through the Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau one day per week.

In 2007–08, the project will: Develop training materials including a multilingual DVD in

partnership with community representatives;

Appoint community educators;

Deliver the training using a train-the-trainer methodology.

The training material will be made available to settlement and migrant services across Victoria.

Western Refugee Rental Project

This program was run in the City of Maribyrnong. It aims to maximise access to the private rental market and promote sustainable tenancies among the Southern Sudanese community.

The project has appointed a community project worker, held community consultations and set up a Sudanese peer-housing group.

In 2007–08, the project will focus on: Resourcing the Southern Sudanese community on

housing and tenancy issues;

Gaining a better understanding of housing experiences and issues for Southern Sudanese;

Empowering the peer-housing group to become key contacts for housing information in the community.

Providing support to trafficked women

The Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Department of Justice jointly provided $80,000 in funding to Project Respect. Project Respect aims to support all trafficked women in Victoria and contribute to community understanding of the issue.

Since funding commenced in 2007, the project has developed a set of protocols and information packages.

A reference group has been formed with representatives from both the government and community sector. This group will guide future project work.

Linking communities with government services

Increasing library use

The State Library of Victoria invested $51,000 in their Connecting with the Community research project.

A report was released in December 2007 documenting best practice case studies in overcoming barriers to library use. The report makes recommendations for libraries to improve their connections with emerging communities, including those from the Horn of Africa. A series of follow up workshops are planned for 2007–08.

Community consultations

The Victorian Multicultural Commission worked with the Australia Tax Office to facilitate community engagement with new and emerging communities in Victoria. Over 50 community leaders attended a community consultation and discussed key issues facing their communities in relation to the tax system. Based on this input, an audio-visual tool was developed to help communities navigate the Australian Tax System.

As part of their inquiry into the Victorian Food Safety Regulations, the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission asked communities about the impact of the regulations. The Commission also surveyed councils to find out what services and resources were available for food businesses and community groups.

Some of the key issues identified were incorporated as recommendations in the final report, released in March 2008.

Multilingual guide to child restraints

VicRoads (Department of Infrastructure) developed a DVD to educate drivers about installing and using child restraints. The DVD is available in English and nine community languages and has been provided free to Maternal and Child health services and migrant resource centres.

Over 300 DVDs have been requested by community-based organisations and copies have been included in some metropolitan libraries.

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7 Under machinery of government changes, the Department of Education became the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD). For 2007-08 forward initiatives, it is referred to as DEECD.8 NAATI accreditation is the only credential officially accepted for professional interpreting and translating in Australia.

Reducing inequality

Gateway Strategy projects until 31 December 2007. This meant projects could be integrated into Home and Community Care (HACC) services. In turn, this enabled the Assessment and Supported Access Program to be developed and implemented as part of HACC services.

From December 2007, new assessments were implemented as part of the HACC program:

Living at home assessment – addresses all issues that impact on a person’s capacity to live independently at home;

Supported access – develops capacity to actively help people gain access to services that they are unfamiliar or anxious about.

Tailored health promotion strategies

Family and Reproductive Rights Education program

The Department of Human Services will continue this ongoing program aimed at strengthening knowledge about female genital mutilation. The program aims to enable better access to sexual and reproductive health services and to improve the quality of those services ($775,026).

In 2007–08, the project will develop resource materials targeting young girls, men and religious leaders to support change in community attitudes.

Kids – ‘Go For Your Life’

This program promotes healthy eating and physical activity. In 2006, DHS consulted with a range of communities and identified five priority groups: Afghani, Chinese, Iraqi, Somali and Southern Sudanese.

Further consultations identified key themes including cultural issues about healthy eating, barriers to physical activity and the need for effective communication methods.

In 2007–08, the project will work with the Royal Children’s Hospital to train bilingual educators, develop resources for training, and develop visually-driven message sheets based on the consultation results.

Specialist Clinics for Migrants and Refugees

DHS provided $70,000 to support specialised medical care for refugee adults and children. Weekly clinics will be conducted at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Developing CALD strategy for victims of crime

The Department of Justice will develop the Victims of Crime – Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Strategy. The strategy aims to empower victims of violent crime to make informed choices about seeking assistance from the justice system and victim support services.

The Department of Justice (under the auspice of the then Victorian Community Council on Crime and Violence) commenced a project to provide information and resources on family violence to newly emerging communities.

In 2007–08, key project outcomes will be: Reviewing recent literature;

Mapping available resources and programs operating in Victoria;

Consulting with community representatives, leaders and service providers.

Increasing information on population diversity in local councils

The Victorian Multicultural Commission published Population Diversity in Local Councils in Victoria: 2006 Census in November 2007.

The report provides data on birthplace, language, ancestry and religion at the local government level. It will guide local government planners, community organisations, researchers and those in the broader community who want to make services accessible and equitable.

New Ministerial Advisory Council

The Ministerial Advisory Council for Languages other than English, English as a Second Language and Multicultural Education (MACLEM) will be re-established in 2007–08. MACLEM will guide the development of a new multicultural education policy for Victorian government schools.

Redevelopment of student code of conduct

The DEECD7 is currently reviewing the guidelines for developing the student code of conduct.

The guidelines will support the right of every member of the school community to engage in an environment that is safe and inclusive. Schools will be required to state their guiding principles in responding to students’ diverse needs. This might be through, for example, developing student-centred learning or committing to provide an educational experience which incorporates the diversity of the broader community.

Schools will be expected to update their existing student code of conduct by the end of 2008.

Improving language services

Language Services Strategy

Work will continue as part of the Language Services Strategy, a major initiative that aims to improve interpreting and translating services.

In 2007–08, the focus will be on: Increasing interpreter and bilingual service capacity

for newly arrived refugees;

Assisting ageing migrant communities to access aged care services;

Supporting professional development in the mental health sector.

CALD Language Service Review

In 2006–07, the Department of Justice commenced a review of CALD language services.

The Review will be completed in 2007-08 and make recommendations to:

Improve Corrections Victoria’s ability to develop a profile of CALD prisoners and offenders;

Develop a training strategy and tools to improve interpreter awareness among Corrections Victoria staff;

Develop guidelines for using bilingual staff;

Develop guidelines for translating materials from Corrections Victoria.

Monash-Vicnet Translating and Technology Project

Vicnet (State Library of Victoria) will develop this project with $50,000 provided by the Victorian Multicultural Commission. This project is based on previous research into improving online information in community languages. The research recommended courses be developed to give translators the skills to translate appropriately for online use.Vicnet has formed a partnership with Monash University’s School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics to develop a training curriculum.

Training program for bilingual workers in health

The Department of Human Services devoted $24,000 towards a five-day training program for unaccredited health interpreters in new and emerging African languages. The languages covered included Amharic, Sudanese-Arabic, Dinka, Tigre, Tigrinian, Oromo, Swahili and Harare. The program aims to improve interpreting skills, develop medical knowledge, and improve understanding of professional and ethical behaviour. It will also offer a pathway towards NAATI accreditation.8

A written report and online training tool will be made available for all health services. A range of resources will be developed to help health services embed responsiveness to cultural diversity into their corporate structure.

Resources will include: Planning and evaluation tools;

Performance indicators;

Best practice cultural diversity standards.

Increasing cultural responsiveness of health services

Future directions of Home and Community Care Program

The Department of Human Services used transitional funds of $1.2 million to extend the existing Culturally Equitable

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9 The Interface Councils are the eight councils surrounding metropolitan Melbourne: Melton, Wyndham, Cardinia, Hume, Whittlesea, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik and Yarra Ranges. These councils define themselves as 30 per cent urban and 70 per cent rural, forming the interface between regional and metropolitan Victoria.

Encouraging participation

government and community organisations to provide access to young people who face barriers to participating in community life.

In 2006–07, 100 programs were run. Of these, 23 identified CALD young people as their target group and 24 identified newly arrived young people.

Over 40,000 young people participated in program activities – 5,000 from CALD backgrounds and 2,500 from newly arrived migrant communities.

CALD youth advocates program

The Office for Youth established a youth mentoring program for young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The program has provided individual and group support to young people through mentors drawn from across the community including: government, business, sport, media and politics.

The program has focused on building young people’s ability to advocate to Government and within their own communities, it has developed peer and community networks and built their confidence and skills.

Coast Action/Coastcare: introducing youth to the Victorian coast

The Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Coast Action/Coastcare program developed a new link with the Refugee Minor Program (RMP) through its existing partnership with the Western Young People’s Independent Network (WYPIN). As a result, over 60 young people from WYPIN and RMP visited Airey’s Inlet and Anglesea, assisted by environmental educators from the Marine Discovery Centre at Queenscliff.

This gave young people the opportunity to learn about Victoria’s marine and coastal environment and to contribute knowledge from their countries of birth (Burma, Iraq and Sudan).

Justice Diversity Scholarship program

The Department of Justice has allocated $100,000 over three years to establish justice diversity scholarships for people from refugee communities. The scholarships will support 10 recipients over two years to attend justice-related university courses.

Encouraging farming communities to participate

Primary industries – multicultural facilitator

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) employed a multicultural facilitator to focus on the Shepparton irrigation region. The facilitator is based in Tatura and targets the diverse catchment farming community, of whom 20 per cent are from a non-English speaking background. He also works with the Ethnic Communities Council to target the East Shepparton area where over 80 per cent of the farming community come from a non-English speaking background.

Key objectives include: Developing the community’s understanding of diversity;

Assisting newly arrived migrants to understand

sustainable agriculture.

In 2006–07, drought help workshops and water use efficiency meetings were also held in the Goulburn Valley for non-English speaking farmers.

Non-English Speaking Financial Counselling Project

The Non-English Speaking Financial Counselling Project commenced in 2006–07 and provides specialist financial counselling services to farmers. The project focused on three key areas: Goulburn Valley, Sunraysia and Werribee/Geelong.

Encouraging participation through better understanding of government

Leadership dialogue sessions

Three leadership dialogue sessions were held involving the Dandenong Magistrates Court and the Sudanese community in the Southern Metropolitan region. The sessions provided information on the court process and encouraged collaboration between the court and community leaders. Key partners were introduced to communities. These included the Salvation Army, Legal Aid and the Regional Coordinating Magistrate.

Sheriff Operations dialogue sessions

Sheriff’s Operations (Department of Justice) used dialogue sessions to promote understanding among CALD communities of the Sheriff’s role. A further aim was to promote cultural diversity within the Sheriff’s Operations workplace.

What we have done in 2006–07

Encouraging local participation

Neighbourhood Renewal Program

Through the Neighbourhood Renewal Program, the Department of Human Services promoted local efforts to increase the social and economic participation of CALD communities.

Key initiatives in 2006–07 included: Improving residents’ literacy, language and

computer skills through access to English courses and community facilities;

Supporting social and community enterprise development – which also provided training opportunities for residents;

Supporting health and wellbeing initiatives, including programs to address problem gambling;

Supporting pride and participation initiatives such as a Sudanese sewing and craft group and a range of interfaith initiatives.

Workshop with Interface Councils on cultural diversity

The Victorian Multicultural Commission funded a position within the Municipal Association of Victoria to work specifically with the eight Interface Councils on cultural diversity.9 This led to a workshop on responding to cultural diversity.

The workshop provided an opportunity for councils to share best practice and to identify ways to strengthen existing frameworks for planning, policy and service development.

An action plan has been developed, based on the workshop recommendations.

Premier’s Women’s Summit 2006 – respecting diversity: harmony in practice

In 2006, the Victorian Government held a Premier’s Women’s Summit titled Respecting Diversity: Harmony in Practice. The Summit brought together women from diverse backgrounds to discuss cross-cultural challenges and promoted women-led cross-cultural respect and understanding.

More than 200 women attended to discuss multiculturalism; access to services; justice and safety; challenging stereotypes; and pathways to education, training and employment.

Encouraging youth participation

2006 Multicultural Multifaith Youth Forum

Over 150 young people joined government, faith and community leaders at the Multifaith Multicultural Youth Forum in July 2006. The forum promoted dialogue between young people from a range of faith and cultural backgrounds and aimed to strengthen youth participation and leadership. The Victorian Government hosted this forum, together with community organisations and the Commonwealth.

Key outcomes included: A Multifaith Multicultural Youth Network;

A mentoring program for CALD and refugee youth;

A faith and culture page on the Office for Youth’s youthcentral website.

A second Multifaith Multicultural Youth Forum was held in December 2007.

MFB youth leadership programs

In 2006–07, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade played an active part in the following leadership programs:

Tongan youth leadership program – a pilot program run in Abbotsford over 10 weeks with 30 young people;

Burmese/Sudanese youth leadership program – run in

Sunshine over four weeks;

Arabic-speaking background youth leadership program focused on Middle Eastern communities – the program ran over a two-month period;

Ethnic Youth Council youth leadership program – run in Thomastown, and focused on 13 young people from different ethnic communities.

Key topics included emergency response, first aid, employment, leadership and dispute resolution.

Youth Participation and Access Program

The Department for Victorian Communities’ Youth Participation and Access Program delivers funding to local

26 27

Encouraging participation

Multicultural Sports Network

A total of $20,000 was allocated by the Department of Victorian Communities to develop a Multicultural Sports Network. The network enables community workers to share information on sports participation within CALD communities.

In 2006 – 07 the network had between 40 to 60 workers who shared information through regular meetings and a new web page.

Multicultural Youth Liaison Officer

The Victorian Government invested $40,000 to establish a multicultural youth liaison officer based at the Springers Leisure Centre in Dandenong.

The officer engages CALD youth (particularly recent arrivals), in established programs and also develops new programs. In 2006–07, new programs included an indoor soccer program for boys and a dance class for girls.

The officer has developed strong contacts with local schools and communities, particularly within the Sudanese community. The liaison officer has also increased staff awareness of the factors affecting sports participation by CALD youth.

Carlton Multicultural Girls project

The Victorian Government invested in this project, which provided girls aged between 12 and 17 a chance to participate in sport. A pilot model was developed involving sport and community partnerships between the YMCA, Carlton Baths Community Centre and the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues. The project trialled three sports over three terms and the partnership model is being considered for future projects.

Sporting grants programs

The Victorian Government through Sport and Recreation Victoria delivers programs that provide grants directly to local community sports clubs. Programs include Our Club, Our Future – Sporting Uniform Grants Program (which commenced in 2006–07), Country Action Grants Scheme and Victalent.

Over 100 clubs that received a sporting uniform grant in the first round identified that the funding would benefit people from CALD backgrounds.

Encouraging participation by supporting volunteers

The Victorian Volunteer Small Grants program has provided $3 million over three years to support new and diverse volunteers within the community.

In 2006–07, the program funded approximately 60 projects with a multicultural focus – around 30 per cent of total grants.

The following two projects give an idea of the work being funded:

In Reservoir, the Kookaburra Kindergarten (auspiced by Broadmeadows Uniting Care) was funded to develop Vegie Volunteers. Volunteers from CALD backgrounds were recruited to engage with children by planting a vegetable garden and cooking together.

In Horsham, the Wimmera Development Association was funded $5,000 to set up a volunteer support network for newly arrived skilled migrants. New volunteer mentors were recruited from the local community and given training.

New faces of Australian lifesaving Gerald Savice, 16, from Liberia, hopes to be a qualified lifesaver within a year or two. Pashiay Ayek, 16, came to Australia from the Sudan almost three years ago and is now part of the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club training team, swimming each week during the winter. He is ready to start in earnest this summer. Muhammed Faris Bin Mustapa, 17, is qualified and patrolled for the first time in January this year with a senior lifesaver from the Ocean Grove club.

The boys are the new faces of Australian lifesaving with the same attitude that has inspired men and women for decades – to make Australia’s beaches safe for everyone. But they add an important dimension. They know what it is like for the families on the beach who have little – or no – understanding of signs or coloured flags.

Teacher Bruce Ward, in partnership with Life Saving Victoria, Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club and the North Geelong Secondary College, trains students interested in lifesaving, as part of North Geelong Secondary College’s youth development program. The program takes students through a rigorous training program necessary to prepare them as lifesavers.

A similar program is offered at Sandridge Surf Life Saving Club. Both programs are supported by the former

Key initiatives included: Community information and leadership dialogue sessions

in Dandenong and Footscray;

A network involving the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, Migrant Resource Centre Western Region, Brimbank Settlement Committee and New Emerging Groups Committee;

Cross-cultural awareness training to all operational staff.

Australian and Victorian legal system DVD

Victoria Police, VicRoads and Sheriff’s Operations jointly produced a DVD that provides information on the Australian and Victorian legal system for newly arrived African communities.

Small business education programs

The Office of Small Business (Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development) worked with local community organisations across Victoria to host 14 workshops and seminars in Mandarin. The workshops were part of the Under New Management initiative and focused on educating new and existing businesses about better decision making.

Water Safety Multicultural Ambassadors

The Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner supported 16 Water Safety Multicultural Ambassadors to provide water safety tips and interviews on the radio during summer 2006–07.

During summer 2007–08, three new languages will be added: Burmese, Dari and Spanish.

CALD seniors fire safety education

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade ran several information sessions for ethnic senior citizens to promote fire safety. A total of 1,200 seniors attended the sessions in Port Phillip, Moorleigh, Stonnington and the City of Melbourne.

Encouraging participation through community sport and physical activity

The Department for Victorian Communities funded a range of programs to give everyone, including those from CALD communities, a chance to participate in community sporting and physical activities.

Targeted CALD ‘Go for Your Life’ projects

Fourteen projects were allocated $555,000 from the ‘Go For Your Life’ Physical Activity Grants program. (This program promotes physical activity among underrepresented groups).

Projects included a multicultural kinder gym, employment of a worker to engage CALD communities in particular sports, and ‘come and try’ events for newly arrived young people. Locations included the Greater Dandenong, Maribyrnong, Moreland, Swan Hill, Warrnambool, Darebin and Hume local government areas.

As part of the ‘Seniors – Go for your life’ initiative, over $50,000 was allocated to projects that promote physical activity among CALD older people.

The Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria was funded to pilot the Multicultural Multiactive Seniors project. This project introduced gentle exercise programs in ten ethnic senior citizens clubs.

The Hume-Moreland Primary Care Partnership’s Active Living project was also funded to encourage and support CALD seniors’ participation in a range of appropriate activities such as walking and strength training. This project ran in Fawkner and Broadmeadows.

Australian Football League (AFL) Multicultural Program

The program received $150,000 in 2006–07 to introduce young people and their families from CALD backgrounds to Australian football. Since the program commenced in December 2004, the program has been conducted in 79 schools to 8,311 students. Each student is given the chance to participate in at least six Australian football lessons.

Further objectives of the program are to link newly arrived communities with the broader Victorian community, assist in the settlement of new arrivals, use Australian football to build sustainable community capacity, and to influence football clubs to embrace cultural diversity.

The program is a partnership with five Australian football clubs, each employing a full time multicultural development officer. The officer runs programs in local communities and helps CALD participants join community football clubs.

The VMC and the AFL’s Chief Executive Officer have signed a Community Accord to ensure a focus on multicultural communities in promoting football.

28 29

In addition, the ESC launched a booklet in September 2007 to educate Victorians about gas and electricity choices. The booklet has been translated into Italian. ESC contact instructions have been translated into Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Bass Coast community driver education program

From June 2007, Wonthaggi Police in conjunction with Vicroads, local courts and Bass Coast Shire have run a community driver education program.

The program provides theoretical and practical tuition for the Sudanese community.

Women’s Financial Literacy project

The Office of Women’s Policy within the Department for Victorian Communities will develop the Women’s Financial Literacy project. The project will fund up to 150 workshops for over 2,000 women.

Workshops will target adult women of all ages, women in rural and regional areas and include women from CALD backgrounds. The aim is to improve women’s financial security in retirement.

Valuing Volunteers project

Lifesaving Victoria will pilot a Valuing Volunteers project to encourage multicultural communities to volunteer with lifesaving clubs.

The program will link lifesaving clubs and CALD communities.

CALD senior surfers initiative

The Department of Planning and Community Development has allocated $165,000 over the next two years towards the CALD senior surfers initiative.

The project will train a minimum of 20 volunteers from ten community-based organisations across metropolitan and rural Victoria. These volunteers will provide introductory Internet courses to CALD seniors. The project hopes to reach at least 300 CALD seniors.

Courses will be provided in English and other community languages. Training materials will be translated into 13 community languages. Organisations will be provided with funding for community-based affordable public Internet access through the Public Internet Program.

Setting up forums for participation

Multicultural Multifaith Youth Network

The Victorian Multicultural Commission will support a multifaith multicultural youth network of 20 young people (aged 16 to 25) who represent different faiths, cultures and life experience. The network will provide advice to the Victorian Government on a range of multicultural multifaith youth issues. The network will also oversee youth-led initiatives. The network will meet four to six times per year and provide reports to the Premier every six months (through the VMC and Office for Youth).

Local government conference – multiculturalism and diversity

In November 2007, the Standing Committee of Local Government and Cultural Diversity – in partnership with the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Municipal Association of Victoria – held a local government conference on multiculturalism and diversity. The conference identified challenges and opportunities for local government with shifting patterns of migration.

Multicultural Arts Policy Advisory Committee

Arts Victoria will establish an Arts Victoria Multicultural Arts Policy Advisory Committee (MAPAC). The Committee was a key recommendation from the Future Actions on Arts in a Multicultural Victoria report.

MAPAC will advise the Minister for the Arts and the Director of Arts Victoria on:

Developing and improving understanding of the arts in Victoria and increasing availability to the public with a focus on cultural diversity;

Ensuring that awareness of diversity is increasingly reflected by Arts Victoria and major arts and cultural agencies as an integral part of planning and service delivery;

Supporting and facilitating a whole-of-government

approach to cultural diversity.

Funding spaces to participate

Darebin community hub

The Department of Planning and Community Development will invest $40,000 towards a concept design for the Darebin

Department for Victorian Communities, through Sport and Recreation Victoria.

Bruce has been training young people for about five years. Over 50 young people have now qualified and about ten continue to patrol the beaches in the area. Resources developed by Life Saving Victoria and the North Geelong Secondary College encourage clubs to look beyond their traditional membership.

“It is an important program because our school is where many newly arrived migrants come and it provides a chance to join a group and be comfortable, no matter where they come from and how much English they can speak. Once someone has certain skills they can become peer leaders in the school and some go to primary schools to talk about beach safety and encourage participation,” Bruce said.

“I think it’s very important that young children learning about water safety see it is an issue shared by people from all backgrounds”.

What we are doing in 2007–08

Increasing access to government information

Across the Victorian Government, a range of tailored projects will improve access to information on government services and programs.

Two key projects include:

State concessions strategy for CALD communities

This Department of Human Services initiative will be a coordinated communication strategy using information brochures as well as print and radio media. It aims to reach a range of CALD communities, particularly new and emerging communities. Three versions of ‘State Concessions – Your entitlements’ have been designed so that the message content is relevant to each of the targeted CALD communities. Ethnic media will be used to give information about concession entitlements.

Victorian Legal Aid website redevelopment

The website is currently being redeveloped to improve how well information in community languages is presented.

The website redevelopment will include multilingual search fields and publications in languages other than English.

Supporting community education programs

Peer transport education program

The Department of Infrastructure supports a program, coordinated by the Western Young People’s Independent Network (WYPIN) involving Metlink, Connex, Yarra Trams and Western English Language School, which aims to educate new arrivals about the Melbourne public transport system. Key topics include buying a ticket, modes of transport and what to do to if asked for a Metcard.

The program has been tailored to meet the needs of CALD young people and incorporates an interactive classroom session, followed by practical learning on public transport. While the WYPIN project is not a DOI initiative it plans to expand the program to more English language schools in the West and then across metropolitan Melbourne.

Justice community education project

The Department of Justice has invested $60,000 to provide justice information to new and emerging communities The program uses a train-the-trainer model with support from the Department of Justice business areas. This means trainers are drawn from the targeted communities and are empowered through gaining new knowledge and skills. The project also aims to develop the legal system’s ability to respond to the needs of emerging communities.

The program will focus on South East and North West metropolitan areas. Key outcomes will include:

Increased understanding by target communities of the Australian and Victorian legal systems;

Enhancing the legal system’s capacity to provide culturally appropriate and responsive services;

Developing confidence that the legal system understands CALD needs;

Developing partnerships between community leaders, members and legal services.

CHOICE campaign – newly arrived communities

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) will develop a campaign to inform newly arrived communities from the Horn of Africa about the Victorian energy market. The campaign will work collaboratively with community organisations.

Encouraging participation

30 31

10 Under machinery of government changes, the Department for Victorian Communities became the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD). For 2007–08 forward initiatives, it is referred to as DPCD.11 Adult Migrant Educational Services.

Intercultural Centre and Community Hub in Preston. Consultation will be a critical feature of the development, to ensure diverse community groups receive appropriate services, activities and experiences.

Footscray community hub

The St John’s Hall will become the St John’s Community Hub through a Victorian Community Support Grant of $350,000 to the Anglican Parish of Footscray.

The hub will improve access to services for isolated and disadvantaged communities in Melbourne’s Western region. It will allow community groups to engage in a variety of programs and activities including practical settlement and advocacy programs, employment programs, workshop activities, community celebrations and ceremonies, education programs, youth-based programs, community meetings and social functions. The hub will create space for existing users of the hall from emerging African communities and also serve the broader Footscray community.

Multicultural community garden

The Department of Planning and Community Development10 has provided $40,000 to develop a community garden based at the Sunraysia TAFE Swan Hill campus. The project aims to foster relationships between newly settled migrant families and the broader community and to build connections with a wide range of services.

Targeting CALD ‘Go for Your Life’ programs

The ‘Go for Your Life’ Active Connections Program addresses barriers to participation in physical activity by CALD communities. $240,000 has been allocated to three programs over two years (2007–2009).

Connecting Netball

Connecting Netball will develop skills and coaching courses for young people in CALD communities in Greater Dandenong and Warrnambool.

CALD Community Lawn Bowls Experience

This project will be a five-week introduction to bowls for 30 to 40 English language students attending the youth program at AMES11 Footscray. The program will then be demonstrated to the 500 other lawn bowls clubs in Victoria.

Central Highlands Access for Multicultural Participation

This project, run by the Centre of Multicultural Youth Issues, will employ a multicultural liaison worker at the Central Highlands Sports Assembly. The worker will engage CALD youth and their families in existing sporting clubs. The worker will also build the capacity of Sports Assembly staff and volunteers – and local sport clubs – to better respond to the needs of CALD communities.

Encouraging participation

32 33

Part B: Departmental reporting

Use of language services

Use of language services 33

Victorian Government multilingual publications 38

CALD representation on government boards, 43 authorities and committees

Progress on departmental cultural diversity plans 44

Percentage of total spending on ethnic 46 advertising campaigns

Glossary 47

Expenditure on language services

The following list is not intended to be an exhaustive record of the output from the Victorian Government departments.

Department of Education and Training:

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

Onsite and telephone interpreting and translating services provided to government schools for parents.

$792,979 7,799 onsite and telephone interpreting assignments in 71 languages.

244 documents translated in 32 languages for government schools.

Written translation. $8,000 Translation of ‘Welcome to School’ guide.

Department of Human Services:

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

Use of language services within major hospitals.

$9.5 million Interpreting services provided in a range of circumstances including information on consent forms, medical conditions, procedures and compliance with care regimes.

Health services used general funding as well as direct grants (detailed below) from government.

Direct funding to large health services and community health services.

$2.3 million Interpreting services provided in a range of circumstances including information on consent forms, medical conditions, procedures and compliance with care regimes.

Direct funding provided linguistically appropriate information, and care and service delivery to clients from CALD backgrounds. These services were used by psychiatric disability rehabilitation and support services as well as large community health and health services that provide aged care and/or disability services.

DHS credit line – funding provided for language services to small users including DHS-funded agencies and DHS-direct care staff.

$1.6 million Interpreting services provided for a range of services including aged care, Health and Community Care Services, primary and community health services (including dental health services), disability services, palliative care, mental health and homelessness services.

Language services for Office of Housing.

$365,000 Provision of language services to tenants and applicants seeking assistance from Regional Housing Offices, Maintenance Call Centre and central program areas such as complaints and appeals. This includes the Languagelink telephone information service.

34 35

Department of Justice:

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

Language services for Melbourne Magistrates Court.

$994,393 Qualified interpreters provided in 63 languages on 1,499 occasions.

Language services for Victoria Police. $250,320 (phone)

$243,898 (onsite)

Assists in client support, evidence gathering and interviewing.

Language services for Victorian Legal Aid.

$242,375 Assists in delivery of legal advice and legal information.

Language services for Corrections Victoria.

$32,158 Prisoners from CALD backgrounds have access to services and information.

Consumer Affairs Victoria Telephone Interpreting service.

$40,644 Service accessed by 100 to 200 callers per month.

Language services for State Coroner’s Office.

$5,540 Provides families and friends of deceased persons with short term grief counselling and advice about coronial procedures.

Onsite Interpreters for Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

$2,000 Used during home fire safety presentations.

Gambler’s Help Service. 12 per cent total budget allocated to use of interpreting services and employment of bilingual workers

Provides counselling, financial counselling and community education and 24/7 help line.

Department of Planning and Community Development (Office for Senior Victorians):

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

Telephone interpreting services for Seniors Card program.

$7,193 Use of interpreter services to take calls from and make calls to CALD seniors card holders.

Ministerial Advisory Council of Senior Victorians.

$106 Arabic interpreter for MACSV community forum.

Department Human Services: (Continued)

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

Fee-for-service – disability services purchase range of language services.

$30,648 For example, use of language service provider Vicdeaf for consultations; information provision; meetings; workshops.

Interviews for Victorian Population Health Survey.

$12,430 As part of annual survey of Victorian health and wellbeing, interviews conducted in Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Mandarin and Vietnamese.

Kindergarten 1300 Information Line. $11,000 Provides information about kindergarten and how to access kindergarten fee subsidy.

Provided in 16 community languages.

155 callers accessed information line and 30 spoke directly to Early Years Services Branch through an interpreter.

Mental health patients’ rights information service.

$9,122 Provides key information on involuntary treatment orders, community treatment orders, Mental Health Review Board and electroconvulsive therapy.

Provided in 14 community languages.

Averages 30 calls per month.

Department of Infrastructure:

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

Onsite interpreters for licence tests $266,319 4,000 interpreter-assisted tests.

Telephone interpreters for VicRoads’ call centre

$34,400 Interpreter assisted callers in languages including Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese.

Telephone interpreting services through Metlink phone line.

Expenditure is funded under the Metlink service agreement and cannot be itemised.

Provides telephone translating services for statewide public transport enquiries in 13 languages.

Phone line received 156 calls from callers requiring interpreters.

Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development:

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

Telephone interpreting through Victorian Business Line

$15,000 Provides access to information on starting and maintaining a business – business registration, licences and employment issues.

Use of language services

36 37

Bilingual staff, and education programs

The following list of programs is not intended to be |an exhaustive record of the output from the Victorian Government Departments.

Department of Human Services

Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health

5 bilingual workers trained to deliver education sessions on pap screening for working women.

40 sessions conducted.

PapScreen Victoria

4 Community Language Program in-services to update bilingual educators on current issues including HPV vaccine and NHMRC guidelines.

12 education sessions reached approximately 120 women.

Cancer Council of Victoria: National Bowel Cancer Screening Program

2 training days and 4 in-service days held for educators.

151 bowel cancer information sessions conducted in 16 languages (five most common were Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Macedonian and Turkish).

89 community grants to assist in hosting information sessions.

28 staff received the VPS language allowance covering the following languages: Albanian, Cantonese, Filipino, Greek, Hakka, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portugese, Sinhalese, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Department of Industry, Innovation an Resources (DIIRD)

14 workshops (Under New Management program and Women’s Access to Finance) involving 103 people conducted in Mandarin.

Department of Justice

Consumer Affairs Victoria

3 bilingual staff in the multicultural consumers unit. They deliver information sessions to educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities.

Face-to-face information and advice services also provided in metropolitan areas with high CALD populations.

198 information sessions provided to community groups and education institutes.

288 consumers from 36 language groups provided with assistance from multicultural liaison officer.

Victoria Police

7 bilingual staff accredited – making number of accredited bilingual police officers 65.

Provided language assistance on 50 occasions using 22 community languages.

12 police members graduated from the Inaugural Police Arabic Language Course.

Department of Primary Industries

11 staff received the VPS language allowance covering languages including German, Hungarian, Italian, Mandarin, Polish and Russian.

Department of Sustainability and Environment

8 staff received the VPS language allowance covering languages including Cantonese, Greek, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Vietnamese.

Department of Treasury and Finance

State Revenue Office maintains an internal database of staff with skills in languages other than English to enable clients to discuss taxation queries in their first language.

Department of Premier and Cabinet:

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

Use of interpreters for international delegation to Victoria.

$9,860 Stronger relationships with Victoria’s sister states.

Written translation (State Library). $5,000 2007 Guide to Victorian Government Services.

Translation of correspondence. $1,871 Enables non-English speaking community members to voice concerns and receive advice.

Onsite interpreters for community cabinet.

$870 Language services provided for community cabinets in City of Yarra and Moonee Valley in Arabic, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Enables non-English speaking community members to participate.

Translation of Arts Victoria Funding Program Overview (booklet).

$600 Provided access to information on Arts Victoria’s funding programs.

Language services for digital storytelling workshop (ACMI).

$500 Ran a Turkish Community Digital Storytelling Workshop.

Guided tours provided in languages other than English.

None 26 tours were conducted in Mandarin with 524 participants.

One tour conducted in Japanese with 17 participants.

Department of Primary Industries:

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

Interpreting and translating of evidence in fisheries cases.

$5,000 Provides interpreter support to defendants in fisheries cases.

Department of Sustainability and Environment:

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

DSE Customer Service Centre. $214 Information provided on key issues such as water grants, rebates and planning.

Department of Treasury and Finance:

Service Expenditure Outcome/Detail

Telephone interpreting and written translations.

$8,060 Telephone interpreting and written translations for State Revenue Office.

Total identified expenditure for language services (interpreting and translating), including expenditure through funded agencies, and related communication support in 2006-2007 was $16,795,500.

Use of language services

38 39

Department of Human Services(Continued)

Victoria in bloom. Gardening competition for water-wise gardeners.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Polish, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

hnb.dhs.vic.gov.au

Kindergarten certificate. Information to assist families in choosing kindergarten program.

Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, Dinka, Filipino, Khmer, Korean, Macedonian, Mandarin, Nuer, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.office-for-children.vic.gov.au

Abnormal Papscreen test results.

Information on abnormal Pap test results.

Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Croatian, Filipino, Greek, Italian, Khmer, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.cancervic.org.au/other_languages

Is Breastscreen for you? Information on breast screening.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.breastscreen.org.au/publications.htm

Public Hospital Patient Charter.

Information on patient rights and responsibilities.

Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Croatian, German, Greek, Italian, Khmer, Macedonian, Maltese, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.health.vic.gov.au/patientcharter/language.htm

10 tips for safer health care. Assists people to become more active in their health care.

Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, Filipino, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Macedonian, Mandarin, Polish, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.health.vic.gov.au/tentips/booklet.htm

Tobacco retailer guide. Information on new laws and information about staff training.

Arabic, Chinese and Vietnamese.

Refer to the following website http://www.healthtranslations.vic.gov.au/ for additional health publications in languages other than English.

Department of Justice Don’t put your life on the line.

Highlights dangers of rock fishing.

Arabic, Chinese and Vietnamese.

Education workshops planned in 2007–08.

Magistrates court information .

Provides information about court processes and policy.

Chinese, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese.

www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au

Victorian Government multilingual publications 2006-07

The following list of publications is not intended to be an exhaustive record of the output from the Victorian Government Departments.

Department Publication Description Languages other than English Available from

Department of Education and Training

Student report card brochure.

Information on 2007 changes to student report card system.

Arabic, Chinese, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/studentreports/default

Welcome to school. Information on settlement and other support services.

Arabic, Chinese and Vietnamese.

English Language Centres.

Department of Human Services

Nurse On Call . Provides details on the service and contact details.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.health.vic.gov.au/nurseoncall/language

Rotavirus immunisation. Rotavirus, oral immunisation, pre-immunisation checklist and possible side effects.

Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Khmer, Macedonian, Maltese, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Sinhalese, Spanish, Somali, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/language

Common reactions to immunisations.

Information on what to do in case of common reaction.

Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Khmer, Macedonian, Serbian, Sinhalese, Turkish, Maltese, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/language

Tuberculosis – the facts and treatment.

Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Croatian, Dari, Somali and Vietnamese.

www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/diseases/language

Should I eat the fish I catch?

Advice to people who eat fish caught in the Maribyrnong and Lower Yarra Rivers.

Chinese, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese.

www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/water/rec_water_fishing.htm

Mental health patient rights booklets.

Written statement of rights under Mental Health Act 1986.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Khmer, Italian, Macedonian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.health.vic.gov.au

Telephone information service – recorded summary of key information also available in the same 14 community languages.

Public Housing Consumer Charter.

Rights and responsibilities when seeking or receiving public housing assistance.

Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Turkish and Vietnamese.

hnb.dhs.vic.gov.au

Department Publication Description Languages other than English Available from

Victorian Government multilingual publications

40 41

Country Fire Authority(Continued)

Fire Orders. Fire signage for the workplace.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Fijian, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Macedonian, Maltese, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tongan, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.cfa.vic.gov.au/business/plans/fire_orders_languages.htm

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC)

Victorian Human Rights Charter.

Information on Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.

Amharic, Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Croatian, Dari, Greek, Italian, Khmer, Macedonian, Oromo, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrininya, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/publications/HR%20Charter/

Simply your rights. Fact sheets on racial and religious vilification, sexual harassment and religious discrimination.

Amharic, Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Croatian, Dari, Greek, Italian, Khmer, Macedonian, Oromo, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrininya, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au

Discrimination it’s still against the law.

Discusses equal opportunity laws that protect people in the workplace.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/publications

Changing the law brochure. Brochure which explains the law reform process and the role of the commission.

Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Mandarin, Spanish, Somali, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.lawreform.vic.gov.au

Department of Infrastructure

DVD guide to child restraints.

Correct installation and use of infant and child restraints.

Arabic, Bosnian, Dinka, Karen, Somali, Swahili, Turkish, Mandarin and Vietnamese.

www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Starting out safety early. Provides information to assist parents of young children training in road safety.

Arabic, Chinese, Somali, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Guide for learners handbook.

Learner logbook |and information for supervising drivers.

Arabic, Chinese, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Fares and travel guide. Provides information on using metcards, types of metcards and Melbourne tram and train network.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.viclink.com.au/fares_tickets/information_in_other_languages

Public transport telephone information available in 13 community languages.

Department of Justice(Continued)

New Country New Home. A guide to renting a home in Victoria for newly arrived refugees and migrants.

Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, Khmer, Persian, Oromo, Somali, Tamil, Tigrinia, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.consumer.vic.gov.au

Family Violence Court Division Brochures.

Information on intervention orders.

Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.

http://www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au

Ballarat and Heidelberg Magistrates Court.

Specialist family violence service pamphlet.

Provides information on specialist family violence services.

Top ten community languages.

Melbourne, Frankston, Sunshine/Werribee Magistrates Court.

Family Violence Court Intervention Project Brochure.

Information on counselling orders.

Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Serbian, Spanish,Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.

http://www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au

Ballarat and Heidelberg Magistrates Court.

Male Adolescents at Risk Project Pamphlet.

Information on male adolescents at risk project.

Top ten community languages.

Dandenong Magistrates and Children’s Court.

Hepatitis C DVD for prisoners.

Information on the transmission of hepatitis C among intravenous drug users.

Vietnamese. DVD developed in partnership with Corrections Victoria, DHS and North Richmond Community Health Centre.

Renting a home guide for tenants and landlords.

Information on tenancy agreements, bonds, condition reports, rent increased and ending a tenancy.

Chinese, Greek, Italian, Russian, Serbian, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.comsumer.vic.gov.au

Country Fire Authority Your home fire safety information.

Information on preventing and surviving house fires.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Fijian, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Macedonian, Maltese, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tongan, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.cfa.vic.gov.au/residents/home/yourhome_lote.htm

Can I, Can’t I? Rules for use of fires during high fire danger periods.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Fijian, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Macedonian, Maltese, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tongan, Turkish and Vietnamese.

http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/restrictions/can_lote.htm

Department Publication Description Languages other than English Available from Department Publication Description Languages other

than English Available from

Victorian Government multilingual publications

42 43

12 Cultural diversity background figures are indicative only as details in these categories were not available for all appointees. Information on CALD background is provided voluntarily, so the data may under represent CALD participation. In 2006-07, some departments have changed their data collection process and therefore the 2006-07 figures may not be directly comparable to previous figures for some departments.

Of the 2,196 new appointments to government boards, authorities and committees, 8 per cent (175) were people who identified as being from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background.12

As the data demonstrates, the percentage of new appointees of people from CALD backgrounds to boards, authorities and committees varied across departments. Total board numbers as at 30 June 2007, were 8,051 of which 4.2 per cent were from CALD backgrounds. This represents a decrease from 2005–06.

The Victorian Government has a strong commitment to ensuring that boards and committees reflect our diverse communities, including those from CALD backgrounds.

The Government is working to actively promote use of the Victorian Multicultural Register. This register can assist government departments in identifying people who are skilled, experienced and interested in appointments to boards and committees.

As at 30 June 2007, the Multicultural Register provided a source of 401 skilled and experienced CALD people to government departments.

TABLE 1: New appointments (including re-appointments) 2006-07

Number of bodies Number new appointments

Culturally diverse backgrounds

Number %

449 2,196 175 8.0

TABLE 2: Composition of all boards as at 30 June 2007

Number of bodies Total positions Culturally diverse backgrounds

Number %

1,011 8,051 337 4.2

TABLE 3: Representation of people from culturally diverse backgrounds by department: figures for 2006–07 and 2006–05

Department New appointments%

All boards%

2006–07 2005–06 2006–07 2005–06

DHS 1.2 14.1 0.5 15

DIIRD 0 8 0.2 10

DOE 0 7 6.0 4

DOI 0 0 0 6

DOJ 11.6 13 10.2 8

DPC 29.2 23 24.8 23

DPI 16.8 17 17.5 17

DSE 16.0 14 12.9 14

DTF 7.1 6 6.7 3

DVC 6.0 29 12.6 21

Overall 8.00 13.9 4.2 7.5

Department of Infrastructure(Continued)

Travelling with a Concession Metcard.

Information on types and use of a concession card.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.viclink.com.au/fares_tickets/information_in_other_languages

Travelling with Metcard: your rights and responsibilities.

Information on rights and responsibilities when using a metcard.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.viclink.com.au/fares_tickets/information_in_other_languages

Powers of Public Transport Authorised Officers.

Information on the powers of public transport authorised officers.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.viclink.com.au/fares_tickets/information_in_other_languages

Department of Primary Industries

Responsible pet ownership kit.

Breed dogs, guard dogs and dangerous dogs and legal responsibilities.

Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Mandarin, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.dpi.vic.gov.au

Distributed to local councils.

Ganglioneuritis. Information on abalone contamination.

Chinese, Khmer, Spanish and Vietnamese.

131 186

Know your limits. Summarises minimum length and bag limit information.

Chinese, Khmer and Vietnamese.

www.nre.vic.gov.au

7,000 leaflets provided to community groups, tackle/bait shops and via media release in community papers.

Department of Planning and Community Development

Guide to services for senior Victorians.

Government and community services available to senior Victorians.

Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Maltese, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

www.seniors.vic.gov.au

Victorian Multicultural Commission and Department of Justice

Amendments to the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001.

Provides information on amendments to the Act.

Brochure available in 21 community languages.

Materials will be mailed out to State Government and faith leaders.

Department of Premier and Cabinet

How to use the library and how to use catalogue.

Brochures. Chinese and Indonesian. Available at State Library.

Department of Sustainability and Environment

Campfire safety brochure. Provides information on campfire safety and rules of their use during high fire danger periods.

Not available online.

Department of Treasury and Finance

Choice brochure. Provides information on gas and electricity choices.

Italian. Circulated to community groups.

Department Publication Description Languages other than English Available from

CALD representation on government boards, authorities and committees

Victorian Government multilingual publications

44 45

Department of Infrastructure

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan in place 2007–2010.

Initiatives specific to cultural diversity include publication of a diversity calendar, delivery of cultural and communication awareness training to all staff, ensuring information is available and accessible to culturally diverse communities and evaluating effectiveness of service delivery to culturally diverse communities.

Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development

Being developed.

Plan to be launched mid 2008.

DIIRD’s cultural diversity plan is being developed by a working committee with representation from across the department.

The plan will focus on equality of access to DIIRD programs, as well as ensuring the department realises the full economic potential and value of cultural diversity.

The plan will bring together all of the current initiatives in DIIRD regarding cultural diversity, and recommends future actions, including information provision and awareness raising activities.

Department of Planning and Community Development

Departmental Inclusion Plan 2008–2011 being developed.

Plan is expected to be launched in mid 2008.

The plan aims to embrace the principles of diversity and participation for all. It focuses on eight broad areas: recruitment and retention, physical environment, communications, learning and development, compliance (including government diversity reporting), policy application, work life balance and leadership. The plan will be underpinned by the Human Rights Charter.

Department of Primary Industries

Being developed. DPI is currently developing a Departmental Diversity Framework, which will incorporate the cultural diversity plan. It is anticipated that local diversity initiatives will be developed during 2008.

Department of Premier and Cabinet

Being developed. Arts Victoria is currently developing a culturally sensitive service delivery plan (CSSD). The plan will focus on incorporating cultural awareness training and examining current policies and programs.

Each of the portfolio agencies will also develop, implement and report on a CSSD plan.

Department of Sustainability and Environment

Cultural diversity plan in place.

The cultural diversity strategy is focused on: Supporting CALD Victorians in accessing Departmental

resources and services;

Gaining employment with DSE;

Running staff orientation programs which incorporate community engagement and social diversity;

Developing community engagement workbook and social and cultural diversity website to provide resources to assist staff in working inclusively with CALD communities.

The current plan will be updated to incorporate the additional AFV requirements by mid 2008.

Department of Treasury and Finance

Being developed. DTF is currently developing a Departmental Cultural Diversity Plan. It is anticipated that the plan will be developed and finalised during 2008.

In A Fairer Victoria: Progress and Next Steps 2006, the government committed all departments to develop cultural diversity plans which address the provision for culturally sensitive service delivery to all Victorian communities.

Under this commitment, departments are required to: Incorporate culturally appropriate training for their staff into the delivery of services to our CALD communities;

Ensure that information on services is readily available to CALD communities;

Assess the effectiveness of service delivery to CALD communities as an integral part of program evaluation.

In 2006-07, departments have focused on developing cultural diversity plans. As the following table shows, three departments have completed their plans, and one has a draft in place. All other departments expect to complete their plans by mid 2008.

Department Progress Detail

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

Being developed.

Plan to be launched mid 2008.

DEECD has established a Departmental Committee to guide development of the plan.

The Committee is chaired by a Senior Executive and has wide representation from all Offices and Agencies.

Key areas addressed were: Inclusion of cultural competency in organisational staff

development and training;

Research to assess the communication needs of CALD communities in relation to the Department’s services;

Data capture and incorporation of a CALD lens in DEECD program evaluation.

Department of Human Services

DHS Cultural Diversity Plan completed in March 2008.

The cultural diversity plan: Is structured using the six objectives of the DHS Corporate

Plan 2007-08;

Addresses the three requirements of AFV (2006);

Outlines ‘major’ current and new DHS initiatives with CALD Victorians, building on the work of the Department over many years.

Department of Justice Cultural diversity plan in place 2006–2008.

The cultural diversity plan focuses on six key areas: Access to justice services;

Women’s safety;

Language services;

Prisons and offenders;

Consumer protection; and

Managing diversity.

Progress on departmental cultural diversity plans

Department Progress Detail

46 47

Glossary

Multicultural Communications Policy

Under the Victorian Government’s Multicultural Communications Policy, departments and agencies are required to:

Ensure that ethnic communities are informed of government services and programs;

Commit a minimum of five per cent of their campaign advertising budget to ethnic media.

Since 1999, Victorian Government departments have steadily increased the proportion of expenditure on ethnic advertising campaigns, meeting the government’s 5 per cent target for the first time in 2003–04 (5.1 per cent).

In 2006–07, two departments met or exceeded the target, with an average across government of 3.3 per cent of campaign expenditure committed to ethnic media.

The 2006–07 figure represents a small increase from 2005–06.

The Victorian Government will continue to work towards achieving the 5 per cent ethnic media target within all campaign advertising programs.

Percentage of total expenditure on ethnic advertising campaigns 2006–07

Calendar year %

1999 2.27

2000 2.16

2001 3.20

2002 3.84

2003 4.20

Financial year %

2003–2004 5.10

2004–2005 3.65

2005–2006 3.10

2006–2007 3.30

Percentage of total expenditure on ethnic advertising campaigns by department, 2005–06 and 2006–07

Department 2005–06%

2006–07%

Department of Education and Training

3 4

Department of Human Services

2 4

Department of Infrastructure

2 2

Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development

2 2

Department of Justice 7 5

Department for Victorian Communities

3 2

Department of Premier and Cabinet

8 4

Department of Primary Industries

6 1

Department of Sustainability and Environment

3 6

Department of Treasury and Finance

2 2

DEECD Department of Education and Early Childhod Development

(For 2007–08 references; previously DET)

DET Department of Education and Training

(For 2006–07 references; later DEECD)

DHS Department of Human Services

DOE Department of Education

(Transitional name between DET becoming DEECD)

DOI Department of Infrastructure

DOJ Department of Justice

DIIRD Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development

DPCD Department of Planning and Community Development

(For 2006–07 references; previously DVC)

DPI Department of Primary Industries

DPC Department of Premier and Cabinet

DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment

DTF Department of Treasury and Finance

DVC Department for Victorian Communities

(For 2006–07 references; later DPCD)

Percentage of total expenditure on ethnic advertising campaigns

49