Inaugural Northern Grampians multicultural event
Published on 23 November 2023
The diversity in our shire continues to grow and with it comes many benefits to our community. Job vacancies are filled, creativity and innovation increase, and we have access to new and diverse cultures.
Along with the benefits to our community, come vulnerabilities for some of our multicultural residents experiencing language barriers and uncertainty as to the services available to them and finding it difficult to make connections in the broader community.
Northern Grampians Shire Council has established a part-time multicultural officer position to develop and implement a Multicultural Action Plan (MAP) to support the region’s growing multicultural population. The MAP aims to build a more cohesive and vibrant community of people who feel welcome and connected, and whose needs are met.
Mayor Northern Grampians Shire Council, Cr Rob Haswell said, “One of the critical components of the MAP is to engage, empower and develop the capacity of our multicultural community members, sustaining them into the future.
“A significant outcome of the MAP that we are particularly proud of is the Living Room, (also known as the Grampians Multicultural Hub). It is a community initiative created by a diverse group of people who are inspired to connect with people from other backgrounds in the Grampians Region. The Living Room provides space where people can run activities, share information and learn about each other’s history and culture.”
The first Living Room get-together was held on Sunday, 12 November. It was attended by over 70 people from a variety of nations including Vanuatu, Taiwan, China, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Brazil, Fiji, Uruguay, Samoa, Colombia, Peru, New Zealand, Netherlands, Germany and local Australians.
It was a truly multicultural event with South American snacks, storytelling through music and dance by the Timor Leste group, and a Zumba dance class led by Giovanna, our resident from Peru.
The guest speaker was the Community Leader of Vanuatu, Junior Issachar, who shared the journey of Vanuatu in the region with a focus on their success in connecting with the wider community through their music and community service volunteering.