Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council will focus on several projects aimed at increasing social inclusion and community partnerships in the next four years following a funding increase from the state government.
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The CEO of the council Ann Foley said the $920,000 funding, to be provided over four years, would reinvigorate the work the members of the council had been doing.
“We’re very pleased that this funding has allowed us to extend those partnerships beyond Ballarat to the Grampians… we’re really looking forward to strengthening our ties across the region,” said Ms Foley.
“We want to share Ballarat’s wealth, particularly around health, education and coordinated services. Collaboration is the name of the game.”
It’s the desire to build a community where all are welcome, all are treated with dignity... that I feel here.
- Robin Scott
Ms Foley said there were both new projects and existing services that would be boosted by the state government’s money, including a migration advice service and a local business partnership to build a welcome centre.
There is also a research paper to be released on October 10. Titled Destination Ballarat, it examines migration and sustainable settlement in the regions, and forms the groundwork for the next five years’ work of the BRMC and its partners.
As well, Ballarat will host the statewide multicultural conference in November, which will also see the minister return to the city. There is also an interfaith and intercultural dialogue being developed in conjunction with the City of Ballarat, designed to strengthen mutual understanding of religious and cultural practices.
Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott said he was pleased to come to Ballarat and meet with the BRMC as it exemplified the values that give strength to people arriving in a new country.
“It’s the desire to build a community where all are welcome, all are treated with dignity, all have respect, all are given an opportunity in life – these are the values I feel here,” said Mr Scott.
“I literally walk away charged with the spirit in this room, and it’s a spirit of goodwill, empathy and kindness.”
BRMC chair Father Constantine Osuchukwu thanked the Minister for attending and reminded the gathering of their combined purpose with an African saying:
“When your toe is hurting, your whole body bends down to look after it. Everyone must be included.”