1983 was a milestone year for Victoria’s multiculturalism. It was the year that the Victorian Multicultural Commission was first established. This followed the passage of the inaugural Ethnic Affairs Commission Act in 1982.
40 years later, the VMC stands strong in its advocacy role between community and government.
Over the 40 years, the Commission has ensured that the many communities who have made Victoria their home are all represented and that each has a voice. This is particularly important as this means all communities can work together on aspects of policy debate as well as take part in socially inclusive initiatives.
The road to where we are now in our appreciation of multiculturalism was not an easy one. The White Australia policy was particularly damaging and was finally abolished in 1966. It was followed briefly by integration policy before Australia began to understand the social, economic, and cultural benefits that migrants brought to Australia and embrace multiculturalism.
Current Chair of the Commission Vivienne Nguyen is very proud of how far the Commission has come,
since its inception, the VMC has played a vital role in promoting and celebrating cultural diversity within Victoria. It provides the missing piece of the policy puzzle, forging connections and giving voice and visibility to communities that might be otherwise marginalised in policy debates and developments.
Last week, the VMC gathered with many former commissioners, community representatives, and agency stakeholders to mark the 40th birthday.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ingrid Stitt MP addressed the gathering pointing out the significant role the VMC plays in Victoria. She recognised the Commission’s dedication to ensuring the full participation of all communities, at all levels of Victoria’s community. Further, the VMC’s contribution to social cohesion and belonging amongst the broader community, striving to ensure that when one community is uplifted, we are all uplifted.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ingrid Stitt MP. (Photo: AAP)
The event also marked the launch of a fascinating report undertaken by the Social Research Centre, Making Multicultural Victoria: 40 years of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, 1983-2023. The Report traces the history of multicultural policy, both the formation and the work of the Commission and provides insights into the impact of the VMC over the years. Such impact includes responses to natural disasters on multicultural communities, such as bushfires and floods for farmers and other victims, supporting the Arts through various initiatives such as the VMC Film Festival or support of cultural precincts (for instance, Lygon Street Italian precinct).
The Commission has evolved over the 40 years, and the eventual Multicultural Act (2004) was instrumental to this as it set in legislation a preamble and principles of multiculturalism. It also framed the reporting required by other government departments and agencies in terms of multiculturalism. In 2011,the VMC’s Regional Advisory Councils were included in the refinement of the Act in 2011. This has meant that there is a formal vehicle for ensuring communities all around Victoria’s regional areas have a formal process and representation.
Interestingly, the appointments of VMC Commissioners and Chairpersons over the 40 years reflect the patterns of migration to Australia. Vivienne Nguyen herself and her family settled here as refugees fleeing the Vietnam War.
In terms of an Italian contribution, Franco Schiavone was the VMC’s third Chairperson and Italian background commissioners have played their part in ensuring multiculturalism remains a cohesive thread that connects our diverse community.
Commissioners such as Joe Caputo, admittedly, myself, and more recently, the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria’s Community Representative Commissioner, Gabrielle Marchetti have followed as Commissioners of Italian background.
Gabrielle explains
I think of myself as a bridge between communities and our Victorian Government, and also as a bridge between the various community groups and organisations. It is my job to listen to communities, to understand their needs, to build positive relationships and to promote harmony.
It is precisely this advocacy and close connection to community which ensures impactful work. As examples, the Commission has been able to establish a Multifaith Network, a response to proposed changes to the Racial Vilification Act 18C and 18D after consulting widely with community. Also, it has advised and contributed to community-nuanced responses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commission continues to work on the issue of elder abuse, domestic violence in multicultural communities. It supports the development of multicultural community leadership so that everyone has “a seat at the table.”
Amongst all that work there are moments of celebration brings many together to enjoy the richness of diversity and the oneness of Victoria’s community. These events include Cultural Diversity Week events each year in March, and the much-loved Multicultural Gala.
The Commission also supports a range of festivals and arts initiatives, the Italian Festa, Hispanic Festival, Lunar New Year, African Music and Cultural Festival, amongst others. Look out for the logo and you will see it everywhere.
As a former Commissioner, I have some insights into the power, and the privilege of the Commission’s role in the community. As an independent body with bi-partisan support across government, it can ensure that never again, will discriminatory practices remain unchallenged, nor voices silenced because of ethnicity, colour, race, or faith.
We have come a long way since the White Australia Policy, however complacency is dangerous.
The 40 years of the VMC ensures Victoria’s multiculturalism continues to be interwoven through our social fabric.
