December 2025 — Issue #59

A message from our CEO

Multicultural Victorians have stepped up in a particularly testing year. 

ECCV and its members -  from community organisations to grassroots volunteer leaders - have pushed back against hateful narratives, created spaces of belonging and ensured that people from migrant and refugee backgrounds are supported by culturally appropriate services.

We also contend with many issues: disturbing expressions of anti-migrant sentiment and racism are on the rise. Cost-of-living pressures persist. Global conflicts and humanitarian crises strain communities locally. 

Against this backdrop, the unifying role of ECCV has never been more important.

Our organisation's history of more than half a century of principled multicultural representation has taught us well. We know that community cohesion isn’t something we inherit or achieve by decree. It’s something we build together: by showing up for one another, creating spaces to connect, and respecting our differences.

As you will see in our Annual Report 2024–25, ECCV has a renewed focus on community. We are committed to listening deeply. Our work this past year has centred on practical, community-led solutions – whether in mental health, ageing, disability, emergency management or broader policy reform.

Behind every program or policy recommendation is our commitment to equity, inclusion and belief that multiculturalism must be strengthened, not taken for granted.

Our Annual Report offers a snapshot of what we have achieved. The work ahead remains significant, but with a dynamic new Board of Management elected at our AGM last week, our resolve is strong.

Farah Farouque

CEO

Highlights

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual General Meeting last week. We were pleased to welcome Premier Jacinta Allan as keynote speaker and with more than 200 attendees, it was our strongest turnout in recent years.

You can also watch the Australian Multicultural Media Centre (AMMC)'s live stream of the speeches here.

We congratulate the newly elected Board for 2025–27. Office bearers, including the new ECCV chairperson, will be confirmed in coming weeks.

The AGM was also an opportunity to launch ECCV’s Annual Report, showcasing the practical work ECCV delivered across Victoria this year. 

ECCV in the Media

ABC Radio National Breakfast – Our CEO Farah Farouque spoke on RN Breakfast in response to the proposed US plans to collect data on so-called 'migrant crime' in Australia, highlighting the dangers of racialised narratives and the importance of evidence-based discussion. She was also asked about Pauline Hanson's Senate stunt. 

Also: Read media coverage of ECCV's AGM in the Philippine Times and the Greek Herald.

Opportunities and Resources

Respect Victoria – 16 Days of Activism Campaign: Translated Resources
Customisable campaign resources, including translated materials, for the 2025 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence. 🔗 Respect Victoria

Bicultural Work Rights Ambassadors Program (MWC Vic)
Applications are now open for BWRAP, run by the Migrant Workers Centre to train and support migrant leaders in Victoria to deliver education sessions on workplace rights and safety to their communities. Applications close 11 January 2026. 🔗 Find out more and apply

City of Melbourne – Connected Neighbourhood Small Grants
Up to $2,000 available for projects that strengthen participation, connection and inclusion at a neighbourhood level. 🔗Find out more and apply

Research Participation – Digital Employment Tools for refugees

PhD Researcher at Deakin University is seeking participants from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to help co-design more accessible and culturally relevant digital job-search tools. 🔗 More information