Update on CoronaVirus COVID-19 from PM office https://www.pm.gov.au/media/update-coronavirus-measures
Please follow the information on from the DHHS website using the link below
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/translated-resources-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
VMC’s Social Media – https://www.facebook.com/multiculturalcommissioner/
VMC’s Website – https://www.multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au/
For more up-to-date , reliable and accurate information on the COVID-19 please refer to the following websites Federal Government health advice – Department of Health
Information on social distancing – Department of Health
Information on limiting public gatherings and visits to vulnerable groups – Department of Health
Incoming travel advice – Department of Home Affairs
Please be aware there may be significant financial penalties for anyone failing to self-quarantine upon return to Australia.
Outgoing travel advice – DFAT Smartraveller
SA State Government response
World Health Organisation
SACLG held the New Year BBQ at Edward Reserve Park, Reservoir to convey a word of thanks and hold a one-minute silence and a multi-community payer for the lost lives in Bushfires and prayed for rain and the well-being of the community. South Asian community paid special tributes to all volunteer firefighters, emergency services, community organization, school, and business community for their exemplary united efforts and spirit to save our community and beautiful country. SACLG thanked Kaushalya Vaghela MP, Tien Kieu MP, and Bew Thay VMC Commissioner for the presence and encouraging remarks and great support to community initiatives. SACLG President Dr. Raju Adhikari highlighted the need to raise special awareness programs in the SouthAsian Communities and work collaboratively with VMC and government agencies to support the Bushfires campaign on preventative measures and initiatives to fight against bushfires, which is become a part of Australia’s lives. SACLG thanked all south Asian Communities for their great contributions and donation to government funds and for the work on the ground working hand in hand with emergency services and volunteers. Several community leaders from South Asian community organizations attended and shared their experiences and provided great insight and feedback. SACLG executive team would like to thank them for their presence, great support and wished them a safe and happy new year.
Asian migration in last two decades has changed the multiculturalism paradigm in Australia. Migration categories mainly comprises of refugee, humanitarian and skill. Studies have shown that youth communities from this region face many challenges such as social disharmony, intergenerational conflicts, disillusion, language barriers, domestic violence, homelessness and depression in trying to adopt to an Australian way life in early days of settlement process and also post settlement.
This one day workshop supported by Hume City Council grant, is designed to bring youths from the South Asian Communities who will share their experiences and discuss about underlying causes such as linguistic, cultural, employment, sports and policy, which in their opinion and experiences are contributing factors during and post settlement periods. The workshop will be attended by youth community from various countries of the region, academic, government and community organisations to discuss with the aim to understand the complexity of issues and help address them.
South Asian migration have added significant diversity to multicultural society, economy and business community. The role of government, community organisations and business communities is crucial to address the integration challenges. The workshop will hold a panel discussion attended by the experts from both community and policy makers and submit recommendation from the findings of the workshops. The discussion outcome will also empower youth to take proactive leadership role to deal with issues and address future challenges.
SACLG acknowledge the support of VMC, Hume City Council, Universities, South Asian Communities and individuals for their participation and support to help organize this workshop.
SACLG is a non-religious, nonpolitical, not for profit organization with the goal to works as a conduit between Australia and South Asia region to help establish a strong linkage to promote greater understanding among themselves and develop closer relationship with Victoria multicultural commission(VMC) through meaningful dialogues and long term relationship.
The program highlight includes:
- Participation from south Asian community organizations.
- Representation from federal and state government, Hume City Council, Victorian Multicultural Commission and Universities.
- Presentation and case studies on south Asian integration challenges.
- Group discussion forums and recommendations.
Program details:
Date: Saturday, 21st, July 2018
Time: 10 AM 4 PM
Venue: Newbury Community Centre 440 Grand BLVD, Craigieburn, VIC 3064
For workshop details and information, please contact
Hari Pandey 0427 627 760
Dr Raju Adhikari 0412 853 603
Visit SACLG website at saclg.org.au
Niru Tripathi , SACLG
South Asian Community Link Group-Australia Inc (SACLG) brought together over 80 senior men and women from all over the state at its annual parents’ day at Newbury Child and Community Centre in Craigieburn on Saturday, 9 December 2017. Following a meet-and-greet of attendees, Program coordinator Satinder Chawla, MC Dr Sonia Cheema assisted with the SACLG other team members in welcoming guests before the screening the film, Halona. Following the screening, senior citizens delighted attendees with their own performance singing a set of songs.
SACLG’s Executive Member, Saksham Katyal gave a presentation during the program and highlighted the opportunities, aware of government programs and policies for seniors.
SACLG President, Dr Raju Adhikari, addressed attendees noting that senior citizens face greater difficulties than other generations of migrating individuals due to the complexities of the ‘parent reunion’ visa category. At the same time, the difficulty of keeping in contact with family and friends once they have left remains a serious challenge. Dr Adhikari said that SACLG plays an important role in addressing these and other challenges, and pointed out that initiatives such as Saturday’s picnic can help ease social difficulties for elderly migrants. Dr Adhikari closed his remarks reminding all that he and SACLG is fully aware of senior citizens’ enormous contributions, and that SACLG is committed to giving back to this much loved community.
Chief Guest and Federal MP, Hon. Maria Vamvakinou, addressed attendees saying that she personally relates to these difficulties, especially those faced by senior South-Asians having grown up herself as a Greek immigrant in a working-class neighbourhood. Hon. Vamvakinou said that she is committed to seeing future migration and settlement in Australia made easier and communities be given additional resources. Hon. Vamvakinou praised SACLG and the important contributions it makes to this end.
Special Guest, Dr Sundaram Sivamalai’s address as Commissioner at Victorian Multicultural Commission highlighted some of VMC’s policy initiatives and grants it has developed specifically for senior citizens, and described some of the programs which are making tremendous strides towards improving community cohesion and well-being. Dr Sivamalai spoke about his own settlement experience and detailed the often truly remarkable accounts of others.
The main event of the day was the inspiring floor discussion and storytelling of the seniors themselves. It was done with such energy and enthusiasm, that one would marvel at the energy and enthusiasm people as senior as they continue to display. As the day drew to a close a farewell group photograph immortalising what had was a tremendous reunion before Dr Sivamala recognised the hard work and efforts of all organisers and thanked attendees and participants.
SACLG team is known for its team work ethics and that’s how successes of various events have been proclaimed.
Mr Deepak Vinayak (Patron), Dr. Sonia Singh (Vice-president) along with Dr. Raju Adhikari’s (President) leadership conceptualized this idea which was very executed by Dr. Taniya Jay (Head of Youth projects) and Mr. Dharinder Singh Sohal ( Executive member).Mr. Saksham Katyal (Executive member), Mr. Satinder Chawla (Joint Secretary), Ms. Taruna Chaudhary (Executive member) along with Mr. Angpal Singh (Secretary) colalborated, supported echoed the same inclusive principles to all the attendees.
All the attendees were high profile guests who gathered in a train carriage section at Tandoori Maharaja Restaurant at High Street Preston to Celebrate Diwali with the theme:
“Diwali Celebration with Modern South Asian Traditions wrapped in old cultural values”
The event was divided into two segments:
- Cultural welcome and celebration with diverse community representatives and
- Networking with community leaders to share visions and goals towards harmonious Society
From the concierge to food and the experience, it was truly an Indian style Diwali. SACLG team has been successfully bringing communities together from different religions (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Budhist, Christians), different nationalities (9 different nationalities), various not for profit organisations (9 different organisations) and leaders form various political parties (Liberal, Labor and Greens). “This has been a unique and one of the most enjoyable experience of Diwali for me”- said Hon Colin Brooks (Speaker of the Legislative Assembly)
It was interesting see all major political parties and some interfaith leaders on one platform to celebrate Diwali.
Some of the Key guests were:
- Hon Colin Brooks (Speaker of the Legislative Assembly)
- Colleen Hartland – MP,
- Samantha Rathnam -Leader of the Greens party
- Andrew Lezala- CEO Metro Trains, (and his wife – Helen)
- Dr.Mimie Claudine Chi Watts -VMC Commissioner,
- Jennifer Yang – ex Mayor Manningham
- Amita Gill – candidate for the Liberal Party
- Rakesh Razaida – President and founder of Ramon Helps Inc.
- Monica Sharma Raizada – President and Founder of Women of Wyndham
- Ash Dixit – Leading Senior Constable and community Liaison officer
- Br. Rana Jeved Shahid – Representative and leader of Pakistani Association and Pehchaan group
- Community organisations representatives from Let’s Feed organisation, Landmark Community Sports Club, Ramon Helps,
- Mr. Jeevan Bala
- Virosh Parera – Popular Community leader and founder of Srilankan Awards
In Virosh’s words: “Diwali Diwali Diwali… it’s on the streets of Melbourne, Sydney, and all over world and is celebrated in true family & corporate in the last few days. Recognizing and including cultural values of other communities is a big enough art of the Australian culture and that makes Australia proud.
The most livable city on earth lived up to the expectation of celebrations. I have seen, I have heard the celebrations of the communities and its magnitude. The community when leave their countries, they carry the memories from where they come from; Fiji, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, India Singapore Sri Lanka or Africa there is lot of traditions involved with Diwali and they enjoy a little taste right here in Melbourne.
It’s also sharing the experience with other communities is the beauty of the story. Just like in the Bollywood movies you are dragged into to the cultural celebrations. Lighting the lamp or putting colour in your forehead part of the ritual. I have enjoyed what SACLG is doing right now – an effort to link communities and keeping their traditions alive.”
Vice-president and community Leader Dr Sonia Singh was the MC for the night and orchestrated the event beautifully.
Vote of thanks is always a gesture to authenticate the gracious presence of the guests and team members. Dr. Raju Adhikari (as leader of SACLG) conveyed the Vote of Thanks to all the elite guests and team members.
Overall a great event organised by SACLG team and committed to promote harmony and intercultural understanding in Australian Society for a better future.
SACLG team lead by DrSonia Singh, immense dedication of Dharinder Singh Sohal and Dr.Taniya Jayasinghe as the Head of Youth Projects successfully completed the Interfaith Dialogue Program for the Secondary school students of Mt Hira College. The program objective was to provide an opportunity to youth to share their experiences and perception of multiculturalism as future leaders. Thank you Dr. Raju Adhikari (President) and JP Deepak Vinayak (Patron) for your immense support and encouragement in our endeavours.
HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar swamiji spread the message to respect for all religion for a better world. He stressed that this needs to be practiced in real life. Religious leaders from various faiths Hindu, Muslim, Jews, Buddhism Christian shared the message of love from their faiths. A small video presentation was made on the life of Sri Swami Ramanujan and statue of equality project in India.
Jet Australia Foundation thanked dignitaries from Victoria government, VMC and councils, leaders of communities and religious leaders for their participation and support. Swamiji provided Tika and blessing to everyone and thanked for their contributions.
SACLG President congratulated JET Australia Foundation for another excellent multicultural program.