Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV)
The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV)’s mission is to work to ensure that we remain a member driven peak body committed to empowering people from culturally diverse backgrounds. We strive to give voice to multicultural Victoria. We strive to advocate for human rights, freedom, respect, equality and dignity for ethnic and multicultural communities and in building a socially cohesive and inclusive Victorian community.
The organisation advocates and lobbies all levels of government on behalf of multicultural communities in areas like human rights, access and equity and improving services. As our core business, we advocate on any issue that is of concern to our members.
We are proud to have been the key advocate for culturally diverse communities in Victoria since 1974.
Recent News
ECCV Media Releases
- Seniors’ Clubs: Positive Ageing Hubs for CALD Seniors are at Risk of Closing Down
- A step in the right direction: Victorian Government announcement for additional $14.3m to support multicultural communities
- Lack of coordination with Victoria’s multicultural expertise may have hampered COVID-19 response
Chairperson’s Message
ECCV has been a leading voice for multiculturalism in Victoria since 1974. Our establishment one year after the White Australia policy officially ended, is testament to ECCV’s continuing legacy and influence across the changing face of Australia over the last 46 years.
ECCV is proud to be one of the oldest advocacy organisations for migrants, refugees and multiculturalism in the country. We have played a role in supporting the establishment of so many other institutions in our history that today carry the flag for cultural and linguistic diversity in Victoria including 3ZZZ, InTouch – Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence, Action on Disability in Ethnic Communities and Western English Language School.
With this context, I was particularly delighted to sign off on ECCV’s Strategic Plan 2020 – 25. Our new Strategic Plan will guide us and our members on key priorities over the next 5 years, during which time we will also be celebrating ECCV’s 50th Anniversary. This will be a major milestone and reason to acknowledge all that has been achieved and all that we can continue to deliver for a just, equitable and inclusive Victoria.
I would like to again thank Richard Dent OAM for his outstanding work in leading the strategic planning process for ECCV, and all those members and stakeholders who gave up their time to inform and help develop a strengths based, forward looking plan that positions ECCV to respond to current challenges and future opportunities across the state.
I am also very pleased to announce that the ECCV team is growing as we welcome more than 20 new staff over the next month. ECCV has been contracted to deliver the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) component of the NDIS National Community Connector Program across north-west and northern Melbourne and the City of Greater Shepparton. We are also welcoming a COVID-19 Outreach team, funded by the Victorian Government’s Working for Victoria fund, to better connect harder to reach migrant and refugee communities impacted by coronavirus with available supports.
COVID-19 continues to pose a number of unique challenges for CALD communities, and I have been pleased to work with the Victorian Government’s CALD Communities Taskforce and the Victorian Multicultural Commission to look at ways of including diverse communities in decision-making and leading community solutions to the pandemic. ECCV remains an important voice on the shape of these responses. To this end, we were pleased to release a Policy Brief on CALD seniors in the context of COVID-19 and we understand that an announcement from the Minister for Multicultural Affairs is imminent on these issues.
I want to commend our Board Members, staff and membership organisations for their tireless work in supporting various ethnic communities throughout Victoria in the very challenging times we have been living through. I remain optimistic that better times lay ahead.
Eddie Micallef
Chairperson
Updated COVID 19 restrictions in Victoria: Roadmaps
COVID Normal Plan Summary
From 11.59pm on Wednesday 16 September Third Step restrictions apply throughout regional Victoria.
From 11:59pm on Sunday 27 September Second Step restrictions apply in metropolitan Melbourne.
Restrictions will be eased when requirements are met and are based on Public Health advice. The roadmap to reopening includes dates when it is expected Victoria will meet case number requirements. Regional Victoria and Melbourne Metro each have their own roadmaps, relating to how many active cases are currently in the community. Click on the buttons below for more details:
More information:
Face covering and masks
All Victorians must wear a face covering if you need to leave home.
- Information for people with a disability on face coverings and masks
- If you cannot purchase or make a face mask an alternative form of covering including a scarf or bandana may be used.
- Infants and children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a face covering. Due to risk of choking it is not safe to use a mask on child under two years of age.
- A fine of $200 may be issued to people who do not wear a face covering and do not have a valid reason for exception.
- Valid reasons for not wearing a mask are included on this page
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has translated the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s video about face masks into 14 different languages. There are also helpful videos on making your own masks from The Social Studio on the channel.
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To ensure the safety of our staff and the community we serve, the ECCV staff team is continuing to work from home during this time. We are delivering NDIS information sessions, and hosting forums, workshops and consultations via the Internet. Our staff team will continue to be in touch with partners, stakeholders and funders via video or teleconferencing as required.
We thank you for your understanding and ask that you follow our social media channels to stay across updates regarding ECCV events and other news.
We are determined to act in the interest of the community, by reducing risk where possible and stemming the spread of the virus.
If you need to get in touch with ECCV, please call 9354 9555 or write to us at eccv@eccv.org.au
Important information and key resources
We understand that you may be feeling worried, anxious and overwhelmed about COVID-19 and the impacts it has on your daily life, family and community, especially when we are experiencing social distancing. These resources can help keep you informed, connected and safe:
Important Phone Numbers
- Coronavirus hotline: If you suspect you may have the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) call the dedicated hotline – open 24 hours, 7 days – on 1800 675 398
If you are an NDIS participant you can also call the national hotline on 1800 020 080
If you need an interpreter, please call 131 450 first.
- Department of Social Services Support Line – If you’ve lost income because of COVID 19 measures, call the dedicated hotline to see what support you can access – 1300 653 227
- National Debt Helpline: If you are in financial difficulty, free support is available at the National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007. You can speak to a financial counsellor to get advice.
- Business Victoria coronavirus hotline: Businesses seeking advice about whether they are affected can also call the Business Victoria coronavirus hotline on 13 22 15.
- Australian Human Rights Commission: For information regarding discrimination or any other human rights violation, please contact National Information Service on 1300 656 419 (restricted hours)
- If you are distressed, please seek support from Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline 13 11 14
Useful resources
- In-language information about racial discrimination and race hate complaints translated in to 63 languages
- Important information from VCOSS regarding COVID-19 and the community sector
- National Debt Helpline’s COVID 19 Financial Survival Guide and Resources
- Cancer Council ‘Cancer & COVID-19’ English factsheet here. Support and information resources are available in 12 languages. If you would like to speak to someone in your own language, please call 13 14 50 and ask for Cancer Council or the Coronavirus Health Information Line.
- Important information for renters, business and others from Consumer Affairs Victoria
- Important information for NDIS providers: Minimising the risk of exposure to COVID-19
- Australia Council for the Arts COVID 19 Response package to support artists, arts practitioners, arts groups and arts organisations coping with the impact of COVID-19.
- Easy English COVID 19 Information sheets and resources
- Australian federal government’s economic response to COVID 19
- Latest updates and information on COVID 19 from the Victorian government’s Department of Health and Human Services
- FAQS regarding the virus, its transmission and testing, and preventative measures.
- In-language information regarding COVID 19 from Victorian government’s Department of Health and Human Services
- Latest updates and information from the Australian government’s Department of Health
- You can get help and information on looking after our mental health and wellbeing from: Lifeline and Beyondblue
- Embrace Multicultural Mental Health also have information for CALD communities
- Contact numbers of support services for women experiencing family violence from InTouch – Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
- Warm Safe Home for Older Victorians who may be experiencing financial hardships can connect with a financial counsellor who may be able to help
- From VCOSS: financial and emergency relief support & specialist services available to migrants, refugees and international students
For more information, please write to us on eccv@eccv.org.au or call 9354 9555.
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We are proud to recognise the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, as the first Australians, cultural leaders and traditional custodians of the land from which we advocate for ethnic community groups. We pay our respects to their elders, past & present.
ECCV Statement: Recognising the Rights of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders
Connect with ECCV
Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria
Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road,
Coburg VIC 3058
Phone: 9354 9555
Email: eccv@eccv.org.au
