News & Stories
Introducing our new CEO
Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) Chairperson, Eddie Micallef, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mo Elrafihi as Chief Executive Officer. Over the past decade, Mo has provided strategic public policy advice to the Victorian Government. He has worked...
ECCV welcomes Budget investment in multicultural communities
The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria welcomes the investment in migrant and refugee communities in the Victorian Budget 2023-24. The budget delivers more than $77 million for a range of initiatives for multicultural businesses, community infrastructure,...
Welcome new Board members
ECCV welcomes Monica Forson and Gabrielle Marchetti as new members of our Board of Directors. Monica and Gabrielle are outstanding leaders in their respective fields and will bring a wealth of expertise and experience to ECCV. Their appointment as co-opted members was...
Experiencing financial hardship? Here are some tips to help
Many older people living on pensions or low incomes can find themselves in financial hardship. Financial counsellors can provide free advice and help you access available support.
Consultation: Have your say on Melbourne’s train network
ECCV is working with Metro Trains Melbourne to gain a greater understanding of the barriers people from migrant and refugee backgrounds face when using Melbourne’s train network.
Community gardening project helping people with dementia
The Reminiscing Garden project in Melbourne’s south east is a creative space for family and friends impacted by dementia in a new and sustainable environment.
Seniors kicking goals in Walking Football program
Football Victoria’s Walking Football program encourages Victorians over 55 from all walks of life to get active and bond over the beautiful game.
Outstanding Leadership Opportunity: CEO
Chief Executive Officer – Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV) Experienced in community leadership and influencing Experienced in social policy, advocacy and community engagement Experienced in organisational management We are seeking an experienced and...
Resignation of CEO
It is with sadness that we announce the departure of Emiliano Zucchi as Chief Executive Officer of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, effective 5 May 2023. Since January 2021, Emiliano has led the growth and success of the organisation and while we will miss...
Survey: Have your say to reduce barriers to travelling on Melbourne’s train network
ECCV is working with Metro Trains Melbourne to gain a greater understanding of the barriers people from migrant and refugee backgrounds face when using Melbourne’s train network.
ECCV Statement on First Nations Voice referendum
This year, Australia will vote on a referendum to enshrine a First Nations Voice to Parliament in our Constitution. The referendum takes its lead from the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, which puts forward three pillars of action: Voice, Treaty and Truth. The...
Understanding Carer Needs in Multicultural Communities Forum
In partnership with Carers Victoria, ECCV is hosting an online forum on 4 April focusing on improving the wellbeing of carers from migrant and refugee backgrounds. According to Carers Australia, there are an estimated half a million unpaid carers from culturally and...
Multicultural Community Consultation on Climate Change
Victoria, like much of Australia and the world at large, is in the midst of experience some of the most extreme weather patterns in human history. Climate disasters like the 2021 floods and the 2019-20 bushfires have shown us just how critical it is to urgently...
Summer 2023 edition of Golden Years is out now
The latest edition of Golden Years is out now! If you or your organisation support seniors from migrant and refugee backgrounds, this magazine is for you. Inside, you'll find a story about a special community garden in Melbourne's south east that helps bring together...
Victorian Multicultural Mental Health Survey
ECCV is inviting mental health service providers, policymakers and people from migrant and refugee backgrounds with lived experience to take part in an online survey. The survey will help inform a discussion paper examining the lived experience of diverse communities...
Preventing AOD harm in multicultural communities
ECCV has partnered with the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) to release a joint statement, titled Preventing alcohol and other drug harm in multicultural communities, highlighting the significant barriers migrant and refugee communities face in accessing...
Pre-Budget Submission 2023-24
We are pleased to share ECCV's Pre-Budget Submission 2023-24. Our submission calls on the state government to enact a long-term vision for Victoria that is creative and resilient, capable of anticipating and responding to the needs and challenges facing our...
Understanding reporting barriers and support needs of people experiencing racism
Victoria University is conducting an anti-racism project called Understanding reporting barriers and support needs of people experiencing racism, in collaboration with Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) and the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV). The...
New program to tackle future emergencies for regional multicultural communities
The Multicultural Regional Emergency Preparedness & Response Program provides provides education and awareness regarding emergency management preparedness and response among regional multicultural communities.
Submission to the Disability Royal Commission
The prevention of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability from migrant and refugee backgrounds must be informed by an understanding of their unique experiences, strengths and concerns, and of the drivers of these behaviours. People with...
Submission to Australian Migration System Review
ECCV has made a submission to the Department of Home Affairs’ review into A Migration System for Australia’s Future.
ECCV and VCOSS win AIDR National Community Award
When talking about the COVID-19 pandemic people often said, "We’re all in the same boat." But this wasn’t true, and while we were in the same storm, we were in very different boats. Whether a pandemic or a natural disaster, research shows that migrant and refugee...
Annual Report 2021-2022 launched
We are delighted to present our Annual Report 2021-22. With robust grassroots engagement and collaborative relationships with stakeholders, ECCV continued to be a strong voice for Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds. We are proud to have advocated...
Marion Lau OAM JP awarded ECCV Life Membership
Marion Lau OAM JP has been awarded Life Membership of ECCV, in recognition of her outstanding 40-year service to ECCV and migrant communities in Australia.
Fantastic turnout for 2022 AGM
ECCV held our 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) last night at the Greek Centre in Melbourne’s CBD, attended by more than 80 members and supporters. The meeting opened with a warm welcome from Bill Papastergiadis OAM, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of...
ECCV congratulates the Andrews Government on election win
ECCV congratulates the Andrews Labor Government on being elected for a third term. We will continue to work very closely with the Government and bring to its attention the issues affecting Victoria’s multicultural communities. ECCV chairperson Eddie Micallef welcomed...
Summary of election promises for multicultural Victoria
If successful in Saturday’s election, Victoria’s major political parties have both committed to investing $50 million in the state’s multicultural infrastructure. Labor has promised to “build, upgrade and renovate new community infrastructure for multicultural and...