The City of Greater Geelong and Geelong Settlement Planning Committee
The Geelong Experience
City of Greater of Geelong – Where we are and who we are
Aboriginal word - “a place of the sea bird over the white cliffs”.
Original Inhabitants
European Settlement
Post World War II Migration
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) population of Geelong
The Changing landscape
Established Migrants
Newly arrived skilled migrants
Refugee and Humanitarian Entrants: Sudan, Liberia, Afghanistan,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma and Middle East
International Students
Asylum Seekers from various countries incl.
Iran and Sri Lanka
In Geelong around 35,000 of our residents were born overseas and
16% of these arrived in Australia within the last 5 years.
The above does not reflect the new arrivals, in hundreds, of
refugee/humanitarian entrants and asylum seekers
Multicultural Action Plan (MAP) – Why?
Legislative and Policy Framework
Victorian Charter of Human Rights and
Responsibilities Act 2006
Multicultural Victoria Amendment Act 2008
The Multicultural Victoria Act 2004
Racial and Religious Intolerance Act 2001
Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995
“ Access, Services, Support, Respect: Local
Governments Response to Cultural Diversity in
Victoria”
The recommendations of the VMC 2003 Report
Local Government Act 1989
....and more
Multicultural Action Plan – How?
Stages
Two - way communication
Multicultural Action Plan
Working Group
Community Consultation
Cross Divisional Consultation
Tailored Engagement strategies
Process v/s End Result
Team Approach
Multicultural Action Plan
Service Mapping
Literature Review
Set milestones
Identifying Gaps
Birth of our first Diversity Policy and
Multicultural Action Plan 2011 – 2014
35 broad actions over 4 years
Multi agency and cross divisional
approach to implementation
Key Findings
4 pillars adopted to guide Council actions:
Respect & Recognition; Access and Equity;
Responsive Services and Support to Community
(The recommendations of the VMC 2003 Report)
2002 – Geelong declared “Refugee Welcome Zone”
2010 - Council 1st Diversity Policy adopted
2011- Council 1st Multicultural Action Plan (MAP) adopted
Whole of Council and partnership approach to
implementation
Building on existing blocks
Achieving better Access & Equity
Every immigrant’s arrival is an economic and social investment in
our future
Key MAP actions supporting multicultural businesses
Resourcing/partnership approach by 3 levels of
government
“In partnership with key businesses and service agencies,
promote Geelong to all CALD communities as a destination of
choice highlighting its cultural diversity, benefits for skilled
migration, international students and investment opportunities”
– (Responsive Services – action 3)
“Work with Family, Youth, Economic Development, Health and
Local Laws, Sports and Recreation services to better engage
CALD community and increase their participation in programs
and services” –(Responsive Services – action10)
Lead by example: work experience and
Traineeship opportunities by and at Council
Local Govt – we need “a seat at the economic
table”
Success Stories
Nar Di, our local Karen young refugee,
undertook work placements in our fleet workshop
in 2011 and 2012. He commenced an Automotive
Apprenticeship with Council on the 29 January
2013 at the age of 19yrs.
The City of Greater Geelong has also employed
3 junior youth activity officers from various
multicultural groups to run “drop in sessions”
at the fOrt and outreach at the Corio library