Ministers statements: multicultural communities
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:49): I recently had the pleasure of attending a graduation event hosted by Federation University – further to the theme of universities – to celebrate and recognise the important work of the inaugural 10 community fellows involved in delivering the Roads to Reconciliation: Activating Multicultural Victoria project. This innovative project engages Victorian multicultural communities on reconciliation, truth-telling and justice through a series of workshops and projects delivered by community fellowship recipients representing a diverse cross-section of our vibrant multicultural community. The event was a testament to the university’s enduring commitment to fostering connections among Victoria’s diverse ethnic, faith and cultural groups, particularly in recognising the contributions and significance of First Peoples. Victoria is proudly home to one of the most culturally diverse societies in the world. Our country is also home to the oldest living culture on earth, with First Nations history dating back over 65,000 years, and this history is also one of our greatest strengths and sources of pride. I would like to thank Federation University Australia and in particular Professor Andrew Gunstone, Maria Dimopoulos and Shankar Kasynathan for hosting me last week and everyone involved in delivering this project. Ensuring Victoria remains an inclusive state where all Victorians, including First Peoples and multicultural communities, feel safe and supported to practise their culture, faiths and traditions remains a key priority for the Allan Labor government.