Council nominated the ‘Respecting Difference’ forums, conducted late in 2013 and early 2014, in partnership with Shepparton’s Settlement Planning Committee and Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group to respond to a community identified need to address issues of racism and discrimination.
The forums gave Greater Shepparton’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Aboriginal communities, an opportunity to share their stories and experiences in a safe environment where service providers were available to provide information, advice and options for any issues requiring further investigation.
Attendees not only shared their own stories but heard from the Ethnic Council of Shepparton & District, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), Victoria Legal Aid, Victoria Police, Reconciliation Victoria, Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria and Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre.
Greater Shepparton Mayor Jenny Houlihan congratulated everyone involved in this project.
The forum provided an opportunity for people from CALD and Aboriginal communities a chance to share their stories and opinions about race-based discrimination. Service providers were also able to provide advice and support for any issues which were raised,” Cr Houlihan said.
“This forum builds on the strong outcomes from the LEAD project and Council’s Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.”
Council also received this award in 2012.
