Council has continued to build upon its commitment to multicultural development through the adoption of the 2019-2022 Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which aimed at supporting and promoting Greater Shepparton’s multicultural communities. There were several key achievements that were reached during this period including:
- Council’s Dates of Acknowledgement/Significance
- The delivery of a Pledge Event at Greater Shepparton Secondary College as part of 2022 Refugee Week
- Continued support for Converge on the Goulburn and St George’s Road Food Festival
- Formation of new partnerships with organisations including the Friendship Café, Greater Shepparton Secondary College Pledge Event and water safety education programs
- Continued support and coordination of multicultural and intersectional events and programs including Iftar and Ashura – significant Muslim days, Women’s Health Expo, Community Capacity Development Workshops and Wear it Purple Day
- Funding for St Pauls African House to support the Taste of African Culture event
With the next Strategy now due, Council voted to diversify the document into a three year Multicultural Action Plan that is integrated into the broader Council Plan
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali said Council would like to encourage its multicultural community to have their say.
“We are proud of our multicultural community and what Greater Shepparton currently has to offer, however Council want to be more inclusive and adaptive to meet the needs of our region.”
“15 per cent of the region’s population were born overseas and we want to receive their feedback along with the broader communities to assist in providing clear actions that will be driven over the next three years. The action plan will be an important document that will positively impact our region,” Mr Sali said.
Feedback can be provided online via the Shaping Greater Shepparton website, in person at one of Council’s drop-in sessions or by calling Council. Consultation will close on Sunday 19 March at 5pm. Registrations are recommended for the drop-in sessions but not a must.
Feedback can also be given during Cultural Diversity Week, at the Maude Street Mall on Saturday 11 March from 12pm to 2pm and at Converge on the Goulburn on Friday 17 March from 6pm to 9pm and Saturday 18 March from 4pm to 7pm.
For more information, visit Council’s Shaping Greater Shepparton website
