Diversitat promoting harmony, cultural diversity and social justice in our society

Who is Diversitat? The Geelong Ethnic Communities Council - operating for 37 years launched “Diversitat” in 2005 Diversitat means “diversity” in Catalan - loosely translates into many other languages The new name reflects our growing diversity of services

Represents 50 cultural communities 10 sites around Geelong and Colac Outreach services to Ballarat Diversitat

Diversitat Affiliated Communities AfghanAustrian Bosnian Bulgarian CameroonCongoleseChinese Croatian DutchFijian FilipinoFrench GermanGreekHungarian Indian IndonesianIranianIrish Italian KarenKarenniLatvianLiberian LithuanianMacedonianMalayMaltese Maori MexicanNepalesePolish Portuguese Russian ScottishSerbian SikhSlovenian Spanish Sri Lankan South Sudanese SwedishThaiTurkish Ukrainian VenezuelanVietnamese Wathaurong Welsh

Northern Community Hub Multi-purpose community and educational centre which opened in February 2011 Total cost $4million Won 2013 Settlement Innovation Award Offering:  Services and programs for CALD and disadvantaged communities  Administrative base for over 50 Diversitat staff  Over 200 visitors accessing services on a daily basis  Community group functions and activities

Northern Community Hub Community Garden – Karen, Karenni, Congolese, Afghan, Maori, Wathaurong, Iraqi and Iranian communities with garden plots – Introduction to Gardening in Australia offered to newly arrived clients – Kitchen garden programs – Outdoor kitchen to be completed by end 2013 Men’s and Women’s Shed – Geelong Men’s Shed Group – Stitch – sewing cultures together The Diversitat gates were designed by local artist Jim Howson

Pako Festa Australia’s biggest multicultural festival 2012 – 30th anniversary event Representing 30 multicultural communities Representing 60 community groups Attracts over 110,000 people 60 performers over 8 stages 1 kilometre festival site Giant Pako parade with 80 floats

Settlement Services & Community Programs Community Assistance Support (CAS) Refugee Settlement (HSS) Settlement Grants Program Housing support Social Enterprise

Family Support Program Mental Health Multicultural Problem Gambling Diversitat Financial Counseling & Consumer Advocate Program Driver education Volunteer tutor program Projects – Community Garden

Geelong Demographics Geelong: 210,000 Population 79,000 Households Over 20,000 speak a language other than English at home New and Emerging Communities approx 240 Sudanese approx 500 Karen /Karenni approx 120 Liberian approx 400 Afghan approx 150 Iranian, Thai, Indian Source images:

Geelong Settlement Planning Committee Operating for more than 10 years 30 member agencies, State, local and Federal Government local community agencies Meet 6 weekly Information exchange Collaboration Planning

Geelong Settlement Planning Committee Achievements Challenges Role of council