1. The City of Greater Geelong and Geelong Settlement Planning Committee
The Geelong Experience

3. 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
The City of Greater Geelong –
South-western Victoria, about 75 kilometres south west of Melbourne.
Bounded by - Moorabool Shire in the north, Wyndham City and the Borough of Queenscliffe in the east, Bass Strait in the south and Surf Coast Shire and Golden Plains Shire in the west.
Largest regional city in Victoria, rural, residential, resort, industrial and commercial area. Leading commercial centre for south-western Victoria.
The City encompasses a total land area of about 1,250 square kilometres
Current population estimate as at 30 June 2010 = 220,068
This data, however, does not reflect the new arrivals, in hundreds, of refugee/humanitarian entrants and asylum seekers.
Original inhabitants - Wathaurong Aboriginal people.
European settlement - from 1836, with the township surveyed in Land was used mainly for farming, grazing and vineyards. Gradual growth s and 1850s, aided by improved access, the establishment of industries and the gold rush.
Substantial industrial growth s to early 1900s. Population growth early 1900s, particularly during the 1920s.
Most significant development - post-war years,1960s and 1970s, aided by the rapid expansion of industry, construction of public housing estates and immigration.

4. 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
Newly arrived Skilled migrants are from : England, India, Ireland, among others
A significant number of the humanitarian entrants and asylum seekers, mainly from Iran are highly qualified. Geelong is also home to highly qualified taxi drivers from overseas…

5. 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

6. Multicultural Action Plan – How? Two - way communication
Stages
Two - way communication
Multicultural Action Plan Working Group
Community Consultation
Cross Divisional Consultation
Tailored Engagement strategies
Process v/s End Result
Team Approach
MAPWG – Importance of high level representation, commitment and power/influence of reps
12 members
Chair – Cr Multicultural and Aboriginal affairs
Geelong Interfaith Network, Victoria Police, Multicultural Liaison Office, Deakin Uni, Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, Multicultural Aged Care Services, VMC, Diversitat (GECC), Council Eco Dev, Community Develop, incl our GM, youth unit.
Define CALD – match with MAPWG reps
Consultations? – The famous questions to internal staff and to external groups to capture needs
Get on board right from the beginning of process.
Use of many platforms and engagement strategies with internal staff – Quarterly departmental staff meeting, Management team, team meetings, one to one catch up, focus group discussion
External/community consultations – Pako Festa, all age groups, gender, ethnic reps, nationality and local community groups. Display of Council services, freebies, eg swimming –passes, African community – with their elders and males, women’s group. Young people’s group, via youth workers..
International students, Govt depts eg DPCD, Geelong Settlement Planning Committee with mainstream service providers, incl reps of DIAC, G21 FFD Action Group, Diversitat Staff, Geelong Ethnic Communities Council members, Geelong Interfaith Network members
“ Corporate language for a corporate document” – Honesty, genuineness, integrity…of the person engaging the community “Proof of pudding is in the eating”

7. 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
The MAP is based on the premise that every new arrival is a valued member of our community who makes enormous contribution to our economic, social and cultural fabric.
We surveyed over 900 people, including international students and multicultural communities, using various platforms and culturally sensitive strategies like Pako Festa and community gatherings.
However, we need to have the support of all levels of Govt to ensure that their needs are met in a culturally sensitive and tailored manner
We adopted the VMC framework– The recommendations of the report “ Access, services, support, respect: Local Governments Response to Cultural Diversity in Victoria

8. 4 pillars adopted to guide Council actions:
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”
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
MAP 4 pillars
Respect & Recognition
Objective
To ensure that the City of Greater Geelong gives respect and recognition to CALD communities to acknowledge their positive contribution to the economic and multicultural fabric of Geelong
Access & Equity
To overcome barriers to access and knowledge of Council services and information by CALD communities
Responsive Services
To ensure an organisation-wide approach to inclusive planning, design and delivery in response to CALD community needs
Support to Community
To ensure that Council provides support to CALD communities to fit their needs 8

9. 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”
Many skilled migrants struggle to find jobs within their skilled areas, mainly due to lack of local work experience. The City of Greater Geelong is currently exploring work experience and traineeship opportunities to address this challenge. 9

10. Success Stories
Nar Di, our local Karen young refugee, undertook work placements in our fleet workshop
in 2011 and 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
Access & Equity as identified by the Map is to overcome barriers to access and knowledge of Council services and information by CALD communities.
At the launch of the MAP, the above is a reflection of the support and commitment of all levels of government 10

11. Women only Swimming Program has been running for past 3 years.
Heavily subsidised by Council
Some nights we get over 60 women and girls
- Women of all ages, sizes, shapes and cultures have fun filled evenings
Water safety components included in the program
- Program is promoted widely, including the women who have skilled under the skilled migration stream

12. Sports is one of the healthiest ways for settlement
The works game football (Soccer) is big in Geelong
The Corio Bay Sports club hosts a “Diversity Team” composed of all the newly arrived refugees and migrants young people, this team has remained undefeated so far and they play in the local league.
We have regular initiatives that address racism and we work in collaboration with local agencies and the Human Rights Commission
Our Mayor is also member of the International Mayor for Peace, hence our commitment to celebrate International Day of Peace very year with the Geelong Interfaith Network.
International students and our skilled migrants are invited to participate and contribute to all our events, including Diversity weeks and Refugee weeks.
This sends a powerful message to our people local and beyond that Geelong is a safe, welcoming and nurturing place to live, work and grow as a family

13. Above are examples of the Karen and Karenni people from Burma and the local Sudanese community celebrating their cultural practices with the involvement and support of local organisations and Council

14. THANK YOU