1. The Changing landscape
Geelong 2015 forecast:
231,453 ERP Pop 2015
79,000 Households
20,000 English not at home
320,791 by 2036 (May id forcasting
Geelong is on Wadarrung land
Early history - new arrivals initial port of embarkation for Ballarat Gold fields - then Melbourne re mapped!
Significant development post WW2 migrant hostel & contribution to expanding industry & public housing.
Large international student population
New and Emerging Communities
approx 240 Sudanese
approx 500 Karen /Karenni
approx 120 Liberian
approx 400 Afghan
Approx 150 Iranian, Thai, Indian 
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. .
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
Established Migrants
Newly arrived skilled migrants
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.

2. focus of my presentation
Background and what had gone before?
What we did and why?
Successes, challenges & opportunities.
What is happening in Geelong in 2016!

3. Not a Greenfield site - Adhoc programs, services and activities
CD worker appointed late 1990’s
2002 City Refugee Welcome Zone adopted
2009 MAP consultation commences
2010 Diversity Policy adopted
MAP
Working Group to Advisory Committee
Adhoc programs, services and activities – accommodation Ethnic Communities Council, citizenship ceremonies, donated for services to develop, grant support to events such as Pako Festa, targeted services in ADS and Fam Services, support to sporting programs, resourcing networks, data provided, community directory.
The development of an integrated approach was in response to recognition of how Council could be more strategically effective, play a leadership role and the legislative, policy frameworks
Consultation used range of platforms and engagement strategies. Internal and external. Community consultations, set of consistent questions using a range of approaches surveys, workshops, kitchen table discussions, advertised forums – Pako Festa dual activity of gaining information, sharing information about Council services and giveaways eg swim passes, water bottles. Targeted communities and age groups. Used feedback from workers and agencies. Governement departments and key agencies, networks.
Diversity policy – purposely broader than the Multicultural. Key principles are
respect,
community relations & civic engagement,
accessible & equitable service provision,
economic drivers: using diversity for competitive advantage

4. WHAT DID WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
Not a new recipe - develop a plan that is;
Responsive to community needs
Reflecting voices of communities
An integrated response
Owned across the City and key partners
A set of achievable actions
Everyone knows the challenge in the baking!

5. Guiding Objectives Respect and Recognition Access and Equity
respect and recognition to CALD communities, acknowledge positive contribution to economic and multicultural fabric of Geelong
Access and Equity
overcome barriers to access and knowledge of the CoGG services and information
There are so many examples of what we do to implement the plan I wanted to take some that are slightly different and often creative
Simple respect and recognition has been these two projects using a range of tools to promote positive messages about diversity and stopping racism. One project was a partnership with a local strategic planning organisation G21 and this engaged people writing messages that were in turn promoted electronically, via bill boards and through print.
Work with local laws to ensure understanding of local laws

6. Guiding Objectives Responsive Services
ensure an organisation-wide approach to inclusive service planning, design and delivery in response to CALD community needs.
Support to Community
ensure that the CoGG provide support to CALD communities to fit their needs.
Investigating and developing opportunities for traineeships and work experience for new arrivals.
A bit externally focussed but COGG has been actively involved in a couple of projects focusing on violence against women and children. One a project working with local service providers to develop a service delivery model and information relevant to women from a newly arrived / refugee community.
A measure of our success if hearing about other areas of Council developing and implementing projects without us being a driving force

7. success, challenges, opportunities
A shared direction, many actions underway and completed.
Community connection and engagement
Getting to projects addressing the structural
Managing expectations and politics
Geelong 2016 and forward

8. POSTIONING, POLICIES, PLANS, PEOPLE, PERSISTANCE, PRINCIPLES
Geelong 2016 …….
Plan reviewed – maintain the framework
Forward priorities identifed
Broader Geelong response to employment
Celebration of diversity
Geelong - “Our Future” in 30 years.
POSTIONING, POLICIES, PLANS, PEOPLE, PERSISTANCE, PRINCIPLES
Community Engagement and Connection -Address safety and perception of safety needs via anti racism campaigns, Sporting and other leisure activities, Support linkages to wider community including Geelong Night Markets and other local events
Agreed to work on a priority area which will be – Employment this sits with a broader regional response though the collective impact project GROW
Capacity Building - Cross Cultural training/awareness across CoGG, Explore social enterprise opportunities, Leadership programs, in particular for CALD women
Celebration of Diversity -
Support to Pako Festa (February)
Annual Diversity Week/Harmony day (March)
Annual Mayoral Welcome to new arrivals to Geelong (March)
Annual Refugee Week (June)
Un International Day of Peace (September)
Vic senior’s Festival (October)
Diwali festival (November)
Flamefest (November)
National Day celebrations for CALD community groups (throughout the year)
Religious/faiths related events in partnership with the Geelong Interfaith Network (GIN)
Re invigorate the “Refugee Welcome Zone”
Free/subsidised use of our facilities for new arrivals
Additional Information
Most of the above initiatives identified are being actioned (eg) Cross Cultural awareness sessions for council staff, a tailored program “New and Emerging Community Leadership Program” NECLP and the “pathways leading to employment”
Other initiatives arising from the MAP include:-
Engagement with other levels of government, via various agencies including the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) and the Department of Justice, DHHS, G21, Victoria Police
Partnership work for regional capacity building with G21 Refugee & Asylum Seekers Advocacy Group (RAS) and Leadership Victoria
Statewide awareness on emerging and priority CALD issues via the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the Victorian Local Government Multicultural Issues Network (VLGMIN) eg Family violence
Contributing to local networks and steering committees including the Geelong Settlement Planning Committee
GROW collective impact approach to addressing under and unemployment in the G21 region