Welcome to our latest Newsletter. Thank you to our Chair for her Report which follows. This will be a regular feature of future Newsletters.
We are also excited to announce our zoom information session on Scams being conducted by Sam Calogero from Beyond Bank on 14th July at 6pm. We thank him for his time ans experise in bringing this information to us
Chairperson’s Report
Western Region Ethnic Communities Council (WRECC)
Chairperson’s Report 17 June 2026
Looking forward to attending the 5-day residential professional development program for civil society leaders run by the Civic Leadership & Organising in Sydney from 22 to 26 July.
This organisation equips participants with the frameworks, tools and self-knowledge to lead more effectively. With funding gained by Environment Victoria, WRECC seeks to join with multicultural and faith communities, unions, neighbourhood houses, community organisations, environmental and social justice organisations to work collectively for real, lasting change on the issues that matter in the west.
This new Western Melbourne Community Alliance’s aim is to create a sustainable, community-driven structure that can:
- strengthen grassroots leadership
- amplify culturally and linguistically diverse voices
- influence decisions about how Melbourne’s west grows, and
- help our region adapt fairly to a changing climate.
Meeting with VU students
Students at any tertiary institute are busy – and often financially stretched as well. WRECC reached out to three student unions at VU to introduce ourselves as an advocacy body that they could reach out to and we were pleased to get timely responses from all three. They now have access to our data base and fortnightly newsletter as well as having met with two members of our Committee so that they can contact us. Some of the issues that arose from our conversations were work rights and the intense pressure students from ethnic backgrounds are under to succeed.
WRECC Membership
Membership is free so why don’t you go to our website and join? You’ll get access to a community data base which will allow you find out about schools, community groups and community supports in Maribyrnong and of course, send us information about your organisation or events or you want to publish in our fortnightly newsletter.
📢 Scam Awareness Session – You’re Invited
WRECC has invited Sam Calogero, Community Development Manager at Beyond Bank Australia, to run an online information session on the latest scams and how to recognise and avoid them.
Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86203048547?pwd=R9l92VlWUXsLE1zV5OgfBD2RPFHxLB.1
Scam Awareness Session – What Sam Will Cover
Sam will be taking us through the latest scams and sharing practical advice on how to stay safe from the increasing number of clever and convincing scams out there.
Here’s a quick overview of the types of scams he’ll explain:
- Relationship scams — Scammers build trust through dating or friendship before asking for money.
- Buying & selling scams — Fake buyers or sellers trick people into sending money or goods online.
- Threat‑based scams — Scammers create urgency, claiming you’ll lose access to your bank account or computer unless you act immediately.
- Too good to be true job offers — “Guaranteed income” roles that require you to pay upfront.
- Bank account hacking scams — Scammers pretend to be from a business or bank to gain access to your accounts.
A really useful session to help keep everyone and their money safe. Please circulate this invitation through your networks.
Have your say: Victoria Police Community Sentiment Survey 2026
All Victorians are invited to share their views on community safety through the fifth annual Victoria Police Community Sentiment Survey.
The survey gives community members an opportunity to tell Victoria Police about their local safety concerns, how they would like to interact with police and Protective Services Officers, and where police can focus efforts to prevent and deter crime. Feedback helps Victoria Police track community sentiment over time and strengthen local decision-making.
Community members are encouraged to complete the survey and share it through their networks.
Join 100 Days of Peace
100 Days of Peace is a national daily collective meditation initiative running from 13 June until the UN International Day of Peace on 21 September 2026.
Each evening at 9.00 pm AEST, community leaders from Australia and around the world will share a three-minute reflection on peace, followed by 10 minutes of collective silent meditation. The initiative is simple, free and open to all, with no registration required.
Community members are welcome to join online daily or whenever they can, contributing to a shared atmosphere of peace, reflection and care.
Racism in Australian Schools Demands Urgent National Action
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| Racism remains a daily reality for many young people in Australian schools, and current responses are failing to match its scale and harm. The Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network Australia (MYAN) released a major new report calling for urgent, coordinated national action to tackle racism in Australian schools and create safer, more inclusive learning environments. The Racism in Schools Policy Paper draws on research and the lived experiences of young people to show how schools too often minimise or misidentify racism as general bullying, leaving students unsupported and unprotected. While there are promising initiatives across the country, responses remain too fragmented to address the problem systemically. The report also outlines the case for a National Anti-Racism Framework in schools, drawing on a literature review of the prevalence and impacts of racism on young people in educational settings. “Young people are telling us clearly: racism is happening in schools, and current approaches are not enough,” said Carmel Guerra OAM, MYAN Chairperson. “This report is not just a call for change, it is a practical roadmap for action.” Racism is harming students right now The report highlights the significant and ongoing impacts of racism on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those from culturally diverse backgrounds, including: Social exclusion and marginalisation Disengagement from education Serious mental health challenges By failing to recognise racism as a distinct and systemic issue, schools are unable to respond effectively, allowing harm to persist. A fragmented system is falling short While some states and territories, including Victoria and New South Wales, have stand-alone anti-racism policies, MYAN’s analysis shows major inconsistencies nationwide, with most schools still relying on broad anti-bullying frameworks that do not address the specific nature of racism. “When schools fail to recognise racism for what it is, they minimise both its reality and its impact on young people,” said Shannon White, National Policy Alliance Co-Chair and MYAN National Policy & Advocacy Lead. “Treating racism as general bullying ignores its systemic and deeply harmful nature and makes meaningful responses less likely.” Call for a National Anti-Racism in School Framework MYAN is calling on governments and education systems to implement a comprehensive, enforceable National Anti-Racism Framework embedded across Australian schools. Key priorities include:Explicit and consistent anti‑racism policies in all schoolsEstablishing strong accountability for incidents of racismRecognising and addressing systemic bias and discriminationDelivering programs that affirm and celebrate cultural identity Young people are calling for change At the centre of the report is a clear message from young people: enough is enough. Students need schools where they feel safe, respected, and valued, and where racism is taken seriously, not ignored. “When schools become places that replace curiosity and adventure with places of confusion, fear and humiliation, we do the young people who walk into these environments a major disservice. This report should not just be a conversation starter but rather serve as a critical shake up and wake up call. And we must act now.” — Nayonika Bhattacharya, MYAN Senior Youth Advisor -ENDS- |
| Access the report here |
Our Shared Humanity – Refugee Week Exhibition 2026
Join Maribyrnong City Council, cohealth, the Victorian Bicultural Workers Network and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) for Our Shared Humanity, a Refugee Week exhibition and community event featuring artworks by artists from refugee backgrounds.
The exhibition includes 20 artworks exploring identity, belonging, displacement and community connection through art and storytelling. Many of the works reflect experiences of forced migration and rebuilding life in a new country.
Opening night will include exhibition viewing, live performances, a short film screening, guest speakers and light refreshments. The event aligns with this year’s Refugee Week theme, ‘A Million Stories’, celebrating the many stories, experiences and contributions that shape our community.
This is a free event, and everyone is welcome. Registration is required via the link below:
Following opening night, the exhibition will be available to view on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June from 10am to 3pm daily.
Footscray Connectivity Centre (Metro West), 138 Nicholson Street, Footscray VIC 3011, Footscray, 3011
Democracy Ambassador opportunity
The Victorian Electoral Commission is recruiting Democracy Ambassadors ahead of the 2026 Victorian State Election.
Democracy Ambassadors help communities understand enrolment, voting and electoral information, and support people to have their voices heard at elections. The opportunity may suit people who are active in their communities and passionate about supporting democratic participation, particularly among communities that may face barriers to electoral engagement.
Applications close Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 11.59 pm.
Looking for practical ways to reduce household energy costs?
The Australian Government has updated a suite of free translated energy guides to help households better manage their energy use, save money and access support when needed.
Available in 40 languages, the guides cover bright ideas for saving energy and money in your home, a renter’s guide to saving energy and water and guidelines on what to do if you are having trouble paying your electricity and water bills.
Languages include Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Filipino, Greek, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese and many more. Access them at energy.gov.au.
National Minimum Wage Increase 1 July 2026 and Payday Super
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The National Minimum Wage is increasing by 4.75%, bringing the new rate to $26.44 per hour, or $1,005 per week. Make sure you’re ready to apply the updated pay rates from your first full pay period in July.
From 1 July 2026, employers must pay their employees’ superannuation at the same time as wages, instead of quarterly.
Refugee Week Stamp and letter campaign
| Here it is! The Refugee Week Commemorative Stamp, now available to purchase online and at selected Post Offices. We’re inviting all our supporters to buy the stamp and use it to post a physical letter to Federal Government MPs and Senators. Our most important advocacy work involves defending Australia’s refugee and humanitarian program. We need your support in asking the Government MP or Senator who represents you to call for its protection. Write to your MP or Senator |
In 2023, the Albanese Government increased the annual refugee program to 20,000 places, committing funds for four years until June 2027. In the coming months, Cabinet will decide on the future size of the program.
While some politicians want to cut support for refugees, we need Labor’s 94 MPs and 30 Senators to speak up in support of a generous refugee program, in line with their party’s platform.
On our website, you’ll find some great information on how to call on your MP to:
- Support maintaining Australia’s refugee and humanitarian program
- Oppose any reduction to the program
- Support expanding the program and other protection pathways
- Ensure Australia continues to play a role in refugee protection
We believe that a writing and sending physical letter, bearing the Refugee Week Commemorative Stamp, is a meaningful and impactful way to draw attention to this critical issue.
We’d love to see your advocacy in action – take a photo of your addressed letter with the Refugee Week Commemorative Stamp affixed, post it on social media, and tag us so we can share it.
Footscray Community Leadership Program
Acknowledgement of Country
WRECC acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognizes their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
Subscribe:
Send an email to admin@wrecc.com.au and we will put you on the distribution list.
Acknowledgements:
We gratefully acknowledge our many individual contributors and regular content sources including related newsletters such as those published by VMC, CEH, CMY, AMES, SSI, ICV, DHA, our local councils and the many other organisations supporting migrant and refugee settlement and social cohesion. We will also regularly draw content from ethnic and mainstream media sources such as The Age, the ABC and SBS.
Disclaimer:
Our newsletter publishes content as it’s contributed or sourced, with minimal editing. Material included does not necessarily reflect the views of the editor nor the Western Region Ethnic Communities Council Committee of Management, nor should its inclusion be seen to necessarily constitute an endorsement.
Sponsors for our Newsletter:
Thanks to Australian Multicultural Services (AMCS)
and Wyndham Community & Education Centre Inc.
for your kind donations towards keeping our newsletter afloat.
Pictured: Mirsada (second from right), a former refugee from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and her three daughters.Refugee Week celebrations are well underway with events taking place across the country. You’re warmly invited to take part in the community gatherings 
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Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to serious complications, particularly in young children and vulnerable community members. Vaccination is the best protection against measles.
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Try A Trade: Find your future!
