Home to people from more than 163 countries, Port Phillip Council is proud to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week by announcing it has become an ambassador for Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria's All One Together campaign.
The campaign focuses on creating a collaborative platform for business, local governments, and not-for-profit organisations and community groups, to innovate and take positive actions to tackle racism, while acknowledging the strengths of our rich cultural diversity.
Port Phillip CEO Peter Smith said becoming an ambassador for the All One Together campaign was an important move for the organisation.
"Port Phillip Council has a long history of inclusion and celebration of diversity. In 2002, we were one of the first Council's in Australia to become a Refugee Welcome Zone and we have continued to build on that with our Statement of Commitment to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities and through our Multicultural Advisory Committee, which meets regularly to promote the benefits of cultural diversity to our residents and provide expert advice on communication, engagement and consultation with multicultural communities," Mr Smith said. "We also recognise the First People of the eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay are the Yaluk-ut Weelam Clan of the Boonwurrung and our Reconciliation Action Plan outlines the steps we are taking to promote respectful relationships and create meaningful employment opportunities with this community." "While we are pleased with the work we have done, we recognise there is still some way to go and we look forward to rising to the challenge."
Council is joined by Port Melbourne Soccer Club, who are the first All One Together 'Community Champions' ambassadors.
Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria Chairperson Eddie Micallef said he was delighted for Port Phillip Council to become an All One Together ambassador.
"In 2020, Port Melbourne Soccer Club became the inaugural Community Champions for All One Together, so it is fitting for the City of Port Phillip to become our first Ambassador in 2021. Sport is often a key activity when joining a new community and it is important to ensure our sports clubs are a safe and supportive space for everyone," Mr Micallef said. "The All One Together campaign aims to strengthen the foundations of our community, ensuring that Victoria is an inclusive, socially cohesive, safe and vibrant place for all of us to thrive together."
Cultural Diversity Week runs from 21 to 28 March 2021.
