Diversitat - 30 years of Achievement
While the name “Diversitat” was launched in 2005 - the history of the organization as the Geelong Ethnic Communities Council (and originally the Geelong Migrant Advisory and Information Centre) reaches back 30 years. From a handful of migrants with a common dream, the group has grown to employ around 80 people, work across eight separate sites, and represent 34 diverse cultural communities.
• In late 1975 a group of migrants from five ethnic communities came together to share their concerns about the lack of specific services for migrants in the Geelong area. They were also concerned that existing community services were not catering for the needs of migrants. This was all happening at a time when services for migrants were expanding rapidly in Melbourne, but Geelong, the state’s second largest city, was overlooked and left without services.
• April 1976 saw the opening of the Geelong Migrant Advisory and Information Centre at 102 Pakington Street, Geelong West. The centre was charged with the huge task of uniting the total Geelong migrant community to secure better services. The planning committee was headed by Mr. George Angelovich who was elected President in July 1976. Membership had already increased from the original five communities to eleven.
• In December 1977 the Planning Committee was wound up and the Geelong Ethnic Communities Council was born.
• The Geelong and District Community Chest (or United Way as it is known today) approved a grant of $10,000 in March 1978, enabling the organisation to continue operating until July 1979. At this time, an agreement was reached with the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs for the establishment of the Geelong Migrant Resource Centre at 151a Pakington Street, Geelong West. The Centre was officially opened in September 1979.
•The next couple of years were spent in securing and strengthening the Council’s position and it was obvious that there was a need for the Council to concentrate its efforts within the ethnic communities, as well as undertaking programmes which involve the total community. Events such as Pako Festa, the Geelong Ethnic Race Day and the Springding Food and Dance Festival were planned to meet this requirement.
• Following the involvement of the Council in community education, development and participation activities, efforts were then directed towards the provision of improved services to the migrant population in Geelong. Due to the large concentration of migrants in the Bell Park area a second office was opened courtesy of a successful application to the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs.
• By February 1985 the Council’s membership had increased to 19 communities and today, 30 years later, boasts 34 affiliated groups.
• During the 1990’s the GECC established its own Aged Care services commencing with a home visiting service funded through the Department of Human Services in 1993. Aged Care has now grown considerably and is based at the community centre in Geelong West. In addition to day programs and direct client services, Aged Care services provide advice and training to a wide range of organisations throughout western regional Victoria including the Bellarine Peninsula, Colac and Warrnambool. The community centre is a wonderful example of partnership and collaboration with the City, State Government and the myriad of building users.
• Over the same decade, Geelong was home to many hundreds of refugees from the war torn Balkans. Per head of population we accepted and supported more refugees from the former Yugoslavia than any area in Australia. It is a testament to the strength of our diversity that throughout this difficult time we were able to come together as a community to support these people.
• A Multicultural Arts program commenced in 1993 and has developed to incorporate an events management and artistic team. Pako Festa has survived the challenges which have decimated many community festivals throughout Australia. Pako Festa is now Victoria’s premier multicultural event and indeed one of, if not Australia’s most successful, multicultural festivals. The event attracts partners including the ethnic communities, the Pako St Traders, Channel 7, the City of Greater Geelong, MatchWorks and the Bank of Melbourne.
• In 1994, the organisation launched the Migrant Employment Program which eventually became MEP Employment and Training and acted as a launching pad into a range of state and federally funded employment and training programs.
• A mental health program commenced in 1997 and continues today. In 1998 GECC created a Problem Gambler awareness program which continues today in partnership with Bethany.
• GECC delivered their first Work for the Dole program Smart Movies and Enviro resources in 1999 which provided a beginning for video, film, media and environmental programming.
• In the year 2000 we established our SWEET program which, in addition to our existing youth employment programs, provided the basis for a Youth Department which currently includes a specialist Youth Job Network program, Indigenous Youth employment service, WPP Youth program and until recently Greencorps. Located in the Youth Precinct at the old Geelong Post Office with other youth service providers and the City of Greater Geelong, we have developed a reputation for excellence in youth services solely dedicated to those most disadvantaged in our community.
• In July 2001, the organization took over management of Waste Werks (today known as Diversitat Creative Recycling). The program collects and recycles clean, non-toxic industrial and commercial off cuts, providing an environmentally-friendly resource for art and craft, science and technology, music, theatre and stage props, events and parties.
• From 2001 to the current day, Diversitat’s Training department developed rapidly. Through the support of ACFE and in more recent years an increase in our traineeship program they now deliver a wide range of training opportunities for a many in need in the community. During 2006, Diversitat placed over 275 individuals in traineeships and the numbers continue to grow. High numbers of people from non English speaking backgrounds participate in programs which specialise in areas including ESL, Aged Care, Community Services, Food Processing.
• In 2003, Diversitat, in partnership with GPAC, celebrated “Spirit of the World” which brought together 250 performers in a wonderful celebration of multicultural dance and tradition. In recent years our Arts and Events team has hosted many events including the recent Harmony Day project of 2006 as part of the Commonwealth Games cultural program.
• In July 2004 the Pulse radio station board of management approached Diversitat for support, and the organisation was quick to take up the challenge. With their many partners, they have developed the station to a new level and established an impressive media education centre and training areas. Today 94.7 The Pulse represents some 280 volunteers and has a team of dedicated staff. With the future support of both the State and Federal Governments, they aim to expand the current facility to incorporate additional training rooms and a TV Studio. The numbers of ethnic presenters continues to grow with a focus on the emerging communities such as Indian, Sudanese and Chinese. The station aims to “Talk Geelong” and provide a platform for honest and open debate and dialogue.
• January 2005 saw the organization adopting the new trading name of Diversitat. While the vision of the organisation and its commitment to members remained unchanged, the new name reflected the broader diversity of their services across a wider geographical area.
• Also in 2005, Diversitat took over management of Geelong Wholefoods – an enterprise specialising in the delivery of organic products, foods of the world, fresh local produce, earth friendly packaging and bulk organics. Diversitat has opened a café on the site and is looking to developing programs promoting healthy eating in schools as well as enterprise opportunities for new and emerging communities in the region. With the support of United Way, they operate a Refugee Catering Service from the site. This community enterprise, along with Diversitat Creative Recycling and 94.7 The Pulse, provides employment opportunities and skills development to those who most benefit from these services.
• In August 2005, Diversitat opened an office in Colac to assist with the resettlement of Sudanese refugees. They continue to do outreach work in Ballarat.
• Diversitat’s affiliated ethnic groups still grow with the Maori and Indian associations affiliating in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
• In 2006, Jindara became incorporated into Diversitat. These community programs are very important for those experiencing financial difficulties. Jindara has been a welcome addition to Diversitat’s community development and welfare services and they aim to expand on these service areas as further welfare programs develop.
• In recent years, the organisation has delivered a wide range of refugee services to a broad range of ethnic communities in Geelong and the region. They housed the first Sudanese and Liberian families in Geelong and continue to support these groups. Their central office at the Geelong West Town Hall is well known throughout the community and is a positive icon and symbol of Geelong’s multicultural success story.
• Since its inception, the core mission of the GECC has been to ensure that ethnic groups, organisations and individuals are given the opportunity to develop their potential, fulfil their aspirations and be equal members of the community. Today, and still operating as a registered charity, Diversitat is the most diverse Ethnic Communities Council in Australia in terms of program delivery and the largest in terms of budget, modest as it may be.
Diversitat 30th Anniversary
As a tribute to their three decades of service, Diversitat undertook a number of special projects and celebrations in 2006.
“Feast of the World”
A grand multicultural feast was staged in the Geelong West Town Hall on Saturday 14th October presenting a smorgasbord of international gourmet foods and wines. The event included a live performance by Bohemian Nights – great international music for dancing or just listening to. In addition, there was a series of special presentations and brief histories of the some of the many diverse communities represented by Diversitat.
Around 360 people attended the event including representatives from Karingal, St. Laurence, Glastonbury, City of Greater Geelong and the Committee for Geelong. The event was also supported by the following dignitaries/VIPs:
• Ian Trezise Member for Geelong (representing Premier)
• Gavin O’Connor – Member for Corio
• John Eren MP – Member for the Geelong Province (representing Minister Panda)
• Christopher Callanan – DIMA Deputy Regional Director
• George Lekakis – Chair person Victorian Multicultural Commission
• Cr. Barbara Abley - City of Greater Geelong (representing the Mayor)
• Trevor Edwards - CEO Wathaurong
• Anthony Wilson – CEO United Way
• Joy Leggo – CEO Multicultural Aged Care Services (MACS)
• Sue De Gilio – CEO Barwon Health
This was a fabulous opportunity for people from all multicultural backgrounds to come together to celebrate harmony, cultural diversity, peace and social justice in our society.
Communities on the Website
Diversitat represents over 45,000 people of all ethnic and cultural heritages throughout Victoria and 34 affiliated communities. As part of our 30th Anniversary celebrations, and to further promote their stories, we invited these communities to provide information and pictures about their heritage, costume, music, food and contact details. This information appears on our website, www.diversitat.org.au, exactly as provided by our community representatives under the Committees and Communities heading on the top toolbar. We invite all affiliated communities to be part of this project and provide their details for inclusion on our website. In addition, information that currently appears can be updated or changed at any time.
Please contact:
Sheena Knowles, Diversitat Marketing Officer
Ph: 5221 6044. Email sheena.knowles@diversitat.org.au
Community Banner
As part of our 30th anniversary, an impressive banner, 4 metres long and over 1 metre high, was produced depicting the faces, families and journeys of many cultural groups on their way to, and starting life in Australia. Over 30 people from different multicultural backgrounds helped to produce this banner through providing their old family photographs for reproduction. The stories of many of these photographs were recorded and some have been published in the local press. The banner was launched at Pako Festa in February 2006, and is now on display at the Geelong West Town Hall, with smaller editions displayed at our MLC site, Virginia Todd Community Centre, Youth Services, 94.7 The Pulse and in Wholefoods.
Annual Report 2006 – Diversitat Calendar 2007
To commemorate 30 years of service, the 2006 Annual Report was presented in CD format enclosed in a special 2007 Diversitat Calendar. The calendar provided an insight into the range of services, programs and events provided by the organisation over the last 12 months. Many staff became involved in this project providing photographs, information and giving advice regarding the content of their individual pages. As such, it was a real group effort for all involved. With a cover displaying the images from the Community Banner, the calendar has become a lasting tribute to our 30 year history – and a valuable tool to take us into 2007.
153 Pakington Street, Geelong West 3218 Phone: 0352216044 Fax: 0352232848
ABN 29 252 806 279 REG No: A0000022L Geelong Ethnic Communities Council - GECC trading as Diversitat