GECC – the first 10 years
In late 1975, representatives from five ethnic groups met in Geelong West to discuss a number of issues. They were concerned that government departments, organisations and service providers were unaware of the needs of migrants, they were interested in making their existing services more accessible to their members, and they wanted to share community resources on a more equitable basis. As services for migrants were expanding rapidly in Melbourne but virtually non-existent in Geelong, there was a concern that our region’s migrant population was disadvantaged.
This meeting resulted in the formation of the Geelong Migrant Planning Committee in early 1976. In April of that year, the Geelong Migrant Advisory and Information Centre opened at 102 Pakington Street, Geelong West. Membership had already increased from the original 5 communities to 11 communities. The planning committee was headed by Mr. George Angelovich who was elected President of the group in July 1976. In August 1976, a grant of $26,000 from the Australian Assistance Plan was made available to employ a full-time coordinator, three part-time interpreters, and rent and administrative expenses for a small centre in Geelong West.
The Geelong Migrant Planning Committee developed a strong reputation in providing services to migrants, their communities and other organisations in the community and was accepted as an integral part of the human services network in Geelong. Because of the scope of activities and functions of the Geelong Migrant Planning Committee, a new constitution and title was proposed for the group. In December 1977 the Planning Committee was wound up and at the Annual General Meeting in 1978, the Geelong Ethnic Communities Council was officially launched.
As is the case with most newly-formed communities, the Council suffered greatly from growing pains and financial restrictions. They were most grateful when, early in 1978, the Geelong West City Council approved a grant for $1000 enabling them to keep their doors open for a while longer.
In September 1978, Geelong Ethnic Communities Council officially opened the Geelong Migrant Resource Centre in Pakington Street, Geelong West. Following the expansion of the Geelong Migrant Resource Centre’s services and activities, and as a result of a strong need and demand for a service equally accessible to clients, a satellite office was opened in the Bell Park area, an area of Geelong with an extremely high concentration of migrant residents.
In its first 10 years, Geelong Ethnic Communities Council consolidated its position and experienced steady and healthy growth. Their membership grew to 23 communities and client contact increased from 900 in 1976 to over 20,000 in the 1985/86 year. At their annual general meeting in 1976, it was announced with pride that “…tonight’s gathering is in itself testimony to our Council’s commitment to harmony and cohesiveness and its active encouragement of cooperation and sharing amongst all members and sectors of our community”.
Today, Diversitat is the peak regional body representing 45,000 residents in the South Western Region. In addition, we provide education, training and employment opportunities for both the CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) and CALM (Culturally and Linguistically Mainstream) communities.