FROM THE CEO

HELENA KYRIAZOPOULOS OAM

Welcome to the winter edition of Community Voices!

We are delighted to announce that our long-standing Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS), previously known as the Community Visitors Scheme, has been successfully re-funded. For almost four decades, this program has been an integral part of our organisation, offering friendship and companionship to older individuals residing in residential aged care or at home. The regular visits from our dedicated volunteers have a profound impact on improving the quality of life and reducing the sense of isolation among older individuals.

Becoming an aged care volunteer visitor can be an incredibly rewarding and life-changing experience. By joining our volunteer team, you will have the opportunity to make a genuine friend, share ideas and stories, and provide invaluable support to those who may be feeling lonely or isolated. We are particularly interested in welcoming volunteers from diverse multicultural backgrounds. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please don't hesitate to reach out to the ACVVS Team.

I would like to extend my personal gratitude to Irfan Hashmi, the community pharmacist, for once again supporting our staff and volunteers with free vaccinations. This tremendous assistance greatly benefits our programs and organisation, and we are sincerely thankful to him.

On June 2nd, The Hon Minister Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, launched the Multicultural Framework Review. This comprehensive review aims to provide the government with guidance on the institutional and policy settings required to strengthen Australia's multiculturalism over the next decade. Furthermore, it seeks to identify ways to better meet the needs of our increasingly diverse society.

The review will assess the effectiveness of existing Commonwealth institutional arrangements and policy settings in promoting an inclusive multicultural society and will subsequently offer recommendations for improvement. Additionally, the review will evaluate the efficacy of current federal diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies in ensuring that the Australian Public Service workforce accurately reflects multicultural Australia.

Australia's multicultural diversity is an inherent component of our national identity, providing us with strength and vitality. We firmly believe that every Australian has a valuable contribution to make to this review. In the coming months, we will provide you with opportunities to contribute to the Review. The final report, along with its recommendations, is expected to be delivered to the Minister in March 2024. In the coming months, we will provide you with opportunities to contribute to the Review.

After nearly a decade of dedicated service to the MCCSA communities, we bid farewell to Kristin Johansson, Manager of Projects, as she embarks on a welldeserved extended break. Throughout her tenure with our organisation, Kristin has made significant contributions to enhancing the lives of vulnerable individuals through our programs and advocacy.

We hope you thoroughly enjoy this edition of Community Voices and continue to stand alongside us as we strive to build a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Helena