The Victorian Government’s CALD Communities Taskforce is supporting Victoria’s multicultural seniors in Werribee to stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence has announced that $2.1 million will be made available to multicultural seniors’ groups through the Coronavirus Support for Multicultural Seniors program.

It’s good news for the following multicultural seniors’ organisations in the Werribee District which are amongst the 900 organisations set to automatically receive funding as a previous recipient of a Victorian Government multicultural seniors grant.

• Associazione Nazionale Combattenti Reduci Italiani
• Bhartiya Seniors Association Inc
• Circolo Pensionati Italiani di Wyndham
• Le Petrel Mauritian Seniors Club
• Western Karen Elder Group Inc.

Funding of up to $2,000 will be available to purchase IT equipment, run programs to support multicultural seniors and provide the timely distribution of coronavirus information.

All seniors groups that receive funding will also receive public liability insurance and personal accident cover for 2021, saving organisations up to $5,000 each. Almost 900 organisations will automatically receive a direct offer of funding as previous recipients of a Victorian Government multicultural seniors grant, including the Taiwan Ladies Association in Oakleigh, Bendigo’s German Friendship Society and the Geelong Dutch Fifty Plus Club.

The Taskforce is inviting newly formed multicultural seniors’ groups to submit an online application by Thursday, 19 November 2020.

For more information or to apply, visit vic.gov.au/coronavirus-support-for-multicultural-seniors-2020-21.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence

“We are fortunate to be home to so many multicultural seniors’ groups dedicated to supporting their communities and we want to help them deliver immediate assistance to their members.”

“Older generations have made an immense contribution to our multiculturalism – Victoria has become such a multicultural success story and this is our way of giving back.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“This is going to make a real difference to these organisations that do an amazing work supporting their members in Werribee.”

“I also encourage all newly formed multicultural seniors’ groups to apply – the application process is simple and support is available to help guide you through the process.”