MITCHELL Multicultural Community Association Incorporated, MMCAI, will launch a campaign celebrating people of all races, genders and abilities in Wallan this weekend.
The Respecting Me, Respecting Us campaign seeks to encourage and celebrate the differences of multicultural and other marginalised communities and link them with support services.
MMCAI chairperson Dushyanthy Govender said an introductory event on Saturday at Wallan Multipurpose Community Centre would feature guest speakers and workshops run by community support organisations.
“We’re having individuals from the community come out to discuss their lived experiences with different issues of disability, racism, mental health, bullying in the workplace and things like that,” she said.
“We’re also looking to have panel-style interviews with local service providers.
“It’s free for anyone to attend, and we’ve got space for 120 people.”
Ms Govender said the first half of the campaign would focus on raising awareness for issues faced by marginalised groups, while the second half would focus on helping attendees find support services for themselves, friends and family.She said speakers would ‘discuss a broad range of topics on the day as it is important for marginalized people to voice their opinions, concerns, trials, and triumphs over the oppressions they face’.
She said it was part of a call for greater respect and tolerance from the larger community.Saturday’s event will begin at 12.30pm and conclude at 5.30pm, with talks from Seymour Local Aboriginal Network, Nexus Primary Health, FamilyCare, Ethnic Communities Council Victoria, Salvation Army, Mitchell Suicide Prevention Network and MMCAI representatives throughout the day.
Workshops offering support for injured workers, 1pm; art therapy, 2pm; and a family violence discussion, 3.10pm, will also feature.
People can email mitchell.mca.inc@gmail.com for more information.
