Cultural Diversity

Did you know that nearly 15,863* Latrobe City residents were born overseas and 4,835 people speak a language other than English at home? From the last census, the five most common languages spoken at home are Italian, followed by Greek, Mandarin, Dutch and Maltese. The five most common countries of birth include England, Netherlands, New Zealand, Italy and Scotland.

Latrobe City’s Cultural Diversity Action Plan, 2020-2024 recognises and celebrates our proud and diverse history and its focus is on continuing to enable and welcome the ongoing contribution of people from culturally diverse backgrounds in enriching our community. The Action Plan is consistent with the Council Plan and other related plans in its aim to enable Council facilities, services, information and resources to be accessible and available to all people within Latrobe City, especially for people from culturally diverse backgrounds

The Action Plan helps to raise awareness of the need to ensure Latrobe City keeps up with local demographics and other changing needs in our community, and our emerging communities. While some needs are the same, there are many cultural differences which require specific actions and acknowledgement, and the Action Plan identifies and addresses many of these.

*Note: the numbers may include people who did not state their country of origin. Interpret with caution. Information sourced from the Draft Gippsland Multicultural Strategic Plan 2020 – 2024

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee

About the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee

The Committee’s role is to provide advice, information and feedback from the perspective or experience of people from a culturally diverse background when accessing Council’s services, information and facilities.

The Committee is an Advisory Committee of Council and the advice and feedback assists Council with their decision making and planning. Although the committee has no formal decision making authority the valuable feedback provided has been used to shape services and responses at Council.

The Committee meets quarterly, usually at the Council offices in Morwell. Occasionally the Committee will hold special meetings in between quarterly meetings if there are other things to review and gain feedback on.

Latrobe City Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee Terms of Reference 2020 2023

Why was the Committee Established

The Committee is established to:

To provide advice to Council on issues for people from culturally diverse backgrounds accessing information, services and facilities.
To provide advice to Council on issues relating to cultural diversity within the Latrobe City community.
To receive reports on progress of the development and implementation of the Latrobe City Cultural Diversity Action Plan.
To review the Cultural Diversity Action Plan and make recommendations to Council.
To promote cultural diversity within the Latrobe City community.
To provide networking, information sharing and partnership opportunities for committee members and invited guests.

As the Committee is a formal Council meeting members are expected to confirm their attendance at meetings or send an apology when unable to attend. If you are unable to attend most of the meetings, or the majority of meetings, you might not be able to continue with the Committee.

The Committee is chaired by a Councillor, this may rotate depending on availability.

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee Membership

The Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee is made up of 15 members, being:

Up to two (2) Councillors
Up to five (5) representatives nominated from culturally diverse social groups, ethnic associations or agencies that support culturally diverse communities in Latrobe City.
Two (2) representatives from peak/major organisations who service and support Latrobe City’s culturally diverse communities.
Two (4) community members (individuals) with an interest in cultural diversity.
Up to four (2) co-opted members, as deemed appropriate by the Committee to help fulfil/meet the objectives and address any specific areas or gaps. Co-opted members could be from an organisation, sector or community.
Latrobe City Council Officers (ex-officio).

Member Role

The role of each Committee member is to:

Attend Committee meetings, as scheduled.
Review progress of actions in the Action Plan.
To provide information/increase awareness of issues for Culturally Diverse community members.
To share information or raise issues amongst own and community networks.
Provide advice as part of a policy, strategy (or other relevant document) review or development processes as required.
Perform other activities related to the Committee Terms of Reference as requested by the Council.

Meetings

The Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee meetings will be quarterly. These meetings will be scheduled once members are appointed through an Expression of Interest process. The duration of each meeting will generally not exceed two hours. Special meetings may be held on an ‘as-needs’ basis

Length of Appointment The term will be for three years from the date that appointments are made by Council.

Remuneration Positions on the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee are voluntary positions; Council does not offer any remuneration for participation.

The Cultural Diversity Action Plan 2020-2024

The 2020-2024 Action Plan has been prepared as part of Council’s ongoing commitment to the cultural and linguistic diverse population in Latrobe City and outlines a strategic approach to meet the needs of our culturally diverse community. The Action Plan provides an opportunity for Latrobe City Council services, information and facilitates to be more inclusive and accessible for people from diverse backgrounds.

The inaugural Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Action Plan was adopted by Council in 2004 and revised in 2006, 2010 and 2014. The current Action Plan (2020-2024) is the fourth revision and was adopted by Council on November 2019.

Latrobe City Service Directory for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, including new arrivals.

The development of a Latrobe City Service Directory for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, including new arrivals was identified as an Action in the Latrobe City Cultural Diversity Action Plan 2020-2024. The directory includes the following information:

Information about Latrobe City
Organisations who deliver services specifically for culturally diverse community members
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community Groups in Latrobe City
Interpreter and Cultural Services, Services Australia, Medicare, Australian Immunisation Register, and Victorian Legal Aid
Counselling Services
Transport
Tertiary Education, Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Early Learning Centres
Neighbourhood Houses
Health Care
Employment Services
Places of Worship
Real estate Agents
Supermarkets/Speciality Retailers
Emergency relief & Support Services in Latrobe City, January 2023.

The Latrobe City Service Directory for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, including new arrivals is available in hard copy at Latrobe City Service Centres and Libraries, Council’s Corporate Headquarters or in electronic format (PDF document), see below:

Latrobe City Service Directory for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, including new arrivals

Latrobe City Libraries resources in different languages.

Latrobe City Libraries has a range of resources available in different languages, these include newspapers, magazines, movies, television and documentaries. Access to these resources is FREE and is included in Latrobe City Library membership.

Libraries Resources in different languages

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee

About the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee

The Cultural Diversity Action Plan 2020-2024

Latrobe City Service Directory for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities, including new arrivals.

Latrobe City Libraries resources in different languages.

Do you want to do more online?