Welcoming Australia Symposium 2023

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Group photo of the attendees at the 2023 Welcoming Australia Symposium outside the event venue

The Welcoming Australia Symposium 2023 was our most successful yet. With over 250 people in person and over 70 online attendees. Over two days, the Welcoming Australia Symposium featured inspiring speakers on the power of place based organisation to increase belonging in Australia.participants were challenged, motivated and energised to return … Read More

Welcoming Cities Awards for Change 2023

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The awards, in their second year, have grown in both quantity and quality. Thank you to all the people and organisation who took the time to apply, you made the judging panel’s life exceedingly difficult! The Welcoming Cities Awards for Change recognise the progress that strengthens social cohesion with newly arrived and … Read More

Stories of Welcome – Volume 4

Sebastian GeersCase Studies, News

Strategies and case studies for building a Welcoming City Stories of Welcome is a growing collection of case studies from some of Welcoming Cities’ member councils, offering a brief example of some of the great work that is happening in communities across Australia. Volume 4 shares 10 case studies from … Read More

Welcoming Cities Awards for Change – Local Government Category – City of Melbourne

Sebastian GeersCase Studies

Commitment to action for Victoria’s international students City of Melbourne, VICApproximate population 154,00055% overseas born0.5% Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Through advocacy, strong messaging and essential support initiatives, the City of Melbourne brought the international student population back to 92% of pre-pandemic levels, helping the City to become more energised … Read More

The Welcoming Cities Award – Sarah Janali

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Sarah Janali and Ken Dachi share the inaugural Welcoming Cities Award, given to outstanding individuals in the sector. This award recognises those who go above and beyond to cultivate a culture of welcome and inclusivity in their communities.  Sarah Janali Sarah Janali is a community development practitioner with more than … Read More

Welcoming Cities Award – Ken Dachi

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Sarah Janali and Ken Dachi share the inaugural Welcoming Cities Award, given to outstanding individuals in the sector. This award recognises those who go above and beyond to cultivate a culture of welcome and inclusivity in their communities.  Ken Dachi, Multicultural Affairs Advisor and Program Coordinator at Leeton Shire Council … Read More

Welcoming Cities Awards for Change – organisation, Your Community Health

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Your Community Health Your Community Health is in the City of Darebin, Vic Approximate population 150,000 31% overseas born 1% Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander To decrease food insecurity and increase meaningful connection among Arabic-speaking communities, they delivered Rebuilding Together – Community, Cooking and Connection Project in partnership with Victorian … Read More

Rural Welcoming Communities Exchange Program 2023.

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From the 25 – 30 April eight Australian representatives from rural councils across the country will join colleagues from rural councils across America for the Rural Welcoming Communities Exchange Program (RWCE). The exchange experience will be based in California and the group will attend conference sessions discussing different perspectives on … Read More

Empowering diverse communities to represent in local government decision-making

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Glenorchy City Council, Tasmania  Approximate population 51,000  22% overseas born  5.4% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  As part of a push to ensure elected members of Glenorchy City Council reflect the diversity of the community, Multicultural Council of Tasmania (MCoT) and the Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) partnered with the council … Read More

Symposium 2022 – wrap-up and presentations

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The 2022 Welcoming Australia Symposium was a great success, it was exciting to feel the buzz of ideas and new connections in the room. A packed program featured Dr Alethea Beetson delivering the First Nations keynote, David Pocock (National Keynote), Professor john powell (International keynote) and an exceptional line-up of … Read More

Welcoming Cities Awards for Change 2022

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The Welcoming Cities team are delighted to announce the winners of the inaugural Welcoming Cities Awards for Change. The awards celebrate leading practice and innovation in advancing welcoming and inclusive communities.  The Welcoming Cities Awards celebrate change made in communities by individuals, organisations and local councils. They acknowledge the progress that strengthens social cohesion with newly … Read More

Stories of Welcome – Volume 3

Sebastian GeersCase Studies, News

Strategies and case studies for building a Welcoming City Stories of Welcome is a growing collection of case studies from some of Welcoming Cities’ member councils, offering a brief example of some of the great work that is happening in communities across Australia. Volume 3 shares 14 case studies from … Read More

Nick and Kate Land

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Nick and Kate Land, won the inaugural Welcoming Cities Awards for Change in the individual category. Nick and Kate own the Cunnamulla Bakery located in the Paroo Shire in outback South West Queensland. Over the years they have found it difficult to attract and retain staff. However, a few small … Read More

The Aqua English Project

Sebastian GeersCase Studies

The Aqua English Project won the inaugural Welcoming Cities Awards for Change in the community category. Welcoming Cities spoke with refugee lawyer Sarah Scarce to discuss The Aqua English Project and how important it is to ensure people from diverse backgrounds understand water safety. Sarah and her mother, Julia Dixon, … Read More

Championing for the health of the community

Sebastian GeersCase Studies

Hume City Council, VIC Winner of the Welcoming Cities Awards for Change in the local government category. Approximate population 250,00035% overseas born0.7% Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Faced with increased Covid-19 cases and low vaccination rates, Hume City Council used an integrated approach to engage with the community. Hume City … Read More

Empowerment through community-led responses to racism

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On 17 May 2021, Victoria University (VU), Wyndham City Council (WCC) and Wyndham Community and Education Centre (Wyndham CEC) jointly launched a new local support network. This network was the first of its kind in Australia,set up in close collaboration with communitiesto offer alternative community-based reporting pathways and support services … Read More

Inclusive Communication Toolkit

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This toolkit identifies leading communications practice and provides examples of how councils can best reach everyone. The Inclusive Communications Toolkit supports councils to strengthen engagement and relationships with diverse communities. It provides advice and information for councils on how to speak to everyone, no matter where they’re from, or what … Read More

City of Unley and City of Manningham share joint honour

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Welcoming Cities celebrates the Cities of Unley and Manningham becoming the first local governments in Australia to be accredited as an Established ‘Welcoming City’. Successful accreditation acknowledges the significant work of these councils to make their municipalities more welcoming and inclusive.   Mayor of the City of Unley, Michael Hewitson AM, says the City is seeing the benefits … Read More