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
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
Welcoming Cities Standard launched for public consultation
After an extensive revision process the Welcoming Cities Standard 2.8 is open for public consultation until 30 June. Feedback can be sent to Standard@welcomingcities.org.au. Revision Process In line with leading practice in standard setting, we made a commitment when creating the 2018 version of the Welcoming Cities Standard to review … Read More
Stories of Welcome – Volume 4
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
REPRESENT: A handbook for culturally diverse Victorians considering running for local government
Created in partnership with the Victorian Local Governance Association this resource aims to support people to run for local government. If you are considering running for council,this handbook is for you. Its aim is to help people from culturally diverse backgroundsto understand what it takes to be electedto council and … Read More
Symposium 2022 – wrap-up and presentations
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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