News

Guide for employers working with Muslim employees

Created: Wednesday, 25 July 2012 16:31

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has just released a guide to assist employers who work with Muslim employees. 

The ‘Cultural diversity in the workplace: A guide for employers working with Muslim employees’ resource provides employers with useful information on common Islamic practices such as daily prayers, observance of Ramadan, wearing the hijab, beards and halal dietary requirements. 

The Commission notes that by accommodating these practices for Muslim employees in the workplace, organisations can meet their legal obligations under the Equal Opportunity Act 2012 and attract and retain the best possible staff – regardless of religion or belief. 

The resource can be downloaded from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission website.

'Delivering Culturally Inclusive Palliative Care' workshop in Gippsland

Created: Thursday, 19 July 2012 11:43

On June 29th the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing teamed up with Gippsland Palliative Care Consortium and Gippsland Multicultural Services to present the Delivering Culturally Inclusive Palliative Care Workshop. The workshop, held at the Italo-Australian Club in Morwell, was attended by 45 aged care professionals working across the South Gippsland region.

The full day program began with an overview of current palliative care practice presented by Mary Ross-Heazlewood from Gippsland Palliative Care Consortium. Ljubica Petrov from the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing followed with a presentation on the issues affecting the palliative care of older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and challenges for palliative care service providers. Tonina Gucciardo-Masci, also from the Centre, then delivered a session exploring culturally inclusive practices in person centred care. The after- lunch session was dedicated to group work where participants explored strategies and initiatives which they could apply to their own work practices and organisations.

Feedback from participants was very positive and included comments such as: “I found the practical exercises, stories and examples shared by the speakers valuable. The information was current, dynamic and epitomised the philosophy of human services”; “I found this training very interesting and enjoyable”; “Great workshop, I am hoping to put together a kit of resources for the staff and manager” and “Great day very informative and entertaining!”.

Ramadan about to commence for Muslims worldwide

Created: Thursday, 19 July 2012 11:40

The holy month of Ramadan commences for Muslims in Australia on Friday 20 July, and is a time for Muslims worldwide to fast from dawn until dusk.

A religious tradition dating back to 624 AD, Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam that every Muslim must endeavour to observe or fulfil. It involves abstaining from food, drink, smoking and other pleasures to achieve greater self-discipline, self-purification and compassion for those less fortunate.

Each day, the fast commences with an early breakfast an hour or two before dawn. The fast is broken at sundown, and due to the different lunar sightings in different regions around the world, fasting dates and times vary from country to country, and change each day.

Ramadan concludes this year on Saturday 18 August in Australia. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the feasting month, and Muslims are obliged to pay a prescribed amount of money to the poor and disadvantaged. It also includes Eid prayers in the morning, festive meals, gift giving and visiting family, friends, the sick and the elderly. 
Information sourced from the Islamic Council of Victoria (www.icv.org.au)

First release of 2011 Census data now available

Created: Friday, 13 July 2012 15:50

Australian Bureau of Statistics has annouced the first release of data from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Core demographic data are available through the online Census products such as QuickStats and Community Profiles.

Visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics website for more information

2011 Census confirms Victoria is a multicultural state

Created: Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:11

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, the Hon Nicholas Kotsiras MP, has welcomed the first release of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data which has highlighted the changing nature of Victoria’s multicultural society. For further information on the Census, please see the ABS website.

Cultural Diversity in Ageing 2012 Conference - more photos added

Created: Thursday, 05 July 2012 14:47

We have added more photos to the gallery of the Cultural Diversity in Ageing 2012 Conference: Stories to Inspire!

See below for a sneak peak or click here to view the entire photo gallery.

Online Interpreter Booking Form on TIS Website

Created: Thursday, 05 July 2012 14:35

Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS) National have announced a new online form for booking interpreter requests.

There are several benefits to using the online forms to submit your interpreter booking requests to TIS National including:

• Interpreter booking request is conveniently accessible and quick to complete.
• Ensures all of the information currently required by TIS National to process your request is included.
• Automatically records all request details in TIS National's systems, ensuring no manual entry errors are made.
• Helps TIS National's systems work efficiently, assisting booking officers to promtly register and process requests.

The Onsite and Telephone Interpreter Booking Forms can be accessed from the TIS National website at www.immi.gov.au/tis