End of Year Event

The annual Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) End-of-Year event – held in 2024 at Springvale City Hall – highlights VMC strategic priorities and reflects on delivery of the VMC work program against a government-issued Statement of Expectations.

The 2024 event reflected on a year of partnerships, collaborations and milestones, and recognised the range and quality of work undertaken each year by individuals and organisations in communities throughout Victoria.

The evening featured a powerful address from Nick Staikos MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs (representing the Minister, Ingrid Stitt MP), who outlined the government’s vision for a thriving multicultural Victoria. VMC Chairperson Viv Nguyen also spoke, highlighting key 2024 VMC accomplishments and future aspirations.

Complementing these presentations, Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute, presented findings from the recently launched Annual Social Cohesion Mapping research, offering valuable insights into levels of social cohesion across Victoria.

The event began with a heartwarming Welcome to Country and digeridoo performance by Uncle Shane Charles, a Boon Wurrung, Yorta Yorta and Wurundjeri Elder. Musical performances by community groups Sounds of Polynesia and Ignite Bollywood Dance Company brought extra vibrancy and cultural celebration to the evening.

A three-person panel – featuring Regional Advisory Council member Arfa Sarfaraz Khan, Multicultural Youth Network member Aakriti Malhotra, and Multifaith Advisory Group member Jasbir Singh Suropada – discussed the achievements this year of key VMC forums, and priorities for 2025.

VMC Commissioners played a pivotal role in the success of the evening. Nyangak (Lizzy) Kuoth served as Master of Ceremonies, and Sylvia Coombe hosted the panel discussion. Collectively, VMC Commissioners attended more than 530 community events in 2024, a stunning testament to their commitment to multiculturalism.

More than 300 community leaders, partners and sponsors were acknowledged and thanked at the gathering which reflected on the strength and dynamism of multicultural Victoria.

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