Our eyes and ears across Victoria
The VMC is advised by 8 Regional Advisory Councils (RACs), which cover the whole state.
RAC Members are the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s eyes and ears, keeping Commissioners informed about the issues that matter to multicultural communities.
They provide us with critical, on-the-ground insights into issues such as migrant and refugee settlement services, employment, education, housing, citizenship and connection to culture. They also help identify potential solutions and strategies for achieving change.
These insights and ideas then help us to influence and shape policy, legislation and to improve government and community services.
We have produced a range of reports and submissions that explore issues facing multicultural communities. Read our roundtable and research reports and government submissions.
The RACs are also a useful forum for other organisations and government bodies to engage with local multicultural communities.
Email rac@vmc.vic.gov.au to register your organisation’s interest in presenting at a RAC meeting.
Our members reflect Victoria's diversity
RAC members are selected through a public expression-of-interest process.
Currently, members represent 36 different cultural backgrounds and include community members, service providers, local business owners and local government representatives.
Email rac@vmc.vic.gov.au to register your interest in becoming a RAC member.
Regional Advisory Councils
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The Barwon South Western region covers south eastern Victoria and is bounded by Lara to the east and the border of South Australia to the west. It includes the larger regional centres of Geelong and Warrnambool.
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The Gippsland region covers the area from the Bunyip River in the west to the New South Wales border in the east and from Omeo in the north to Phillip Island in the south. It includes the regional centres of Moe, Morwell, Traralgon, Sale, Warragul, Wonthaggi, Leongatha and Bairnsdale.
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The Grampians Region covers the area from Bacchus Marsh in the east to the South Australian border in the west, and from Patchewollock in the north to Lake Bolac in the south. It includes the major regional centre of Ballarat and smaller communities of Horsham, Stawell, Daylesford, Edenhope, Great Western, Hopetoun, Kaniva, Nhill, St Arnaud, Warracknabeal and Ararat.
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The Hume Region covers north eastern Victoria and the Goulburn Valley and is bounded by the Murray River to the north and metropolitan Melbourne rural fringe to the south. It includes the major regional centres of Wodonga, Wangaratta and Shepparton.
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The Loddon Mallee Region covers north western Victoria bounded by the South Australian border to the north west; the Murray River to the north and the Macedon Ranges to the south east. It includes the major regional centres of Bendigo, Swan Hill and Mildura.
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The Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR) includes the established inner-eastern suburban areas of Melbourne, including Hawthorn, Kew and Camberwell, through to outer metropolitan suburbs, such as Blackburn, Ringwood and Boronia.
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The Southern Metropolitan Region (SMR) covers the area from South Melbourne down to the Mornington Peninsula and east to Melbourne’s growth corridors of Casey and Cardinia.
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The North and West Metropolitan Region includes Melbourne CBD and inner-suburbs, as well as high-growth outer metropolitan areas of Melton, Wyndham and Whittlesea.
Contact your local Regional Advisory Council
If you would like to find out about upcoming community consultations for the Victorian Multicultural Commission, register your organisation’s interest in attending a community consultation, or enquire about becoming a Regional Advisory Council member, email rac@vmc.vic.gov.au.
Reviewed 17 March 2020