Media Release: SUPPORT FOR DANDENONG’S MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

FROM THE MINISTER FOR GAMING, MINISTER FOR RACING, MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS

DATE: Tuesday, March 7, 2006

SUPPORT FOR DANDENONG’S MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

Croatian and Bosnian refugees and migrants in Dandenong will benefit from a new community centre opened today.

The Minister for Gaming, the Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs and Member for Dandenong, John Pandazopoulos, officially opened the Australian Croatian Community Services office with the Consul General of Republic Croatia, Ana Modun, and representatives from the Croatian community.

“Many ethno-specific community organisations base their offices in Dandenong because it is known as Melbourne’s second city,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.

“Australian Croatian Community Services has a long reputation for helping migrants and refugees from Croatia and Bosnia adjust to their new lives here in Victoria.

“The new Dandenong office is one of two in Melbourne, helping provide essential services to the Croatian and Bosnian communities.

“Dandenong is the most multicultural area in Australia and is home to many recently arrived migrants and refugees making this community centre a very important asset for our local community.

“The Bracks Government is committed to supporting our multicultural communities and promoting cultural diversity.

“Since coming into office in 1999 we have increased the funding to the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s community grants program from $750,000 to $2.85 million.”

Mr Pandazopoulos said a recently launched statewide gambling service would support culturally and linguistically diverse communities to tackle problem gambling including members of the Croatian and Bosnian communities.

“The opening of the new Dandenong office coincides with Australian Croatian Community Services receiving Bracks Government funding of $50,000 as part of the Problem Gambling Local Partnership Grant Scheme,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.

“The grant will be used to design, produce and implement a new educational kit for community workers assisting people in the Croatian and Bosnia-Herzegovinian community who are at risk of developing a gambling problem.

“The kit will be prepared in collaboration with Gambler’s Help and organisations such as Beyond Blue with an aim to increase community knowledge about the risks associated with gambling and to build community resilience against problem gambling issues.

“The project seeks to build ongoing relationships and referral pathways between relevant community organisations such as ACCS, Croatian community and Bosnia Herzegovinian community leaders and mental health service providers.

“Problem gambling can affect anyone in our community. It is important we ensure we overcome language and cultural barriers to help those who need it most.”

Under the Problem Gambling Local Partnerships Grant Scheme,the Bracks Government has provided $721,000 to organisations and local councils for specific projects aimed at culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

The Australian Croatian and Community Services was established in 1982 and receives funding from the Department of Justice, Department of Human Services and Department of Health.

People can seek free, confidential, information and assistance on problem gambling 24 hours a day by calling Gamblers Help on 1800 156 789.