July 2023
Queensland is undeniably a great place to live, we have the best of all of Australia, from the beaches all along the coastline, to our rainforests and mountains and the sweeping plains out west. I have been fortunate enough to travel through much of it and meet many people along the way. So for me the best part of Queensland is its people, we are so rich in diversity.
Diversity is something that we should celebrate, which is why I always look forward to August when we formally celebrate Multicultural Queensland Month. What started as an initiative of Queensland Government many years ago, we now all embrace through various events and celebrations.
This year the theme for Multicultural Queensland Month is many cultures, one Queensland: putting inclusion into action. The Queensland Government will be sharing stories about many of the cultures that make up Queensland’s population, and the different journeys that have been made by hundreds of thousands of people who call Queensland home. You can see these stories on the MQM 2023 webpage and on the Multicultural Affairs social media channels.
At ECCQ, we also want to celebrate, so our August Members Meeting is a special celebratory meeting where you can share your journey, achievements, and successes. We will have an open mic opportunity to hear from those who may not usually find the spotlight, but are strongly involved in advancing multiculturalism, inclusion and equity for our state. Click here to register your attendance, online or in person.
We’ve chosen speakers who have inspired us over the past couple of years, I hope you will all be able to attend and that they will inspire you too. You can read about the speakers here.
I want to take this opportunity to remind you, our multicultural leaders and ambassadors, that although this is a time for celebration, it is also a time for rest and reflection. You can’t look after others unless you first look after yourself. This may be said often, but that makes it none the less true. I encourage you to find time this month, and every month to take care of yourselves.
Mental Health Foundation Australia has some great resources and programs that can benefit us and our communities as we look after our mental health and wellbeing. This includes a podcast Hold Up, Let’s Talk that discusses all things mental health and provides some tips to navigate people in Australia through their day.
If you come across any resources or programs that you’d like ECCQ to share that can support our communities in their health and wellbeing, let us know! We’d love to share them.
