Whittlesea Community Connections

In 2019, we partnered with Cabrini Outreach - Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub to launch the Hume Whittlesea Pharmacy Waiver Program, helping people seeking asylum in our community access essential medication and healthcare when they had no income support.

With seed funding from the Hume Whittlesea Primary Care Partnership, this local partnership responded to a critical gap and has supported hundreds of people over the years.

Seven years on, we're pleased to see fewer people living without income support as protection claims continue to be processed and resolved, with many having waited more than 14 years.

A heartfelt thank you to Claire and Ros for their care and commitment, and to Tracey Cabrie and Cabrini Health for their ongoing support of this important program

🚗 Did you know you may be able to get 20% back on your vehicle registration?

Victorians can now apply for a registration rebate and receive up to $186 back per personal vehicle on eligible registrations covering FY 2025-26.

✅ Claim for up to two light vehicles registered in your name
✅ Applications open until 31 July 2026

For eligibility requirements and details on how to apply, visit the Service Victoria website: https://service.vic.gov.au/find-services/transport-and-driving/registration/rego-rebate

It's important to find some joy and gratitude among all the challenges communities are facing.

Here, we’re celebrating the extension of the life-changing Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration (EPRI) program, with Andrew Giles MP, who has followed EPRI’s success over the past three years and supported advocacy efforts to extend it.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the program’s impact and helped create pathways to employment and opportunity for people rebuilding their lives in Australia.

Department of Home Affairs

Looking for support to reach your study, work or personal goals?

Parent Pathways is a free and voluntary service for parents and carers of young children, offering personalised support, guidance and connections to help you take the next step.

We recently welcomed our local Federal MP, Andrew Giles MP , to see the program in action. During his visit, he met parents building their English language and digital skills while their children enjoyed activities provided by our Women in Work social enterprise.

One of our recent Parent Pathways participants has now gained employment with Women in Work, a wonderful example of local support creating local opportunities.

A big thank you to our dedicated Parent Pathways team, Suraj, Farah and Norma, for the positive difference they make every day.

To learn more about Parent Pathways, visit our website: https://www.whittleseacommunityconnections.org.au/parent-pathways/

What an inspiring day for the Whittlesea Climate Action Network (WCAN) at Climate Convergence! 🌿

WCAN members Liz, Maggie, Ray, Chloe, Cath and Suni joined more than 170 climate advocates from across Victoria for a day of connection, learning and conversations about local climate action.

Thank you to Environment Victoria and Friends of the Earth Melbourne for hosting such a welcoming and inspiring event.

WCAN is currently running a community survey and would love to hear from local residents.

Have your say and help shape local climate action in our community:
https://forms.office.com/r/6R7u5ZeGYD?origin=lprLink

🌈 We recently came together to mark IDAHOBIT and celebrate an important milestone in our inclusion journey, our commitment to Rainbow Tick accreditation.

Thank you to our partners, staff, students and volunteers who helped make the afternoon possible and continue supporting conversations around inclusion, visibility and belonging for LGBTQIA+ communities.

A special shout-out to our Food Collective Café & Catering team for the fabulous rainbow-themed catering.

We look forward to continuing this journey together.

⏰ Last chance to apply!

Applications for the Multicultural Women’s Group Grants Program close this Thursday, 29 May 2026.

Up to $5,000 is available to support new or existing women’s groups across the City of Whittlesea, helping multicultural women build social connection, participation and inclusion within the community. 💜

If you know a community group or organisation that could benefit from this opportunity, please help spread the word before applications close.

For more information, contact May Thu Ne Win:
📞 03 9401 6666
📧 [email protected]

We were proud to present the Digital Sisters program at the Infoxchange Technology for Social Justice Conference 2026.

Digital Sisters supports refugee and migrant women to build digital confidence, independence and connection through culturally safe, community-led learning spaces.

A big congratulations to Hiba Ayass for her leadership and ongoing work on this important project. 👏

Explore the Digital Sisters Program Snapshot here: https://www.whittleseacommunityconnections.org.au/resources/