Office of Multicultural Interests

Running from Sunday 14 June to Saturday 20 June 2026, Refugee Week is a time to celebrate the courage, resilience and contributions of people from refugee backgrounds 🌏

This year’s theme, ‘A Million Stories’, recognises the one million permanent humanitarian visas issued in Australia since the end of World War 2, with the milestone achieved in November 2025.

If you want to host an event, start conversations or learn more about Refugee Week 2026, Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has free resources to help you get involved!

👉 Find resource kits on the Refugee Week website: https://bit.ly/4dKATgV

🗣️ Last Tuesday OMI held a Youth Forum as a great opportunity to hear directly from young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

People aged 18 to 30 came together to share their experiences, discuss the issues that matter to them, and connect through conversation.

The forum explored the challenges young people face, the support they need, and how the WA Government can best respond.

Explore more youth and cultural events across WA on OMI’s events calendar ➡️ https://www.omi.wa.gov.au/events-and-training/events-calendar

Curious about how Australia’s democracy works and where your voice fits in? 💬

Join Auspire’s free Australia’s Democracy and You Workshop for an introduction to how decisions are made in Australia and how you can take part with confidence.

Designed for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, the session will explore key parts of Australia’s system of government, how voting works and why civic participation matters.

Register now to secure your spot and gain a clearer understanding of the democratic systems that shape our community.

The workshop is supported by the Office of Multicultural Interests and delivered in partnership with the Constitutional Centre of Western Australia and the Western Australian Electoral Commission.

📅5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday 10 June 2026
📍 Constitutional Centre of Western Australia, 40 Havelock Street, West Perth

Find out more and register now 👉 https://bit.ly/43ibLrT

Today is Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar.

Eid highlights the importance of sharing, caring and showing kindness to others. Around the world, Muslim communities gather for prayers, to share meals and give to those in need.

Wishing all who celebrate a blessed and connected Eid al-Adha 🌙 Eid Mubarak!

A range of translated resources for National Reconciliation Week are available on the Reconciliation Australia website.

Held from 27 May to 3 June each year, National Reconciliation Week, recognises two key milestones in Australia’s history, the 1967 Referendum and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision to recognise Native Title.

Available in 13 languages, the translated resources include information on reconciliation, the history of National Reconciliation Week and the 2026 theme ‘All In’, a call for all Australians to commit to reconciliation every day.

Access translated resources 👉 https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/translated-resources/

Today is the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

This World Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to highlight the vital role that cultural diversity plays in building peaceful, inclusive and sustainable societies.

Today is focused on:
🗣️ encouraging dialogue between cultures
🤝 strengthening understanding and respect
🌱 supporting development through diversity.

Find out more from UNESCO ➡️ https://www.unesco.org/en/days/cultural-diversity-dialogue-development

The City of Swan, together with Lotterywest, Telethon7 Perth, Healthway and the Office of Multicultural Interests, are hosting a free grants information session! 💡

This is an opportunity for community associations to find out about grants, ask questions and build valuable connections within community networks.

📅 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, Saturday 30 May 2026
📍 Machinery Preservation Club of WA, Power House Building, Blacksmith Lane off Main Gate, Midland

Register to attend here 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/all-about-community-grants-tickets-1989070208538?aff=oddtdtcreator

Interested in working to support the 2026 Census? 📝

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is hiring for a range of roles to help people take part in this year’s Census. These field jobs are temporary, lasting anywhere from a few weeks to six months or more, and offer flexible hours so you can work around your schedule.

Find a Census jobs that suits you ️👉 https://info.census.abs.gov.au/careers

💡Did you know Level 1 City of Gosnells Programs and Events Community Grants are open throughout the year and assessed monthly?

If you’re part of a community group (or have a great local idea), this funding may help you bring your projects and activities to life.

There is also Level 2 funding, with annual rounds held in April and September.

Funding levels:
👉 Level 1: up to $2,500 – suitable for small local events, professional development or small equipment purchases.
👉 Level 2: up to $10,000 – suited to longer-term projects, minor capital works and equipment upgrades.

Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply on the City of Gosnells website ➡️ https://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/Lifestyle/Get_involved/Community_Funding_Program/Community-Grants-Level-1-and-Level-2

Earlier this year, changes were made to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to make medicines more affordable for everyone.

✅ Medicare card holders now pay a maximum of $25 per PBS medicine.
✅ Concession card holders will continue to pay a maximum of $7.70 per medicine until 2030.

Translated resources are available in 10 languages including Arabic, Khmer and Vietnamese.

👉 Find out more: https://www.health.gov.au/cheaper-medicines

👉 Access resources in your language: https://www.health.gov.au/cheaper-medicines/cheaper-medicines/resources/translated-resources