CALD Network and Multicultural Communities

In March 2023 Council launched the CALD network to:

• Strengthen Council’s communication and relationships with local CALD communities; and
• Promote a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community in Frankston City.  

The CALD Network is made up of community members and organisational representatives who are passionate to showcase, celebrate, engage, share and learn together; improving relationships across Frankston City to create a sense of belonging for all. 

The CALD Network meet at least 3 times a year to:

• Network with each other and support each other’s community activities.
• Share news, training, education, grants, and work updates from our community groups and contacts.
• Get involved in Council engagement, partnering with relevant Council departments to amplify the CALD voice and identity in Frankston City.

Networking events for Multicultural and CALD residents and community organisations

The Multicultural Meet and Greet was created by the CALD Network with the understanding that magic happens when community minded people get together. It is a community networking event whose purpose is to:

• Increase connection between multicultural people living and working in Frankston City.
•  Connect multicultural people to Council services, local support services, business and community grants, training and volunteering opportunities and more!
• Provide an informal opportunity for people to get together, make friends and connections. 

Celebrating Community and Connection During Refugee Week 2025

On 19 June 2025, Frankston City Council proudly hosted the inaugural Multicultural Meet and Greet as part of Refugee Week, an inspiring initiative of the Council’s CALD Network. The event brought together local residents, community groups, and organisations to celebrate cultural diversity and foster meaningful connections across the region.

Guests were honoured to hear from Lizzy Kuoth of the Refugee Council of Australia, who shared a moving personal story highlighting the strength, courage, and resilience of people with lived experience of seeking refuge. Lizzy’s story offered a powerful reminder of the human spirit and the importance of inclusive, welcoming communities.

The event also provided a valuable opportunity to connect with organisations making a real difference in Frankston, including Grandmothers for Refugees, Space2B, and VicPolice. Their presence reflected a shared commitment to supporting multicultural communities, creating networks, and promoting social cohesion.

The Multicultural Meet and Greet is designed to be an ongoing platform for residents, community groups, businesses, and volunteers to meet, share experiences, and strengthen connections across Frankston. With such an inspiring launch, the CALD Network looks forward to welcoming even more people at future events, continuing to celebrate diversity and community in action.

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If you want to find out more and get involved fill in the Expression of interest (EOI) form below or email CommunityStrengthening@frankston.vic.gov.au or call 1300 322 322.

• Fill out an Expression of Interest form here

The CALD Network Steering Group currently has the following vacancies:

• 5 Community Representatives (A community representative speaks up for their local group and shares their views and interests).

• 3 Organisational Representatives (An organisational representative speaks on behalf of their organisation and shares its views or interests).

Following European settlement, Frankston City has been predominantly Anglo-Australian, although there are several well established, as well as emerging culturally diverse communities throughout the area.

Frankston City celebrates Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Week which coincide in March every year.

• Cultural Diversity Week is the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s annual celebration program to celebrate the power, influence, and stories of Victoria’s rich multicultural communities.
• Harmony Week is the Australian Government’s annual celebration of Australia’s cultural diversity and the benefits it brings to the Australian community.
• We also acknowledge the United Nations’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which takes place on 21 March every year.

Cultural Diversity / Harmony Week 2025: Check out what we did!

Celebrating Cultural Diversity at Frankston Library

Frankston City Council hosted a vibrant Cultural Diversity and Harmony Week celebration on Saturday, 22 March in the Library Forecourt, led by its CALD Network, Community Programs, and Libraries teams. The event featured energetic performances from the Chinese Senior Citizens, Frankston Malayalee Inc, Filipino Senior Citizens, and T’HONI Kapa Haka groups. Cr Sue Baker and Deputy Mayor Steffie Conroy joined the festivities, celebrating with the local community.

Attendees enjoyed sharing and experiencing traditional dances, connecting with friends and family, and being part of a welcoming celebration of cultural diversity in Frankston.

The event also marked the launch of the Multicultural Meet and Greet, a Council initiative coordinated by the CALD Network to foster connections among multicultural residents, workers, students, business owners, volunteers, and families in Frankston.

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Guidance for communicating with Multicultural / CALD communities. 

Helpful links:

Victorian Multicultural Commission | multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au

Home - Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria

MAV – Multicultural Arts Victoria

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission | Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

All Genders | All Ages | All Cultures | Diversity Australia

Department of Families Fairness and Housing Victoria | Better practice guide for multicultural communications

What is CALD? A Comprehensive Guide to CALD Communities

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What's on - Frankston City Council

Report racism, sexual harassment or any discrimination to the Victorian Human Rights and Equal opportunities Commission.

• The Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission has developed a community reporting tool. You can use this tool to report racism, sexual harassment or discrimination of any kind, or if you have any human rights issues or concerns. 
•  Making a report is not the same as lodging a complaint. Reports made by the community reporting tool are sent securely and confidentially to the Commission. When you make a report, you can ask the Commission to contact you if you want more information about your rights or how you can make a complaint.
• Visit the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission website to find out more.
• Or you can call the Commission for confidential advice on 1300 292 153.