Regional migrants, refugees and CALD communities in the shadow of Covid-19

This event is convened by the Migration, Mobilities and Multiculturalism Research Cluster, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University.

Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers have been particularly hard hit by the impacts of the pandemic – as workers in food services, meat processing and the health sector; as temporary visa holders at higher risk of financial stress due to lacking access to support payments; as immobilised members of transnational families; and as racialized individuals subjected to abuse and blame for spreading the virus.

How have these and other challenges been experienced in regional Victoria and how have stakeholders in regional communities, in the community sector and local government responded?

Which gaps and which capacities has the pandemic revealed and which knowledge and resources are critical for rebuilding and preparing for similar scenarios in the future?

Panel

Kaye Graves – Bendigo Community Health Services

Sam Atukorala – Strategic Engagement Coordinator, Goulburn Region

Frances Salenga – Ballarat City Council

Ray Cadmore – Strategic Engagement Coordinator, SMECC

Sallie Yea – La Trobe University