VICSES Greater Dandenong Unit volunteers Sanne, Ashika, and Michael at Government House, 19 December 2023 (photo credit: VICSES)

Congratulations to our Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Greater Dandenong Unit members, Sanne, Michael, and Ashika, who went to Government House this week to receive the Multicultural Excellence Award for Emergency Services.

The award was presented to VICSES Greater Dandenong Unit this week at Government House by Her Excellency, Prof. Margaret Gardner.

The VICSES volunteers were joined by new VICSES Chief Executive Officer, Greg Leach.

The award recognised the wide range of initiatives VICSES Greater Dandenong Unit has put in place to increase participation and inclusion of Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) groups.

These include:

• Installing change rooms for members to change into Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in a setting that accords with their customs
• Translating flood safety brochures into 12 different languages
• Utilising over 30 languages spoken at VICSES Greater Dandenong Unit to communicate with community in their first language when responding to requests for assistance
• Providing culturally appropriate food at all unit events    
• Visiting faith centres to provide community safety messaging in a familiar environment.

We are delighted for our VICSES Greater Dandenong Unit volunteers who have worked hard to be inclusive of the whole community that they serve.

VICSES Greater Dandenong Unit, Controller, Michael Prior:

“My vision is that VICSES Greater Dandenong Unit will be the go-to agency for our diverse community, in times of emergency and disaster.”