Support for Multicultural Communities
We are proud of the strong multicultural community we have in Ararat Rural City and Council provides as much support as we can to help new arrivals thrive in employment, school and social opportunities.
We have a population of about 11,900 in our municipality and around 9% of residents were born overseas - over half of those are from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Migrants and refugees from different countries bring so many benefits to our community including:
- Boosting the local economy by filling jobs, supporting local businesses, and keeping services like schools viable.
- Strengthening the community by bringing young families, strong social networks, and long-term population growth.
- Adding cultural richness through new food, traditions, and community events.
- Building openness and pride by making the town more inclusive, connected, and resilient.
- Raising awareness of our region when family and friends of our newcomers come to visit – they also spend money locally.
Here are the two key programs that Ararat Rural City Council delivers to support our multicultural community:
Settlement Services
For newly arrived refuges and migrants
This free program offers a wide range of services to help newly arrived refugees and migrants to settle into our community.
These include but are not restricted to helping new arrivals to:
- Understand government services and how to use them.
- Connect to local support agencies, groups and organisations.
- Navigate any personal or professional issues as they come up.
Council has successfully partnered with Wyndham Community & Education Centre Inc to deliver this vital program in our region.
Contact
Settlement Services Officer
Ko Yeh
Phone: 0431 071 534
Email: [email protected]
The CALD program is jointly funded by Ararat Rural City Council and the Federal Government. Council has successfully partnered with Wyndham Community & Education Centre Inc to deliver the program.
Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Program
Connecting residents to the community
We have a dedicated free program to encourage and support CALD residents to become an active part of the Ararat and district community.
These people may be new arrivals or have been living in Australia for some time and have moved to our municipality.
Support includes:
- Helping pre-schoolers engage in three-and four-year-old kindergarten through the Kindergarten Outreach Program – this program also helps them transition to primary school and connects parents to other local children’s services.
- Actively inviting them to get involved with broad-scale community events that celebrate cultural diversity i.e. Harmony Day.
- Introducing them to volunteer opportunities and social opportunities via the Ararat Neighbourhood House and local volunteers' groups.
- Connecting them to local support organisations like Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) and East Grampians Health Service
Here's a program flyer.
Contact
CALD Coordinator – CALD Communities Officer/Early Years Outreach
Anita San Ba
Mobile: 04739 7658
Email: [email protected]
The CALD Outreach Initiative 2025–2027 grant is funded by the Victorian State Government and the Department of Education.