Help to help make Sunshine Coast more welcoming

Community members from diverse cultural backgrounds are invited to express their interesting in joining a group vital to our region’s future.

The Sunshine Coast Multicultural Advisory Group collaborates with Council and the community to provide advice in response to the challenges and opportunities for Sunshine Coast’s emerging and established multicultural communities.

The voluntary group also celebrates and promotes the benefits of embracing cultural diversity and inclusion and the value of becoming a welcoming region.

Expressions of Interest are now open and members can express their interest online until August 21.

Some of the initiatives the group has supported in the past include Welcoming City project, the development of the Shine a Light on Racism campaign and Migrant Work Ready and Business Ready programs.

Local business identity Peppi Bueti, an inaugural member of the group, said the Multicultural Advisory Group was really important to the Sunshine Coast.

“We have seen far more migrants move here and with that comes a whole range of needs,” Mr Bueti said.

“We have been able to identify these needs because some of our members work at the ground level to bring those issues, concerns, and outcomes to Council.”

Strong Community Portfolio Councillor David Law encouraged local residents from diverse cultural backgrounds to apply to join the Multicultural Advisory Group.

“I’ve been part of the group for the past four years and it’s a unique group that needs our community voices,” Cr Law said.

“Nominees should have close ties to their Sunshine Coast multicultural community, or experience working with multicultural communities and be able to represent their views and provide guidance on their challenges and opportunities.

“By becoming a member you will be offered an exciting opportunity to have direct involvement in building a welcoming Sunshine Coast where people are included, treated with respect and equal opportunities are available to all.

“Submit your interest today!”

Anna Sri, a member of the Sunshine Coast Multicultural Advisory Group said having representatives from a number of different backgrounds provided many benefits.

“Everyone can contribute their own perspective and integrate this into the aim for Sunshine Coast to become a more welcoming region,” she said.

The group meets six times per year with Cr David Law and Cr Taylor Bunnag at Sunshine Coast Council City Hall in Maroochydore.

Cr Law encouraged those interested to help create the most welcoming region in Australia, where together, we thrive.

Visit Council’s website and search ‘Multicultural Advisory Group’ for more information on the expression of interest process.

Submissions close on August 21.