How we support our multicultural community

Cardinia Shire Council and its partners do a range of things to support the local multicultural community.

View these policies to find out how we support diversity and inclusivity in Cardinia Shire. 

Social Justice and Equity Policy 2019-23 

Cultural Diversity Action Plan 2024−25

Cardinia Shire is a Refugee Welcome Zone, an initiative of the Refugee Council of Australia

This means we are an area which has made a commitment to: 

  • welcoming refugees and migrants from refugee backgrounds into the community 

  • upholding the human rights of refugees 

  • and enhancing cultural and religious diversity in the community. 

We have a translating and interpreting services to help people out when English is not their first language. 

This includes hearing pre-recorded information in another language, and the option to speak to our customer service staff in a three-way conversation. 

Translating and interpreting services webpage  

The Community Services Directory lists local family, health and social service agencies in your local area of Cardinia Shire. 

It is available in 11 languages, and relates to all service provision including financial, disability and relief services. 

View Community Services Directory

Community Centres and Neighbourhood Houses are a great way to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and access training, information and learn together in a supportive, fun, and nurturing environment.

Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre  

Address: 8 O’Neil Road, Beaconsfield  
Ph: 03 8768 4400  
Email: coordinator@bncinc.org.au  
More info: Go the Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre website 

Cockatoo Community Centre 

Address: 23 Bailey Road, Cockatoo 
Ph: 03 5968 9031 
Email: cch@taskforce.org.au 
More info: Go to the Cockatoo Community Centre Facebook Page 

Emerald Community House 

Address: 356-358 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald  
Ph: 03 5968 3881 
Email: emhouse@iinet.net.au  
More info: Go to the Emerald Community House website  

Lang Lang Community Centre 

Address: 7 Westernport Rd, Lang Lang  
Ph: 03 5997 5704  
Email: llcc@langlang.net   
More info: Go to the Lang Lang Community Centre website 

Living Learning Pakenham 

Address: 6B Henry Street, Pakenham  
Ph: 03 5941 2389  
Email: admin@livinglearning.org.au   
More info: Go to the Living Learning Pakenham website   

Outlook Community Centre 

Address: 24 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham 
Ph: 03 5941 1535  
More info: Go to the Outlook Community Centre  

Upper Beaconsfield Community Complex 

Address: 10-12 Salisbury Road, Upper Beaconsfield  
Ph: 03 5944 3484  
Email: office@ubcc.org.au  
More info: Go to the Upper Beaconsfield Community Complex website

Myli – My Community Library

Local and mobile libraries have English conversation groups, community language and English language support collections within the library, and a host of free resources available both in person and online.

Cardinia Mobile Library

Address: Multiple locations
Telephone: 0417 588 487
More info: Go to the Myli Cardinia Mobile Library webpage

Emerald Library

Address: 400B Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782  
Telephone: 03 5949 4600
More info: Go to the Myli Emerald Library webpage

Pakenham Library

Address: Cnr. John & Henry Street, Pakenham VIC 3810
Telephone: 03 5940 6200
More info: Go to the Myli Pakenham Library webpage

Myli Support Centre

Address: 65 Victoria Street, Warragul VIC 3820
Telephone: 1800 44 695 (1800 HI MYLI)
Email: support@myli.org.au
More info: Go to the Myli website

Resources 

Council has a range of resources about COVID-19 in a variety of language on the Multicultural Community COVID-19 Information webpage 

Communities Taskforce Local Partnerships Projects 

The project aims to provide the targeted engagement and support for local multicultural communities in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  

It has funding from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing,  and we partner partner with Enliven Victoria, City of Casey and City of Greater Dandenong 

In Cardinia Shire, it is actively supported by 11 community champions. 10 bicultural workers, as well as agency representatives from: 

The Local Partnership Project has recently been recognised with two awards: 

  •  Community Service Development Award from South Asian Entrepreneur Summit 2022  

  • Health Award from Victorian Multicultural Commission in October 2022.