The state government has appointed new members to the Victorian African Communities Committee (VACC) to help drive change and respond to the needs of the state’s African communities, including those in Melton and Moorabool.
Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards has been appointed Chair, following the departure of MP Josh Bull, who the state government said was “fiercely dedicated to driving positive outcomes for Victoria’s African communities during his two-year term as Chair of the previous VACAP Implementation Committee and the VACC”.
The VACC is an advisory board comprising 13 members of African heritage with expertise in education, employment, health, and inclusion. Members serve a two-year appointment, building on the ongoing work of community organisations and government, supported by Ms Richards as the new Chair.
The appointed members of the VACC are Deputy Co-Chairs Tigist Kebede and Monica Forson, Selba-Gondoza Luka, Adongwot Manyoul, Tawana Basutu, Mahamed Ahmed, Dr Tebeje Molla, Fred Alale AM, Anaab Rooble, Andrew Gai, Dr Stephane Shepherd, Mohamed Semra and Catherine Jonathan.
The Committee will focus on issues that support the delivery of the Victorian African Communities Action Plan including education, employment, and alcohol and drug education outreach programs.
Victorian African Communities Committee Chair Pauline Richards said it’s “a privilege to be appointed as Chair of this Committee so I can continue the work of supporting the delivery of programs and support African communities across the state”.
In a statement, the state government acknowledged the significant contributions of Dr Apollo Nsubuga-Kyobe, who passed away in November 2022. Dr Apollo was an active member of VACAP and a “passionate advocate, academic and leader who played a key role in supporting the settlement of new and emerging communities across Victoria”.
Multicultural Affairs minister Colin Brooks said Victoria’s African communities understand their needs better than anyone and the new Victorian African Communities Committee will be central to driving change to better respond to communities’ needs”.
“I look forward to working with members of the Victorian African Communities Committee to deliver positive outcomes for our state’s African communities,” he said.
