OUR HISTORY

Gippsland Multicultural Services Inc. is a community based organisation, assisting migrants and refugees in Gippsland through the provision of a range of services and programs that support the ongoing participation of our diverse communities in the Gippsland region.

COMMUNITY

Gippsland Multicultural Services Inc. (GMS) was formed through the efforts of the culturally diverse communities in the region in 1984, and remains the key service in the region that is able to advocate on behalf of migrants and refugees, and is managed “for and by” people from diverse backgrounds.

The move to establish a Gippsland Multicultural Services in the region arose out of recognition that the particular needs of migrants and refugees in the region were not being met effectively by mainstream agencies, and that their participation in the community and access to services would be greatly enhanced by a centre specifically for this purpose.

ADVOCACY

Gippsland Multicultural Services Inc. has been the voice of the Gippsland multicultural community for over thirty years.

We are proud to represent the issues, interests, needs and aspirations on a wide range of forums and boards. We bring the perspective of multiculturalism and diversity to the table at forums such as community safety and police, health, ageing, employment and training, and many others.

We are able to bring our extensive networks and community relationships to the forefront, so that the viewpoints and lived experience of those from refugee, skilled, family, ageing or recently arrived can be heard.

We aim to raise the profile of our diverse communities in the region and their achievements and concerns.

SUPPORT

Since our establishment, Gippsland Multicultural Services provides support to the multicultural and wider community in many ways. These include:-

– Provision of tailored training for services and agencies on areas such as working effectively with language services and cultural competency within your service. If you are seeking to develop your staff skills and agency practice or run a refresher, contact us. Our training includes the Gippsland perspective.

– Provision of capacity building support for CALD communities. We assist communities to engage with the wider community and we provide support such as the use of our community room and resources.

– Referral and building connections. If you need a service or support and we can’t help, we will be able to point you in the right direction and assist you to find the appropriate support. If you are a service provider seeking information and resources, we may be able to provide secondary consultation and advice or can point you in the right direction to connect you with the most relevant resources, information and contacts.