MELBOURNE has announced a partnership with the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Cultural Diversity Week.
The sponsorship relates to Victoria’s biggest and brightest multicultural celebration, Cultural Diversity Week from March 17 to 25, and extends to provide access to a year-round program of VMC events targeting Victoria’s diverse communities.
The VMC is the voice of Victoria’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community and is the main link between them and the government.
By aligning with the VMC, Melbourne will have the opportunity to build meaningful links and awareness among diverse groups. It also illustrates the club’s commitment to welcoming new audiences to our game and celebrates diverse cultural heritages in Melbourne.
As a part of the sponsorship, Melbourne will have a presence at Victoria’s Multicultural Festival on Saturday, March 24 at Federation Square. The festival is due to see 55,000 people in attendance and the club is planning a series of fun activities for those in attendance to engage with the club.
“Melbourne is the capital of the most diverse state in Australia and our partnership with the Victorian Multicultural Commission is indicative of our commitment to celebrating our multiculturalism. We look forward to engaging with those in attendance at the upcoming Victorian Multicultural Festival and throughout the 2018 AFL season,” Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson said.
“The inaugural Welcome Game last year was a huge success and illustrated the club’s commitment to celebrating diversity and multiculturalism in the city. Partnering with the VMC will allow diverse audiences from all over the city to directly engage and form a relationship with the club.”
Helen Kapalos, chairperson of the VMC said: “The Victorian Multicultural Commission has welcomed Melbourne Football Club as one of its newest sponsors for Cultural Diversity Week in 2018.”
“We were proud to be involved as MFC literally invited thousands of new faces from the community during ‘The Welcome Game’, a game which truly reflected the depth of multiculturalism in this city and state.
“On game day, it was a powerful and visible statement of goodwill and shared humanity in the stands at the ‘G.”
“This is a club that lives the values promoted by the Victorian Multicultural Commission every day – inclusivity, social connectedness and community cohesion – it's a privilege to have you on board.”
The theme for 2018’s Cultural Diversity Week is ‘Proud to Belong’ – a theme which explores the rich sense of belonging celebrated by all Victorians, and reaffirming this right is everyone’s to enjoy.
The ‘Proud to Belong’ message resonates strongly with Melbourne as we are committed to ensuring all those who come to the city are welcome, feel safe and belong at AFL games.
As part of the sponsorship, Melbourne is excited to be producing a co-branded Cultural Diversity Week video, which shows the ‘Proud to Belong’ message and illustrates our great city and those who inhabit it.
Cultural Diversity Week website: https://culturaldiversityweek.vic.gov.au/
Victorian Multicultural Commission website: https://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/
