Multicultural Communities of Launceston Blog

The multicultural communities of Launceston have created a blog to remain connected, informed, supported and inspired during this time of social distancing. This blog can be viewed in many languages and provides daily information, government notices and links to local community services. All community members are invited to contribute to this Blog by sharing traditional crafts, music, dance and cooking skills. Lighthearted fun and entertaining videos are welcomed.

Rent Relief

The Tasmanian Government is providing rent relief for residential households who rent homes in the private market and who are experiencing housing stress because of the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The scheme starts on 25 May 2020.

More information about the scheme can be found on the Rental Services page. https://www.communities.tas.gov.au/housing/rental-services

Who is an eligible tenant?

A tenant is eligible for rent relief if:

you are a tenant renting in the private rental market
you have experienced and can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
your rent is more than 30 per cent of your household income
the household has less than $5 000 in savings
your landlord or agent has agreed to reduce your rent for a set period

COVID-19 Rent Relief– Fact Sheet for Tenants

https://www.communities.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/89721/COVID19-rent-reflief-payment-tenant-fact-sheet.pdf

COVID-19 Rent Relief - Fact Sheet for Landlords

https://www.communities.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/89720/COVID19-rent-reflief-payment-landlord-fact-sheet.pdf

Friday 5 June 2020 from 3pm

Gatherings
Gatherings increase to 20 people at a time for indoor and outdoor, with physical distancing of 1.5 metres (where practicable) and a maximum of one person per 4 square metres applicable.
Specific changes will apply to:community and local government facilities weddings (40 attendees indoors and outdoors)religious ceremonies, private worship and church services, including baptisms (40 attendees indoors and outdoors)funerals (50 attendees indoors and outdoors).

From 12noon, Wednesday 17 June, gatherings will increase to maximum of 80 people (indoor and outdoor) with physical distancing of 1.5 metres (where practicable) and a maximum of one person per 4 square metres applicable.

All multicultural and religious communities should be aware that discrimination is against the law in Tasmania, and that everyone has the right to feel safe here.

Here is some information from Equal Opportunity Tasmania (the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner) for you to share with your friends, families and communities.

Further information is available on the EOT website at https://equalopportunity.tas.gov.au/

The EOT website also provides visual and audio translations https://equalopportunity.tas.gov.au/translation

Please encourage people to report issues or concerns of this nature.

KEY MESSAGES:

Stay home

Don’t leave home unless you have to.
You should avoid leaving your house for any non-essential activity.
Don’t invite family or friends into your home.
Stay at home unless you are:
going to work or education (if you are unable to do so at home)
shopping for essential supplies such as groceries (return home without delay)
going out for personal exercise in the neighbourhood, on your own or with one other person
attending medical appointments or compassionate visits.
Medical services, supermarkets, banks, petrol stations, postal and home delivery services remain open.

Australian citizenship Ceremony during COVID-19

Launceston's Citizenship Ceremony planned for the 28^thApril 2020 has been cancelled because of the coronavirus.

If you or your family were invited to attend the Launceston event, you can wait to be contacted by the Department of Home Affairs, over the coming months.

You can also email a request for a ceremony by contacting the Department of Home Affairs at virtual.citz.ceremony@homeaffairs.gov.au

Applications for Australian citizenship are still being accepted. However, citizenship interviews and testing have been put on hold.

Ramadan -CLICK ON IMAGE FOR TASMANIA PRAYER TIMES

This year, Ramadan began on the evening of Thursday, April 23. The month of observance continues until the evening of Saturday, May 23. Ramadan falls during this month because it is when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The dates of Ramadan change each year because Islam uses the lunar calendar, so it is not a fixed date according to the Western calendar. Throughout Ramadan, Muslims pay tribute to their religion by undertaking a fast during daylight hours and undertaking prayer. Additionally, Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with their loved ones. Normally, people would make an exceptional effort to connect with their communities and reach out to those in need. This year because of COVID-19 and social distancing Ramadan will be different this year.

YOUTH SURVEY

YNOT COVID-19 survey – enter the draw for a $50 e-voucher.
YNOT are conducting an online survey to better understand the impacts of COVID-19 on young Tasmanians aged 12-25 years. The strict, but necessary, public health response including current social distancing measures are negatively impacting on some young people’s work, living arrangements, education and training, and mental health. YNOT are looking for young people willing to share their experiences, the good and the bad, to inform government and decision makers on priority areas for young people now and over the coming months. The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and participants can enter the draw to win a $50 e-voucher. The survey is available here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6HY96YV

Click on image for more information

Youth Off the Streets: National Scholarship Program – extended to 15 May 2020 The National Scholarship Program celebrates the talents and strengths of young people across Australia who exhibit extraordinary promise but lack the support and resources they need to achieve their potential. Applications are being sought by young people aged 16-21 years who want to pursue further education or training in any area. Successful applicants will receive $6,000 to purchase essential training resources including equipment, uniforms, textbooks and stationary. Further details are available at the Youth Off the Streets websiteor email scholarships@youthoffthestreets.com.au.

Children need to be looked after and cannot gather in groups unless you all live in the same house.

You can go for a walk or a run, ride your bikes with your families.

This is a short animation for young children to help them better understand COVID-19. It covers what the virus is, what can happen if you get it, how you can help.

https://youtu.be/WKS_WMwis9k

ABC kids is a great place for children on line.

https://www.abc.net.au/abckids/

MRC Playgroup: https://www.facebook.com/mrcplaygroup/?eid=ARBAJxKh1T0sfegmubEH9MhcsXwXIlbyiSJepAJ1VBXysXW0B_KwDoiFeqrKsb9UN_QZ_eoqyV-tSgtc

Family Violence

Women from migrant and refugee backgrounds who are experiencing family or domestic violence can contact, inTouch, the Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence on 1800 755 988 or visit intouch.org.au.The Government will provide an additional $2.7 million to address family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific measures include rapid rehousing, improved and increased services, and one-off packages to support those impacted. See Family Violence Flexible Support Packages for more information.

Migrant Resource Centre North	6332 2211
The Salvation Army	6323 7500
City Mission	6335 3000
St Vincent de Paul	6326 5551
Anglicare	6376 1810
Save The Children	6231 9488
Launceston Benevolent Society	6344 4213
Catholicare	6332 0600

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Rent Relief