Thursday, 31 October 2019

 Ms BLANDTHORN (Pascoe Vale) (17:44): (1399) I appreciate the opportunity to raise a matter for the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. The action I seek is that the minister join me at VICSEG New Futures in Coburg to talk with them about their supported playgroups program and the opportunities that it is providing for people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds across the north-west suburbs of Melbourne. Recently I visited VICSEG New Futures in Coburg and met with executive director Elias Tsigaras as well as the formidable Janet Elefsiniotis, who has been there for a very long time working in the social services area and in particular with the playgroups and the playgroup coordinators. It was pleasing to also meet with some of the playgroup coordinators themselves and talk with them about the impact that these supported playgroups are having on some of our culturally diverse communities across the north-west suburbs of Melbourne.

In 2018 the supported playgroups were attended by more than 500 families weekly, and this is just an amazing effort. The playgroups not only bring families together but also provide an opportunity for the children to have play opportunities and learning opportunities. They also serve the purpose of being able to link up newly arrived people with the various settlement services that they need to access, from language services through to health services, dental services, doctors et cetera. They are providing amazing opportunities in helping culturally diverse families settle across our north-western suburbs. I would appreciate it if the minister could come to VICSEG New Futures in Coburg and talk with them about the work they are doing for those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.