More than 200 community leaders, advocates and representatives from Victoria’s diverse migrant and refugee communities came together at RMIT’s Storey Hall this week for the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) Annual General Meeting, one of the organisation’s strongest turnouts in recent years.
Premier Jacinta Allan Highlights Strength of Victoria’s Diversity
Victoria’s Premier, The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, delivered a keynote address reflecting on the transformative impact of migration and the role of multicultural values in shaping the state’s identity.
Emphasising that multiculturalism sits at the heart of Victoria’s story, Premier Allan said:
“Victoria’s story is not a story of fear, it’s a story of fairness. Not a story of exclusion, it’s a story of opportunity.”
She also reaffirmed the importance of celebrating cultural identity:
“A vision of Victoria where differences didn’t separate us, but strengthened us — where your faith, your culture, your language, your story are not things to hide but to celebrate.”
Her remarks set the tone for an evening focused on unity, belonging and the need to sustain social cohesion amid global and domestic pressures.
ECCV CEO Farah Farouque Warns of Rising Hate but Praises Community Resilience
ECCV CEO Farah Farouque addressed members with a candid assessment of the challenges facing Victoria’s multicultural communities, including the rise of far-right extremism, online misinformation and the impact of global conflicts.
Farouque underscored both the strength and vulnerability of Victoria’s diversity:
“We come from 300 cultural backgrounds, speak 290 languages, and follow almost 200 faiths. Our diversity is our strength — but it also requires constant care and commitment.”
She highlighted the rise of racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism in everyday settings, urging communities to remain vigilant.
Despite these pressures, she celebrated the resilience of multicultural Victorians:
“In the face of all this, I want to salute you. We continue to show extraordinary compassion, resilience and strength. That spirit is what inspires me every day.”
Farouque reiterated that ECCV’s mission — built over 51 years — remains critical: to stand firm against hate and champion the rights and wellbeing of migrant and refugee communities across the state.
Leadership Reflections and New Board Announced
Outgoing ECCV Chairperson Abiola Akinbiyi, the first Australian-African to lead the organisation, reflected on her six-year tenure and thanked board members, volunteers and staff for their ongoing commitment.
This year’s AGM drew one of the largest board candidate fields in recent memory, a reflection of strong community engagement.
ECCV announced the newly elected Board of Directors (alphabetical order):
- Lawrence Abou Khater
- Yasmin Hassen
- Tina Hosseini
- Jennifer Huppert
- Nicolas Ojeda Amador
- Huss Mustafa OAM
- Silvia Renda
- Michael van Vliet
- Zeynep Yesilyurt OAM
Regional Representative: Suzanne Ryan-Evers
The new Board will move next to elect Office Bearers, including ECCV’s next Chairperson.
Annual Report Launched
The AGM also served as the launch of ECCV’s Annual Report, outlining key achievements over the past year — including advocacy, community partnerships and policy work aimed at safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of migrant and refugee communities across Victoria.
