The role of multiculturalism in Australia

The role of multiculturalism has been recognised as one of the ‘three stories of Australia’ which includes:

• Indigenous heritage: This story recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Nations of Australia, and acknowledges their ancient laws, customs, and connection to the land, which date back over 65,000 years. Council’s role and response to this story is outlined in our Boroondara Reconciliation Strategy 2022-2026.
• British institutions: The second story relates to the institutions, cultures and rule of law (legal and political systems) that were established as a result of British colonisation, and continue to shape modern Australia. Council’s system of governance (including the Local Government Act 2020) is a result of this heritage.
• Multicultural migration: The third story celebrates the waves of immigrants from various parts of the world who have contributed to Australia’s cultural diversity. This story highlights the contributions of these communities to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the nation. The Boroondara Multicultural Action Plan 2024-26 supports efforts at the local level for a peaceful community with high levels of cohesion, understanding and vibrancy.

Waves of settlement and migration

The area that is now Boroondara is on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people whose ancestors had lived on this land for millennia. The City of Boroondara’s name comes from the Woi-wurrung language, which means ‘where the ground is thickly shaded’.

European settlers first arrived in 1840, coming from countries like England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and China.

After World War II, many people from Italy and Greece moved to Australia. 81% of our Italian and Greek communities moved here before 1975.

The end of immigration restrictions in 1973 saw increasing numbers of settlers from Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia and China.

Most Boroondara residents who settled in Australia during the 18 months before the 2021 Census were born in China (33.6%), India (12.4%) or Hong Kong (6.7%).

The shifting pattern of cultural diversity in Boroondara has resulted in different age profiles among different cultural groups. The median age of residents born in Greece and Italy is much higher than the median age of residents born in India. This is because peak migration from Greece and Italy occurred in the 1950s and 1960s as opposed to peak migration in 2019 for those born in India.

More than half of Boroondara's residents are second-generation Australian. 56.2% or 94,338 residents have one or both parents who were born overseas compared with 60.6% of Greater Melbourne residents.

Waves of settlement and migration.

Our community told us they value cultural diversity. According to the Victorian 2020 Population Health Survey, most people in Boroondara (77%) think that having people from different cultures makes their community better. This is higher than the average in Melbourne (66%) and the seventh-highest result of 79 Victorian Local Government Areas.

The number of people born in other countries has grown in Boroondara. In 1991, 23.6% of residents were born overseas. By 2021, this number increased to 32.5% (or 54,522) of residents. This is a bit lower than the Greater Melbourne area, where 35.7% of residents were born overseas.

The map below shows that the northeast areas of Boroondara, like Balwyn, Balwyn North, and Deepdene, have the most people who were born overseas (38% or more residents) and speak a language other than English at home (46.2%). In these areas, many residents were born in China and speak Mandarin.

Distribution of overseas born residents in Boroondara based on 2021 Census data.

Country of birth

32.5% (54,522) of Boroondara residents were born overseas, compared with 35.7% of Greater Melbourne residents.

Boroondara residents named more than 150 countries as their place of birth.

The top 3 overseas countries of birth in Boroondara in 2021 were:

• China (8% or 13,393 Boroondara residents)
• United Kingdom (3.4%)
• India (2.4%).

The largest increases in country of birth between 2016 and 2021 were:

• China (+2,330)
• Malaysia (+416)
• Hong Kong (+283).

The top 3 ancestries in Boroondara in 2021 were:

• English (29% or 48,730 Boroondara residents)
• Australian (24%)
• Chinese (18.2%). 

There are 94,338 residents (56.2%) who have one or both parents who were born overseas compared with 60.6% of Greater Melbourne residents.

There are 73,149 Boroondara residents (43.6%) who have had both parents born overseas, compared with 49.3% of Greater Melbourne residents.

Language

In 2021, 20,446 Boroondara households used a language other than English. This makes households where a non-English language is used less frequent in Boroondara (32.6%) than across Greater Melbourne (37.7%) but more frequent than across Victoria (30.2% of households) and Australia (24.8% of households).

More than 120 languages other than English are used in Boroondara households.

The top 3 languages used at home other than English in Boroondara in 2021 were:

• Mandarin (10.4% or 17,412 Boroondara residents)
• Cantonese (3%)
• Greek (2.7%).

Language communities who had fewer speakers in 2021 than the previous Census include Italian, Gujarati, Greek and Arabic.

There are 6,801 residents (4.1%) who speak English not well or not at all. This is lower than the Greater Melbourne rate (5.4%) and a little lower than the Victorian rate (4.4%).

Religion

There are 84,84 Boroondara residents (50.5%) who report a religious affiliation.

There are 75,571 Boroondara residents (45%) who reported no religious affiliation.

In 2021, the 3 most common religions were:

• Western (Roman) Catholic (19.9% or 33,419 Boroondara residents)
• Anglican (7.9%)
• Greek Orthodox (4.1%).

The proportion of residents reporting a Christian religion has been in decline and the proportion reporting no religion has been increasing.

To develop the Multicultural Action Plan, we:

• evaluated the previous Plan
• completed research and benchmarking
• consulted the community and service providers
• developed a draft plan
• conducted a second stage of community consultation on the draft plan.

Key engagement methods for the community consultation to inform the development of the plan included an online and paper plain language survey conducted in 2023 with 216 responses, with 63 completed in a language other than English. We also had 33 organisations providing services to multicultural communities and those for the wider community complete an organisational survey. An additional 13 representatives from a range of faith and cultural groups participated in a workshop with key stakeholders in April 2023. Further consultation was also undertaken in early 2024 with 7 members of the Boroondara Interfaith Network and 25 representatives from services, community organisations and faith groups. In mid-2024 community members were then invited to comment on the plan through the second stage of community consultation.

We used a variety of accessible communication methods and tools to reach as many people as possible. We used plain language in both online and paper surveys. We also worked with multicultural groups and organizations, and our networks like the Boroondara Interfaith Network and the Cultural Champions.

Our consultation process included:

• an online and paper survey in 2023. Of the 216 people who answered it, and 63 of them used a language other than English.
• 33 organizations that helped multicultural communities and the wider community, filled out a survey.
• 13 people from different faith and cultural groups joined a workshop with important stakeholders in April 2023.
• talking to 7 members of the Boroondara Interfaith Network and 25 people from services, community organizations, and faith groups in early 2024.
• asking community members to give us their thoughts on the draft plan through another round of consultation in mid-2024.

Our evaluation of the Boroondara Multicultural Action Plan 2019-23 informed the development of the plan.

Research shows the significance of embracing cultural diversity to improve social cohesion.

Cultural celebrations and recognition events give us a sense of belonging and pride. They also promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation and can help reduce racism and discrimination.

Feedback from our community highlighted:

• the importance of having platforms and opportunities for multicultural communities to showcase their traditions, customs and heritage.
• a desire for more cultural festivals and events to be held within the community and for the sharing of information about cultures, faiths and traditions between groups.
• the importance of intergenerational events as an opportunity to pass on customs and traditions and bridge the gap between generations in terms of values and perspectives.
• a desire for events and celebrations to be organised and led by multicultural community groups.

Strategic Objective 1: Boroondara’s multicultural communities are celebrated and feel a sense of belonging.

Programming

Libraries and learning

• Our libraries and learning programs acknowledge and celebrate culturally significant days through displays and story time sessions and holding resources on different faiths and cultures at the libraries.

Arts and Culture

• Our arts and cultural programs celebrate cultural diversity through Council’s Arts and Culture activities such as musical performances, theatre, dance and exhibitions.

Grants

• Our grants programs support community organisations such as neighbourhood houses, seniors groups and sporting clubs to deliver projects that celebrate and recognise our multicultural communities through Council’s Community Strengthening Grants and Community Arts Venue Grants.

Capacity building, planning and partnerships

• Convene the Boroondara Interfaith Network and partner with its members to hold events for all the community to nurture and promote social cohesion.
• Continue to hold regular Citizenship Ceremonies for new Australian Citizens.
• Host and promote the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s community reporting tool for racism on Council’s website so community members can report incidents of racism.

Key Action

Communication is vital for fostering inclusivity and building strong connections with multicultural communities. Research shows that language barriers, cultural differences in communication styles and a lack of intercultural understanding can hinder meaningful interaction, participation and collaboration.

Feedback from our community highlighted:

• language barriers for community members with low English proficiency
• a lack of culturally sensitive communication channels.
• the importance of using Plain English in Council’s communications.
• promoting the availability of interpreter services.
• using a variety of communications channels.
• for some communities with low English proficiency, translated information is crucial.

Creating welcoming public spaces and places for multicultural groups is also important for fostering inclusivity, social cohesion and a sense of belonging.

Public spaces are an extension of communities. When they are designed and managed well, they offer somewhere for residents to interact with each other, experience cultural activities, access nature and gain a sense of belonging.

Strategic Objective 2: Boroondara’s multicultural communities easily access information and share feedback and ideas with Council and feel welcome in spaces and places in Boroondara.

Programming

Customer service

Our Customer Service programs: 

• Promote the ability to use an interpreter to access Council’s services and programs.
• Provide interpreter services when requested by community members accessing Council’s services and programs.

Communications

Our Communications programs:

• Translate information into languages other than English when a community need is identified.
• Improve accessibility, navigation and readability of information on Council’s website.
• Use plain English language in Council’s communication materials.
• Use images on Council’s website that reflect the diversity of the community.

Community engagement

Our community engagement programs:

• Provide advice in engagement plans for projects about how to engage with multicultural communities.
• Provide the opportunity for community members to view information and complete surveys in 9 languages other than English on Council’s consultation webpage.
• Engage with the community members who are part of the Cultural Champions initiative to seek feedback and input on projects and to assist with promoting opportunities within their networks to have a say on Council projects.

Capacity building, planning and partnerships

Our capacity building, planning and partnerships programs:

• Provide training for staff about how to use interpreters.
• Provide cultural awareness training for staff to enhance communication with multicultural communities.
• Annually update the multicultural services and organisations directory on Council’s website.

Key actions

Research shows that multicultural communities face differences in accessing services, volunteering opportunities and civic participation. This can be because of socioeconomic status, discrimination, lack of participation opportunities and a lack of culturally appropriate services.

Feedback from our community highlighted:

• some multicultural community members are experiencing social isolation and loneliness. This can include those with limited English proficiency, networks and family support.
• the importance of programs for newly arrived migrants, such as English conversation classes and first parent groups in languages other than English. These programs were seen as an opportunity to meet new people, develop skills and increase confidence so community members could participate in the community.
• programs that encourage intergenerational connections such as storytime at libraries and inclusion of grandparents in parent and playgroups are important for keeping cultural traditions and languages alive.

Factors that can improve social inclusion and integration include participating in volunteering opportunities and membership of a sporting club or community organisation. For example, for members of newly arrived communities, volunteering can offer opportunities to experience Australian workplace culture, practice language skills, increase their social and community connections and understand Australian systems.

Strategic Objective 3: Boroondara’s multicultural communities participate in all aspects of Boroondara community life.

Programming

Early years

Our early years programs:

• Hold Chinese facilitated playgroups at North Balwyn and Greythorn Maternal and Child Health Service for parents who speak Chinese as their first language.
• Support an Arabic speaking playgroup in North Balwyn.
• Respond to community requests for parent groups and playgroups in languages other than English.
• Hold weekly Chinese storytime sessions in English and Mandarin for children 0 to 5 years at Greythorn Library Lounge.

Libraries and learning

Our libraries and learning programs:

• Provide library collections in languages other than English.
• Hold weekly English conversations classes facilitated by a qualified tutor at Balwyn and Kew Libraries.

Youth

Our Youth programs:

• Support newly arrived international students with life skills, connections to services and opportunities to meet other people through activities at the Boroondara Youth Hub.
• Attend Swinburne University of Technology’s international student’s orientation open day to share information about Council services, programs and facilities.

Sport, recreation and leisure

Our sport, recreation and leisure programs:

• Support clubs to participate in the Inclusive Clubs Program and use the Boroondara Sport and Recreation Inclusion Guide and Assessment to make their club more inclusive for people from multicultural communities.
• Through our partner agency, provide swimming lessons for community members at higher risk of drowning due to limited swimming ability and water safety knowledge.
• Encourage the use of Council’s sporting facilities by multicultural groups.

Active ageing

Our active ageing programs:

• Provide capacity building workshops for seniors in languages other than English where needed on topics such as governance and community grants.
• Promote multicultural seniors clubs to the community.
• Encourage and promote multicultural seniors clubs cultural events.

Grants

Our grants programs:

• Support community organisations and people from multicultural backgrounds to apply for grants through the Community Strengthening Grants, Individual Participation Grants and the Community Arts Venue Grants for programs and activities that promote health, wellbeing and social inclusion for people of all ages from multicultural communities.

Economic development

Our economic development programs:

• Provide free, confidential business mentoring sessions to assist new and established local business owners to address challenges and explore opportunities. The sessions can be delivered in English, Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese or Hokkien.

Capacity building, planning and partnerships

Our capacity building, planning and partnerships programs:

• Provide cultural awareness training for community groups, organisations and businesses to improve the inclusion of multicultural communities.
• Collaborate with local organisations, businesses, and government agencies to develop services and programs that meet the diverse needs of multicultural communities.
• Apply for grants for activities that improve the health, wellbeing and inclusion of multicultural communities through Council’s programs and services.
• Collaborate with local services, community organisations and multicultural community members to address and advocate on issues such as family violence, mental health and elder abuse.

Key Actions

We'll regularly monitor, report, and evaluate our performance in delivering on the plan. To implement it, we are committed to working with people from:

• multicultural communities
• community groups
• organisations
• the broader community.

The implementation of programs and key actions will be shared by our departments. We’ll track how key actions are doing each year through our internal reporting system.

An evaluation plan will be developed to measure progress and the impact and outcomes of the plan.

The plan will be refreshed and updated in 2026 following the refresh of the Boroondara Community Plan in 2025.