Bringing together our diverse cultural communities to learn, grow and celebrate in unison.
Project implemented: First implemented in 2009. This year marks the event’s 10th Anniversary.
To build community trust and understanding about the role water plays in people’s lives while promoting cultural diversity
The event fosters support for newly arrived migrants and communities while increasing their awareness of Victorian emergency and essential services.
City West Water, Victoria Police and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade acknowledged the challenges of delivering key messages to
Develop an event which brings together new customers in a safe and supportive environment to learn about Victoria’s essential
Engaged the Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Received Chair funding.
Developed wider partnerships with emergency services and businesses within the western suburbs.
Confirm logistics for bringing together groups and services to the day-long event.
Notify local media and the Water Minister’s Office about the event to encourage additional support.
City West Water services a greatly diverse community of over 130 cultural groups across Melbourne and the West. In the last two years, participants have included those from across Melbourne. The event has brought these communities together and resulted in an increased understanding that:
– Melbourne’s water is safe to drink.
– Water retailers understand the cultural and language barriers customers face when reading their bills. They integrate this into the way they offer access to concessions & support.
– Police and fire services are there to support and help you
– Your cultural background is valued and celebrated in Australia
Community members who have been facing language or cultural barriers feel supported and welcomed in to their new home in Australia.
City West Water services a greatly diverse community of over 130 cultural groups across metropolitan Melbourne and the western suburbs. The event has led to an increased understanding within these communities of the following:
Melbourne’s water is safe to drink, police and fire services are there to support you and your cultural background is valued and celebrated in Australia. The event has also aided water retailers in further understanding the cultural and language barriers faced by customers when reading their bills. This understanding is now shaping the way they offer access to concessions and support.
City West Water’s service area is home to over 130 cultural groups. Recognising this diversity, we became aware that new arrivals feared government organisations, with many believing that they could be “poisoned” through their water supply.
Many also did not understand why they had to save water when flora looked so green in comparison to their homelands’. We quickly recognised the need to engage with these communities to increase trust and support language and culture.
This is how Day at the Zoo was born. The event held annually at Melbourne Zoo brings together new, emerging and vulnerable communities from across Melbourne to learn about emergency and essential services, while promoting diversity, inclusion and resilience.
Strong partnerships have been established between the event’s sponsors: Victorian Multicultural Commission, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Victoria State Emergency Service, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water as well as 10 dedicated supporters.
