Local Area Multicultural Partnership

The Local Area Multicultural Partnership (LAMP) Program is an initiative of the Queensland Government. The program is a partnership between State and Local Government to support community involvement in multicultural Queensland.

Multicultural Affairs Queensland (MAQ) from the Department of Communities resources council to employ Community Relations Officers to run the LAMP Program.

The LAMP Program aims to support local government to integrate the principles and practices of multiculturalism throughout their organisations and promote positive intercultural relations in their local region.

Reaching out to our culturally diverse community

LAMP Advisory Committee

The LAMP Advisory Committee was set up by the Local Area Multicultural Partnership Program of Mackay Regional Council.

The group acts as a communication pathway for people to bring issues to the council and to share information about community relations, cultural diversity and multicultural activities, events and projects happening in the community.

It provides an important link and a voice for people from culturally diverse backgrounds.  The Advisory Committee also acts to promote, advocate and support positive community relations activities, access, equity, participation issues and the principles of multiculturalism.

The Advisory Committee also has the capacity to develop sub-groups to address issues around specific areas of interest and is facilitated by council's Community Relations Officer.

Council Conversations

Council conversations takes place on Wednesday each week from 11.30 to 12.30 pm at the Mackay City Library Foyer. Volunteers will help you with English in a relaxed conversational style of learning. Volunteers can also help you with your speaking and writing. The sessions will also help you to learn about Council services and about the Mackay community.

Mackay Regional Council Internal Multicultural Reference Group

The reference group was established look at ways to improve services to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It comprises Council employees from various departments who have an interest in and a desire to help people from other cultural backgrounds. The group meets on a monthly basis and collectively addresses issues to improve access to council services.

Migrant Voice Multicultural Newsletter

Mackay Regional Council,  produces a quarterly multicultural newsletter. 

The newsletter is an effective way of linking and connecting people to multicultural events that may be happening in the community. 

Similarly, the newsletter is an opportunity for mainstream agencies to promote their services that may not currently be visible to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Click here to view newsletters

Multicultural storytime at libraries

Council libraries have introduced multicultural story time into the the libraries regular story time program. 

People from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds who are interested in becoming storytellers are encouraged to contact the libraries or the LAMP program for an information and orientation kit.

Multicultural Swimming Project

The council is currently running a series of adult learn-to-swim classes for people from migrant backgrounds. If you are interested in learning to swim, please register your interest by calling Mia or Lara on 1300 622 529.

Statistical profile

• Mackay Regional Council Statistical Profile (PDF 2.78 MB)

Events

Global Grooves

'Global Grooves' is a multicultural fesitval held at Queens Park every year. 

The inaugural event in 2004 attracted approximately 3000 people and was widely embraced by local cultural groups and the wider community. 

The success of this event in 2004 and 2005 has cemented a place for future multicultural events for many years to come. If you are interested in taking part in the festival, please contact Councils Community Relations Officers, Mia or Lara on 1300 622 529.

Harmony Day

Harmony Day is an initiative of the Commonwealth Government that began in 1999.

Harmony Day is held on March 21 each year and enables organisations and individuals to tell their communities what they are doing to promote community harmony and to celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity.

A number of events are organised to celebrate the day differently each year.

Refugee Week

Refugee Week is held in June to coincide with World Refugee Day. The aim of acknowledging World Refugee Day is to develop community awareness and understanding of refugees both overseas and in Australia and also to acknowledge their contribution to our society.