Multicultural

Thai Dancer

Home to people from every corner of the globe

The 2011 census showed that 37.4% of Waverley’s population was born        overseas, and 18.4% were born in a country where English is not the first language. Out of these, 1,159 people (1.8%) reported they did not speak English well or at all.

Russian is the language most commonly spoken other than English (2.6%), followed by Hebrew (1.6%), Italian (1.4%), Spanish (1.3%), and French (1.3%).

Outside of Australia, the most common countries where people were born were, England (6.8%), South Africa (4.2%), New Zealand (3.0%), Ireland (2.2%), and the United States of America (1.2%).

We have a large number of small diverse communities in Waverley with people from over 50 countries around the world including people from China, Egypt, Fiji, The Netherlands, Chile, Serbia, Lebanon, Vietnam, Slovakia and Zimbabwe.

Our vision

  • we are reconciled with and value our Indigenous past
  • connections with families and between generations can remain unbroken
  • we are inspired and able to renew our physical and spiritual wellbeing
  • we can express our essential selves through our traditions, our arts, our cultures and our lifestyles
  • we act together as a compassionate society
  • vital services are fully accessible
  • local economic prosperity provides opportunity for all

Our Plan

Our first Multicultural Policy was written in 1990. Much has happened since. Taking stock of the changes after 20 years, Council has expressed our commitment and support through a new Cultural Diversity Policy and Action Plan 2010-2014. This policy outlines many activities that Council and the community are working on, and is divided into five key objectives:

  • Leadership
  • Community harmony
  • Planning and engagement
  • Access and equity
  • Economic and cultural opportunities.

Our services

Waverley Council recognises and celebrates our culturally diverse community. We are committed to providing appropriate, equitable and accessible services for everyone.

Waverley Council:

  • Employs a Community Worker- Multicultural
  • Offers language support through the Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS) and through Councils language aide program with staff who can assist in the following languages:
  • Polish
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • Cantonese
  • Mandarin
  • Japanese
  • Russian
  • Translates key information
  • Produces a directory of multicultural services and groups
  • Maintains community language collections in the library in a number of languages
  • Provides culturally stimulating activities at Council’s childcare and Seniors' centres
  • Maintains affordable bus and facility hire
  • Facilitates the Multicultural Advisory Committee.
 

Our events

Waverley celebrates and promotes the benefits of diversity with events such as:

  • Bondiesta Festival
  • Festival of the Winds
  • Ocean Pacifika Day
  • Harmony Week
  • Refugee Week
  • Channuka
  • Russian Victory Day
  • Christmas celebrations

Want to know more?

Contact Council's Community Officer Multicultural

Phone: 02 9386 7923
Email: joanneh@waverley.nsw.gov.au

Publications

Waverley Council Cultural Diversity Policy 2010-14
Directory of Multicultural Services & Groups

Cultural diversity newsletter

June 2008 to July 2009 newsletter
July 2009 to June 2010 newsletter