Building a cohesive community
Waverley Council fosters an inclusive, united and resilient community where people of all cultural backgrounds can feel a sense of belonging and enjoy engaging in social, cultural, economic and civic life.
Council delivers events and initiatives in consultation with its Multicultural Advisory Committee to:
- Raise awareness about all forms of racism and its impact;
- Create opportunities for meaningful conversations; and
- Empower everyone to take simple steps to help end racism.
If you witness or experience racism:
- Stay safe and keep the people around you safe.
- Be there for people experiencing racism.
- Report racism, wherever it occurs:
- In an emergency or life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for police.
- If you are threatened with violence but there is no immediate danger, take photos, record the incident and call the Police Assistance Line (131 444).
- If the incident is not a police matter and you cannot resolve the situation directly, or you do not feel comfortable doing so, you can seek general advice and make a complaint with Anti-Discrimination NSW or the Australian Human Rights Commission. You can also lodge a complaint using the Translating and Interpreting Service (131 450).
Events and programs
Council delivers events and programs designed for cross-cultural conversations and to support people to create positive change in the community.
Culture Waves is a three-month intercultural program held between February and April, open for young people aged 14-18 years old. It provides an opportunity for participants to volunteer and learn new skills, which may be used towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
Discover Bondi – Meet new people – Ask any questions.
International Friends in Bondi is an initiative for people who have recently moved to Australia. Events are organised throughout the year and include a mix of recreational activities and important local information with partner organisations. All events are free.
Council offers two panels on the Bondi Beach Sea Wall to marginalised artists of culturally diverse backgrounds. The selected artists are supported to complete their mural and engage with the local community.
Council organises a range of annual events with guests from culturally diverse backgrounds on the topics of diversity and inclusion.
Find out what’s happening across Waverley, including talks, screenings and activities for kids, by browsing our Events.
Useful resources
- Cultural Diversity Strategy 2021-2031 – Council’s commitment to building an inclusive, cohesive and resilient community for people of all cultural backgrounds.
- Anti-Discrimination NSW or Australian Human Rights Commission – Make a complaint about racism you have witnessed.
- Language assistance – Support for people who prefer to communicate in a language other than English.
- About antisemitism- Council has endorsed the full International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism (with the hyperlink here) and has developed a Strategy to Combat Antisemitism to outline Council’s commitment to ensuring Waverley remains a place where all people are respected, valued and safe.
- Nazi symbols in NSW – It is a criminal offence to knowingly display a Nazi symbol in public.
For more information, email diversity@waverley.nsw.gov.au or call 9083 8658.
Stay in the loop
Find out about opportunities and events by subscribing to Council’s newsletters.