About multicultural affairs in NT
The Northern Territory (NT) Government provides information to multicultural residents on:
You can also get the multicultural affairs newsletter as well as fact sheets about religious groups on the Territory Families, Housing and Communities website.
For more information, contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs by calling 08 8999 3894 or emailing tfhc.multiculturalaffairs@nt.gov.au.
Advisory council on multicultural affairs
The Minister's Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs in the Northern Territory (NT) is known as MACMA.
The council provides:
- a voice for the multicultural community on issues of interest
- provides high level and strategic advice to the government to improve policy outcomes.
The council is made up of representatives from relevant organisations and multicultural community members.
What MACMA members do
The key roles for members are to:
- advise the minister on matters that are of interest or emerging issues facing the multicultural community
- explore and discuss how the needs of the community can be effectively met by service providers, so the multicultural community can take part in all aspects of life in the NT
- direct specific tasks to the relevant working groups to address issues such as employment and community safety
- consider issues that the relevant minister may refer to the MACMA for advice
- meet at least twice a year.
MACMA is chaired by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
Operational requirements can be delegated to a nominated member.
MACMA members may co-chair a working group that will be tasked to coordinate and develop outcomes to address issues in the multicultural community.
Meeting attendance
Members must commit to attend all MACMA meetings.
If they miss 2 consecutive meetings, they will be requested in writing to resign from MACMA, unless there are extenuating circumstances. They will be replaced with the appointment of another member.
There will be a short reserve list of potential members who could be called to join MACMA to replace outgoing members.
Current MACMA members
Representatives from relevant organisations
- Dr Edwin Joseph - President of the Multicultural Council of the NT Inc
- Mr Kwame Selormey - Chief Executive Officer of Melaleuca Australia
- Lord Mayor of Darwin Mr Kon Vatskalis (observer) - Local Government Association of the Northern Territory
- Ms Jamuna Ulak (Mona Ulak) - Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia Inc.
- Mr Sachin Sharma - Superintendent Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Community members
- Ms Emcille Wills
- Dr Devaki Monani (chair)
- Mrs Apajok Deng Biar
- Mr Ben Poveda-Alfonso
- Mrs Ushani Loku Arumage
- Ms Janine Andrews
- Mr Ronan Mackey
- Mr Ashish Jamarkattel
- Mr Manfred Mletsin
- Mrs Savita Valadian
More information
For more information, call 08 8999 3894 or email tfhc.multiculturalaffairs@nt.gov.au.
Multicultural events
There are two major multicultural events held each year in the Northern Territory (NT):
- Darwin Waterfront Harmony Soiree
- Big Day Out in Harmony in Alice Springs.
Read below for more information.
Darwin Waterfront Harmony Soiree
The Darwin Waterfront Harmony Soiree is a celebration of the NT's cultural richness, diversity and a display of harmony as a multicultural society.
The event is organised by the NT Government, Darwin Waterfront Corporation, Darwin Community Arts and the Multicultural Council of the NT.
Join in the cultural activities and entertainment and try delicious food from different parts of the world.
The event includes stage performances, a children's lantern competition, a lantern parade and flotilla release into the lagoon.
The Darwin Waterfront Harmony Soiree is held in May every year at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct.
When the exact event date is confirmed, participants and attendees will be notified.
How to get involved
Migrant and multicultural organisations can participate in the Darwin Waterfront Harmony Soiree. If you would like to hold a community stall, food stall or performance, you can get involved by submitting an expression of interest.
Expression of interests open in October and close in February every year.
To submit an expression of interest, follow these steps:
Step 1. Fill in the form that applies to you
Expression of interest: community stall PDF (501.6 KB)
Expression of interest: community stall DOCX (64.1 KB)
Expression of interest: food stall PDF (461.3 KB)
Expression of interest: food stall DOCX (63.9 KB)
Expression of interest: performance PDF (467.2 KB)
Expression of interest: performance DOCX (64.2 KB)
Step 2. Fill in a talent release authority
All participants must also fill in a talent release authority for the use of photographs, videos and audio recordings taken during the soiree.
Talent release authority PDF (575.5 KB)
Talent release authority DOCX (61.2 KB)
Step 3. Submit your application
You can submit your application in person, by email or mail to:
Office of Multicultural Affairs
Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities
Level 1, Jape Building 2, 356 Bagot Road
Millner NT 0810
tfhc.multiculturalaffairs@nt.gov.au
PO Box 37037
Winnellie NT 0821
Big Day Out in Harmony
Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia and the Alice Springs Town Council run a harmony event for Alice Springs.
The event is held on the lawns of the Alice Springs Town Council. It showcases food, films, music, dance and martial arts demonstrations from the town's multicultural community.
For more information, contact the Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia by calling 08 8952 8776 or emailing info@mcsca.org.au.
Multicultural service providers
If you'd like to get involved or contact a multicultural service provider, find their contact details below.
Adult Migrant English Program
Phone: 1300 585 868
amep@stepsgroup.com.au
www.stepsamep.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/STEPSEducationandTraining
Anglicare NT
Anglicare NT provides settlement support, services and referrals to clients (up to 5 years from arrival) under the Refugee and Migrant Settlement Services.
Phone: 08 8985 0000
www.anglicare-nt.org.au
Department of Home Affairs
131 880 (citizenship queries)
Fax: 08 8941 2297
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Department of Social Services
Phone: 08 8928 6200
www.dss.gov.au
Interpreting and Translating Service NT
Interpreter and Translating Services NT provides interpreting and translating services for migrants and assists government and non-government agencies to communicate with Territorians who speak languages other than English.
Phone: 08 8999 8506
Free call for the Northern Territory: 1800 676 254
itsnt@nt.gov.au
www.itsnt.nt.gov.au
Melaleuca Australia
Melaleuca Australia provides settlement programs for humanitarian entrants, including case management and counselling.
Phone: 08 8985 3311
Fax: 08 8985 3322
admin@melaleuca.org.au
www.melaleuca.org.au
Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia
Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia Inc assists with the settlement of migrants in Alice Springs.
Phone: 08 8952 8776
Fax: 08 8952 5176
info@mcsca.org.au
www.mcsca.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mcsca.org.au
Multicultural Council of the NT
The Multicultural Council of the NT provides direct services for individuals, families and communities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Darwin and surrounds.
Phone: 08 8945 9122
Fax: 08 8945 9155
admin@mcnt.org.au
www.mcnt.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/multiculturalcouncilnt
Multilingual Broadcasting Council of the NT
Mobile: 0414 682 206
broadcastnt@outlook.com
Translating and Interpreting Service
Phone: 131 450 (24hr service 7 days a week)
tis.freeinterpreting@homeaffairs.gov.au
www.tisnational.gov.au/
Multicultural organisations
If you'd like to get involved or contact an ethnic or cultural group in Darwin and other regions, find their details below.
You can also add your organisation or update details.
Darwin
Other regions
Multicultural performance groups
To get involved, attend their events, or simply to show your support, check out these performance groups' contact details and websites below.
You can also add your group or update details.