Gold Coast multicultural leaders call for acceptance, collaboration and unity after COVID-19 racism
Community leaders fear the Gold Coast’s international reputation is at serious risk amid accusations of racism and intolerance during COVID-19 pandemic
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MULTICULTURAL leaders fear the Gold Coast’s reputation as a welcoming place for internationals is in jeopardy and they’re calling for collaboration, diplomacy and awareness.
One-third of the Gold Coast’s 620,000 residents were born overseas, but during the global pandemic people of different faiths and ethnicities, particularly the Chinese community, say they were victims of racial abuse.
Yet during the height of COVID-19 restrictions it was the Gold Coast’s multicultural leaders who formed a private group to brainstorm solutions to help all members of the community.
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They helped overseas students and they lobbied ministers and as a result money was released to Study Gold Coast to distribute to internationals as emergency funding. They also delivered food, birthday presents to children in isolation, nappies, milk powder and money to Australian-born families doing it tough. Women fleeing domestic violence situations were also supported.
Hussain Baba, of the Islamic Society of Gold Coast and the Multicultural Social Network, played a crucial role as did Vicky Rose from the Nerang Neighbourhood Centre, Cornelia Babbage from the Multicultural Families Organisation, the Multifaith Advisory Action Group Gold Coast and many more such groups.
Debby Lo-Dean, the official spokeswoman for the Chinese community, said one of the biggest problems during COVID was that the constant flow of false information fuelled “racist hate again the Chinese population”.
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This includes a story about a person in Melbourne who found a warehouse full of baby formula, toilet paper and hand sanitiser being stocked up by Chinese nationals to send to China.
“The Australian Federal Police released a message saying that this was fake and not true but by then people were up in arms,” she said.
“There were even calls for Chinese to leave Australia. My family came in the 1850s so this comment is upsetting.
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“Of course there are many people that are kind and I believe the way to move forward is for collaboration. If we continue to blame we will only hold the economy back.
“Only with collaboration, diplomacy, discussion and innovation can we move forward boost our economy again.”
Mrs Lo-Dean said the Gold Coast City Council, business leaders and the tourism industry must focus on improving and targeting its tourism and hotel offerings to internationals and focus on the city’s potential for manufacturing.
“We can’t just rely on tourism anymore, we must build a new image to show that the Gold Coast is not just clubs, we must focus on promoting ourself as a serious business hub that’s welcoming to people from all countries,” she said.
Mok Singh, of the Gold Coast Sikh Association (GCSA) wants more done to educate locals and child on the different faiths that coexist on the Gold Coast.
In 2018 the GCSA joined with other religions, Greek, Christianity, Muslim, Jewish, Ba’hai, Buddhist and Hindu to have its own centre in Nerang. During COVID restrictions volunteers cooking at the centre and volunteers delivered some 5000 fresh meals to those in need.
“The Gold Coast is very fortunate to have such diverse faiths and multiculturalism working closely with culturally and linguistically diverse communities,” he said.
“People of all ethnicities are much more likely to report feeling that they belong if they feel treated fairly and with respect. Awareness is essential to bring communities together and understand.
“Perhaps schools should invite community leaders from different faiths to provide a background of their respective religion and practices.”
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A council spokeswoman said during COVID it made $1.5 million through its Community Organisation Hardship and Recovery Grants Program to assist community groups to support vulnerable residents, including food services.
It also employs a multicultural officer, for 18 hours a week, who ensures the city’s information and services are accessible for people from multicultural backgrounds.
“During the pandemic, the city has worked with other government agencies and the community sector (including representatives from the GC Multicultural Network) to deliver community relief activities and lead the local human social recovery process.”
It also funds numerous multicultural events and groups through its Community Grants Program, and this year it created a dedicated COVID-19 grants programs.
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CORNELIA “Queenie” Babbage heads the Multicultural Families Organisation (MFO), a non-profit that worked tirelessly behind the scenes during COVID-19 to support families in hotel quarantine and deliver food to cash-strapped locals.
A refugee herself, Mrs Babbage said the Gold Coast’s multicultural community also delivered medicines, birthday presents during lockdowns and nappies and formula to new mums. She even used her own money to help people in need.
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“We’re just one of nearly a dozen hardworking groups dedicated to helping migrants and their families, including refugees and humanitarian entrants,” she said.
MFO volunteer Laura Fullarton set up the Got Your Back – Gold Coast Facebook during the height of restrictions as a place to ask for help, offer help and ensure no one went without. It now has nearly 10,000 followers.
Another group that provides connections and services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds is Multicultural Communities Gold Coast (MCCGC), it’s been supporting internationals since 1983.
The I Speak Your Language Program connects multinationals with volunteers who speak their native tongue and nearly 50 different languages are offered up to locals.
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MCCGC community development officer Kevin Dando said a big focus for him at the moment was on connecting with schoolchildren to encourage a respect of self and others in a bid to stamp out racism.
As part of this he’s worked with St Michaels College, Elanora State High and the Gold Coast Junior Council and held discussions about multiculturalism and inclusion.
“It’s just so important that we nurture and encourage positive relationships with young people across the Gold Coast, it’s about breaking down barriers and ensuring we give them the tools to help stop racism in the community,” he said.
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MCCGC also recently launched cultural videos promoting Gold Coast-based Pacific cultural groups from Samoa, Cook Islands and Maori New Zealand.
Mrs Babbage said she hoped over time the city’s multicultural community would be embraced and recognised as an integral part of the fabric of the Gold Coast.
“Our aims is to break down barriers and open people’s minds to the incredible value and knowledge that multinationals offer the city,” she said.
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