Vidor lands spot on Multicultural Council
HOTELIER and communal figure Charlotte Vidor will commence her duties as a member of the Australian Multicultural Council (AMC) when the first meeting of the body is held this month.
Vidor was appointed to the AMC in December for a three-year term. She will sit alongside five other representatives from a variety of backgrounds.
“I think I was appointed because I have been involved in a number of government bodies and communal organisations in the past,” she told The AJN.
“I also happen to be an ethnic. And reasonably successful in business. It is obvious that my name was put forward as someone who could contribute to the debate,” she said, adding that she felt “honoured” at the appointment.
The AMC is a ministerially-appointed body which provides advice to the government on multicultural affairs policy and programs – something which Vidor feels strongly about.
“I think it’s very important; particularly in Australia. There have been a lot of issues with multiculturalism. And there’s a lot of debate … particularly on how to integrate all the different nationalities that make up the population,” she said.
Vidor came to Australia as a child, a refugee from Poland with her parents. She and her husband Irvin founded the Toga Group.
“I suppose I’m representing also an immigrant who arrived here many, many years ago and who became integrated, or at least I hope totally integrated, into Australian society – yet retained my tradition.
“I expect that we will discuss and make some recommendations as to how [the same thing] can be facilitated with the new immigrants who are coming into Australia.”
Kevin Andrews, minister for social services, said the government’s support for the council confirmed its commitment to a multicultural Australia and to building a stronger Australian community. “I look forward to receiving the Council’s expert advice to guide policy and program innovation, enhance civic engagement and help drive an agenda of migrant participation and broader community cohesion.”
PHOEBE ROTH
Charlotte Vidor.
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