Please note: this is an old article
It was published in April 2011, so the information may be out-of-date.
A new campaign to combat racism has the potential to turn local people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds into stars.
A casting call for people living in Greater Shepparton to star in the campaign will be held next Saturday (16 April) from 10am to 1pm at the Eastbank Centre in Shepparton.
Those shortlisted from the casting call will become the face of the Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity (LEAD) campaign in local media advertisements and billboards.
People in the 5 to 17 and 30 to 50 age range from an Aboriginal, African, Middle Eastern, Asian or Muslim background are encouraged to take part by turning up to the casting call.
Those shortlisted from the casting call to be used in the campaign will receive a $200 voucher.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Geoff Dobson encouraged local people to take part in the casting call and consider being the face of the LEAD program locally.
"The LEAD program is a really exciting initiative and we want to use real, local people as the talent for the campaign to show how proud we are of our diverse community.
"The whole idea behind the campaign is to showcase the amazing array of skills and talents that people from different backgrounds bring to our municipality in ways that celebrate diversity and reduce race based discrimination," he said.
The LEAD program works with local businesses, employers, schools and Council to reduce race-based discrimination and celebrate diversity through a range of activities, including training, leadership programs and policy reviews.
Greater Shepparton City Council is one of two Victorian Councils selected to take part in the LEAD pilot in partnership with VicHealth, Whittlesea City Council, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Municipal Association of Victoria, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and beyondblue.
For more information please contact LEAD Coordinator, Amanda Tingay on (03) 5832 9700.
Media: Please direct media enquiries to Marketing and Communications on (03) 5832 9537.