Organization
Cambodian Association of Victoria
The Cambodian Association of Victoria (CAV) is a Cambodian community association in Springvale, Victoria, Australia, established in 1985.[1][2] It provides welfare, settlement and support services, and the association calls itself the sole surviving Cambodian organization still serving the Cambodian community.[3][1]
History
In 1995 the association bought an old house at 52 Queens Avenue, Springvale. The total cost was A$88,000, which included A$24,653 raised through fundraising and A$8,896 in donations.[1] In 1999 the old house was removed so that a new building could go up. A stone-laying ceremony was held on July 31, 1999, attended by Senator Tsebin Tchen and Mayor Naim Melham.[1] The federal government's Work for the Dole program supported the project, and its team members helped build the first stage in 1999 and 2000, at a cost of A$175,000.[1]
Permission for a second stage was granted in 2009. That July the Ministry of Multicultural Affairs gave A$2,116, and donations, a community loan and other sources added A$60,206 and A$19,416.[1] Between 2009 and 2010 the association moved into its new CAV Heritage Building, and the core building was finished in 2010 at a cost of A$200,000.[1]
For more than thirty years, the association has given young Cambodians professional development training to build skills for work in Australia or for running their own businesses. It credits this work with helping build human resources for Australian society, including for newly arrived Cambodian settlers.[1]
Services
The association's objectives are to provide welfare services to disadvantaged members of the Cambodian community in Victoria, to promote good relations among Cambodians, Australians and Australians of other ethnic origins, to improve Cambodian access to government and non-government services, and to foster Cambodian cultural heritage and traditions in Australia.[1]
Its housing help covers applications for rental accommodation and home finance, tenant information, advice and referral, and support in tenancy disputes. It gives referrals on consumer rights, helps with buying a house, a car and other goods, and assists with insurance and car accident claims, including representation.[3] Counseling covers personal, educational and family problems.[3]
For people seeking work, the association links the unemployed with employers, Centrelink and training providers, and raises awareness of training, education and labor market programs. It helps young Cambodians who have been out of work for a long time to build job-hunting, résumé-writing and interview skills.[3] It also gives referrals on financial matters, helps with Centrelink maintenance forms, and offers free help with tax returns from a Tax Help volunteer.[3]
In health, the association gives culturally specific advice to professionals at the Springvale Community Health Centre and other health services, and runs information sessions for Cambodian elders, youth and women so that the community makes full use of the health center's services.[3] It supports the spiritual and religious needs of elderly Cambodians.[3] As of 2024 it was a registered provider (PRV-8612) of the Commonwealth Home Support Program in the advisory and support services category, delivered from two Springvale locations, with registration running to February 28, 2028.[4] Its Australian Business Number is 75 192 203 140.[4]
The association provides settlement services to new arrivals and disadvantaged groups. It helps with letters to authorities on advocacy matters, makes telephone calls on behalf of clients, refers clients on legal, family and financial matters, and links the Cambodian community with other networks and service providers.[3] Classes include citizenship preparation, learner permit test help, English for beginners and Khmer language.[1] The association runs the Khmer Language Program on Radio 3ZZZ, heard on Ethnic Public Radio 92.3 FM.[3]
Community
Services are open to holders of a membership card.[1] The association is run by a board committee, staff and front-desk volunteers. Volunteers work at the front desk, as kitchen hands, in the garden, as broadcasters on 3ZZZ, in fundraising and at community events.[1] As of 2026 its services were free by appointment, with no payment or Medicare card needed.[2] The office at 52 Queens Avenue is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.[5][2] As of 2026 its telephone number was 03 8522 8432 and its email address was admin@cav.net.au; a second Springvale outlet for home support services used 03 9546 3466.[2][4]
Emblem
The association's emblem shows a head with the four faces of Prohm (Brahma). The association says the head stands for the objectives set out in its constitution and for its commitment to build a strong Cambodian community that takes its place in multicultural Australia.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Cambodian Association of Victoria, About us
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Healthdirect Australia, Cambodian Association of Victoria (2026)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Cambodian Association of Victoria, Our services
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 My Aged Care, Cambodian Association of Victoria Inc (2024)
- ↑ Cambodian Association of Victoria, Contact