For the Greek Australian community, next Tuesday’s Census provides a vital opportunity to inform government and public institutions at every level, of our numbers and the strength of our community. Accurate data collected by the Census on Greek Australians will mean more public-funded Greek language educational programs, more aged-care facilities, more services for our community and a greater say for Greek Australians in how our community can grow and prosper. The Census measures the number and key characteristics of people in Australia.
It is the largest collection of statistical information undertaken in Australia. It will determine the allocation of around $45 billion worth of funding to the states and territories. The data recorded is used for a range of planning purposes by all levels of government, private institutions and community organisations. Small businesses, religious organisations, educational institutions, charities and local Make your heritage count on Census night.
NEOS KOSMOS CENSUS GUIDE
How do I participate in the Census? On Census night, Tuesday 9 August, you have the choice of filling in the paper form or completing eCensus online. If you have not received a form by 7 August call the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 338776. 1. Use eCensus If you want to complete the form online, ask the collector for a sealed eCensus envelope which contains your unique eCensus number. If you haven’t received an eCensus envelope by 7 August 2011, you should call the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 338 776.
If necessary they can provide a unique eCensus number via SMS or mail. If you have requested and were given an eCensus number, a collector will not return to your house. 2. Complete the paper form Census collectors will be delivering forms up to Tuesday 9 August. Complete the Census form and the collector will return to pick up your form between 10 August and 28 August 2011. Census forms can be completed with the assistance of the Census collector, or by using a ‘privacy envelope’ which can be sealed and given to the collector. If you have been given an envelope to mail your form back, please seal your completed Census form back in the reply paid envelope.
FILLING IN THE FORM
All members of your household (including visitors) who are with you at midnight on Tuesday 9 August need to be included on the form using the Person 1 to Person 6 columns. Remember, use CAPITAL letters only and mark a horizontal dash – in the box next to your answer. To record accurate data on ethnic ancestry and cultural identity, the Census form includes questions about language spoken at home, ancestry and religion. Answering these questions accurately is vital to ensure Greek Australians are counted properly.
Question 16: Language Does the person speak a language other than English at home? If you speak Greek, regardless of how fluently, you should mark in the box beside ‘Yes, Greek’.
Question 18: Ancestry What is the person’s ancestry? Each person can provide a maximum of two ancestries with which they most closely identify. If you have a Greek parent, grandparent or great grandparent, regardless of where you were born, your ancestry is Greek. Write GREEK in the box below ‘Other’.
Question 19: Religion What is the person’s religion? If you identify as belonging to the Greek Orthodox religion, mark a horizontal dash in the circle next to Greek Orthodox.
CENSUS ENQUIRY HELPLINE -1300 338 776 – GREEK LANGUAGE HELPLINE 1300 340 120 AND PRESS 9