Multicultural Storytimes

Family-friendly storytimes offered in a range of languages.
Learn more about

The presence of people from diverse cultural backgrounds enriches Port Phillip. We are the proud home of people from over 164 different birthplaces. Our residents speak 126 different languages. 

We believe creating culturally safe spaces and opportunities for language use help our diverse communities continue to connect with their heritage. This is why we host Multicultural Storytimes.

Our Multicultural Storytimes

We’re working with Space2b to bring you Multicultural Storytimes in four languages – Amharic/Tigrinya, Arabic, Hindi and Mandarin. 

Our Storytimes offer fun stories read by native language speakers, with sessions available in English alongside the multicultural languages.

It's the perfect place for children aged five and under to develop their language skills while exploring and connecting with their own and other cultures. Plus, families will have the chance to connect and access important Council support services.

Storytime schedule

(School Holidays: No Multicultural Storytime sessions during school holiday periods.)

Amharic/Tigrinya storytime at Emerald Hill Library

First and third Wednesday of the month.

All sessions are from 12 to 1 pm.

  • Wednesday 2 July
  • Wednesday 6 August
  • Wednesday 20 August
  • Wednesday 3 September
  • Wednesday 17 September
  • Wednesday 15 October
  • Wednesday 5 November
  • Wednesday 19 November

*Note: In months with 5 Wednesdays (July and October), the 5th Wednesday will be skipped.

Arabic storytime at Emerald Hill Library

Second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

All sessions are from 12 to 1 pm.

  • Wednesday 23 July
  • Wednesday 13 August
  • Wednesday 27 August
  • Wednesday 10 September 
  • Wednesday 8 October
  • Wednesday 22 October
  • Wednesday 12 November
  • Wednesday 26 November

*Note: In months with 5 Wednesdays (July and October), the 5th Wednesday will be skipped.

Hindi storytime at St Kilda Library

Second and fourth Monday of the month.

All sessions are 11 am to 12 pm.

  • Monday 28 July
  • Monday 11 August
  • Monday 25 August
  • Monday 8 September
  • Monday 13 October
  • Monday 27 October
  • Monday 10 November
  • Monday 24 November 
  • Monday 8 December

Mandarin storytime at Port Melbourne Library

Second and fourth Friday of the month.

All sessions are 11 am to 12 pm.

  • Friday 25 July
  • Friday 8 August
  • Friday 22 August
  • Friday 12 September
  • Friday 10 October
  • Friday 24 October
  • Friday 14 November
  • Friday 28 November
  • Friday 12 December 

About the storytellers 

To run specialty storytimes it takes special storytellers. We’ve partnered with Space2b to hire, train, mentor and support storytellers to provide culturally safe and inclusive storytime sessions.

Each storyteller will bring their own expertise and flair to their sessions. 

Meet our storytellers

Nejat – Amharic/Tigrinya Storyteller

Originally from Eritrea, Nejat later moved to Australia and had two children. She used to take her children to storytimes when they were young to help them learn English and now she is excited to bring her language and culture to her very own storytimes.

The Multicultural Storytimes program has helped Nejat to feel a deeper sense of belonging, as she knows that her language and culture are recognised and valued in her community and she can’t wait to connect and share her culture with others.

Khadra – Arabic Storyteller

Originally from Somalia, Khadra arrived in Australia in 2006 on her own and has since built her family here. She has always called the City of Port Phillip home, making it her second home and a place close to her heart.

Khadra has a passion for cooking and being with children, which is why storytelling has become such a joy for her. It allows her to connect with children and share stories in her native language, Arabic. She also finds fulfillment in teaching children about different cultures, helping them appreciate the richness of diverse nationalities and traditions.

Khadra is deeply grateful to Space2b and the City of Port Phillip for giving her the opportunity to share her knowledge and make a meaningful impact in the community.

Rohini – Hindi Storyteller

Rohini is a passionate storyteller with over 12 years of experience, who recently moved to Melbourne from India. She brings a rich cultural heritage to her storytelling sessions, focusing on simplified Indian stories, mythological tales and using language elements like counting in Hindi. Rohini also uses movement and music and aims to make it easier for children to read and speak Hindi. Committed to community outreach, she looks forward to building lasting relationships with local families.

Sirui – Mandarin Storyteller

Sirui is a Mandarin native speaker from Nanjing, China, and an emerging creative practitioner and arts educator. She is currently completing her studies at the University of Melbourne and her creative works have been featured locally and internationally. Sirui is passionate about developing creative programs for local youth and storytelling, especially through Kamishibai. She is excited to use her creative skills to contribute to the local community.

Partners and funding

This program couldn’t be delivered without support from Space2b, Better Health Network and FKA Children’s Services and the funding provided by the Victorian Government. 

Space2b have their own webpage for the Multicultural Storytimes program.

Library-run storytimes

Our libraries also offer in-language storytimes at four of their branches – Albert Park, Emerald Hill, Port Melbourne and St Kilda. 

These include weekly sessions in English and monthly sessions in Portuguese, German, Spanish and Russian, which are also suitable for children aged five years and under. 

For more information, visit their LOTE Storytimes webpage. 

Contact us 

Our Family Services team is here to help. 

Send us a message on My Port Phillip.

Phone: 03 9209 6777