WIMMERA Development Association settlement worker Robyn Murphy will say goodbye after five years.
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She started at the organisation as a retention officer working with skilled migrants and was an instrumental part of the establishment of the association’s settlement program.
Ms Murphy has been the settlement worker for the past four years since the program’s inception.
During her time at the association Ms Murphy worked to create a range of programs to support migrants in the Wimmera.
“The programs are aimed to give migrants independence and confidence to find services and to integrate into the community,” she said.
Ms Murphy said some of the greatest highlights of her work were a number of art projects across the Wimmera.
Art pieces created by migrants are on display in Hindmarsh and Horsham municipalities.
Ms Murphy said she was also proud of a number of programs established including playgroups and after-school activities.
“Families really appreciate the homework help and the social aspect,” she said.
Ms Murphy said she loved introducing migrants into the region.
“They love the Wimmera,” she said. “They feel it’s a safe, quiet, rural environment.”
Ms Murphy said her job had been an amazing experience. “I’m an ordinary person lucky to have an extraordinary job,” she said.
“It’s been rewarding but challenging.” Ms Murphy said she would use her retirement to relax and spend more time with her family, but would maintain her friendships with the people she met during her time as settlement worker.
“You meet such lovely people that you want to be friends with them,” she said.
“I think eventually I’ll come back to volunteering in the migrant community.”
Ms Murphy will continue to work as settlement worker until a replacement is hired.
She said she was excited to hand over the torch.
“It’s good for the program to have a different set of eyes – they might have a different approach,” she said.
Ms Murphy said her work at the association had been a collaborative effort.
“I’d like to thank the settlement committee and the large group of volunteers – without them we would never have achieved what we have,” she said.
“I’d also like to thank the migrant families for trusting me and trying everything I have offered them.”
Wimmera Development Association project manager Tammy McDonald said Ms Murphy would be missed.
“She’s an asset to the organisation so it’s sad to see her go,” she said.