OVER the years, the Wimmera has become home for many people with refugee backgrounds.
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Refugee Week is a chance to celebrate the positive contributions these people have made to the region and the community’s efforts to help people feel included.
Wimmera Development Association settlement officer Emily Telfer said people with a refugee background deserved a chance to create a safe and rewarding life in their new communities. She said the region had a role to ensure all community members felt welcome.
Miss Telfer said providing support services and tools to help refugees integrate into Australian culture was important.
Community groups around the region are offering services that help refugee families form support networks, learn English, gain employment and become involved with their community.
Miss Telfer said there were misconceptions about refugees, but people need to remember that these people were members of the community.
“These people are providing positive contributions to our community and they are currently filling a skill gap,” she said. “Employers such as those at Luv-a-Duck and the Australian Wildflowers are offering jobs to people, which they normally can’t fill.”
Miss Telfer said language barriers often deterred people from engaging in conversations with refugees, but she said people should not be scared about creating an inclusive region. “We just need to talk to them. People might need to talk slower and repeat themselves, but people should not be scared approaching them,” she said.
Miss Telfer said Nhill was a perfect example of a community that embraced refugees. She said the community and its Karen residents had come together to create positive outcomes for the town.
Four years ago, Hindmarsh Shire Council created a Karen Community Plan. Its purpose was to create social cohesion and link Karen people with services that integrated them into the community.
These people are providing positive contributions to our community and they are currently filling a skill gap
- Emily Telfer
Council’s economic and community development manager Phil King said the relationship between council and the Karen community was built on understanding, acceptance and support.
However, Mr King said the relationship was not one-sided. He said council provided the Karen community with a support system, and in return they offered Wimmera residents rewarding experiences.
“They have taught a lot of people about their culture, food, songs and dances and it is very well respected and received,” he said.
“When they hosted the Karen New Year this year, nearly 600 people came out even though it was a stinking hot day – and it wasn’t just Karen people but other Hindmarsh residents as well.”
