It's essential people stay connected during stage three lockdown, including new residents settling into life in Australia.
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It is with this in mind that the Wimmera Development Association has brought back the Harmony Sewing Group for new migrants, delivering them online via Zoom.
The group is a collaboration between the WDA's settlement services and Horsham's Centre for Participation's English language program. It links migrant communities to volunteers with expertise in craft, patchwork, quilters and other creative avenues, with the ultimate aim of social connection.
The group was suspended in March as the coronavirus pandemic hit, and its first session back from the break was on Thursday, August 13.
The WDA's settlement officer Sara Barron said participants were making masks for friends and family. She said some might also use it as a project for a micro business course through the Centre for Participation.
"It's so important to keep everyone connected as best we can," Ms Barron said.
"We will continue to run the sewing group online through the Centre for Participation conversation classes for term three, and may decide to run it as a separate class."
Phuong Duong Ha, who led the first session, said it was hard to teach people to sew by video, but also fun.
"It was hard to teach online. Everyone had different skills. Showing how to wind the bobbin was difficult," she said.
Nhill's Paw Po sewing group, comprised of people of Karen ethnicity making and selling face masks during the pandemic, donated sewing machines for the Harmony group to use.
Ms Barron said people wanting more information about the Harmony Sewing Group, or about activities to support migrants in the Wimmera and southern Mallee, could phone her on 5381 6504.
The return of the Harmony Sewing Group has coincided with the Wimmera Development Association launching a new program to help migrants needing to access JobKeeper and other government services during the pandemic.
The latest census data shows there are more than 4200 people born overseas living in the Wimmera and Grampians, up 300 from five years earlier.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
