Refugee Week 2022

                                                      Refugee Week and Sharing Cultures

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The Shepparton Interfaith Network and the Ethnic Council of Shepparton recently organised a Cultural Tour for interested individuals and organisations, to coincide with Refugee Week. Jenny Webb and Vanessa Malandrin attended the day on behalf of the Hughes Creek Catchment Collaborative.

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The tour began with a “welcome to country” at the Rumbalara Community Centre in Mooroopna. The group of almost 60 was greeted with a smoking ceremony and given an overview of the indigenous history of the Shepparton area.  The many services provided by the centre were outlined and its importance for local indigenous families was emphasised.

Shepparton is now also home to a large migrant population, from very diverse backgrounds, with differing cultures and faiths. Some of the migrant groups have developed community centres in which to practice their faith and keep their culture alive. These centres are open to the wider community and cross-cultural activities are organised and encouraged.

The tour visited the Turkish mosque in Mooroopna, and then in Shepparton, the Imam Kadhim mosque for the Iraqi Shia community and the Afghan mosque. At each centre, the group was given insights into the Muslim faith and into particular areas of interest or concern, specific to each of the (mostly refugee) communities. A delicious Iraqi lunch was provided and, as always, the food was a highlight and a great way to initiate conversation.

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The tour concluded at the Sikh Temple (Gurduara) with another interesting overview of the history of the Sikh community in the Shepparton region. Volunteers from the Sikh community produce hundreds of meals each week, not only for members of their own community but also for others from the wider Shepparton community.

It was evident from listening to the community leaders who addressed the tour, that integration is an ongoing process and a huge challenge for migrants of all backgrounds. For each migrant family, retaining their own culture, whilst establishing a connection to a new country and its culture is incredibly important. Many of the migrant families have come from rural backgrounds and are now adapting to an urban lifestyle.  Connecting to a new place, to the land and the landscape, is vital for them to thrive. Having worked in developing countries with individuals and communities whose life is a constant struggle and lived in fear, I have a personal urge to facilitate this connection to Country.

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This week I met with an inspiring young man, an Afghan refugee. He is now an orchardist, growing thousands of apples and pears outside Mooroopna. He is passionate about his community and the well-being of its younger members in particular. We discussed the possibility of the HCCC engaging with families from the Afghan community in Shepparton to exchange knowledge, share food and experiences and build a permanent connection with this region. Activities, yet to be decided, would be mutually beneficial and develop an understanding of our local environment, its community and many of the issues addressed by Landcare.

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The HCCC would welcome feedback from its members and the wider community with regard to pursuing this relationship.

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Jenny Webb, President, HCCC