Connecting Settlement and Industry
CSCI Stakeholders Forum Nov 3rd 2022

Presentation by Rotarian John Scarvelis Chair Murraylands Multicultural Network MB Town Hall
The Murraylands Multicultural Network was launched at the Rotary Murraylands Multicultural Festival in 2006 after about 12 months of discussions between Rotary Club of MB President Elect John Scarvelis and CEO of the Migrant Resource Centre Eugenia Tsoulis regarding Festival Funding and considerable networking with funding sources and the industry. The Network has since become a model of introduction of new settlers to Regional Areas.
The Murraylands Multicultural Network is a NGO which operates under the auspices of the Australian Migrant Resource Centre in Murray Bridge. Its role is to be a voice for new settlers in the Murraylands as communities and as individuals, to support them in their integration with the local community, and assist the AMRC in the provision of support services. The Rural City of Murray Bridge and the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge have also played important roles in support and development. Funding has come from The Rural City of Murray Bridge, State and Federal governments and on occasions from industry. The MMN fosters, encourages, and promotes cultural diversity within the Murraylands by providing links between ethnic groups, fostering the development and availability of culturally appropriate services for members of migrant and refugee background, an opportunity to raise areas of concern, and integrate successfully in the local community.
An important tool has been the Living and Working in Regional South Australia: a Case Study of Three Towns, in which the Rural City of Murray Bridge through the Murraylands Multicultural Network and AMRC became contributors in community consultations as focus groups designed to consider whether the needs and aspirations of these new communities align with those of service and community support providers. The Report was launched at the Rural City of Murray Bridge Council Chambers by the Hon Jing Lee MP with the contributing partners the Hugo Centre for Population and Housing and AMRC in 2020. The MMN through John Scarvelis and Heather Muirhead have also had input into various State and Federal Government policy reviews. Training and adding to skill sets have been important, programs members have been encouraged to participate in include, Pathways to employment, various craft programs, sewing, cultural cooking, mask sewing, ceramics, calligraphy, horticulture and bag making. English Classes have been paramount, along with environmental projects like Bird Watching in the Riverglades wetlands, and Stepping Stones into Nature with Trees for Life and connection with local Ngarrindjeri. The members have been introduced to how Foodbank works in Murray Bridge and the Network is on line with its own Facebook page Murraylands Multicultural Network Inc. The Cricket Blast Program sponsored by Woolworths proved successful in our New Settler Engagement with 26 children participating at our North School in August. The Introduction to cricket provided extra skill sets to enable new settler children gain acceptance with their peers at school. It was well supported by parents. Mental Health Workshops have also played an important role, Are you OK led by the Skylight Group, Drumming workshops, events in the Murraylands by individual ethnic groups and by the MMN as a group. For example the Chinese Association Mooncake Festival,  Indian Punjabi Mela Festival, Waitangi Day organised by the local Maori and Ngarindjerri, the All Cultures Fest and Citizenship Ceremony organised by the Rural City of Murray Bridge AMRC and MMN, Chinese New Year in Adelaide and in Murray Bridge with Chinese Consul Madame He and her staff, Australia Day Celebrations, and Refugee Day. The African groups had an inaugural event last year. The Murraylands Multicultural Yuntu –Walun Festival was the key event of the year held on March 14th 2021. The Name means Coming Together in the local Ngarridjeri language and it certainly achieved its objectives. The Murraylands Multicultural Network, the Australian Migrant Resource Centre, in partnership with the Rural City of Murray Bridge, the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge, the Department of Premier and Cabinet came together in putting on this event at Sturt Reserve Murray Bridge. Over 900 attended at one time with people enjoying this iconic river venue. The Australian Navy, many of the new settler communities, the Ngarrindjeri community, the Dragon Boat Clubs, and the Regional Development Board contributed.  The Event was described by some as a Mini Womad. The end of Year Christmas Celebration at the AMRC is also a favourite event for both adults and the children. The MMN has played a part in the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge Changeover Night with Guest Speaker Governor Hieu Van Le speaking on Migrant settlement and some members attended the Rotary Xmas Breakfast. The MMN also participated in the AMRC Youth Poster display and exhibited the works at the Murray Bridge Regional Gallery. To summarise the key elements involve food, music, dance, art and culture for communities and individuals as well as providing an atmosphere of training, learning, customs, traditions, diversity, harmony, social cohesion, economic benefits, sustainability, tolerance and understanding, making for a better future.
The historical and current status quo outlined so far provide clues to a major change in the scene for future development. MMN and AMRC have been talking about this future ever since the Thomas Foods fire. The relatively recent meeting (at least 6 months ago) earlier in the year held at the Bridgeport Hotel by the Rural City of Murray Bridge identified housing as a major issue going forward. It’s important that all of the stakeholders play a part in the development of future policy. Areas including differences between short term and long-term settlement, funding and staff resources required, visa requirements, background checks of suitability, migration agent procedures and practices, English training, family settlement options, skills options and requirements. Currently 1.5 paid AMRC staff operate the Murray Bridge Office supported by Adelaide Office Staff and local Murraylands volunteers.  Housing for workers is a short-term priority and also long term so that a diversity of settlers can be attracted. We need to ensure that ghettos are not developed and the diversity and balance in the Murraylands is not influenced detrimentally. Skills we need include engineering, robotic, computer IT, management, social, sales, horticultural, training, artistic, to be attracted in the workforce as well as manufacturing and processing. It’s quite a challenge and it needs to happen prior to any major influx of workers arriving. The current locals are anxious about the delays in planning, lack of resourcing, and groups working in silos with not enough communication, spirit of corporation, and transparency. Inclusiveness and acceptance is very important to the migrants/refugees as well as the existing Australian local population. The future of Australia I believe lies in the development of the Regions. Large cities require expensive infrastructure to remain viable whereas we now have the opportunity to maintain our Australian lifestyle, and allow the new settlers to connect with the local communities by developing the Regions. Reducing our footprint is also a worthwhile exercise in the planning. It’s a nation building exercise with long term planning. The Murraylands experience is clearly that long term migration is the preferred option with families being integrated. Migrants from the same locality is even better as they seem to assimilate better and have better relationships. The drawbacks with short term are that the workers are away from their families and are subjected to pressures which are difficult for everyone. Migration affects the whole community infrastructure and needs to be adjusted in the planning process. Education, entertainment, health, hospitals, accommodation, employment, transport all require input and adjustment relating to the influx of settlers. Committed preparedness is paramount in a successful outcome. Let’s not get caught short!
John Scarvelis        Chairman Murraylands Multicultural Network