This project has been instrumental in supporting new migrants from all nationalities and visa classes in their bid to embrace Australia and in particular the Murraylands as their new home. With one of the Murraylands major employers sourcing employees from China an influx of new migrants began arriving in August 2005. These new arrivals together with their partners and children created challenges for the Murraylands services and community not felt since the Italian migration of the 50’s.

The Murraylands Regional Development Board undertook a gap analysis and undertook to address these gaps as part of the project. By taking a strategic approach and looking to have the “best practice model” the Board considered all the barriers and obstacles that come with migrants entering a new and unfamiliar environment. Highlighted was the disparity between funding and services for Humanitarian and Refugee entrants and those entering on temporary working visas.

Murraylands now has a diverse cultural pool with migrants from Afghanistan, Africa, Europe, China and the Phillipines. By far the largest group of migrants since 2005 are from China. With many difficulties encountered in moving to a new Country not least of which is the barrier created by being unable to communicate in a common language. The need for all new migrants to learn about Australia, its cultural heritage, customs and laws is paramount to the successful integration and retention of migrants as future permanent citizens of Australia. Initially migrants were unsettled and confused as to the services available and who was providing them. There were many splintered groups offering support without knowledge or cooperation of anyone else.

The Murraylands Multicultural Project was successful in streamlining information and services and communicating with new migrants in a more strategic approach.

This program was funded by te Murraylands Regional Development Board, Department of Trade & Economic Development (DTED), T&R Pastoral and the Rural City of Murray Bridge.