With one of Melbourne’s largest communities of newcomers, Hume has dedicated part of its extensive greening program to special activities for ethnic and refugee communities. The program helps overcome significant barriers which confront non English speaking groups in their new country.
Each year, the City holds a Planting Festival and conducts special projects where people from non English speaking backgrounds are brought together to help transform the open spaces of Hume.
The aim is threefold said Greening Hume Project Officer Jo Ferguson. “It improves the Municipality and helps our community to recognise the beauty and value of our natural environment,” she said. “Just as importantly, it gives non English speakers a stakehold in their new community and a chance to participate together.
“In many cases, this is often the first contact they have with Council. “It provides them with a fun introduction and the chance to get together with other people who have similar problems.”
Jo said on these occasions ethnic groups, not only learn about each other’s different cultures but also have the chance to discuss their common difficulties as refugees and new settlers. “They gain a chance to develop cross cultural tolerance, understanding and friendship,” she said.
The project aims to keep a low key profile so as to maintain an intimate and non threatening atmosphere with the focus on participation.
The wider Greening Hume Program has been running for 10 years. Manager Parks and Open Space Nick Graesser said during that time people have come to place a much higher value on the natural environment with over 128 ‘Friends’ groups involved in community conservation projects being formed.
Jo Ferguson said now when people are asked what they would like to see done with open space they opt less for structures, such as barbeques, and are more interested in conserving habitats, eradicating weeds and planting out areas with indigenous species.
