Using a community partnership approach, Moira Shire’s A Country Welcome has assisted newly arrived refugees to join in a range of existing social and recreational activities, as well as create new activities. A Vic Health funded project, it has tackled issues including language, cultural awareness and employment/education.
Adding to the Shire’s cultural diversity, in recent years Cobram has become home to 400 Iraqi residents. The conflict in Iraq had a large impact on Moira’s Iraqi refugee community and to a lesser extent the wider Cobram community.
Tensions surfaced in March 2003 with a few isolated racial incidents. This saw the Shire play a central role in establishing a clearer liaison between the police, local media, the Iraqi community and wider community. The Cobram Community House also played an important role providing a positive and personal approach to ease the pressure on local Iraqis as the conflict in Iraq progressed.
“During this period of uncertainty for our refugee residents, it became evident that any racial issue that arose needed to be addressed quickly,” said Kaye Thomson, Manager Community Services. “Positive media coverage was extremely important as the whole community needed to feel safe during this time.”
A Country Welcome which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of newly arrived residents was not going to be derailed by turbulent world events that were outside anyone’s control. The program also established links to community services and support networks for the Iraqi community during this time of emotional need with many having family members in the war zone.
Some of the key achievements of this project include the following:
- reducing fear in the refugee community
- improving relations between the police and Iraqi community
- increasing cultural awareness with Ramadan and Islamic way of life workshops
- achieving positive media coverage including Cobram’s Harmony Day activities being featured on the ABC’s 7.30 Report
- being nominated for various multicultural and Local Government awards.
