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ACKnowledgemenT of Key PArTners
This plan would not be possible without the cooperation and
support of our key partners. Council wishes to express sincere
thanks to
• AustralianGovernment
• OfficeofMulticulturalAffairsandCitizenship,Department
ofPremierandCabinet,VictorianGovernment
• VictorianMulticulturalCommission
• BallaratCommunityHealth
• JohnandMargMillington
• Luv-A-Duck
• NhillCollege
• NhillKarenCommunityOrganisation
• NhillLearningCentre
• NhillLutheranSchool
• StPatricksPrimarySchool
• WestWimmeraHealthService
• WimmeraUnitingCare
• WimmeraDevelopmentAssociation
.
TAble of ConTenTs1. Introduction 4
1.1 MulticulturalisminAustralia 4
1.2 Council’sVision 5
1.3 Objective 5
2. Our Community Profile 7
2.1 HindmarshDemographics 7
2.2 HistoryoftheKarenPeople 8
3. Consultation Process 10
3.1 Youth 10
3.2 Adults 10
4. Karen Community Profiles 12
5. Karen Community Action Plan 16
foreword
Helen KAPAlos CHAIr of VICTorIAn mulTICulTurAl CommIssIon
Ourstateishometorefugeesfromallovertheworld,with
almostathirdofAustralia’srefugeessettlinginVictoria.Our
vibrantandwelcomingcommunityhasmuchtoofferrefugees,
includingtheexperienceandsupportofourwellestablished
migrantcommunities,andweareequallyenrichedbythe
contributionsofournewarrivals.
Formanyrefugees,adjustingtolifeinanewcountrycanpose
anumberofchallenges,soitishearteningtoseeNhill’sKaren
communitythrivingintheplacetheynowcallhome.
TheKarenCommunityActionPlancontinuestoexemplify
howdiversesectorsandcommunitiescanworktogetherto
empowerrefugeestoparticipateinourproudlymulticultural
state.
SincethedevelopmentofthefirstKarenCommunityAction
Planin2014,theKarencommunityinNhillhasgonefrom
strengthtostrength.Inpartnershipwiththelocalcommunity,
theKarencommunityhasmadetangibleandsignificant
impactsonthelocaleconomy,aswellascontributingtothe
culturalandsocialfabricofNhill.
TheKarenpeople’ssettlementinNhillisawonderfulrefugee
successstory,andaninspirationalsettlementmodelforother
localcommunitiestofollow.Icongratulateandcommendthe
HindmarshShireCouncilandthewiderNhillandHindmarsh
communitiesfortheirleadershipinengagingwiththeKaren
community.ItdemonstratestheCouncil’scommitmentto
supportingitsnewestmembers,whileatthesametime
empoweringcommunitiestocelebratetheirculturaltraditions
with pride.
TheVictorianMulticulturalCommissionisproudtocontinue
oursupportfortheKarenCommunityActionPlan,andwish
youeverysuccessforitsimplementation.
Cr. debrA nelson mAyor of HIndmArsH sHIre CounCIl
HindmarshShireisCulturallyandLinguisticallyDiverse(CALD)
beinghometopeoplefrommorethantwentyfivedifferent
countriesaroundtheworld.OurruralShireprovidesthe
opportunitytoliveinafriendly,safeenvironmentandtogether
withtheabundanceofnaturalassets,thatprovidemany
opportunitiesforrecreationalactivities,ourresidentsenjoya
highqualityoflife.
Ourcommunitiesarewelcomingandcaring,accepting
andrespectfulandweareproudoftheveryhighrateof
volunteeringwithinourshire.CALDcommunitieshave
beenembracedbyourresidentsandmany,manyhoursof
volunteeringhavebeenspenttosupportthemandprovide
opportunitiesforparticipationwhichhasbenefitedthewhole
community.
Weareverygratefultothemigrantsandrefugeeswhohave
madethechoicetomovetoourShire,oftenforemployment
inmanydifferentfields.TheKarenCommunityisbyfarthe
largestethnicgroupwithinourShireandtheirsettlement,
whichhasbecomeknownworldwide,hashadasignificant
economicimpact,particularlyinNhill,allowingforbusiness
expansion,boostingnumbersinkindergartenandschoolsand
stimulatingthelocalpropertymarket.
ManymigrantsarealsoworkinginourHospitalsandAged
Carefacilitiesundertakingtheimportantworkofcaringfor
oursickandelderly,whileothershaveshownconfidencein
ourShirebyoperatingbusinesses.Regardlessofemployment
status,everymigrantorrefugeeisavaluedmemberofour
communityandweencouragethemalltorecogniseand
celebratetheirowncultureandhistoryforfuturegenerations
to also appreciate.
3
1 Introduction
mulTICulTurAlIsm In AusTrAlIAAustraliacontinuestogrowasaculturallydiversenation,
allowingthosewhochoosetocallAustraliahometheright
topractiseandsharetheirculturaltraditionsandlanguages
withinthelawandfreefromdiscrimination.
OveraquarterofAustralianswerebornoverseasandspeaka
secondlanguage,withover300languagesspokenacrossthe
country.
Australiancultureisasbroadanddiverseasthecountry’s
landscape.Australiaisrichanddiverseinculturalinfluences,
reflectedinthecountry’sfood,lifestyleandculturalpractices
and experience.
Thisplanrecognisesmulticulturalismasacriticalelementin
thefuturedevelopmentoffederalpolicy.
In2017,theVictorianGovernmentreleaseditsMulticultural
PolicyStatement,Victorian.Andproudofit.
ThepolicyisunderpinnedbytheVictorianValuesStatement,
asetofsharedvaluesthattheVictorianGovernmentexpects
everyonetolearn,respectandaccept–andthatVictorians
should expect of each other.
ThesevaluesarethosethatVictoriaacceptsandlivesby
toensurethatthestateremainsoneoftheworld’smost
cohesive,multiculturalsocieties.
THe VICTorIAn VAlues sTATemenT
one lAw for AllEveryoneisequalunderthelaw.AllVictorianshavethesame
legalrights,responsibilitiesandprotections.
AsVictorians,weallhaverightsunderthelawandrespon-
sibilitiesandtowardseachother.Byrespectingourmutual
rightsandresponsibilities,wecanensureasafeandcohesive
society.
freedom To be yourselfEveryoneisfreetobethemselvesandtofeelsafeinbeing
truetothemselves.TheGovernmentwantseveryVictorianto
beabletocelebratetheirculturewithpride,andpracticetheir
traditions in peace.
Thefreedomtobeyourselfincludesfreedomofspeech,
expressionsofgender,sexualityandreligion,andpeaceful
assembly;itdoesnotallowpeopletobreakthelaworto
impingeonthesafetyorfreedomofothers.
dIsCrImInATIon Is neVer ACCePTAbleEveryonehasaresponsibilitytopromoteinclusionand
participationandtorejectexclusion,racismandallforms
ofviolence.Asocietyfreeofdiscriminationisbetterableto
tackleproblemslikeeconomicandsocialdisengagementand
improvehealthandwellbeingforall.
A fAIr go for AllEveryonedeservesafairgoinlife.Thatmeansgivingevery
Victorian–nomatterwheretheylive,theircircumstances,
ortheirbackground–thesupporttheyneedtoenjoythe
Victorianwayoflife.Theseincludequalityeducation
andhealthcare,accessibletransport,equityin
employmentandasafeplacetolive.
2014 PlAn – uPdATeThe2014KarenCommunityActionPlanformedpartofthe
HindmarshShireCouncilPlan2013–2017.Itcontributes
toCouncil’slongtermvisionofdeveloping“acaring,active
communityenhancedbyitsliveability,environmentand
economy”.
DevelopedinconsultationwiththeKarencommunity,the
2014planwasabalanceofgrassrootsprojectsandstrategic
outcomestoensuretheKarencommunityofNhillissupported
andprovidedwithopportunitiestocompletefulfillinglivesin
Nhill.
TheplanhascontributedtoempoweringNhill’scommunity
andencouraginganinclusiveenvironmentforallresidents
tofeelsafe.ThethreemainthemesofthePlanwere
access,involvementandconsultation.Thesebroadthemes
allowed Council and other key stakeholders to work with
thecommunitytoprovidealongtermdirectioninsupporting
theKarencommunitywithincreasedaccesstosettlement
services,provisionofinformationsessionsforinformation
sharing,increasedemploymenteducationopportunities,
culturaleventsandstrategicsupportatalocalandregional
level.
Councilhasworkedondeliveringtheactionsidentifiedinthe
2014planwhilecollaboratingwithkeystakeholderstobuild
awarenessoftheKarencommunityinalocal,regionaland
nationalscalewhichhasresultedinthesecuringfundingto
implementthe2014KarenCommunityPlan.Theplanhasbeen
anexceptionalplatformforCouncilandthewidercommunity
tosupport,advocateforandworkwiththeKarencommunity
ofNhill.
CounCIl’s VIsIon – 2017 And beyondThe2017KarenCommunityActionPlanhasbeendeveloped
withsubstantialconsultationacrossawiderangeof
stakeholdersintheNhill,HindmarshandwiderWimmera
community.
AligningwiththeHindmarshShireCouncilPlan2017–2021,
thisplanwillcontinuethelongtermstrategicdirectionfor
Counciltodevelopathrivinglocaleconomythroughincreased
capacityandleadershipwithintheKarencommunityofNhill.
Thekeyaimofthe2017KarenCommunityActionPlanisto
buildontheactionsofthe2014planandsupporttheKaren
communityinincreasingtheiraccesstosettlementservices
atalocalandregionallevel,developingtheirleaderswith
trainingandeducationopportunities,increasingemployment
opportunitiesthroughemploymentandbusinessdevelopment
andprovidingnewopportunitiesinsport,recreation,artsand
culturalactivities.
EmpoweringtheKarencommunitythroughcontinued
learning,trainingopportunitiesandmentoringsupportwill
seeincreasedcapacitythroughouttheNhillandHindmarsh
communityinareassuchashospitality,tourism,healthand
agriculture.
objeCTIVeThisplanacknowledgestheKarencommunity’simportance
inNhill’sculturaldiversity,andtheroletheyplayin
strengtheningthelocaleconomy.Itidentifieskeyareasfor
improvement,changeandgrowththatsupportsandincreases
thecapacityoftheKarencommunityinNhillthrough
initiativesidentifiedduringconsultations.Indeliveringthe
actionsinthisplan,Councilandotherlocalandregional
stakeholderswillcontinuetoseekinputfromtheKaren
communityinthefuture.
5
HIndmArsH at a glance2016 Census DataTowns:Nhill,Dimboola,Jeparit,RainbowArea:7,527km2
Population:5,721
our Community Profile2
6
HIndmArsH demogrAPHICsHindmarshShireCouncilishometo5,721people.Ofthese,
2,184peopleliveinNhill.Accordingto2016Censusdata,
Nhill’spopulationhasdeclinedby94peoplesince2011,
approximately4%ofthetown’spopulation.
82.8%(downfrom88.4%in2011)ofNhill’spopulationwere
borninAustralia,andEnglishistheonlylanguagespokenin
thehomesof86.1%(5%lowerthan2011)ofresidents.
Tocreateapictureofthetown,themedianageis48years,
increasedfrom46yearsofagein2011.Mostpeopleidentify
themselvesasbeingChristian,owntheirhomeoutright,and
workinanynumberofareaswithintheagriculturesector.
Atthe2016Census,Nhillwashometo83peoplewhowere
borninMyanmar(Burma,previouslyknownastheRepublicof
theUnionofMyanmar)and44peoplewereborninThailand.
Over17%(385)ofNhill’spopulationhadatleastoneparent
bornoverseas,with289residentsstatingbothparentswere
bornoverseas(13.2%).Ofthese385residents,135people
livinginNhillatthetimeofthe2016Censushadoneparent
borninMyanmar.
2184 PeoPle lIVe In nHIll
34 number of KAren lIVIng
In nHIll In 2011
180 number of KAren lIVIng
In nHIll In 2014
182 number of KAren lIVIng
In nHIll In 2016
535% growTH of nHIll’s KAren
PoPulATIon In jusT fIVe yeArs
HIsTory of THe KAren PeoPleTheKarenpeopleareanethnicgroupfromBurma(Republic
oftheUnionofMyanmar).Traditionally,manyaresubsistence
farmers,livinginsmallvillagesinmountainousregions.Karen
peopleareculturallyandlinguisticallydiverse,andcommonly
practiceseveralreligions,includingAnimism,Buddhismand
Christianity.
Burmawashistoricallyamonarchy,however,thiscollapsed
whenitwascolonisedbyBritaininthe19thcentury.After
Burmaregainedindependencein1948,civilwarbrokeout
betweenthegovernmentandtheminorityethnicgroups.
Whenthemilitarytookpowerin1962,theyestablisheda
brutalregimeofpersecution,extortionandforcedlabour.
Killings,tortureandrapearecommonplace,forcingmanyto
fleeBurmaandseekrefugeinThailand.
Presently,approximately140,000Karenliveinrefugee
campsontheThai/Burmaborder,administeredbytheUnited
NationsHighCommissionerforRefugees.Refugeesinthese
campscanapplytotheAustralianEmbassyinBangkokto
beresettledinAustralia.Theyhavemedicalchecksandare
interviewedbythegovernmentbeforetheycometoAustralia.
Sofar,about50,000Karenrefugeeshavebeenresettledin
Europe,America,Canada,andAustralia.
ThefirstKarenrefugeesarrivedinAustraliainthe1990sand
settledintheWesternsuburbsofMelbourne.Thereisnow
alargeKarenpopulationinsuburbsincludingWerribeeand
TruganinaandregionalcitiesofGeelongandBendigo.
ThefirstKarenmanarrivedinNhillin2010,aidedbythe
WimmeraDevelopmentAssociationMigrantSettlement
ProgramandcommencedworkatLuv-A-Duck.In2017,
approximately179)KarenrefugeesnowcallNhillhomewith
morefamiliesarrivingregularly.
TheKarencommunityhaveadaptedtolifeinNhillwell
andhavebecomeanintegralpartofthecommunity.The
community’sresettlementhasassistedNhillandthe
HindmarshShireinaddressingadecliningandageing
population.Nhill’snewestresidentshavehelpedthe
communitybyboostingstudentenrolmentsacrossthree
schools,earlyyears’servicesandrealestatepurchases.
In2015AMES(AustralianMigrantEmploymentServices),
withtheassistanceofDeloitteAccesslaunchedaneconomic
report‘SmallTownBigReturns-Economicandsocialimpact
oftheKarenresettlementinNhill’,providingnewand
importantinsightsintotheeconomicandsocialvaluethatcan
accruethroughtheseinitiatives,andidentifiesfactorsthat
contributedtosuccessoftheKarenpeople’sresettlementto
Nhill.Theseinsightscanbothcreatethecasefor,andinform
planningof,resettlementinotherAustraliancommunities.At
thetime,atotalof70.5FullTimeEquivalent(FTE)positions
hadbeenaddedtotheregionaleconomyoverthefiveyear
periodofanalysis,representingapproximately3%oftotal
employmentacrossHindmarsh.Theeconomicimpactofthis
increasedlaboursupply,intermsofGrossRegionalProduct–
asmodelledbyDeloitteAccessEconomics,isestimatedtobe
$41.5millioninnetpresentvalueterms.
Since2015,theKaren’sjourneytoNhillhasbeencatapulted
ontotheinternationalmediastageandcontinuestobe
re-ignitedasa‘successstory’intheresettlementofrefugees
andmigrantsintoruralAustralia.
In2016Nhill’sretailsectorhasbeeninjectedwithdiversity
withtheopeningofNhillKarenGroceryShopandPawPo
Products.TheNhillKarenGroceryShopfulfilsagapinthe
currentgrocerymarketforAsian-inspiredcuisine,ingredients
andhomewares.Theshophasbuiltitscustomerbasefrom
thelocalKarenmarket,tothewiderNhillcommunity.Paw
PoProductswasfoundedbytheNhillLearningCentreand
hasprovidedaretailandtrainingspacefortheKarenwomen.
ThesewomenarestudentsoftheNhillLearningCentre
studyingandlearningEnglish,lifestyleandsewingwhichhas
assistedtheminoperatingintheretailspace.Asthebusiness
grows,sohavetheladies’repertoireofskills,nowfocusingon
customerservice,monitoringfinances,implementingpricing
andadvertisingeffectively.
ThesenewventuresarejusttwoexamplesofhowtheKaren
communityparticipateinandcontributetothelocaleconomy.
AstheKarencommunity’sconfidenceandcapacitydevelops,
sotoowilltheeconomicandsocialimpactontheNhill
community.
8
2010January-FirstKaren
PeopletovisitNhill
February-FirstKaren
peopletomovetoNhill
and5KarenPeople
commenceworkat
Luv-A-duck,Firstenrolment
atNhillCollege
March-FirstHarmonyday
Celebration
June-ThaKaristhefirst
KarenEmployedoutside
Luv-A-Duck
FirstKarenenrolin
EnglishClasseswithNhill
NeighbourhoodHouse
September-KuPoMya
isthefirstKarentobuya
homeinNhill
2011January-FirstKarenNew
Year celebrations
November-Morethan70
KarenlivinginNhill
3-4Karenpeoplebought
their own houses
TohMaePaisthefirst
businessregisteredby
KarenCommunitymembers
intheHindmarshShire
2012January-AhNeeNewis
thefirstKarenbabybornin
theWimmera
February-Karen
workforceatLuv-A-Duck
exceeds50
April-FirstKaren
membersjoinNhill
SportingClub
August-HalLooisthe
firstKarentostartanap-
prenticeship
2013ThaHserwinstheLearner
LocaloftheYear.
August-Largest
Citizenshipceremonyat
HindmarshShireCouncil-
19people
December-FirstKaren
studentscompleteVCALat
NhillCollege
2014January-9Familieshave
boughttheirownhomes
February-Karen
Enrolmentsexceed20at
NhillLearningCentre
HindmarshShireCouncil
launchedthe2014Karen
CommunityPlan
Settlementofficerand
MigrationEmployment
Coordinatorcommenceat
HindmarshShireCouncil
NhillEnglishSecond
Language(ESL)Homework
ClubstartswithRRR
fundingandWDA
2015KarenNewYearfestival
andHarmonyandwater
festival
August-Nhill
NeighbourhoodHouse
receivesAMESdiversity
InnovationAward
NhillCommunityGarden
expands to incorporate 2
newgardenbeds
2016RefugeeHealthNurse
commences-1dayaweek
May-Migrant
EmploymentCo-ordinator
commencesatHindmarsh
ShireCouncil
Interpretercommencesat
WWHSWestWimmera
HealthService(WWHS)
TheNhillKarenGrocery
store opens
October-NhillLearning
Centreofficiallyopensthe
SocialEnterpriseBusiness
Paw Po
HalLoocompletestraining
asaMechanicandis
nominatedasApprentice
Trainee of the Year and
receivestheSpecial
JudgesCommendationin
theYoungApprenticeof
the Year.
3familiesarriveinNhill
December-Paw
Po expands to sell
flowersfromAustralian
WildflowersPtyLtdbased
inLaharum
20173rdclassofKaren
LanguageClassesatNhill
LearningCentre
NLCoffers4different
typesofEnglishclasses
May-Karencooking
classesatNhillLearning
Centre
RefugeeHealthNurse
commences2daysaweek
atWestWimmeraHealth
Service
HindmarshShireCouncil
newWebsiteisLiveandis
translatedintoKaren
9
3Inpreparingthisreport,Councilconsultedwithmanymembersof
Nhill’sKarencommunity.Thissectionincludesabriefanalysisofthe
feedbackcollectedthroughoutthatprocess.
Inreviewingtheconsultationprocessduringthedevelopmentof
the2014Plan,itwasdeterminedthatadditionalhighlevelstrategic
consultationwasrequiredwithexternalstakeholderstoensure
thattherevisedandupdated2017Planprovidedthenextlevelof
directionfornotonlyHindmarshShireCouncil,butallstakeholders
whosupportandengagewiththeKarencommunity.
Duringtheconsultationprocesstherewerethreemaingroups
formingnumerousconsultationsacrossNhill.StudentsatNhill
CollegeprovidedsomegenuinefeedbackongrowingupinNhill,
futureaspirationsofthemigrantyouthandideasonhowtoimprove
thetown’sfacilities,servicesandactivitiesforyoungpeople.
TheKarencommunitymetwithCouncilstaffattheNhillLearning
Centreforanopen-invitationfacilitatedsessiontodiscussthelong
termgoalsofthecommunityintermsofemployment,infrastruc-
ture,socialactivities,healthandwellbeing.Thesessionprovided
insightintotheaspirationsoftheKarencommunityandthecultural
significanceofsuch.
Thethirdconsultationwasheldwithanextendedgroupofexternal
stakeholdersfromlocalandregionalserviceproviders,community
organisationsandindividualcommunityleadersthathaveadirect
roleinsupporting,engagingandworkingwiththeKarencommunity
ofNhill.
HostingthreeconsultationsallowedCounciltocaptureadiverse
rangeoftheKarencommunityanditsstakeholderstoensure
thattheplanforsupportingandgrowingtheKarencommunityis
accurateandwillprovidefortheirlongtermsustainabilitywithinthe
community.
10
Consultation process
youTHWhat do you like about living in Nhill?• Peaceful
• Nottoomanypeople,
ruralcommunitywhere
everyoneknowseach
other
• Biglaketoswimin
• Friendsarereallyclose
• Playingnetball,football
and tennis
What don’t you like about living in Nhill?• Farawayfromfriendsin
Werribee
• Can’tget7daysaweek
pizza
What do you want to be when you grow up?• GotoUniversity
• Helpthepoorpeopleand
build schools especially in
Thailand
• Autoelectrician
• MotorMechanic
What can be improved in Nhill?• Bouncecentre,heated
indoorpool,minigolf
course,Laserskirmish,
gym
• Morenewhomes
• Biggerlake
• Paint/artwall
• Youthcentre(stage,
games,weighs,coffee
machine,tv,wifi,table
tennis table
Will you stay in Nhill after school?• SomewillleaveNhillto
gotoUniversity
• Agapyearworkingat
WestWimmeraHealth
Serviceisattractiveto
youngpeople
• Getajoblocally
What would you like to see more of in Nhill?• Soccerteam,social
soccer/roundrobinfor
girlsandboys
• Volleyball,tabletennis,
girlssoccer,girlsfootball
• Gamingeventsand
opportunitiesforgaming
tournaments
• MoviemarathonsatNhill
Cinema
If you could pick any job in the world what would it be?• GovernorGeneralof
Australia,Neurosurgeon,
teacher
If you had one million dollars what would you buy?• Anarmytank
• Bankitorinvestin
business
• Investingoogle
KAren CommunITy What do you like about living in Nhill?
• IfeellikeIamathome
• Icandriveorwalk
everywhere,there’sa
communitygarden
• Wefeelsafe,there’sno
traffic
• IliketheteachersatNhill
LearningCentre,theyare
friendly and teach us all
we need to know.
• Mentallyandphysically
everythingishappy,local
peopleareveryhelpful.
• LivinginAustraliaisa
goodthing,Icanwork
for a few years and buy a
houseandcar;allthose
freedomsaregood.
What don’t you like about living in Nhill? What is the biggest challenge for you living in Nhill?• KidshavetoleaveNhill
after Year 12 for Tertiary
education.Weliketo
staytogetherasafamily
andwillhavetoleaveto
support our children.
• Pricesarehighand
varietyoflocalgoodsand
servicesarelimited.The
basic food is here but for
choiceswehavetogoto
Horshamonceaweek.
• Buildingahouseand
connectingservices
isveryexpensiveon
outskirts of town.
• Notasmanyjob
opportunitiesavailablefor
limitedEnglishinrecent
years.
Would you like any training on a specific topic/information session?• Howtocarefor
environmentandanimals,
to build the skills
necessary to care for
themandwhattofeed
them.
• Informationonfurther/
tertiarystudiesavailable
onlineandthroughvideo
conferencing
• Howtostartabusiness/
enterprise
• Dentalservicesandhow/
whytoquitBetelnut
• MaternalandChildHealth
Servicesandongoing
health checks for children
• CookingclassesatNhill
LearningCentre
If you could choose any job in the world what would it be?• Hands-onfarmjobs
• Kareninspiredrestaurant
• Onlineshopping
• Chickenfarm
• Mushroomfarmand
factory
• Builders
• Carrotfarm
• LocalCouncillor
• PopupcaféatNhillLake
• Morevarietyofjobsat
Paw Po
11
4Community ProfilesSettlementofKarenpeopleinNhillalso
benefitstheNhillcommunity.TheKarenpeople
arestoppingNhill’sdecliningpopulation,
increasingtheworkforceandmakingavaluable
contributiontothelocaleconomy.Thissection
profilesthreeKarencommunitymembers
workinginNhill.
12
nAn myA myA soe - (Asoe) “(Iam)Happy,veryhappyandlucky
tobewithmyhusbandhere.Welike
everything-thepeople,thequietand
safety,unlikethecity.”
“Ihavelivedherefor6months.I
movedheretobewithmyhusband
whoworksatLuv-A-Duckasa
forkliftdriver.Iamhappy,veryhappy
andluckytobelivingherewithmy
husbandhere.Ididn’tbelievemy
husband.Ithoughthewasjoking
whenhesaidIneededalicencetogo
fishing.InThailandanyonecanfish
anywhere.IworkatCleverStitchand
teachsewingatPawPo.”
moody Tu“Icamehereforanewlife.Wevisitedfriends
inNhillthroughtheChurchandlovedit.
Wewantedtogetawayfromthetrafficin
Werribee.NhillislikeourhometowninBurma.”
“IlivedintheThailandcampfor24yearsand
IhavebeeninAustraliafor8years.Ihave
lived1yearinNhill.IcametoAustraliafora
betterlife,eventhoughIwasborninBurma
Iwasarefugeeandhadnonationality.The
firsttimeIwenttoKFCIdidn’tknowhowto
eataburgerIhadtolookaroundandseehow
otherswereholding/eatingit,Ihadneverseen
aburgerbefore.InNhilltheroadsarequiet,
kidsaresafeandwecangotoChurch.Welove
havingabackyardforthechildren.Wealso
lovealltheanimalsandseeingtheanimalsin
thewildinthearea.IworkatWestWimmera
HealthServiceasanInterpreter,translating
thehospitalsdocumentsandattending
appointmentswithmigrants.”
13
murA HToo“Iwanttostudyalotasyoudon’t
knowwhatisgoingtobeinthe
future.Iwanttoworkeveryday.It’s
safetowalkaroundNhill,Ilovethe
boardwalk.”
“I’mExcitedasI’veboughtablockof
landtobuildourfamilyhomeon.My
parentschosetomovehereasthey
wanted education and opportunities
forusall.Ifirstcametovisitfriends
inNhillandlovedit.Iwanttobuya
houseformyparents,welovegoing
tothecommunitygardenandcanget
helpfromthecommunity.For12years
IlivedintheThailandBordercamp,
8yearsinAustraliaand1.5yearsin
Nhill.IworkatWestWimmeraHealth
Serviceingeneralservicesworkingin
thekitchenandcleaning.”
P’leH benyo“IloveNhillandhowwe
feelapartoftheNhill
Community.”
“IhavelivedinNhillfor
7yearsandmyHusband
worksatLuv-A-Duck.I
haveworkedatWest
WimmeraHealthService
atOliversCaféfor2years
asaCaféstaffHand/
kitchen/cook.ILove
Nhill,Ifeelapartofthe
NhillCommunity.We
savedupandboughta
house.”
THA blAy“NhillisquietlikeourhomeinBurmaandhas
thesamecountryspirit.Thecommunityhas
welcomedus.IlikeeverythingaboutNhill.We
jokethecommunitygardenismumssecond
home.”
“Ilivedinasmallvillageinthejungleuntil
Iwas8yearsold.WethenlivedinMaeLa
Refugeecampfor7years.Ihavelivedin
Australia8years,5yearsinNhillwithmy
mum,dadand3brothers.
IamtheMulticulturalandEducationAideat
NhillCollege.Iassistcommunicatingbetween
familiesandtheschool,translatingdocuments
andgivingindividualhelptostudents.Ihelp
thekidsandlistentothem.Wecameto
Australiaforabetterlife.Weappliedand
hadtowaitafewyearstohavemedicalsand
beacceptedintothecountry.Dadgotajobat
Luv-A-DuckandthefamilyallcametoNhill.”
THA Hser“Welikecountrylivingoverthecityaswe
areusedtolivinginsmalltowns.Nhillis
likemyvillage,surroundedbyfieldsand
lakes.Havingahousetolivein,freedom,
safety,educationandgoodhealthsystem
iswhywe’rehere.Mykidscangofurther
ineducationthanIdidandgetagoodjob
andhavealltheopportunitiesIdidn’tin
Burma.”
“Ispent13yearsinKarenstateandthen
26yearsinaThailandrefugeecamp.It
waslimiting.IhavelivedinAustraliafor
9years,with7yearsbeinginNhill.It’sa
safeplacetoliveandgoodfuturelife.”
ImovedhereasIgotajobatNhill
LearningCentreandvolunteeredthere,I
alsoworkatHindmarshShireCouncilas
theMigrantSettlementOfficer,mywife
worksatLuv-a-Duckinprocessing.”
5Karen Community Action Plan
Objective Action Lead Respon-sibility / Stakeholders
Timeframe Outcome
1.1 Support the development
of early childhood services
through increased
participation, engagement
and educational activities
1.1.1 Playgroup 'Open Days' with
Supported Playgroup and
Traditional Playgroups,
encouraging participants to
attend both sessions.
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council
October
2017
Successful Open Days held,
with increased participation
in all playgroup sessions,
with increased Karen
involvement in traditional
playgroup sessions
Support: Nhill
Learning Centre
/ WDA
1.2 Increase participation,
awareness and opportunities
available through the Nhill
Community Garden
1.2.1 Installation of raised garden
beds
Nhill Community
Garden
committee
June 2018 Four (4) raised garden beds
installed and in use
1.2.2 Promote the Nhill
Community Garden to wider
community, attracting other
cultures and community
memebrs to utilise garden
space
Nhill Community
Garden
committee
March 2018 Increased participation and
users of Nhill Community
Garden
1.2.3 Develop mentoring with
established garden users
and new garden users
to build cross-cultural
relationships and knowledge
sharing
Nhill Community
Garden
committee
March 2018 Mentoring program
established with anecdotal
evidence of its success.
Five (5) mentor partnerships
estasblished
1.3 Increased participation in
structured and non-struc-
tured sport and recreation
pursuits
1.3.1 Support local sporting clubs
in attracting new members
and players from Karen
community
Lead: Sporting
Clubs
Ongoing Promote Sporting Clubs who
are attracting new members
from migrant community
through promotion in Karen
community newsletter
Support:
Hindmarsh
Shire Council
Settlement
Officer
1.3.2 Establish 'Come and Try'
sessions for sports not
currently offered in Nhill
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council
Ongoing 2 'Come and Try' sessions
held in Nhill each year
Support:
Wimmera
Regional Sports
Assembly
16
lIfesTyle
Objective Action Lead Respon-sibility / Stakeholders
Timeframe Outcome
1.4 Increase participation of
Karen youth with wider
targeted youth activities
1.4.1 Increased participation
from Karen youth in Council
coordinated and supported
youth-related activities and
events
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council
Community
Development
Ongoing Translated posters for school
holiday program, promotion
of youth activities in Karen
community newsletter
Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Youth Council,
Schools
1.5 Increase Health Literacy
among Karen community
1.5.1 Facilitate a series of
information sessions
targeting health literacy
and promoting the health
services available in region.
Lead: West
Wimmera Health
Service
Ongoing Greater understanding in
community, 1 information
sessions held each year with
health focusSupport:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council, Nhill
Learning Centre
1.5.2 Facilitate tours, visits and
excursions with a health-
related focus
Lead: West
Wimmera Health
Service
Greater understanding in
community, successful
attendance to tours/visits/
excursionsSupport: Nhill
Learning Centre
17
Objective Action Lead Respon-sibility / Stakeholders
Timeframe Outcome
1.6 Support art and cultural
pursuits
1.6.1 Establishment of art wall /
community painting project
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Youth
Council
December
2019
Completion of community
based art project connecting
migrants and the wider Nhill
communitySupport:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council, Nhill
Town Committee
1.6.2 Cross-cultural, cross-genera-
tion community project
Lead: Nhill
Learning Centre
September
2019
Complettion of a cross-
cultural, cross-generation
community projectSupport:
Hindmarsh
Shire Council,
Hindmarsh Shire
Youth Council,
Schools
1.6.3 Support the community in
the coordination of social
events that celebrate and
share other cultures in the
community
Lead: Nhill Karen
Community
Organisation
Ongoing Increased leadership in the
coordination, participation
and attendance at the
annual Karen New Year,
Harmony Day and Refugee
Week events
Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council
1.7 Housing 1.7.1 Undertake research for
best practice principles
for alternative living
arrangements (elderly shared
housing, kit home packages)
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council
September
2020
Housing report completed
with recommenda-
tions for alternative
living arrangements for
demographics within the
community.
Support:
Wimmera
Development
Association
18
Objective Action Lead Respon-sibility / Stakeholders
Timeframe Outcome
2.1 Retain existing migrant
residents in Nhill, with
a strong focus on youth
attraction and retention
through employment and
teritary education
2.1.1 Promote local employment
opportunities, traineeships,
apprenticeships and
internships
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council
Ongoing Increased promotion of
fortnightly employment
vacancies list, Visits from
employment network
providers, Skill Invest to
provide information session
Promote and adovcate to
local business about bursary
/ sponsorship of young
people (health, ag)
Support:
Employment
Agencies, local
employers, Nhill
Learning Centre
2.1.2 Support and promote the use
of technology in accessing
education remotely
Lead: Nhill
Learning Centre
Ongoing Increase in migrant residents
enrolling in courses through
online education providers
each yearSupport:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council
2.2 Identify gaps in business and
employment and support
existing and attract new
residents in addressing
these issues.
2.2.1 Increase participation in
local Certificate training to
address local employment
needs, such as aged care,
business, hospitality and
interpreting
Lead: Nhill
Learning Centre
Ongoing Increase in migrant residents
complete certificate training
each year addressing local
employment needs, and
gaining local employment.
Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council
2.2.2 Advocate for a GP in
Wimmera with accreditation
to undertake Refugee Arrival
Health Assessments.
Lead: West
Wimmera Health
Service / Tristar
Medical Clinic
December
2020
General Practitioner engaged
by Tristar Medical group
to service the needs of the
migrant community of Nhill
and Wimmera region.Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council
2.2.3 Expansion of current
community enterprise Paw
Po
Lead: Nhill
Learning Centre
Ongoing Expansion of Paw Po
Enterprise to include tailor
and dressmaking services
and development of
traditional weaving.
Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council
2.2.4 Support new community
enterprise opportunities
filling gaps in current
business services
Lead: Nhill
Learning Centre /
Hindmarsh Shire
Council
October
2018
Update of gap analysis
for businesses in Nhill /
Hindmarsh Shire Council and
promote opportunities to
migrant communitySupport:
Regional
Development
Victoria
2.2.5 Estblish a Karen Interpre-
tative Centre to promote
cross-cultural exchange with
broader community
Lead: Nhill
Learning Centre
December
2019
Establishment of the Karen
Interpretative Centre in Nhill.
Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council19
eduCATIon, enTerPrIse And emPloymenT
Objective Action Lead Respon-sibility / Stakeholders
Timeframe Outcome
3.1 Empower Karen community
members, including youth
to assume leadership roles
within the community
3.1.1 Promote leadership
opportunities within local
government, including 2020
local Council elections and
Youth Council elections
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council
Ongoing Successful promotion of
leadership opportunities for
youth and wider migrant
community, including annual
Hindmarsh Shire Youth
Council election and 2020
Hindmarsh Shire Council
election.
Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Youth Council
3.1.2 Facilitate leadership
training/workshops for Karen
community members
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council
October
2018
Karen community members
successfully completing
leadership based training
and/or workshops on
building capacity and
learning leadership skills
Support: Nhill
Learning Centre,
Wimmera
Development
Association
3.1.3 Develop mentoring program
for aspiring and future
community leaders (with
migrant background).
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council /
Nhill Learning
Centre
October
2018
Menotirng program
established and Karen
community members
successfully partnered with
leadership mentorsSupport:
Wimmera
Development
Association,
local businesses
3.2 Facilitate leadership
activities to build the
community’s capacity to lead
its own solutions.
3.2.1 Organise a state-wide
Karen community gathering
to engage the broader
community and encourage
exchange of ideas.
Lead: Nhill Karen
Community
Organisation
October
2018
A successful event held in
Nhill with attendees from
across Victoria and South
Australia building the
community's capacity to lead
its own solutions
Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council
3.2.2 Organise bi-annual
workshops to allow the
community to interact and
share information.
Lead: Nhill Karen
Community
Organisation
Ongoing Bi-annual workshops held
with attendees from local
Karen community.
Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council
InCreAsed leAdersHIP
Objective Action Lead Respon-sibility / Stakeholders
Timeframe Outcome
4.1 Advocacte for increased
access to services in Nhill
and Wimmera region
4.1.1 Advocate for increased
access to Medicare and
Centrelink services with face
to face appointments in Nhill
Lead: West
Wimmera Health
Service
December
2020
Medicare and Centrelink
services available for face to
face appointments at West
Wimmera Health ServiceSupport:
Wimmera
Development
Association
4.1.2 Citizenship testing service in
the Wimmera
Lead: Wimmera
Development
Association
December
2020
Successful advocacy for
citizenship testing secured in
Wimmera region.
Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council
4.1.3 Advocate for appropriate,
sustainable English as a
Second Language (ESL)
support at local schools
Lead: Schools Ongoing Sustainable approach
to English as a Second
Language (ESL) support to
local schools
Support:
Hindmarsh
Shire Council,
Wimmera
Development
Association
serVICes And suPPorT
Objective Action Lead Respon-sibility / Stakeholders
Timeframe Outcome
4.2 Increased awareness of and
pathways created to access
available services
4.2.1 Information session
facilitated by Centrelink
on reporting methods and
updates to system
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council
Ongoing 30 migrant community
members attend info session
held by Centrelink each yearSupport:
Centrelink, Nhill
Learning Centre,
West Wimmera
Health Service
4.2.2 West Wimmera Health
Service to host Nhill
Hospital Tours
Lead: West
Wimmera Health
Service
Ongoing 2 Hospital Tours held per
year for new residents and
Karen community
Support:
Hindmarsh Shire
Council
4.2.3 Facilitate seminars and
information sessions to
inform the Karen community
about services, rights and
responsibilities.
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council
Ongoing 1 info session held annually
about services, rights and
responsibilitiesSupport: Nhill
Learning Centre
4.2.4 Quarterly newsletter
distributed to Karen
community promoting
services, topical news and
events
Lead: Hindmarsh
Shire Council
Ongoing Quarterly newsletter
distributed to community
with increased content
provided by external
stakeholders
Support: Nhill
Learning Centre,
Wimmera
Development
Association,
Schools, West
Wimmera Health
Service