Lieona Cocker came to Shepparton from Tonga in 1996. After discovering multicultural education at GOTAFE, Lieona went on to face her challenges in an abusive marriage and became a Multicultural Liason Officer at GOTAFE.
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migrant
Migrant Voices – Bill Doller
After military service in the then Dutch East Indies (Indonesia), Bill Doller and his newly wed wife Gerrie emigrated from Holland to Australia. He first went to Bathurst where he was picking asparagus for Edgell, before moving to the Goulburn Valley.
Migrant Voices – Azem Elmaz
Azem Elmaz is a well known proprietor of Luftiye's Shish Kebab in Wyndham Street, Shepparton. He tells of his arrival in Australia, working as a cleaner and moving to Shepparton. His principal joy in life is helping others.
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Migrant Voices – Dina Gelfand
Dina Gelfand's story is the story of the Jewish settlement and family life in Shepparton. Dina migrated to Australia and came to Orrvale in 1929.
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Migrant Voices – Engjellushe Goxhaj
Engjellushe Goxhaj was a young woman living in Albania, in love with a young man called Miri; Miri was determined to seek a new life in a new country. Miri made his dash for freedom; Engjellushe followed him by climing the wall at the Czech consulate.
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Migrant Voices – Angelo Grasso
Angelo Grasso is a self-made businessman in Shepparton, currently operating the successful Cellar 47 restaurant. His early days were full of alarums and excursions. Angelo had the first coffee machine in Shepparton.
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Migrant Voices – Connie O’Dea
Connie O'Dea writes on her experiences migrating from Malta to Australia. Connie has worked as an Orchardist and School Teacher and lives in Arcadia.
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Migrant Voices – Evangelina Lennie
Evangelina Lennie (Vangie) travelled from the Philippines to a dairy farm in Kyabram. After settling in and learning how to cook Australian cuisine, Vangie went on to found the Australian - Filipino Community.
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Migrant Voices – Vicki Mitsos
Vicki Mitsos was two years old when her family migrated from Greece to Nathalia. After overcoming the untimely death of her father, Vicki went on to champion the causes of education for migrants and the provision of muticultural services. Vicki worked for many years in the migrant education area of GOTAFE.
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Migrant Voices – Tomonari Sasaki
Tomonari Sasaki wished to become a skilled teacher of English. After coming to the Australia from Japan, he became a skilled teacher of Japanese at Shepparton High School.
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Migrant Voices – Maria Presti
Maria Presti sailed to Australia with her new husband when she was 21 years old. She lost her parents and close family, the places she loved, its environment and my culture. However, in Maria's case, it was a decision which she took and took voluntarily.
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Migrant Voices – Marian Van den Goor
Peter and Marian Van den Goor were successful hydroponic farmers in Holland. In 2002, they emigrated to Australia, where they once again took up hydroponic vegetables in Numurkah, and then Katunga.
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Migrant Voices – Denis Muto
Denis Muto was born November 23, 1958 in Sarreguemines, Northern France to Italian parents. He is married Mary with two teenage daughters. Denis says, "The resources of the Goulburn Valley have been developed using the labors of the migrant people. We have all benefited from their labour - giving this area the well-deserved name of the Food Bowl of Australia."
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Migrant Voices – Nehama Werdiger
My name is Nehama Werdiger and I am the daughter of Yehoshua Shneur Zalman, of blessed memory. Many people have told me that my father's life story is worth a book. If it is ever written, it will reflect the great drama of the history of the Jewish people in our time. I would like to share with you a few scenes from this drama, as you follow a remarkable man's journey: from the Old World of Eastern Europe to the New World of Australia.
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Migrant Voices – Sosan Bakal
Sosan Bakal faced significant challenges following her beloved Ali from Iraq to Iran. They married and migrated to Australia, where they eventually settled in Shepparton, providing help and assistance to Arabic families in the region.
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Migrant Voices – Guler Ors
Migrant Voices – Mario Bettanin
Mario Bettanin, Shepparton Citizen of the Year in 2011, immigrated from Italy to Shepparton and worked fro 42 years in the Goulburn Valley. Being a part of Australian community requires perseverance, commitment, and a willingness to help your neighbour and take whatever steps are needed to create community resources. The Australian Community, having had Jewish and Italian migrations to the Goulburn Valley, are ready to accept new immigrants, willingly.
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Migrant Voices – Melly Pandher Singh
Melly Singh was originally intending to settle in Melbourne. He came to Shepparton to get his driving licence, and liked what he saw. He was to return soon after, to settle with his family and remain.
Living in a community where there are many other families from your part of the world is a highly appreciated aspect of being in the Goulburn Valley, says Melly Singh of the local Sikh Community
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Migrant Voices – Sonali Jayasundra
Sonali Jayasundra migrated from Sri Lanka to the Goulburn Valley with her husband and children.
Identity is an important issue for people migrating to a local area for many reasons, says Sonali Jayasundra of the Ethnic Council of Shepparton.
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Stories from Shepparton
The city of Shepparton and its Goulburn Valley region in Victoria have a rich history of immigration. The Shepparton experience of diversity and social harmony was the basis for a unique Conference in 2007 organised by Latrobe University, the region's Ethnic Council and the Shepparton Interfaith Network. Encounter reports on the stories that emerged from this Conference.
The following transcript was broadcast by ABC Radio National on its Encounter Program on 3 February 2008. This transcript has been supplied on this website with permission from the ABC.
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