serving the faith communities of the Goulburn Valley
Are you or a family member a migrant who arrived in Australia by ship and disembarked at Port Melbourne? Multicultural Arts Victoria is interested in hearing your story for possible inclusion in an upcoming arts project. Meet the curator and learn more at the Immigration Museum, Flinders St, Melbourne on Saturday 26 September.
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An insight into what life would have been like for the thousands of children involved in Britain's child migration schemes can be experienced in the travelling exhibition "On Their Own: Britain's Child Migrants".
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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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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.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Mohsen Mohammed's entire family was made to pay for the sins of two of his brothers; after experiencing prison and exile from his home, Mohsen Mohammed migrated to Shepparton with his family, where he works as a Community Development Officer.
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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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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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