Wodonga’s journey towards access & equity

Wodonga’s migrant historyAfter World War II, over 300,000 migrants

arrived in Bonegilla migrant centre (near Wodonga)

About half the refugees arriving in Australia immediately after WWII came through Bonegilla

In 1998/99, Bandiana Army Barracks (near Wodonga) hosted several hundred displaced Kosovar Albanians who were offered Temporary Safe Haven Visas

Migrants came from over 50 countries inc.Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, Austria, Italy, Greece, Hungary and Germany, Sweden, Norway,

Finland, Spain, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia.

*Albury Library Photo Archive

Wodonga Today Population: Wodonga 38,000

(Albury/ Wodonga 85,000) 9.6% of population born overseas Wodonga key settlement area Approx 1,000 recently settled refugees

(Albury/Wodonga)Main countries of origin – Bhutan/Nepal, South

Sudan, DRC (Congo) Large skilled migrant and int. student

population

Challenges / Issues

• Access & cost of interpreting services• Lack of information sharing between services• Lack of support (particularly skilled migrants)• Referrals (back & forth)• Referral pathways/criteria/eligibility• Limited public transport• Diverse people, diverse needs• Government policies• Community attitudes – laziness, too hard,

racism etc.

Shaking the apple tree

• Multicultural Interagency Network• Albury Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council• Community excitement for cultural events etc.• Capacity building – working with individual

workers, using interpreters, cultural awareness training

• Advocacy – engaging with media, business and government agencies

• Community education – schools, art projects, info spreading

Council’s role into the future

• Imbed in council strategy• Use interpreting services• Apply for funding (community leadership, community

safety, social cohesion etc)• Multicultural & social cohesion strategies/policies• Cultural Awareness training for staff• Cultural initiatives ie. Refugee Welcome Zone, Harmony Day

and Refugee Week projects• Partner with service providers to increase their capacity to

engage with diverse clients• Lead by example - employ migrants in paid and voluntary

positions• Social cohesion initiatives, Neighbourhood BBQ’s etc

Gateway Health - Migrant Welcome Zone

Wellbeing outcomes for ALL the community

• Refugee Nurse, GP’s and Mental Health Mentors• Translated website and resources• Culture Club• On-site Interpreter• Advocacy• Settlement Services*

Promote Access & Equity as a mutual benefit, not just a right!

Brett Sanderson(02) 6022 9325

bsanderson@wodonga.vic.gov.au

Dax Mathews(02) 6022 8888

dax.mathews@gatewayhealth.org.au