Sunny Uppal has worked at his family-owned fruit orchard in Shepparton in regional Victoria since 2003 alongside his brothers Jaswant Uppal and Sam Uppal. The trio have now diversified into fruit packaging. Mr Uppal spoke about the challenges he faces as a grower and the proud history of on-farm sustainability.
Despite everyone wanting 2023 to be the year we go ‘back to normal’, the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us, and with open borders, increased travel and new variants appearing, decision-makers face further challenges in deciding what policies to implement, and when, in the face of an uncertain future.
In the early days of the pandemic, it was easier in many ways to know what to do – try and protect as many people from being infected as possible. Now things are much more complicated. COVID-19 remains a significant threat, but it is just one of many serious public health and economic issues vying for our attention.
Wellways delivers a free Flood Recovery and Mental Health program for anyone who has been affected – and is suffering after effects – of the recent floods. Wellways is located centrally in Shepparton and this service is open to all in Greater Shepparton.
The 2022 Victorian floods clean-up program includes free structural assessments for affected residential properties and small businesses. It also supports local councils to collect flood debris and waste.
In 2018, the Modern Slavery Act was introduced to reduce the risks of labour exploitation in Australia. Larger businesses – those with annual consolidated revenue of at least AU$100 million – are now required to report on the risks of exploitation in their supply chains and the actions they are taking to eliminate them.
The term ‘modern slavery’ describes situations where offenders use coercion, threats or deception to exploit victims and undermine their freedom.
Osmond Chiu writes for the Lowy Institute: Many countries in the region already have more public holidays to recognise diverse cultural and religious populations.
Australia is without a doubt an increasingly diverse and pluralistic country. The recent 2021 Census found that a majority of the population are now migrants or the children of migrants. Around one in five Australians speak a language other than English at home. And one quarter of us have an overseas non-European cultural background.
While Australians like to talk about how we are a successful multicultural country, this can often feel superficial, primarily focused on dance, dress and dining. Our institutions still feel very much monocultural, whether it be politics, business, the arts or the media. If Australia does not want to be seen internationally as remnants of British colonialism on the edge of Asia, that requires things to change.
The Immigrant Networks exhibition is the result of extensive research by an interdisciplinary curatorial team including Professor Anoma Pieris (Architecture), and Associate Professor Andrew Saniga (Landscape Architecture, Planning and Urbanism) from the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning. Read Kristine’s illuminating review of the exhibition (shown above).
Australia Day events will take place throughout Greater Shepparton on Thursday 26 January 2023. Ceremonies, events and entertainment will be held in Dookie, Arcadia, Murchison, Tatura, Mooroopna, Shepparton and a community BBQ will be held in Toolamba.