Greater Shepparton Candidate Andrew Bock gives a statement on the meaning of multiculturalism and the services required.
Greater Shepparton Council Elections
All candidates were asked to respond to these questions.
- What does multiculturalism mean to Shepparton?
- What specific services should Council provide to support these communities?
Responses in ballot paper order are given herewith without comment.
Andrew Bock
What does multiculturalism mean to Shepparton?
One could argue that Greater Shepparton means multiculturalism.
Our municipality arguably falls within the Country of multiple Indigenous groups. Some of the first notable European settlers – Edward Khull, Sherbourne Sheppard and Albert le Soueff were from Scotland, Ireland and England respectively (which represented multiculturalism in those days), the latter being of French heritage.
Since Federation, Greater Shepparton has seen migrants settle here from all over the world. As of 2016, our community proudly claims heritage from 85 nations – not to mention the differing ethnic and cultural groups hailing from each country.
What specific services should council provide to support these communities?
- Council must ensure that its core services are accessible and culturally safe for every community that makes Greater Shepparton home. Whether that be through translation of information, interpreter services or providing staff with genuine cultural training and gender balance, to ensure those unfamiliar with our bureaucracies can navigate planning, food standards and/or event planning regulations.
- Beyond that, Council must ensure that housing, community services, jobs and the other necessities of life are accessible to the whole community – to promote events, support initiatives and lobby other tiers of government and the private sector to ensure we can all achieve, together.
Source: Candidate’s statements supplied to Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District.
