Shepparton’s multicultural community will be celebrated next week with a host of activities, including film screenings, English language classes and a football clinic.
Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District manager Chris Hazelman said Refugee Week was an important celebration for the city. Mr Hazelman said it would provide an opportunity for the different refugee communities to meet each other and for the broader community to get involved.
‘There’s been a fantastic level of community support behind it,’’ Mr Hazelman said. ‘It has a special significance for Shepparton because of the numbers of people who have arrived in this country as refugees, in the pre and post-Second World War period, and in the years since, who have settled in Shepparton.
‘The Shepparton community has a long history of accepting people from a refugee background who have contributed substantially to our economic growth and cultural diversity.’
Safari Maheshe arrived in Shepparton after fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo. ‘It is very important to celebrate Refugee Week,’ he said through interpreter Thon Thon.
I came to australia as a refugee, so it is very good for me to remember that time. it’s a part of me – Safari Mahese
Refugee Week will be launched on Monday with a free morning tea and activities at Maude St Mall from 10.30 am.
Article and image courtesy Shepparton News
