The Murraylands Multicultural Network is an important group currently supporting the diverse immigrant groups in the Murraylands and has its origins in 2005 with a partnership formed by the Australian Migrant Resource Centre, Local Government and the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge. This was in recognition of the needs for services for new settlers in the region. The new settlers are drawn to the region for employment opportunities and the associated lifestyle. The MMN assists new migrants to understand and participate in governance, volunteering, working across cultures, managing funding and the organization of social, educational and cultural events for their and the wider community benefit. The MMN aims to highlight the contributions the variety of cultures make to the community and supports the services the AMRC provides to individual migrants and their communities. The MMN provides opportunity for the migrants to have a direct voice, forward their agendas, learn from each other, and about the community at large.

Many of the new settlers come from countries where they experience village or small town living and are not suitably assimilated in the larger cities. Australia’s history has shown that migrants tend to come in waves, the 1920’s, the 1950’s the 1980’s and the 2000’s till current. Although different there are many commonalities that we can learn from. Currently in Murray Bridge we have Filipino, Indian, Chinese, Iranian, Indonesian, Zimbabwean, Maori, Congolese, Italian, Greek, Irish, Sri Lankan members with migrant backgrounds. This tends to fluctuate pending on individual circumstance.  Issues of regional importance being addressed currently include transport, education, housing, social, health, cultural, the aged, language (both English and language of origin) and ethnic.

 South Australia is at a critical stage that requires further input into Regional Development. The Murraylands is one of those fortunate regions with climate, environment and land availability to enable this to occur. It will have short term, long term economic and social benefits if appropriate infrastructure can be made available in partnerships between all levels of government, business and the community. Funding for AMRC and Local Government is critical for short and long term development for services, staff, and infrastructure.

The short term economic benefits are more obvious and include providing a skilled and motivated workforce for industry or project development. As a good example in the current Murraylands Chinese Community when they first arrive you see those riding cycles to work. Within a short period of time they have then purchased a car which they share with others. Again in a relatively short time after they rent they seem to purchase a house. This pattern follows the migrants of the 50’s who were set up by the role models of the 1920’s. Family is high priority in their culture so education for the young and inclusion of the aged becomes important. This model has a very high economic impact within a short period of time and needs to be encouraged.

In the long term the needs change as many are motivated for personal development for themselves and their off-spring. This means provision of adequate training and education to enable regional development and remaining in the community. Being brought up in Australia makes a significant difference to loyalty and motivation this land of opportunity and a fair go provides.

South Australia already has the best lifestyle living of any of the Australian States. Regional Development is the key to developing this further. Over the past 30 years we have had a major shift of trained professionals to other States due to job opportunities which requires investment to turn around. Our Economic development has been dependant on business development in the region and this requires an adequate, well trained and happy workforce. New industries like digital technology, the space industry, robotics and manufacturing will have a major impact in addition to our traditional green clean produce industries in agriculture and horticulture. Mining although very important at the moment has a limited shelf life. The AMRC has recently formed a Murraylands Connecting Settlement and Community Services Group which includes all the relevant partners providing a regular forum for service providers, community and business leaders to progress linkages and engagement of the diverse cultural groups living and working in the Murraylands, supporting population growth, economic and civic development.

Maintaining transparency in all matters relating to migration will be a major contribution to development of the Australian workforce and community. Promotion in other countries, States and locally is also a key to a successful outcome. The process of selection prior to migration can have the greatest impact.  A good process and outcome will provide a united peaceful community we all aspire to be part of. Diversity of population is one of Australia’s greatest assets.  It allows those who are multilingual and or have lived or have connections in other countries to think in a variety of different ways, enabling trade and better world understanding in a global environment. It also brings a diversity of experience to the local community providing harmony. It supports mutual respect, tolerance and understanding regardless of background. The recent Multicultural Legislative Review initiated by the State Government highlighting the Multicultural Principals and Legislation is both timely and necessary. It’s very important for new settler migrants to understand the laws and governance in Australia.

 

  

The new plan hones in on addressing today’s most pressing obstacles to end poliovirus transmission imminently, integrate polio programme resources into health and development programmes globally, and certify the world polio-free. In addition to building on the programme’s core strategies to expand access to vaccination and improve surveillance around the world, the 2019-2023 Endgame Strategy offers responsive and innovative solutions tailored to communities’ needs. These include establishing a regional hub in Amman, Jordan to enhance coordinated support to Afghanistan and Pakistan and creating permanent Rapid Response Teams to accelerate the programme’s response to outbreaks.

The programme will also work to improve immunisation coverage and support basic development needs through strengthened collaboration with immunisation partners such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the humanitarian and emergency response communities.

To reach its goals and achieve eradication, the Endgame Strategy requires a US$4.2 billion budget, of which US$3.27 billion is to be raised by the GPEI. In support of the Strategy and to encourage additional commitments, a pledging event will be hosted this November at the Reaching the Last Mile Forum in Abu Dhabi, a gathering of leaders from across the global health space held once every two years. The pledging event will be hosted by the GPEI, with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, a long time champion of the polio programme.