By Natasha Fujimoto
THE strength and vitality of a community are not sustained by economic stability alone, but by the quiet, deliberate weaving of human connection. For cultural communicator, bilingual storyteller and marketing specialist Jimmy Li, fostering links between the local Chinese community and the broader region has become both a focus and a responsibility, shaped by his belief that art — “a shared human treasure”— can act as a powerful bridge between people.
Arriving in Shepparton from China just three years ago with a master’s degree in art curatorship and experience spanning museums, public programming and community engagement, Jimmy was immediately struck by the region’s vibrant cultural diversity, while also noticing something was missing.
“When I came to Shepparton, I noticed that it is a town with diverse cultures and languages. However, the Chinese community wasn’t very active in the region, even though there is quite a large population. This caught my attention,” he said.
Never intentionally planning to step into community leadership, Jimmy nevertheless felt a responsibility to foster connections, through gradual, small steps that first required listening and observing to find meaningful ways to bring people together.
Building a connection with ONE FM community radio through his work at the Shepparton Art Museum, Jimmy noticed an opportunity to reinstate a Mandarin program that had previously been on air. The weekly Mandarin Program has since become a consistent touchpoint for connection, sharing and celebrating the experiences and challenges of Chinese locals.
“Through this experience, I realised that the local Chinese community could benefit from more encouragement and opportunities to connect with the broader society. I also met many talented individuals who are making significant contributions across different industries and supporting local economic growth,” Jimmy said.
It was this developing awareness and networking in the local community that eventually led Jimmy to the Goulburn Valley Chinese Association, where he now serves as president, helping to bring renewed energy to events and cultural celebrations. This includes this year’s highly successful Lunar New Year Festival at Riverlinks Eastbank, which brought together more than 1,000 people for cultural performances, stalls and activities.
“Community engagement is something I have always been passionate about. I believe art connects us all, but the key is how. Engagement is the bridge. When I recognised the gap between the local Chinese community and the wider region, I felt a responsibility to take action,” he said.
At the centre of Jimmy’s work is a clear understanding of how isolating regional life can be for some, particularly when language becomes a barrier rather than a tool.
“I still remember a story shared by a friend about their parents, who came to the region to help care for their grandchild. Because they spoke very little English, they struggled to make friends or socialise. One day, they walked into a grocery store and met someone who spoke their home language — they said they almost cried.
“I know this story is not unique. Many people experience similar feelings of isolation, not because they don’t want to connect, but simply because they don’t know how,” he said.
Motivated by a personal sense of responsibility to bring people together, and a deep-seated belief in the power of art to connect, Jimmy is only too aware that strong community bonds take time to build.
“If what I do can help even just one person feel more comfortable living in this region, that can already be counted as a success.
“And I don’t feel the need to map out a big vision or speak about grand ambitions. The small, everyday things in life are often what matter most to people,” Jimmy said.
