ORIGINALLY from Shepparton, sociologist Dr Anthony Moran recently shed light on the pressing issues facing Shepparton’s migrant community in a discussion organised by La Trobe University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Dr Moran highlighted the persistent skill shortages in the area, emphasising the importance of employment in the farming sector for the migrant community. He stated, “The sorts of pressing issues have always been around skill shortages, getting people into not only skilled jobs, but also into semi-skilled or relatively unskilled jobs.”
However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by seasonal work, including issues around work conditions and housing for migrant workers. He suggested that structural changes, such as minimum payment for hours rather than piece rates, could be part of the solution.
Speaking about the COVID-19 response, Dr Moran underscored the crucial role local community activity played, particularly within the multicultural community.
He noted, “It really relied upon a lot of local community activity, including from youth, young leaders in ethnic communities, the ethnic community council, in combination with the local council and GV Health.” He also highlighted the challenges of communicating vital information to non-English speaking communities, underscoring the need for effective multilingual messaging.
Dr Moran emphasised the strength of Shepparton’s multiculturalism. He lauded the community’s welcoming approach, recognising how it has shaped the town into a diverse and vibrant hub, attractive to individuals from all walks of life.
