Pyramid Hill

MIGRATION COMMUNITY NARRATIVE: PYRAMID HILL BACKGROUND Pyramid Hill is situated on the northern plains of Victoria, 284 kilometres north of Melbourne and 86 kilometres north of Bendigo. Pyramid Hill is part of the Loddon Shire and has a population of just over 550. This is a farming area. However, over the last few decades, many farms have amalgamated or been purchased by ‘absentee’ farmers, which has had a significant effect on the district’s population. Between 2005 and 2010, the local abattoir and pet food factory both closed, stifling job opportunities in the town. PYRAMID HILL’S MIGRATION STORY Loddon Shire Mayor, Councillor Cheryl McKinnon, says new houses are being built in the region to accommodate the intake of migrants to Pyramid Hill was never seen as migrant families that are looking to purchase property of a ‘project’. It was a practical solution for a local business their own. owner to address a labour shortage. The local schools (particularly school Principals) and Lions Around 10 years ago, piggery owner Tom Smith needed Club have been instrumental in creating opportunities for to fill job vacancies in his business, Kia-Ora Piggery and inclusion for migrants, both young and old. found it difficult to attract local labour. Mr Smith had seen In 2015, the concept of the Pyramid Hill Fiesta was a company in Queensland head to the Philippines to born as a way to foster inter-racial understanding and secure reliable staff and decided to do the same. appreciation. The Fiesta became a sharing of cultures and Initially, he employed four new staff members and brought has been an annual event for the last three years, growing them out to Pyramid Hill. Fast-forward a decade, and in participation each year. his business now employs 24 Filipinos. More than 100 The schools are working to create a model of acceptance Filipino family members also live in town, with some filling and have been brilliant in integrating the new students, roles at other local businesses. many of whom had no English skills when they arrived. Tom will quickly tell you that your staff are your biggest Migrant students have now taken on leadership positions, asset. For Tom personally, having access to reliable workers as elected by their peers. gave him the confidence to expand. His business has nearly Recently, local bank manager Mark Lacey saw a business tripled in size since taking on overseas workers, and the opportunity in town. He set up a Filipino grocery store and fabric of the town has changed considerably. has put in 400 different grocery lines to accommodate From a position of declining population, the local Catholic the needs of this town’s new residents. This store is also school has grown substantially, with more than 75 percent attracting residents from neighbouring towns who are of students now Filipino. For the first time in many years, coming to shop at Pyramid Hill. QUESTIONS FROM PYRAMID HILL 1. Can costs associated with employing 2. Could the English capability test for 3. Is there an affordable government- migrants be revised at a government migrants be relaxed a little? We believe funded housing option for small towns level to enable a more economical it is way too harsh at present and looking to house migrants workers? option for Australian employers? being used as a deterrent. LESSONS LEARNED Mayor Cheryl McKinnon said her community accepted For instance, they are forming their own organisation to the newcomers, but for quite a while the migrants kept help achieve a united voice in community decision making. to themselves. Looking back though, locals say many Kia-Ora’s Tom Smith said his new staff are hardworking migrants were homesick and lonely – and had the town and certainly understand his business – a business that known this, people would have stepped in to create a is open 365 days a year. This understanding has helped better welcoming at the start. Tom and his family grow the piggery with the confidence Pyramid Hill now knows that communication and support that staff will stay because this job is their first choice and networks are critical to the successful settlement of not a temporary position. migrants in a rural community. Country hospitality, looking after your neighbour, lending a helping hand, knowing everyone by name, a smile when passing in the street or a wave when on the road – these are the things the new migrants have told locals that they value and appreciate. It makes them feel accepted and safe. Loddon Shire Council is working proactively with the Lions Club, the schools, the Progress Association, the Neighbourhood House, the Fiesta Committee, Kia-Ora Piggery, and the Filipino Community to find better ways to integrate the two cultures and create further opportunities for community engagement. Migrants are also instigating their own programs, and becoming more engaged with existing organisations. CHALLENGES AHEAD Tom Smith has spent a large part of the last decade The Council is in the process of adopting a Settlement working to bring Filipino migrants to Pyramid Hill and Strategy for all larger towns within the Shire. Pyramid Hill join his workforce at Kia-Ora piggery. He has seen the is looking on very keenly to see how the towns might grow benefits the extended families can bring to his small rural and is looking forward to being involved in the consultation. town. But one of the biggest challenges he now faces is the increasing cost associated with employing staff on a visa. Tom Smith said, “it is just getting way too expensive”. Housing is also an issue in Pyramid Hill, with most of the available homes now full. While some new migrants are building new homes, others don’t have the financial resources to do that, and options for more affordable housing need to be considered. The Pyramid Hill community is hoping that the former pet food factory will become home to a new industry, creating further employment. Until that happens, there is concern about the opportunity for further growth in employment. COMMUNITY CONTACTS MEDIA CONTACT Tom Smith – Owner Kia-Ora Piggery Shannon Rennie – Regional Australia Institute p. 0427 551 233 p. 0431 309 694 Cheryl McKinnon – Loddon Shire Mayor p. 0409 557 888.

Load more