Understanding Social Cohesion in Shepparton and Mildura: Final Report
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Understanding Social Cohesion in Shepparton and Mildura: Final Report Anthony Moran and Mark Mallman, Department of Social Inquiry, La Trobe University, Bundoora November 2015 Acknowledgements The research team thanks the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) for funding the project, and for providing ongoing assistance including putting us in contact with key informants in a range of government agencies and community based organisations. In particular, we were assisted throughout the project by VMC’s Manager, Research and Coordination Tony O’Hea. At La Trobe University researchers were supported by the Transforming Human Societies RFA, and in particular thank Professor Katie Holmes and Dr Adnan Syed Muhammad for their help in establishing the project and liaising with VMC. We gratefully acknowledge the help we received throughout the project from Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council in Mildura, Mallee Family Care in Mildura, and the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District in Shepparton. We thank the many people in Shepparton and Mildura who generously gave up their time to share their thoughts and ideas about social cohesion and multiculturalism in their communities. We also thank Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council, VMC and Liz Arcus (Liz Arcus Photography, http://lizarcus. com) for supply of and permission to use their photographs in the report. Governance The Research Steering Group was made up of VMC Director Rudy Monteleone, and Commissioners Abeselom Nega, and Dr Teresa De Fazio, VMC’s Manager, Research and Coordination Tony O’Hea, and the two researchers from La Trobe University, Dr Anthony Moran and Mr Mark Mallman. It met regularly during the six months to advise on and discuss progress of the project. The project adhered to the ethical processes and procedures established by La Trobe University’s Human Ethics Committee, and by Victoria’s Department of Education and Training. 2 Acronyms AMES Adult Multicultural Education Service CALD Culturally and Linguistically Diverse CEF Community Engagement Framework DHHS Department of Health and Human Services (Victoria) DHS Department of Human Services (Victoria) ECSD Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District LEAD Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity MDAS Mallee District Aboriginal Services MFC Mallee Family Care NAIDOC National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee OMAC Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Victoria RAC Regional Advisory Council, Victorian Multicultural Commission RAP Reconciliation Action Plan SEIFA Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas SMECC Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council TAFE Technical and Further Education VMC Victorian Multicultural Commission 3 Table of Contents Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 1 Introduction: background ...................................................................................................................................... 13 1.1 Recent CALD migration to Shepparton and Mildura ...................................................................................16 1.2 What is social cohesion? .............................................................................................................................20 1.3 Methodology of the study ..........................................................................................................................22 2 Key Success Factors for Social Cohesion in Shepparton and Mildura ....................................................................23 2.1 The question of success ..............................................................................................................................23 2.2 Government policies and frameworks that support social cohesion and multiculturalism in Shepparton and Mildura ......................................................................................24 2.3 Historical experience of CALD immigration .................................................................................................32 2.4 Employment opportunities .........................................................................................................................35 2.5 The positive role of key agencies ................................................................................................................38 2.5.1 Local council .................................................................................................................................38 2.5.2 Victoria Police ...............................................................................................................................39 2.5.3 Department of Justice and Regulation, Victoria ...........................................................................43 2.5.4 Welfare and health agencies ........................................................................................................46 2.5.5 Ethnic councils ..............................................................................................................................50 2.5.6 Ethnic organisations ......................................................................................................................52 2.5.7 Religious institutions .....................................................................................................................54 2.5.8 Local media ................................................................................................................................... 58 2.5.9 Aboriginal agencies .......................................................................................................................59 2.5.10 Service Clubs: Rotary, Lions ..........................................................................................................59 2.5.11 Sports organisations .....................................................................................................................60 2.5.12 Schools, including English Language Centres ................................................................................63 2.5.13 University and TAFE ......................................................................................................................68 4 2.6 The fostering of local community leadership capacity across diverse communities...................................69 2.7 The role of festivals and other community events in fostering a sense of social cohesion .........................71 2.8 The role of the core of interconnected community members/activists ......................................................75 3 Current and Emerging Issues that Threaten/Affect Social Cohesion .....................................................................78 3.1. Problems with employment and housing ...................................................................................................78 3.1.1 Employment issues .......................................................................................................................78 3.1.2 Housing issues ..............................................................................................................................84 3.2 Experiences of racism and discrimination in everyday life ..........................................................................86 3.3 Negative role played by Federal Government policy and rhetoric ..............................................................89 3.4 Successful for some groups, less so for others ............................................................................................91 3.4.1 Indigenous disadvantage and exclusion........................................................................................91 3.4.2 Socio-economic disadvantage in Shepparton and Mildura...........................................................92 3.5 Not enough opportunities for intercultural social interaction ....................................................................96 3.6 Intercultural challenges ...............................................................................................................................99 4 Lessons for Other Places from Shepparton and Mildura .....................................................................................103 Appendices .............................................................................................................................................................. 122 Appendix 1 History of Shepparton and Mildura as multicultural places ...............................................................122 Appendix 2 What we know about social cohesion in Shepparton and Mildura from previous research ........................................................................................................126 Appendix 3 Methodology of the study (long version) ..........................................................................................130 Appendix 4 Full versions of quotes referred to in main body of report ................................................................133 Reference List .......................................................................................................................................................... 156 5 Executive Summary In March 2015 the Victorian Multicultural Commission contracted and funded researchers from La Trobe University to conduct a six-month study of two Victorian regional cities,