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City of Greater Shepparton
URL: http://www.greatershepparton.com.au/residents/cultureandcommunitystrengthening/culturaldevelopment/
Cultural Development
The Cultural and Community Strengthening branch has a team of dedicated staff to foster cultural celebration and engagement of our diverse community.
The Greater Shepparton region is renowned for our cultural diversity and the welcome we extend to new arrivals. The 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census reveals that 11% of the population, or 6,147 individuals, identified as being born in a country other than Australia, with 7.8% of these in countries where English is not a first language.The census shows the dominant non-English speaking country of birth as Italy, where 1.9% of the population, or 1,081 people, were born. High populations also originate from the United Kingdom and New Zealand, followed by Albania, Iraq, Turkey, India, Greece, the Netherlands and Philippines.
The history of migration to Greater Shepparton is long, increasing following World War I with the arrival of many immigrants from Southern Europe, in particular Greeks, Italians, Macedonians and Albanians. Post World War II, further migrants arrived from Europe, including large numbers of Turks around the 1960's. These populations are well established in the region and have helped build the fruit industry which Greater Shepparton is well known for, through hard work and strong entrepreneurial spirits.
From the late 1980s Punjabi Indians and Pacific Islander populations began to arrive, and following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990's, further European immigrants arrived. More recent arrivals from the mid 1990's include Afghani, Iraqi, Sudanese and Congolese populations. Greater Shepparton is an attractive place to a wide range of migrants for a variety of reasons. These include our history of migration and reputation of welcoming new arrivals, social factors such as family or community members already living in the region, the lifestyle of a country town with the economic and employment opportunities of a city and the agricultural industry.
Greater Shepparton City Council is committed to continuing to promote the diversity of our region, while strengthening the sustainability and culture of communities which have arrived in the area.
For any other enquires please contact:
Rachel Rath
Cultural Development Officer
Phone: 5832 9466
Email: rachel.rath@shepparton.vic.gov.au
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Greater Shepparton City Council is proud to have adopted it's first Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Strategy in March 2012.
Cultural Diversity Week occurs in March each year to celebrate the cultural diversity which makes up our country and local communities.