Migrants visit Stawell

Melbourne-based migrants will visit Stawell this week, introducing them to the region and increasing their awareness of the employment and lifestyle opportunities available in Northern Grampians Shire.

The visit is an Opportunities Pyrenees Ararat North Grampians, OPAN, project, funded by Regional Development Victoria.

OPAN is working with AMES Australia, previously Adult Multicultural Education Services, which has organised the visit to Stawell tomorrow, with many of the people involved part of families with school-aged children.

The group will tour Stawell, but the main focus of the visit will be an event at Stawell Neighbourhood House.

Northern Grampians Shire mayor Kevin Erwin and business leaders from the shire, seeking future employees for their projects, will speak at the gathering.

Discussion will also include circumstances surrounding housing in Stawell district.

“Our current unemployment level isn’t sufficient to fill all the new jobs that are coming up within our shire, so we’re looking to invite families to fill these positions and join us in Stawell,” Mr Erwin said.

“I’m looking forward to meeting those who are visiting us and hopefully they will become new community members of ours in the future.”

Representatives from support services will also attend the gathering to answer any questions.

The OPAN project is a partnership between Pyrenees Shire, Ararat Rural City Council and Northern Grampians Shire councils with an aim to fill regional workforce shortages by attracting job seekers from Melbourne.

The project will also try to address housing, transport and workforce planning issues in the region.