From our first nations people, to the British and Irish who settled here generations ago, our connection to India with well-knows hawkers, such as Siva Singh a part of Benalla’s history, and the wave of Europeans who called the Migrant Camp home — the Rose City has been a melting-pot of cultures for some time.
Victoria’s Multicultural Commission (VMC) is a body that oversees Regional Advisory Councils, which are volunteer groups advising it on matters of multicultural affairs.
These councils also bring information back to the community about services and programs, and represent a point of contact for organisations and government bodies to engage with multi-cultural communities.
This week Benalla’s Sabine Smyth was appointed to the Regional Advisory Council for Hume.
Ms Smyth believes it is the first time that a Benalla woman has been appointed to a VMC Advisory Board for this region.
She joins 11 other members spread across the Hume Region.
“I am pleased to have been appointed to this role as an individual community member, not as representative of an organisation, and I am excited to build on my existing networks, and engage with the wider region in this role,” Ms Smyth said.
“I can draw on my lived experience of working and living as a migrant in Benalla, for the past 37 years.
“I am particularly passionate about migration history.
“It is a key to understanding our country, how we have welcomed different waves of migration over time, and how each culture has added to the richness of our population’s character.
“My work with the Benalla Migrant Camp Exhibition has only enforced my view that culture has the power to connect a community and make you proud.
“Migration is part of who we are as a country.
"I belong to the Benalla community as a person who has contributed in volunteer roles, but also worked in the education, social housing, local government and community sector over three decades.
“I feel like I know Benalla, and our region well.”
Mrs Smyth said Benalla might be 90 per cent Anglo-Saxon (2016 Census), but has 15 languages spoken at home (other than English), 22 different religions practised and our citizens come from 41 different countries.
“I will welcome the opportunity to shine a light on our diversity and support our cultural celebrations,” she said.
“I am proud to represent the Hume Region from Benalla, at a time when we have our first Sri Lankan-Australian Councillor, Punarji Gunaratne, who shares my passion for diversity and celebrating culture.
“Multicultural events have the potential to create tourism; they create conversations about culture beyond food.
“And on a community level shared culture means connection and enjoyment.
“I agree with Cr Gunaratne’s sentiment that our multicultural Australia should be built on a respect for the continuous history of our First Nations people.”
Cr Gunaratne said he was pleased to hear of Ms Smyth’s appointment.
“(I am) delighted to see a representative living in Benalla LGA get an opportunity to represent the community,” Cr Gunaratne said.
“I would like to congratulate Sabine on her appointment and I wish her the very best in the new role.
“Benalla has gaps in supporting people who add to the mix and there are ample opportunities for improvement.
“I am certain she will be a great advisor for bridging this gap and advising on behalf of the Hume community.
“I believe that any conversation involving multiculturalism has to start with the impact of colonialism, and I look forward to working with Mrs Smyth to make sure that mature discussions about colonialism can happen throughout Victoria.”
Mrs Smyth said as we approached post-COVID life we had a unique opportunity to embrace our local cultural diversity when we re-connected with each other, as stronger communities.
“Inclusive communities are welcoming, and they make us a desirable place to be,” she said.
If anyone wishes to contact Mrs Smyth about her new role, email her at sabine.smyth@gmail.com
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