Many have taken Covid isolation as a time to figure out who we are and what we want in life. But as a town, what makes us who we are?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Multicultural Tamworth Inc has examined our cultural make up, and is on a mission to raise awareness about just how many different nationalities are in our town.
It is effectively putting faces to the 'other' 12.2 per cent of nationalities on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
There are people from over 80 countries living here.
We have 950 people from the Philippines, more than 500 people from India and China, around 400 from Vietnam, 150 Nepalese.
There's just over 100 people from Thailand, Taiwan, Africa, Korea and more than 200 from Europe.
We have over 50 Asylum Seekers from Iraq, Sri Lanka and Burma.
But president Eddie Whitham, who has collated the data from health, government and education websites as well as his own personal contacts, says the purpose of identifying our diversity isn't just for interest sake.
"All people need to be recognised by their community," he explained.
But the Bureau of Statistics gives very few nationalities in the census data and much is ambiguous.
- Eddie Whitham
"But the Bureau of Statistics gives very few nationalities in the census data and much is ambiguous."
When agencies or groups apply for funds and grants, they need to supply the community's ethnic makeup.
"Local and the other governing bodies need to know, so when they plan for new ventures and expanding the existing ones, they have realistic figures to work with," he explained.
Now in Tamworth, Annie Roy and Binayak Bhowmick have their own multicultural household.
Mrs Roy is from India and Mr Bohwmick is from Bangladesh, and their son is Australian, born in Sydney.
Mrs Roy is studying a masters of social work, and aims to work alongside the aboriginal community.
Just look at our family: we have three different countries and three different coloured passports.
- Annie Roy
"I think it's really important we understand what cultures make up a community, because it's part of Australian life," she says.
"Just look at our family: we have three different countries and three different coloured passports," she laughed.
While their future plans remain uncertain, they would rather choose Australia's "heaven" over "hell" elsewhere.
Not having been in town very long, the family has already felt more at home than they did when they got to Orange.
They've been here one month and four days - not that they're counting - and says despite the heat, Tamworth is proving perfect.
Mrs Roy's mother, Rupali Roy, has been here for nine months. It was meant to be a three month holiday, however Covid-19 meant she has been unable to travel back
A school teacher back in India, she may not have a job if she gets back. Having already applied for a second visa for her, Mr Bohwmick says he wouldn't mind if she ended up staying here with them.
Mr Whitham says that families like theirs are just as important to recognised in Tamworth's make up, those who are on visas, those who settle here but aren't recognised in the statistical fabric.
READ MORE:
"It would not be safe for us to live in Bangladesh during these Covid times ... Australia, and Tamworth, is like heaven," Mr Bhowmick said.
Multicultural Tamworth Inc is recognised as a community leader in settlement in rural areas.
"In the past 40 years our people have settled many refugees in Tamworth. We have dealt with just about every human frailty, Suffering and joyous occasion," Mr Whitham said.
To reach out to Multicultural Tamworth, email multiculturaltamworth@gmail.com or call 6165 7982.
