A new South Morang-based migrant resource centre will help combat isolation among elderly people in the Filipino and Chinese communities.
Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre (SMRC) will officially open a respite centre at the Plenty Valley Christian Outreach Centre on July 24.
The centre is part of a City of Whittlesea initiative to address the “unique challenge” faced by culturally isolated elderly migrants.
A wave of Chinese and Filipino immigrants came to Australia in the 1980s as part of the ‘‘family reunion parents migration program’’.
The program aimed to reunite parents and grandparents of earlier migrants who had travelled to Australia to find work.
Census data shows that 1.3 per cent of people in Whittlesea were born in China and 1 per cent were born in the Philippines.
SMRC coordinator Connie San Jose said despite the relatively small number of Chinese and Filipino migrants, the problem of isolation was significant because they were elderly when they arrived in Australia.
Ms San Jose said the elderly migrants typically lived in a family home with two or three generations.
“They are so isolated during the day when everyone is at work,” she said. “Most don’t go out at all.”
The centre opened tentatively in June and Ms San Jose said the 32 Chinese and Filipino people who had visited the centre had connected with other people who knew their language and culture.
“Being connected – that’s the most important thing for seniors,” she said.
Most of the centre staff are Chinese or Filipino so visitors can speak in their native tongue and take part in ethno-specific activities.
Mill Park resident Enriqueta Espino, 96, came to Australia in 1986 and has very limited English.
Ms Espino said she enjoyed speaking Filipino at the respite centre. “It reminds me of home,” she said.
The opening will take place from 10.30am to 1pm on July 24 at Plenty Valley Church, 5/9 Danaher Drive, South Morang.
For information, email communications@spectrumvic.org.au.
