A group of Melbourne-based migrants will visit Stawell this week, introducing them to the region for the first time and increasing their awareness of the employment and lifestyle opportunities that are available within Northern Grampians Shire.
The visit is an initiative of the Opportunities Pyrenees Ararat Northern Grampians (OPAN) project, funded by Regional Development Victoria.
OPAN is working with AMES Australia who have organised the visit to Stawell on Wednesday 12 June, with many of the migrants being families with school aged children.
While part of the visit will include a tour of Stawell, its main focus will be an event at Stawell Neighbourhood House where Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, Cr Kevin Erwin, will speak as well as other businesses in the area who are seeking future employees for their upcoming projects.
The topic of the current housing climate within Stawell will also be discussed.
Mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Council, Cr Kevin Erwin said, "Our current unemployment 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."
"I'm looking forward to meeting those who are visiting us on Wednesday and hopefully they will become new community members of ours in the future."
Support services will also be on hand to answer any queries those visiting Stawell may have.
The OPAN project is a partnership between Pyrenees Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Council and Northern Grampians Shire Council with an aim to fill workforce shortages within the region by attracting job seekers from Melbourne.
The project will also try to address housing, transport and workforce planning issues within the region.
