Embracing diversity: Cobram celebrates immigrant success stories

By Gabriel Garcia

Mar 22, 2024

From Italy: The CCH Cultural Diversity Week morning tea in Cobram saw local Giuseppe (Joe) Raco tell attendees about his journey from Italy to Australia. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

The sun shone for those attending the Cobram Community House Cultural Diversity Week morning tea on Thursday, March 21.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The event was part of the nationwide Cultural Diversity Week, which runs between March 18 and 24.

Cultural Diversity Week has traditionally been celebrated at CCH, which has a staff and volunteer cohort made up of people from all over the world, who help those from all different backgrounds.

The 2024 event saw attendees listen to a speech by Cobram’s Giuseppe (Joe) Raco, who spoke to the audience about his journey as an immigrant coming to Cobram.

Mr Raco, like many Italians, came to Cobram to escape the devastation and lack of opportunities of post-World War II Italy.

Mr Raco said he came to Cobram via Melbourne in 1954 as a teenager and went to work on the orchards in the area.

“I arrived at 14, and I started working at that age on a farm, in an orchard," he said.

“I was getting full wages because the boss thought I was a very good worker.”

Asked what it had been like moving his life to Australia and starting from scratch in Cobram, Mr Raco said it was the right decision.

Snacks: There was a wide variety of food on offer for attendees to enjoy. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

"Here, you have got a lot of opportunities to have a better future for your life and your kids,” he said.

Mr Raco said he would like to thank the Federal Government of the time for giving him and his fellow immigrants the chance to make a new life for themselves.

“Thank you, the government at the time, for giving us the opportunity to be able to come into Australia,” Mr Raco said.

Moira Shire Council chair of the panel of administrators John Tanner was at the event and said it was important for the council to support events such as Cultural Diversity Week, noting that Cobram was built on diversity.