Cultureworks – Migration And Working Life

Who’s involved

The Migration Heritage Centre in collaboration with communities, museums, educational institutions, employer groups, trade unions, government agencies and non-government organisations.

When and where

Project location: Across NSW
Project status: Completed project
Date of completion: July 2003

Project description

Exchanges between cultures often take place in the workplace. Cultural diversity defines our workplaces – from sharing different food at lunchtime to recognising the economic advantage of Australia’s multi-skilled and multicultural workforce, past and present.

This project explored different experiences and attitudes to work. It highlighted the contribution of people from all migrant backgrounds to the cultural, economic and social development of the state. Members of migrant communities, local museums, education and training institutions, government agencies and non-government organisations were involved in the project.

Areas of focus ranged from contemporary cross-cultural workplaces to the history and heritage inherently part of migrant contributions to Australian industry and business. The project worked in areas across the state from rural and regional NSW to Western Sydney.

What did the project achieve?

Project results included:

Assisting small, local museums to collect, preserve and develop exhibitions focusing on work and migration in their area.
Creating multimedia products that highlight the contributions and experiences of people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in the workforce.
Encouraging people to engage with their local communities and promoting cultural exchange.

Project components
The cultureworks: migration and working life project had four major components:

1. Real Stories: People and Cultures at Work
An MHC Partnership Project at Liverpool Health Service
2. Real Stories: People and Cultures at Work Online
3. Real Stories: Migrating for Work
An MHC Partnership Project with Lambing Flat Museum, Young
4. cultureworks Partnership Project with Wollondilly Heritage Centre, The Oaks.

Project contact

John Petersen – Manager
Migration Heritage Centre NSW

Phone +61 2 9217 0625
Fax +61 2 9217 0628

Email johnp@phm.gov.au

Address:
PO Box K346
HAYMARKET NSW 1238
AUSTRALIA

Website
www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au