The steel city welcomed over 50 migrants, many of refugee background, from the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC) with a special lunch at the Whyalla Visitor Centre last weekend.

It marked the beginning of the two-day visit, with participants attending an employment seminar at the Middleback Arts Centre and enjoying a lunch prepared by students from the Edward John Eyre High School.

The initiative was inspired by the Whyalla City Council’s visit to Adelaide in July 2019 to promote Whyalla at the ‘Living and Working in Whyalla’ Expo at the AMRC. “We’re hoping to fill job positions that currently can’t be filled, and the people here today had the opportunity to speak to different businesses and organisations about what they can offer. They are very grateful and interested in what’s available here in Whyalla,” Mayor Clare McLaughlin said.

AMRC Board Member Hussain Razaiat said migrants were looking for employment in a variety of areas including aged care, housing and construction. The AMRC received over 70 expressions of interest, with 50 interested people participating in the tour.