The first survey of its kind focusing on Greater Shepparton's African population, the African Focus Community Survey Report, released this month, has found startlingly high rates of underemployment in the region.
Of the 255 survey respondents, 34 per cent were unemployed and of those employed full-time, 64 per cent were seeking more work.
The workplace was also revealed to be the most common place for racial discrimination, followed by schools and public places.
Launched at St Paul's African House on Friday, July 2 to African and community stakeholders, the report targeted eight main areas: general demographics, languages, COVID-19, employment, education, services and unmet needs, racial discrimination and sense of belonging and happiness.
Beginning with an overview of the project in English, staff welcomed attendees on the night in Swahili and Dinka.
Each group then watched a video sharing the data in their language.
“The report video was a priority for our staff, ensuring the community could receive the survey data in their first language,” St Paul's African House partnerships and programs manager Kate Radevski said.
“It wouldn't have been possible without our African Focus staff who speak multiple languages.”
Participants in each language group were then asked to vote on which area of the report was the most important, and which theme needed further positive change.
“Employment and racial discrimination were by far voted as the most important areas by participants on the night,” Ms Radevski said.
Gathering in the main hall, the groups shared their personal experiences of racism in the education system and in the workplace, expressing frustration at continual barriers despite hard work and motivation to succeed.
The majority of African respondents still felt a strong sense of belonging in Greater Shepparton despite ongoing issues.
Speaking on the night, Congolese refugee Declo Bisimwa detailed his own experiences facing discrimination while trying to find work in the Goulburn Valley.
While he felt at home in Shepparton, Mr Bisimwa told The News he had witnessed many refugees who had struggled to get a job due to their skin colour and background.
“I would strongly encourage employers to . . . break this unemployment rate,” he said.
“We want employers to consider our diverse contributions within the Australian society, our qualifications, life experiences as well as our qualities that we have instead.
“However, employers need to understand that English language is not our first language. This is an enormous difficulty . . . and remains the biggest barrier in the workplace and in education access.”
Ms Radevski said St Paul's African House looked forward to working to change the narrative and work against racial barriers across the region.
Printed copies of the report are available at St Paul's African House.
Videos in English, Dinka and Swahili can be accessed via the St Paul's African House YouTube channel.
