“Australia Day is a reminder of why I am grateful to live in a place that gives people hope, opportunity and a sense of belonging.
“Australia has become a home for many people from around the world who have come here to start new lives. It is a country with many cultures and stories.
“Migrants and refugees bring their stories, their food, their traditions and together, we make Australia stronger and more colourful.”
Messi said her parents chose to emigrate to Australia in order to give her and her siblings a safer upbringing.
“Overall, Australia Day means to me a moment of reflection. It is about recognising the journeys of others and appreciating the diversity that makes this country special,” she said.
“Australia is built from millions of stories coming together and taking the time to understand and support one another. This unity is what makes Australia feel like home to me.”
Charlotte said community was also at the forefront of her mind on Australia Day.
“It’s sharing a smile with a stranger, lending a hand when things get tough, and knowing that there is a place for everyone,” she said.
“It’s the quiet understanding between neighbours, the way we show up for each other without being asked.
“Australia is built on stories – stories of resilience, of mateship, of people coming together in times of hardship and celebrating together in times of joy.
“From small country towns like Nhill to the busy city streets, community is what turns a place into a home.”
Charlotte said the Nhill and District Sporting Club, of which she is a member, was emblematic of the local community.
“Because we’re a small-town club, it can sometimes be difficult to fill junior teams. Over the years we have been fortunate to welcome many Karen kids to come and play for our club,” she said.
“Last year, a number of Karen boys joined our under-14 footy side. At the start of the season, they had never played Aussie rules before, and many of them didn’t have a strong grasp of English. So, the coach kept things simple.
“He told them, ‘see the ball, get the ball and kick it far’. And that’s what they did.”
AMES Australia officials said the pair’s speeches were ‘signposts to the inspiring and exemplar story of a community that had embraced diversity and forged close bonds, which mean everyone is valued, and social cohesion is cherished’.
AMES Australia data showed that in the decade since Nhill began welcoming Karen migrants to the region in 2011, the more than 230 migrants had added $105- million to Nhill’s economy, while also creating numerous intangible cultural and social benefits.
The entire May 13, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
