Merle Mitchell”s contribution to celebrating Springvale”s history has been recognised. 88291 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
By CASEY NEILL
SPRINGVALE’S Merle Mitchell has been honoured for her contribution to local history.
The 78-year-old received the Promotion of Multiculturalism Award at the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards at Government House on 5 October.
Ageing Minister David Davis said Ms Mitchell was a remarkable woman who had made an extraordinary contribution to migrant history in her local community and beyond.
Ms Mitchell brought together Enterprise Migrant Hostel’s residents and former employees as the Enterprise Hostel History Project convenor.
“This project produced an exhibition honouring and recording the history of the Enterprise as the first Australian home to 30,000 migrants and refugees between 1970 and 1992,” Mr Davis said.
He said the project blossomed to create a public and permanent tribute to celebrate the Enterprise residents and their contributions locally, to the state, and to the nation.
“This tribute also recognises the local Springvale residents who warmly welcomed the residents over the years,” he said.
“Ms Mitchell led an extensive public consultation resulting in the cultivation of the Enterprise rose and a book, video and website telling the Enterprise story of friendships, opportunities and new beginnings.”
She was among 12 seniors recognised at the awards, which kicked off the Victorian Seniors Festival.
“The awards recognise and celebrate the many men and women aged 60 and over who make extraordinary contributions through active involvement in their communities and by supporting and inspiring others,” Mr Davis said.
Ms Mitchell was surprised to receive an invitation to the function. She said the award recognised not only her work, but the effort her team and the community had put into the project over the past five years.
“It was meant to go a few months but just keeps going,” she said.
“We launched in April the new enterprise rose, now we’ve planted 200 rose bushes in a beautiful rose garden which will also have a beautiful sculpture in glass of a rose petal.”
The Victorian Seniors Festival celebrates its 30th birthday this year with more than 1000 events throughout October. Visit www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au for more information.
