New migrants to the Rockhampton district will feel even more welcome, with the launch of a Nurturing Migrant Project this week.

A project officer based in the Community Informatics (COIN) office, corner of East and Fitzroy streets, will identify the needs of new migrants and link them with relevant social and health service providers.

Multicultural Affairs Queensland has provided $25,000 to kick-start the project, based on a partnership between Central Queensland University, Rockhampton City Council and the CQ Multicultural Association (with funding support from the Rotary Club of Rockhampton).

Dr Sansnee Jirojwong and Dawn Hay, from CQU\'s School of Nursing and Health Studies, are both helping to lead the project.

Dr Jirojwong said the project officer would be guided by an advisory committee comprising representatives of the partners and key stakeholders.

The project worker would use formal and informal networks to monitor migrant needs, and could work with the newly-arrived migrants by phone or in person at the office.

“Examples of those using the service might be mothers of young children or migrants experiencing ill health,” she said.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Hon. Chris Cummins said cultural diversity was one of the great strengths of the Smart State – culturally, socially and economically.

“Multicultural activities such as the Nurturing Migrants Project play an important role in helping to create an environment of mutual understanding and harmony,” the Minister said.

He congratulated CQU (which won the funding on behalf of the project partners) on its contribution to multiculturalism in Queensland.

There were about 50 people at the launch including Professor Elizabeth Taylor, Executive Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Health.

Photos: CQU\'s Dr Sansnee Jirojwong at the launch which also featured entertainment, including a Filipina folk dance, \'Tiklos\', or cerebration of the harvest dance.