The kindness of strangers

The Launceston residents are mostly Nepali-speaking Bhutanese who have resettled in the region, and the sheep shearing demonstration is part of a social inclusion program.

Community Care Tasmania’s Susan Aykut started the pilot scheme last year and said the migrants were intrigued by Mr McKenzie’s mechanised shearing system.

“Many of the Bhutanese have farming backgrounds but had only ever used shears to cut wool,” Dr Aykut said.

“Some women were experienced spinners in Bhutan, and all remarked how clean Andrew’s wool was compared to the wool they remember spinning in Bhutan.”

As well as the shearing excursions, the migrants have also visited a lavender farm, the National Rose Garden, Lilydale Falls and community gardens, as well as getting together for ten-pin bowling and bingo and touring aged care facilities.

“This week we’re going to the Quiet Cone relaxation centre in LaTrobe where you do chiming in a teepee. I don’t know what to expect, but it sounds like fun,” Dr Aykut said.

The idea for the Community Connections Scheme came about after Dr Aykut realised many older Bhutanese people were isolated.

“Launceston is home to a number of refugees from Nepal, who although ethnically Nepalese, were displaced from Bhutan in the early 1990s following ethnic unrest.”

Many settled in family groups, but Dr Aykut said while the younger refugees have learned English, found jobs and are putting their children through school, the older migrants are left at home.

“They’ve come from one of seven refugee camps in Nepal, so many of the older people didn’t know each other.

“Mental health is also a real issue, as well as health issues such as diabetes, caused in part by their isolation in their new environment as well as from post-traumatic stress issues stemming from their long refugee status.”

The program is about “bringing this group of people together and also letting residents in Launceston know that we have these people living in our community”.

Participant Lok Nath Subedi, 84, said since attending the weekly sessions he feels more connected to others in the Bhutanese community and to his new home.

“When I get the opportunity to go somewhere else and meet new people and get exercise I enjoy it. I’m not feeling alone,” he said, remarking that a recent visit to Lilydale Falls felt like he was “back in Bhutan”.

“It was wonderful to feel similarities to my homeland both at LilydaleFalls and on the winding road from Scottsdale to Launceston, which is very like the winding road from southern to northern Bhutan.”