A WORKSHOP IN ROBE

And so they came – not knowing quite what to expect - the anxiety of months and years of disruption etched on their faces, their children expectant, fractious or excited.

Over the weekend of the 12th and 13th November, 2005 we held another Zimbabwe Connection workshop in the south-east of South Australia. 115 people – by far the greater percentage of them farming families who had lost everything in their native land – came along from the surrounding farming areas of South Australia and Victoria

We hired Tarooki, a school campsite! 10 bunks to a room and minimal comfort – but a great central hall and good kitchen.

Rosters went up, a registration desk was put in place –bunches of proteas livened everything up and the farmers’ wives from nearby Kingston bustled around in the kitchen getting the first night’s supper together. Daylight saving meant the sun didn’t go down ‘till 8 p.m. - but what could be more appropriate than a braai to kick off, with sadza (albeit yellow!) and boeries.

Then we knew we were in Aus - this is not a sight we’re yet quite used to seeing - and happy too! Everyone did their share of the washing up and when we cleared up at the end – it was done in the blink of a proverbial eye.

We were charged with a request that first evening, from a wonderful Aussie Ken Grundy, who as things started to deteriorate in Zim wrote to everyone associated with agriculture in the south-east asking them to consider employing a Zimbabwean farmer. “Australian farming is not what it once was – we’d like you to help us make it great again …” was Ken’s challenge

Next day, things became more focussed. We left the kids with an Outward Bound adventure company and headed off to the Robe Footy Club. After a short welcome from Jill Lambert, the first speech from the South Australian Minister for Agriculture Rory McEwen set the tone for the weekend – humorous, compassionate and full of useful information. He outlined how government in Australia works – right back to when each State was a fiercely independent Colony in its own right and determined not to give an inch to its next door neighbour. It explained a lot of things!

Other speakers were Robyn Hansen, Senior Manager with the Skilled Migration Department, Linda Polomka, the Regional Project Officer, Grant King , Chief Executive of the Limestone Coast Regional Development Board and Ian McDonnell, a successful local businessman in the forestry industry.

Zimbabwean Henry Bosman and Australian Nic Kentish gave a case study of their joint venture on a lemon and cherry orchard. Nic’s enthusiasm for his work with Henry was heart-warming and the encouragement and support he has given three Zim farming families should be applauded widely. He appealed for us all not to become ‘time poor’ – but to make use of every minute and hour we had in constructive and positive action.

Back to the campsite for lunch – and then a coach tour to the neighbouring resort of Beachport – with a cemetery walk tracing the history of the area through its tombstones (!) - with all the locals dressed in character.

Henry told a pretty rude joke in a vernacular we all understand well - then went on to outline the strengths and weaknesses of what they had been able to achieve. He stated very clearly that you could not stand with a foot in both camps, Zimbabwe and Australia, as you cannot possibly move forward. You must make a choice one way or the other and having made that choice, move both feet there boots and all, be positive and re-create the life you want to lead.

There was a merry old party that night and with some relief everyone seemed to sleep well. The first night had had some very questionable moments – with much snoring and one couple falling out of their bunk! They are actually quite old enough to have known better than to try and get into the same narrow (single!) bunk! Next morning – there was a lot of ribald hilarity round the breakfast table with stories of various degrees of dis-grace and misdemeanour being described! As Andy Ferris said – “it was just like being back at Horseshoe Club!” The meals were a triumph! The “ Kingston” girls cooked all the food and we rostered everyone else on to heat and serve as well as do shifts with the kids.

Then it was time to get serious again for the second workshop.   We indulged in a few songs and key recordings to highlight the fact that it is actually all right to nurture our wonderful Zimbabwean memories and they can never be taken from us. But it is equally important to start making great new friends and memories in Australia - as we had all done that weekend.   It is sometimes difficult to realise that you are not ‘letting down’ Zimbabwe by saying you are starting to enjoy Australia. We can all be grateful that we have been fortunate enough to live in two great continents.

Gerald Schaper told the story of the appalling start he had had before being 'rescued' to a good position with Ian McDonnell in Mount Gambier. He was not prepared for the request to speak … and it was difficult for him to do so. He spoke with considerable anguish at first – then got into his stride and was able to tell us what had happened. He ended by saying he had no anger for the person concerned because he had opened the way for a visa Gerald and his wife had thought was impossible - and for the subsequent job offer. Gerald said "We must be serious about not becoming “time poor”. An example of this was constantly looking back to dwell on what we had lost. It was imperative to focus on the future..

Then we had an address from Bulawayo girl Tracey Mays, whom the Department of Immigration calls the “pit bull with lipstick”! Tracey has been responsible for managing the migration visas of the vast percentage of people in the room.

The final session was practical and down to earth – from the business advisory section of the Limestone Coast Regional Development Board – Roger Babolka Business Development Manager and Rob Forgan Small Business Field Officer. These are some of the slides used and they demonstrate a few of the items which have to be considered. All these services are provided at no charge to anyone setting up their own business. We would strongly advise all Zims thinking of doing so, to make use of these wonderful regional programmes and understand that business in Australia is a different world. If we apply the same strategies to business that we did in Zim, we will go under. Simple. And not worth it. Too many have done so - doing so.

What a time it was! We all finished the workshop motivated, enthused and having had a great time! It was an important stepping stone in getting re-orientated into a new world – and finding there are plenty of people only too keen to help – if you are willing to learn.

Jill Lambert

The Zimbabwe Connection : November 20th, 2005.