General News
11 December, 2024
Kerala community growing in Horsham
Diverse cultural communities have been calling Horsham home for many years, bringing their own set of unique experiences to the regional town - and the Kerala community is one of them.
Kerala is the southernmost state in India, where Malayalam is the spoken language.
The community now has more than 50 families calling Horsham home, having chosen to relocate for work, primarily in the healthcare field.
Grampians Health conducted an overseas recruitment drive, mainly in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and the Middle East, where healthcare professionals who had been working in the field internationally were sought to fill roles in the Wimmera.
Binesh Tholath, his wife Simi Philip and their children Sharon and Samuel moved to Horsham in October last year after living in Ireland.
“When I arrived here, I think there were around 28 families of Kerala origin,” Mr Tholath said.
“I wouldn’t even think about living in the city again after living here."
Cherish Charles along with his wife Nimmy Jacob and daughter Tiara Eve Cherish.
The three uprooted their lives in India six years ago to live in Horsham and haven’t looked back since.
"It's a very nice place to be," Mr Charles said.
"We feel safe and secure here."
Mr Charles has even taken up a voluntary role welcoming and helping new members to settle into the Horsham Kerala community, hoping they like Horsham enough to stay.
"Most are healthcare workers and we need them to stay," he said.
With the huge spike in the community’s population, he is trying to bring more cultural elements to Horsham to encourage families to stay, with Kerala festivals and social gatherings being held at Haven Hall.
"It makes them happier to have nostalgic moments from back home," Mr Charles said.
They have also established a relationship with Horsham Cinema, where an Indian movie of their choice is played every Saturday evening, and once a month culinary orders are placed with an Indian grocer in Ballarat who delivers to Horsham.
“There’s not much of a selection of Indian groceries here,” he said.
Mr Charles said these experiences were very important and helped them to keep in touch with their original culture.
However, relocating to a new country comes with many challenges that families and individuals face, the ongoing housing crisis becoming a major one.
“Housing is very tough and is a major issue that is stopping people coming here,” Mr Charles said.
Mr Tholath said the community was helping each other to navigate the situation.
“We have even spoken to real estate agents to help find properties for newcomers,” he said.
Those employed by Grampians Health are offered temporary staff accommodation for six to eight weeks, allowing them additional time to find a rental or buy their own house.
“Some members have already purchased homes and some including me are planning to build,” Mr Tholath said.
He said so far four had bought second-hand houses, three had finished building and two were commencing builds.
Childcare is another obstacle that newcomers are facing, with limited to no spaces available.
“We give new members a heads-up before they move here and encourage them bring a family member to look after the kids while they work,” Mr Tholath said.
A recent move for one family has led them to purchase their first home here.
Joseph Gregory moved to Horsham with his wife Shaiby Verghese, daughter Elizamary and son George only eight months ago after he and Ms Verghese had lived for 13 and 18 years respectively in the UK.
Mr Gregory said they wanted a change in careers, which led them to working in the healthcare sector with Grampians Health.
"Change is good," he said.
The family spent two months in staff accommodation supplied by Grampians Health before moving into a rental property, where they stayed for five months.
They have since bought their own home.
"It's a growing community here and they are ready to help," Mr Gregory said.
"It's an amazing experience with the movies - everyone comes together."