A group of individuals and representatives from many of the region's organisations have been meeting together to find practical ways and opportunities to ensure those new to town feel welcome and are able to learn about services that can support them.

Welcome 2 Stawell or W2S began as an initiative of the Stawell Ministers' Group, but has since expanded to include other agencies and individuals who want to be involved in welcoming new residents.

Earlier this year the new three-year project, Opportunities Pyrenees Ararat and Northern Grampians or OPAN were launched.

The project is pitched to directly address the existing and future shortage of skilled and unskilled workers across the region by focusing on workforce planning, migration, housing, and transport.

W2S spokesperson Jenny Greenberger said new citizens to the region could add so much to our community.

READ MORE: Efforts to attract migrants to Northern Grampians heating up

"Additional incomes help all our local businesses, extra children help to keep all our schools open, cultural diversity; languages, music, clothing, food, beliefs, all create a huge amount of interest when we have the opportunity to meet and mix with new people," she said.

"Migrants have been moving to Northern Grampians Shire for years of course and many local people have welcomed them as neighbours and friends."

Mrs Greenberger the W2S group had established its main goal was to pool experience and ideas to offer support to new residents.

"The group is currently working to create a 'welcome pack' of services and contact numbers, and welcome events planned for the new year," she said.

"Members will be supporting the Northern Grampians Shire celebration of World Migrant Day to be held on December 18. This event will acknowledge the contributions of migrants to our community and will keep our community informed and excited about increased cultural diversity to come.

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"The group would very much like to have input from others who might be interested. Our next gathering is due to be held in February.

"You can leave your name and contact details at Stawell Neighbourhood House and we can let you know the details of the February meeting closer to the time."

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