In July 2022, more than a dozen Pacific Island migrants arrived in Albury Wodonga for work. With a strong association with Rugby Union, the young men were keen to get involved in a local team and were warmly welcomed by the Albury Steamers Rugby Club.
Past President of the Rotary Club of Albury North, Clark Potter, is a past player with the Steamers and maintains a close association with the club.
“The Steamers were extremely happy to welcome these new recruits as we find recruitment difficult in a region where AFL and NRL are the dominant codes,” Clark said.
It was mid-winter when the Islanders arrived and nights were cold, felt even more so by the young men used to a more tropical climate! The newly arrived migrants were desperately in need of household basics like cooking equipment, crockery, bed linen, blankets and furniture.
Clark arranged for the representatives of the Pacific Islander group and the Steamers to present at a Rotary Club of Albury North meeting. Members quickly responded with a monetary donation, two car loads of smaller items, and several larger pieces of furniture.
“The young Pacific Island players were very grateful, and we look forward to watching them playing in the autumn,” Clark said.