THE team at Oz Group held a farewell recently for the seasonal workers they have been hosting on the Coffs Coast.

During the 2021 season, Oz Group Co-op was able to access seasonal workers through a partnership with an approved employer, which meant over 200 seasonal workers were brought into the Coffs Harbour region to supplement local pickers.

This also ensured that growers were able to send produce to market that they otherwise would have had difficulty achieving due to external pressures such as the pandemic and border exclusions.

Oz Group Co-op CEO, Mr James Kellaway, said, “The benefits of our seasonal workers to the local area were multifactorial.

“Firstly, they worked to harvest our fruit for market; secondly, they were able to pump millions of dollars into the local economy through local retailers and other small businesses; and thirdly, they were able to add cultural richness and diversity to the local community given their heritage.”

Seasonal workers from Vanuatu and Solomon Islands have been hosted by Oz Group on the Coffs Coast for the last seven months, and the Oz Group growers are celebrating not only getting their produce to market but having the opportunity to develop relationships with the workers and hear their stories and learn of the positive impact of their earnings back home in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Kylie Hoschke, Seasonal Worker Project Manager for Oz Group Co-op explained, “Oz Group has invested significantly in accommodation, transport and programming support to ensure that the seasonal workers who come to our region are supported and have the opportunity to improve their lives back home.”

The PALM scheme helps to fill labour gaps in rural and regional Australia by offering employers access to a pool of reliable, productive workers.

It also allows Pacific and Timorese workers to take up jobs in Australia, develop their skills and send income home to support their families and communities.

Chairman of the Oz Group Co-op Board of Directors and local grower, Satpal Singh Gill, who also was a part of the program and employed 14 seasonal workers said, “It was the best bunch of workers I’ve had.

“It’s a pleasure to know that the wages they earn really changes their lives and gives them and their families a brighter future.”