‘the little things’: Snapshots of Day-to-Day Wellbeing from Young People from Migrant Backgrounds in Rural Victoria

Young people from recent refugee and migrant backgrounds have been using photography to share their knowledge about day-to-day wellbeing with communities in regional and rural Victoria, as part of research with Melbourne Social Equity Institute PhD candidate Meg Lee.

In this blog post, Meg Lee shares stories and images from her PhD research. This research is supported by the Australian Government Research Training Program through the Melbourne Social Equity Institute.

‘the little things’: snapshots of day-to-day wellbeing from young people from migrant backgrounds in rural Victoria project drew from photovoice and community-based approaches, providing a space for two groups of young people aged 15-25 to meet regularly and explore wellbeing through photography. Beginning following Victoria’s last COVID lockdowns, the project involved two photovoice groups: one in a regional city on Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Country (Ballarat) and the other in a country town on Wotjobaluk Country (the Wimmera region) over a year from 2022-2023.

Below is a brief creative nonfiction account of the key reflections, feelings, words, and images raised by the young people involved in the study. They have given permission for it to be shared as a summary of the knowledge they shared and co-created over the course of the project. Written by Meg, the piece uses words, images and concepts by Aditi, Anna, Bangoang, Edge, Jasper, Kwae, Nyadeor, Nyajal, Nyajima, Nyaruot, Nyaw Nay, Oh Pweh, Smiley, Kuku Taw, ML, Reelay, and Sarah.

White text on black ground surrounded by colourful icons. Poem - ‘Wellbeing’ is many things, More than a noun, more than a verb. Certainly, more than an English word. A living puzzle Of all the little things: Having somewhere to go Somewhere to just be. Being intact, with myself. Having faith in tomorrow The reminder of a rainbow. Hope, connection, creativity, music, The stability of new shoes. Family, friends, old and new. The one spot in my room That is always tidy. The calm in the chaos. Boardwalks and country roads, My space and peace. Running. Lifting confidence at the gym. Forgetting worries in the company of friends, In the joy of my art, Under the spell of a good book When the sky is clear and blue. Remembering when we planted the lemon tree And everyone was less stressed. Enough sleep. Quality time, a refreshing getaway Away from the stress and repetitive days Away to the beach, though I can’t swim. Yet. Being able to enjoy the fireworks ‘cause they’re no longer on the 26th. Feeling safe at the bus stop- here's hoping. Being comfortable to talk about my culture, not feel judged Being able to be who you are. That feeling, When people don’t ask the questions That make you feel uncomfortable. Feeling able to say no. Not feeling guilty for relaxing, For doing the things you love. The freedom to be spontaneous. The freedom of knowing You’re just one more person in a crowd In Footscray, in Melbourne, Where the people don't watch you; Make you feel you look… loud. Being able to get there, Support to learn to drive, get out. Still, here I have that homey feeling, Family that grounds me. I’ll move away, one day, Til then my home is here. Here I can watch the sunset, Braid my own hair For my self-care. Study on the train- if there is one. Study with a friend, a balanced schedule, somewhere quiet. The library doesn’t feel it was meant for me. Life is more than VCE, more than study, To this message I listen close. It is quieter than most. Having a place here, while still Being free to move, Free to grow, With choices that fit me: My values, my priorities, my needs. Imagining my future home. I don’t know if things will change In the future But I can keep these photos, Stop and smell the roses, choose to see Serendipity In the world we share. Breathe the fresh air.

Photovoice exhibitions in communities of research brought together representatives from local and federal government, service providers, educators, local families, youth, and other stakeholders, in conversation around wellbeing. Some of the themes and issues raised by each group were taken up by local community groups and volunteers, such as the shortage of driving mentors.

The most recent exhibition featured in the Open Program for the internationally renowned Ballarat International Foto Biennale over September and October this year. Titled ‘the little things’, the exhibition brought together works from both Wadawurrung and Wotjobaluk Country groups, with support from The Ballarat Foundation, Bendigo Bank Buninyong, the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, and the Ballarat International Foto Biennale. An interactive component allowed visitors to contribute their own photographs and written reflections to the exhibition, using an on-the-spot printer.

Photo with blue sky and a palm tree

Image: 'Hanging out, happy' by Nyaw Nay – Wotjobaluk Country

The knowledge shared by young people through the exhibition challenged community perceptions of migrant and refugee youth as ‘disadvantaged’ or embattled. Instead, an emphasis on ‘little things’, being curious, present, and hopeful demonstrated that ‘wellbeing’ for this group was about more than overcoming hardship. Rather, it was about existential meaning making in the everyday, groundedness and growth over time and place.

Over 85% of visitors surveyed* agreed with the statement, ‘“the little things” got me thinking, in a good way’. Over 65% agreed that ‘I learned something from “the little things” about others’. Further, over 65% agreed that ‘visiting “the little things” had a positive impact on my wellbeing and/or mental health’.

This project has ultimately fostered enduring connections and conversations in communities that have outlasted the ‘data collection’ phase of research. Since a photovoice exhibition on Wotjobaluk Country, the local art gallery has hosted exhibitions by community groups and supported community members to become involved in inclusive exhibitions. The gallery director has attributed a shift towards including more art from the wider community as well as from ‘artists’, in part, to the experience of hosting the photovoice exhibition.

A rainbow in the distance in a urban setting with powerlines and buildings

Image: 'Hope' by Nyaruot  – Wadawurrung Country

Driven by young people on Wotjobaluk Country, one of the project groups has continued meeting as a regular intercultural youth group. It has since grown in size and continues to be led by Meg in her new capacity as a ‘multicultural youth worker’ in the region. The group travelled to Ballarat for ‘the little things’ exhibition.

The timing and location of the project arguably contributed to its strong community impact, especially in the small rural community involved. For young people from this community on Wotjobaluk Country, it was the first they had been involved in a local program specifically for young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. For many, it was also the first time they had ‘come out’ for something new since COVID. This highlights the importance of recognising what community-based projects can mean to a community, beyond the ‘research’. Once we explore these possibilities together with communities, we can begin to use research for meaningful social change.

* 21 visitors completed the survey

Banner image: 'the little things' exhibition, Ballarat International Foto Biennale 2023