For many years now, The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has allowed businesses in the agriculture and food manufacturing sectors to hire workers from nine Pacific islands and Timor-Leste, when not enough local workers are available.

In the Red Cliffs region there are currently a mix of workers from Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Fiji. In his oversight of the Mallee Mission, Field Staff Steve Weickhardt and newly appointed Community Chaplain Val Barker-Pigott, are providing intentional ministry to these PALM workers.

Val, who started in the role in mid-December 2023, is passionate about her ministry with PALM workers. “It’s exciting, it’s full on and I feel privileged and totally blessed for this opportunity,” she says.

This intentional ministry started for Val when she was taken to meet a man who supports the workers in terms of their health and welfare. Since then, Val has been able to attend the first briefing when PALM workers arrive in the country. “Some can’t understand English, some can. I briefly explain my role, give them my card, and let them know that I’m here, and can run church services for them at any time that suits.”

Robinvale, about one hour from Red Cliffs, has become a key area for this intentional ministry. “I went to a briefing and there were 47 people from Vanuatu,” says Val. “There were six ladies in the group, and one said – ‘come and sit with me, you look nice’.” Val now travels to Robinvale every Wednesday afternoon and meets with three to six ladies from Vanuatu. They have informal conversations and often sing and pray together.

Part of the RENEW Project in Red Cliffs is the second-hand clothing shop, and Val has been able to provide things like warm jumpers, shoes and linen. “They are given a set of linen and a blanket when they arrive but they aren’t very warm, and it gets very cold here,” says Val. “They are so grateful for what I provide through RENEW; you would think I’d given them a million dollars.”

The welfare worker also introduced Val to one of the team leaders from the Solomon Islands. They were keen to worship God whatever their denomination, so Val produced a flyer for Easter services in Robinvale. Sixteen attended the Good Friday service and there were 11 on Easter Sunday. “I am so energized for their love for each other and their love for God,” says Val.

In Red Cliffs, a group of 18 Fijians, all from the same village, arrived late last year. For one gentleman, who is 58 years of age, it was his first time on a plane, first time out of his country, and he’s come for four years. He’s sending five percent of his wages back to his village so they can build a cyclone shelter, and while he keeps a little for himself, most goes back to his family.

“Just after New Year this gentleman told me that one of his friends had died and they needed a service for him,” says Val. “The rules dictate that there has to be a memorial service before the body leaves the country. A Fijian government representative came from Melbourne, the village in Fiji was facetimed in, and these men sang out their grief. It was the most profound experience for them. I felt privileged to be part of it.”

“We really want to encourage these men and women to remain connected to their faith and church,” says Steve Weickhardt. “In turn, these Islanders bring a deep spirituality to the parish and a desire to worship. They crave that sense of community they have back in their homeland and build that sense of community with us here.”