Making Friends With People In Melbourne

[Katouskia]

Hello everyone I am from Mauritius and planning to settle in melbourne in Feb 2009. I do not know anyone out there, neither do I know about the place - though i have read - never been there. I am looking for friends to chat so as not to feel alienated.



Hope to hear from you soon



Cheers <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/emoticon_rainbow.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[glen]

Hi Kat, welcome to the forum! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup2.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



I think there are quite a few Melbourne residents from Mauritius!



cheers, glen

[Katouskia]

Thanks for your answer Glen.



Do you know of any Mauritian association or people out there? Anyway, I would like to meet people regardless of place of origin.



Cheers to everyone

[glen]

Here is one club:

Mauritian Silver Edge Club



The club fosters friendship among Mauritian senior citizens and provides support to people in the community by informing and educating members on health issues to do with ageing. It also networks with other multicultural senior citizens and groups in the City of Casey.



Postal Address

2/34 Simpson Drive

DANDENONG NORTH VIC 3175



Primary Contact Silvio Lebret

Telephone 03 9792 5847

Preferred contact method Post

Service Area Doveton



Organisational Focus



* Seniors

* Social activities

* Disability

[glen]

Here is another one:



St Kilda Mauritian Social Club Inc



The club is a senior citizens group for elderly Mauritian people. The club provides friendships and support for its members, celebrates significant religious and cultural events and goes on organised day outings.



Specific group represented Mauritian



Postal Address

208 Dandenong Road

ST KILDA EAST VIC 3183



Primary Contact Lucy Scholastique



Telephone 0412 819 586

Fax 0412 819 586

Preferred contact method Post

Service Area St Kilda East



Organisational Focus



* Seniors

* Social activities

[glen]

I found this interesting tit bit from the Melbourne City Council website (this was in 2004):

Melbourne has an active Mauritian community with around 35,000 residents who earlier this year held the first ‘La Faya’ festival (Mauritian National Day) at Federation Square on March 12.

[url="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=228&pg=715&st=94"]http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?t...g=715&st=94[/url]

[Katouskia]

Thank you Glen - if perchance you fall on further clubs keep me posted Or if you find some professional /networking clubs.

[glen]

This text seems to suggest different numbers so I don't know which to believe:

After Federation in 1901, the Mauritian population in Australia declined, and by 1947 only 59 Victorians were Mauritius-born. The trend changed in the post-war period, with Mauritian immigration peaking during the late 1960s, coinciding with the country’s declaration of independence in 1968. By 1971, Victoria was home to the largest population of Mauritius-born immigrants in Australia, with 3,791 people. Their population continued to grow until the early 1990s.



In 2001, Victoria still had the largest Mauritius-born community in Australia with 8,236 members. This mainly French-speaking population is based in Springvale, Dandenong, Noble Park and Endeavour Hills. Most are Catholic, and work as intermediate clerical, sales and service workers. Although many Mauritians participate in the activities of the broader French community, they also have their own distinct identity, born out of a mix of African, Malagasy, Indian, Chinese and French cultures.

[url="http://museumvictoria.com.au/origins/history.aspx?pid=40"]http://museumvictoria.com.au/origins/history.aspx?pid=40[/url]

[glen]

These websites seem very helpful:



[url="http://www.cjp.net/"]http://www.cjp.net/[/url]



[url="http://www.charm.org.au/LaFaya_2008.htm"]http://www.charm.org.au/LaFaya_2008.htm[/url]



[url="http://www.3zzz.com.au/staging/broadcast/mauritian.htm"]http://www.3zzz.com.au/staging/broadcast/mauritian.htm[/url]

[glen]

And here is some info from the yellow pages:



Mauritian Service Association Inc.

7 Golding Crt Springvale South VIC 3172

ph: (03) 9547 6492



Mauritian Service Association Inc.

439 North Rd Ormond VIC 3204

ph: (03) 9597 9844

[Katouskia]

thanks so much glen - these are very helpful

[glen]

no worries! <img src='http://www.melbournechat.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[buggy111]

Hi Kat,



I understand how difficult it can be to move to a new country (I am currently in Canada, Ex Aussie but may be moving back to Melbourne in the new year).



Making new friends really depends on your interests etc.. (esp if you're young where clubs that are nationally based, usually cater to older people)



If you are younger (Say under 40)

Some things which you may find helpful in meeting new people:



- If you're fairly active, join an indoor sports team. There are several places around Melbourne and easy to find that have regular indoor soccer, volleyball, etc... A great way to meet new people and most teams socialise after the games in the bars there, so that is always fun. They always have places for people who just want to join an existing team.



- If you are at University, then you'll meet a ton of people there.



- Taking a short course in something is a great way to meet like minded people. For instance, I had a friend who was interested in learning massage and joined a class and made some really good friends out of it.



Basically, just think about the kinds of things you like and then join it.

If you are working, socialising with workmates is a big Aussie thing. A lot of people go out for Friday night drinks and you meet a lot of people that way.



Aussies, for the most part, are fairly open and friendly with a keen sense of humour. You should enjoy yourself in Melbourne. It really is one of the best cities in the world (IMO)

Good luck!