Hundreds of Pacific Island workers, including those from Fiji based across New South Wales marked Christmas far from home — but many found warmth, belonging and support within the communities around them.
In a message shared on social media, the NSW Council for Pacific Communities acknowledged the challenges faced by seasonal and migrant workers spending the festive season away from their families.
“Today thousands of our Pacific Islanders working here in NSW celebrated Christmas away from their families. This can be tough and challenging,” the council said.
“We recognise the sacrifice you make when you come to Australia to work and leave behind your families.”
Despite the distance from home, the council said it had witnessed moments of togetherness across the state.
“We have seen workers celebrate Christmas with their ‘Australian families’. Members of the community right around NSW have embraced our Pacific Islanders and included them in their celebrations,” the post read.
The council added that workers themselves had gone out of their way to support one another.
“We have seen workers band together to bring joy and happiness — people from different cultural backgrounds, from different countries, celebrating Christmas like a family.”
