RDA Murray is celebrating a major milestone this month, with the NSW Government’s Welcome Experience program officially supporting its 100th essential worker who has moved to the region.
Among them is Emmanuel Quansah, a registered cardiology nurse whose journey from Ghana to Albury highlights the vital role of community connection in workforce attraction and retention.
Emmanuel, who trained in China and worked in the UK before relocating to Australia, joined Albury Wodonga Health earlier this year. With his young family in tow, the move was significant, but made immeasurably easier thanks to the tailored support offered by The Welcome Experience.
“The Welcome Experience gave me confidence and peace of mind during a big life change,” said Emmanuel. “Lou [Newman] helped me with house inspections, finding the right school for my children, swimming lessons, driving lessons — even picking me up from the airport. It was so much more than I expected.”
The Welcome Experience is designed to support NSW’s essential workers and their families as they transition into life in the Murray region. Delivered by RDA Murray and funded by the NSW Government, the program assists with relocation, integration, and community connection, recognising that social and lifestyle factors are critical to workforce retention.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said reaching this milestone reflects the real progress being made to attract essential workers and boost access to vital health care services in the Albury region.
“What makes reaching triple digits even more powerful is knowing that behind each registration is not just one person, but in many cases a whole family, including partners and children, who have also made the Murray region their home.
“These essential workers are the heartbeat of our communities. They provide the skills regional NSW needs to thrive.
“The Welcome Experience goes beyond helping people find a job, from housing and schools to community connections, it provides the wrap-around support that turns a relocation into a fresh start for families.
“The Welcome Experience is helping strengthen regional communities and ensuring essential workers and their families can enjoy the lifestyle, opportunities and sense of community that the border region has to offer.”
Lou Newman, TWE’s Local Connector for the Albury area, says reaching 100 essential worker movers is a powerful sign of the program’s impact.
“Every person we support brings skills, energy and diversity to our region. Emmanuel’s story is one of resilience, talent and community, and I’m so proud we could help him feel at home,” said Lou. “This milestone is really about people. A hundred essential workers and their families now have a stronger connection to this region because of The Welcome Experience.”
With essential worker shortages affecting health, education, aged care and emergency services across regional NSW, TWE offers a unique, human-centred response, supporting not only professional transitions but also personal wellbeing and social belonging.
The program is currently active in Albury, Greater Hume and Federation local government areas.
“Behind every statistic is a story,” said Lou. “We’re celebrating 100 movers today, but more importantly, we’re celebrating the people who’ve chosen to live and work in our region, and our community is stronger and richer for it.”
For more information on The Welcome Experience, contact us.
