Pacific Islanders working in a Brisbane slaughterhouse use singing to keep nostalgia at bay.
The 40-person choir was formed after Samoan and Solomon Islands workers at Brisbane’s Australian Country Choice facilities began gathering after work for singing sessions.
After the management learned to talk about the singalongs, an electronic keyboard and a guitar arrived.
He also made an invitation to do an Easter concert for staff and friends.
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to search, up and down arrows for volume. The heart of the Pacific Islands slaughterhouse performs at Easter.
Keep the house alive
The performance featured hymns sung at home to celebrate Easter, as well as traditional dances.
“The two different nationalities coming together and singing together was outstanding, and very rewarding for them and for everyone else here at ACC,” said Director of Operations Andrew Ross.
Malo Sione, who works in the office and packing area, has sung in the church choirs all his life.
“The reason I am here is for the future of my family, my small family of three children and my husband who resides in my beautiful country of Samoa,” she said.
Pacific Islanders make up 10% of the ACC’s slaughterhouse staff. (Pip Courtney)
Of ACC’s 800 slaughterhouse employees, 10% are from the Pacific Islands.
They are in Australia with work visas approved under the federal government’s Pacific Labor Scheme (PLS).
Ross said staff admired the workers, many of whom have left children, spouses and elderly parents for up to three years.
“Needless to say, it’s something some of us Australians could never do,” Ross said.
Chief Operating Officer Andrew Ross admires his colleagues as Joyce Siofa’a for the sacrifices they have made to come here. (Pip Courtney)
“They’ve come a long way from their home country to come to Australia, and even if they’re not at home, you have to make them feel at home and they have to get the rewards so they can help their family.”
Sacrifices for the family
Solomon Island Joyce Siofa’a, who often sings while working, said the sacrifice is worth it to earn a salary she can’t earn at home.
“It’s good money, I use it to build my house, and since I’m the oldest in the family, I’m helping my parents,” he said.
Singers from Samoa and the Solomon Islands are working in a Brisbane slaughterhouse run by Australian Country Choice. (Pip Courtney)
The Samoan, Afa Ese, is saving for his children and is buying another house.
“A long time ago, I miss my wife and children, but I’m lucky to be in Australia right now. I’m very happy,” Ese said.
The choirmaster is Siatua Ah Kuoi, whom everyone calls Jack.
“My father is a Methodist minister, so I grew up singing in my heart. It’s in my blood.”
The 31-year-old fort to whom corpses are moved is “like a walk in the park … we’re islanders!” he explained in tears how the song connected him at home, especially to his sick father.
Siatua Ah Kuoi, or Jack, the choir master says the choir helps singers feel connected at home. (Pip Courtney)
“Singing is like a getaway for me … my dad, the only thing I can talk to him about is through music.”
Meat change for songs
ACC’s director general of processing and logistics, Mollie Auvaa, is the chief of staff for the Pacific Islanders.
She is a role she is comfortable with, as she is both a Samoan captain and a princess.
ACC’s director general of processing and logistics, Mollie Auvaa, is the mother in chief. (Pip Courtney)
“They are elected and go through criteria selected by the government to come and work in Australia,” Ms. Auvaa.
“It’s very important that they adapt to Australian culture and do their best, as they represent their country.”
The chronic shortage of manpower in Australia’s meat processing industry is long-standing and only worsened during COVID.
Even the arrival of more than 80 workers in the last six months has not helped the ACC slaughterhouse run at full capacity.
With the pls so important to the company, he claims that some employers and labor rental companies are abusing it by paying and exploiting the workers, deeply disappointing Ross Ross.
“We need, as an industry, to support the work program and make sure we value it and see that it is not misused,” Ross said.
The direction of the slaughterhouse provided a guitar and a keyboard to the heart after listening to the magic. (Pip Courtney)
“We need to make them part of the future of the industry.
“We wouldn’t have 84 people here now and we wouldn’t have 54 more on the way by the end of May if we didn’t treat PLS workers with respect and treat them equally,” Ross said.
ACC has staff from 61 countries who have left children, spouses and elderly parents to come to Australia for up to three years. (Pip Courtney)
Choir Master Jack says singing has connected workers with home, family and church.
“Everyone comes to me and says this is a beautiful thing. They thank me for it. I don’t want anyone to thank or congratulate me, all I want to see is the smile … the unity that is what I I’m looking for”.
Watch this story on ABC TV’s landline at 12:30 on Sunday or on ABC iview.
Posted 21 hours 21 hours ago, Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 7:06 PM, last updated 19 hours, 19 hours ago, Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 9:19 PM