‘We are better together’: Peter Gutwein’s 350km journey across Tassie brings in $60,000 for migrants

Former premier and Migrant Resource Centre chair Peter Gutwein wrapped up the last leg of his 350km journey across Tasmania on Sunday, with a big payday for charity.

Former Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein completes the walk step up together at Montrose Foreshore. A large group of supporters were at Montrose to meet Peter Gutwein. Picture: Linda Higginson

Former state premier Peter Gutwein completed his 350km journey across the state for Tasmania’s refugees and migrants on Sunday, taking the final steps along the Montrose foreshore with a crowd of supporters.

As the current Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas) chair, Mr Gutwein began the Walk Step Up Together in Burnie on June 9 and has raised more than $60,000 as part of an initiative to promote diversity and Tasmania’s migrant and refugee communities.

Former Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein completes the walk step up together at Montrose Foreshore. Peter Gutwein, Amin Jafri, and MRC Tas CEO Gillian Long. Picture: Linda Higginson

While sporting some blistered and sore feet, Mr Gutwein said the walk was “well worth” the exhaustion and said the event was focused on everything refugees and migrants bring to Tasmania.

“Regardless of whether you were born here or you choose to be here or you came here as a refugee fleeing some challenges in your own country, we are all Tasmanian together,” he said.

“The stories I have heard over the last eight days have been so uplifting.

“I hope from my efforts that we can continue a positive conversation about the contributions of migrants and refugees make to Tasmania, so we can keep that conversation going and ensure that we simply are better together.”

Peter Gutwein with Perth schools and businesses halfway through his walk to highlight migrant communities.

Multicultural Council of Tasmania chair Aimen Jafri praised the “phenomenal efforts” of Mr Gutwein and the conversations that had arisen on refugee and migrant contributions in the state and nationally.

“Australia was built by migrants, this is how it’s going to be as long as we shall live,” she said.

“The tone of our skins might have changed over the decades, but migrants will play a very important part in building the economy and the fabric of this country and this island.

“We are better together, we’re stronger together.”

Former Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein completes the walk step up together at Montrose Foreshore. Picture: Linda Higginson

Federal Multicultural Affairs Minister Andrew Giles said the walk helped to show the “real Tasmania” that embraces its diversity.

“What Peter Gutwein has done has been to show Australia the real Tasmania that I see every time I visit – a place that is embracing its diversity, a place where everyone does stand up for each other,” he said.

“The state of the Australian community with racism doesn’t just hurt individuals, it diminishes us.

“I think we’ve seen a very clear statement of that today.”

Launceston builder Manav Boparai is one of the many migrants making a life in Tasmania, who met Mr Gutwein in Deloraine on day three of the walk.

Mr Boparai came to Australia in 2018, where he was originally studying a Masters of Accountancy.

From left, Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray, Cr Tennille Murtagh, MCOT Chair Aimen Jafri, Peter Gutwein, Cr Phil Owen and supporter John McMaster outside Brighton's Best Bakehouse on Saturday. Picture: Supplied.

After Covid struck in 2019, he soon pivoted his study into a building apprenticeship.

Mr Boparai has now completed both his degree and Certificate III in building and builds homes in Tasmania while working towards his Certificate IV.

“Tassie has been pretty good and welcoming since coming,” he said.

“For me, I have had a pretty good experience.”

Mr Boparai said he hopes for a community and country where events like these are not needed.

Former Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein (right) completes the walk at Montrose Foreshore. Federal Minister for Multicultural affairs Andrew Giles (centre) addressed the crowd, which included Labor Leader Dean Winter (left) after the event. Picture: Linda Higginson

“It’s a basic necessity as a human being that you are kind enough to not abuse anybody,” he said.

“If you live in a community, you have to interact with different people – whether that’s age, religion, gender – and we are better when we are together.”

Funds raised will go towards assisting the MRC in extending its cultural awareness training service to more businesses, schools and clubs around Tasmania.