Pyo Hong is from South Korea, and spent his first night in Griffith on Saturday.
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Coming for work and in the market for a job, Mr Hong was able to connect with other overseas workers at City Park in what was not only a social event but one which provided opportunities and advice for his stay in the MIA.
"I am looking for work driving forklifts in wineries, or something like that," Mr Hong explained.
And within a few moments of his arrival, fellow backpackers were giving him the ins and outs of where to get work, and also a quiet word from the wise about working for other, sometimes smaller places.
The Soroptomist barbecue for backpackers, while starting off with a lone couple from France and Taiwan, soon grew to a gathering of people all the way from Chile to East Timor.
Lauren Williams is from England and is currently in the MIA for her second stint on a Darlington Point solar farm, after her first in Coleambally. She says they have been one of the best places to work for.
"The company I work for is really great, that's why I decided to come back to Griffith," she said.
"While I like Griffith, it is a little quiet, but that is good for saving money to travel."
Touting the pro's of her employment, she also said she had been incredibly lucky to find such good work.
Being in the area for a while, she said she has heard second-hand stories of other places in the MIA that don't treat their workers quite so well, so encouraged the others to be cautious and safe.
Touring around with her boyfriend from Sweden, who was hard at work on Sunday, she said they mainly stayed in share houses and missed out on the social scene gained by living at a hostel.
Everyone seems more understanding and actually listens rather than rolling their eyes. They are friendly here, and very accepting of diversity.
- Ching Chang, Taiwan
"Events like this are great, it is such a good thing to meet people," she said.
While Ms Williams knew there were others around, for Benjamin Cendre from France and Ching Chang from Taiwan, they were unaware what a hotspot Griffith was for backpackers.
Both working on a potato farm in Hillston and working 10 to 12 hour days, the only people they have met are their colleagues.
"We met a lot of people in hostels in Brisbane," Mr Cendre explained.
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"I think Sydney or Melbourne have more backpackers, but I think if this event was to happen again it would be great to meet more here."
While Ms Chang agreed with Ms Williams that Griffith was quiet, she said the people here were some of the nicest she's met in Australia.
"Everyone seems more understanding and actually listens rather than rolling their eyes. They are friendly here, and very accepting of diversity."
Soroptimist Will Mead said the inaugural barbecue event was small, but for the first time it was great to see friendships already being forged.
"We hope to introduce people from different places to each other, and also let them know the community of Griffith welcomes them as well," Ms Mead said.
The event, supported by Griffith City Council and Rossies' Foodworks will be held on the second Sunday every month, 12pm to 1pm.
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