The writer suggests that migrants to Australia have given us “little obvious benefit”. I say they have greatly enriched us financially and culturally.

Since the arrival of the first British settlers, various other ethnic groups have come here. A typical pattern of initial resentment and bigotry occurred, followed by grudging acceptance and eventual admiration by us Aussies.

The Chinese came for the lure of gold. They were often persecuted and driven away.

But those who survived built produce gardens and trading businesses, some of which survive in Tamworth’s region today.

The Afghan cameleers provided vital transport services in the harsh outback.

My own experience was of the displaced Italian migrants after World War II in the Riverina district.

They typically worked like dogs and saved every penny until they could afford a down payment on a farm and give their children a better chance in life. Similarly, the Greeks with their cafes and the Vietnamese with their food shops.

Today, Filipinos work hard for low wages in nursing homes doing the vital work that we Aussies turn our noses up at.

Farmers in fruit-growing areas will tell you they can’t manage without the overseas backpackers who slave through the hot summer months doing their harvests.

Would Aussies do hard manual labour at work rates like this? I don’t think so.

No, these migrants do the tough, unpalatable work, the night shifts, the unsecure, mundane cleaning and labouring jobs, because they really value the chance to work.

They save money, create small businesses and jobs, and drive our economy along.

And another point: Australia is so short of qualified doctors and medical staff that we have to import them from overseas. In the Tamworth area alone, about 40 per cent of all our medical professionals come from overseas. Where would we be without them?

Those who study the make-up of our population believe that without immigrants, Australia’s population would be shrinking.

While rampant overpopulation brings problems, so too does a shrinking population. With a nil migrant intake, our economy would be in big trouble.

In a country as rich as Australia, I find the writer’s attitude very uncaring and self-centred. We have so much to give to poor battlers from other countries and it is our moral duty to offer it.

I delight in the tapestry of riches migrants continue to bring to Australia and I appreciate their work ethics and input into our economy.

Long may they come!

Brian Lincoln

Tamworth