Diversity and multiculturalism have become a rich source of pride for the Murray River town of Robinvale.

Robinvale councillor John Katis says he is proud to represent the town because of its diversity. ( Back Roads: Ron Ekkel )

The north-west Victorian town claims to be one of the most multicultural communities in Australia.

The town has a fluctuating population of about 3,000 residents depending on seasonal workers, but there is a large mix of English, Italian, Tongan, Vietnamese, Indigenous Australian, Malaysian and other residents who account for more than 30 languages spoken in the community.

Councillor John Katis has lived in Robinvale for more than 60 years after migrating from Greece about halfway through last century.

"It's fantastic. Nowadays you meet different cultures, you talk about different ways of life, they bring different foods. After living here for so long, it just grows on you," Mr Katis told ABC TV's Back Roads program.

"I think it's the people that make it stand out.

"It's the people that live here, and the new ones. They change to our way of life and they seem to be freer in the way they express themselves and the way they live."

Many languages, one band of musicians

With a mix of cultures, Robinvale boasts a diversity of people that Mr Katis said he was proud to represent.

But fitting in hasn't always been easy for the locals.

Siua Taumefolau teaches music to local students to help create social cohesion in the town. ( Back Roads: Ron Ekkel )

While the region is best-known for its agricultural industries, the local music groups and sporting clubs are another form of social inclusion for the locals to connect with one another.

Siua Taumefolau is a liaison officer with the local college and teaches music to bring people together.

The program provides alternative options to labour in the field, where Mr Taumefolau has helped inspire youth to become role models for each other.

"Just talk to the kids about their future and [tell them to] keep working hard at school to try and do something different from when we first came here, which was hard labour," Mr Taumefolau said.

"Music is the only one language we all speak.

"I feel we can do everything in a different way but with music you get the same feeling and enjoying — doesn't matter what culture you are — music is the one language."

John Katis says Robinvale citizenship ceremonies remind him of when he arrived in Australia. ( Back Roads: Ron Ekkel )

Putting Robinvale on the map

Bringing the people together to become Australian citizens is just normal practice for Mr Katis, who is also the master of citizenship ceremonies in the town.

He said formally welcoming the new citizens was important because they were the same kind of people that travelled to Australia in his earlier years.

John Katis says formally welcoming the new citizens is important for Robinvale. ( Back Roads: Ron Ekkel )

He said it became obvious to him that Robinvale was known for its multiculturalism when he travelled overseas.

"Robinvale is on the map. Robinvale is known throughout the world," he said.

"I went to Greece and I went to Israel and right down to the Dead Sea and everyone knows Robinvale because we have so much diversity from here that goes out there.

"I've lived here for 60-odd years and it has changed a lot. I've never been so proud of my town and what it has evolved into."

Watch Back Roads on ABC TV 8pm Monday

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