Expansion of commuter facilities and a diminishing sense of place among migrants in a rural Australian town

ABSTRACT Australian regional areas are now receiving migrants from the African region, many for the first time in history. Being physically and culturally different from the predominant Anglo-Saxon community, how African migrants construct their sense of belonging in regional areas are still unknown. This article explores South Sudanese migrants’ experience in conceptualising their sense of belonging in Castlemaine, Victoria. Using focus group discussions with 42 participants, it shows that despite the welcoming atmosphere, South Sudanese migrants are attracted to cities and feel at home. The article argues that cities make strangers un-noticed and make them feel at “home” using theoretical concepts of “the stranger” and “power”. Research findings show how more diverse environments encourage negotiating difference and ease the power imbalance among different groups. The easy commuting distance of Castlemaine to Melbourne and its suburbs is discussed as a factor of reducing the potential ability in constructing a sense of belonging with the local community.