Media release –
New South Wales
150 Census Collectors hit the streets of Fairfield29 July 2011 | NSW/88150 Census Collectors will hit the streets of Fairfield this Friday to deliver Census forms to every house, apartment and hospital and ensure every person is accurately counted on Census night, Tuesday, 9 August. Married father of two, Michael Elias, will be the Census Area Supervisor for Fairfield Heights. Having lived in the area for 20 years, he is familiar with the community and what it will take to achieve an accurate count. "Fairfield has a very diverse population. There are many nationalities and religious denominations represented in the community and people of all ages live here,” Michael says. "There are many newly arrived migrants who may not have experienced a Census in Australia and others who may have language difficulties. "I've recruited a team of Census Collectors who are able to provide help and assistance to people who may need help filling in their Census form, including the elderly and those with sight or literacy problems." The Fairfield Migrant Resource Centre have also organised "fill-in-the-form" sessions to assist local residents, while the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has a Language Helpline, 1300 340 120. Claudette Ibraham, a resident of Fairfield and mother of two boys, says completing the Census is about ensuing the needs of her young family are considered. "The amount of people living in Fairfield has grown over the past decade. Whether that's due to people like myself having a family or people moving into the area, there are certainly a lot more people calling Fairfield home. "Looking after my boys and their future is my priority and filling out a Census form will highlight what services we need access to, particularly public transport, health care facilities and schools," Claudette says. More information is available online at www.abs.gov.au/census or by calling the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 338 776 |