The Enterprise Story
Between 1970 and 1992 Springvale’s Enterprise Migrant Hostel provided a place of refuge for over 30,000 migrants and refugees from over 58 countries. Many of these new arrivals worked in the factories in the local area.
The role of the hostel was to be a transition between ‘an old way of life and a new one’. Many of these new arrivals later settled into the local area and shared their own faiths, cultures and traditions and built the community we now enjoy.
The Spirit of Enterprise
The Spirit of Enterprise project started in 2000 by a small group of people. This project initially commenced as an exhibition on the history of the Migrant Hostel and its impact on the Springvale community. The project has since evolved to incorporate a trail of significant markers, a website and a trail map.
The Spirit of Enterprise is now a well-known community development initiative and has been recognised as a project of ‘National Significance’ by many distinguished Australians, including former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser. In 2018 the project was recognised for its ‘outstanding contribution to culture’ at the United Cities and Local Government Awards in Mexico City.
The Spirit of Enterprise Trail
The Spirit of Enterprise Trail explores the history of the Enterprise Migrant Hostel and shares the positive stories of the impact its residents and staff had on the development of Springvale.
Each marker celebrates Springvale’s important role as a forerunner in developing innovative settlement services and acknowledges the important contribution that this area has made to the settlement of migrants and refugees from all over the world.
On Sunday 17 November 2024 the Spirit of Enterprise group launched the Spirit of Enterprise trail map.
The map identifies eight places, each having an interpretive element that shares the story of the Enterprise Migrant Hostel.
- Enterprise Migrant Hostel Tribute Garden (114 Westall Rd, Clayton South)
- The Former Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau (5 Osborne Avenue, Springvale)
- Springvale Neighbourhood House (46-50 Queens Avenue, Springvale)
- Springvale Road Shops (Springvale Road, Springvale)
- Springvale Primary School (355a Springvale Road, Springvale)
- Springvale’s Health Services Precinct (Corner Windsor and Buckingham Avenue, Springvale)
- Department of Social Security (234-334 Springvale Road, Springvale)
- Springvale Community Hub (5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale)
Copies of the map are available at Customer Service Centres and online.
Download a copy of the Spirit of Enterprise Trail Map - 3,347KB
