The Multicultural Women’s Association recently partnered with The Civic to screen the documentary – Uncle Eddie, One in a Million.
The documentary tells the story of Tamworth man Eddie Whitham, an important community figure who paved the way for the multicultural community in Tamworth and inspired many others all over rural and regional NSW.
Released last year, the film takes the audience through Whitham’s life story. Starting in Victoria where he was born to Polish immigrant parents, to moving to Gunnedah and founding Tamworth Multicultural Inc, paving the way for migrant communities in the town and encouraging them to start a new life in the bush.
Eddie was a staunch advocate for migrants’ rights and through the Tamworth Multicultural Inc he created programs which helped new Australians find work, learn English, get involved in community and much more.
Multicultural Women’s Association worked with The Civic to be able to screen the documentary, and they sold more than 50 tickets.
MWA president Lisanty Evans said that it felt important for MWA to share the film with the community, especially with the current discourse around migrant communities at the moment.
“Jump on YouTube, and find the documentary, it’s really a breath of fresh air. There’s been a negative sentiment for migrants recently, but this documentary can open people’s knowledge on why Australia is a blessed country that people want to move to,” she said.
“[The documentary is] really promoting unity and diversity.”
Before the screening, live performances were also held including traditional plate dancing, traditional Tuvalu dancing and a special acoustic performance of “I am Australian” by Eddie Whitham’s’ daughter, Juanita.
“I paid a tribute to Uncle Eddie, and we got mayor Colleen Fuller to also speak about Uncle Eddie,” Lisanty said.
“Uncle Eddie’s wife, daughter and grandson came, and they also shared their personal stories about Uncle Eddie.”
Feedback from audiences was overwhelmingly positive, with many coming away feeling inspired.
“It was really touching, a few of the attendees didn’t know Uncle Eddie before and after they watched the documentary, they really got inspired and were amazed by how much he did for the past 40 years, settling in migrants from Laos, and refugees from Sudan at a time where Tamworth wasn’t as welcoming,” Lisanty said.
“But through Uncle Eddie’s efforts, it’s now a vibrant city consisting of more than 100 nationalities. They really saw how much of a compassionate person Uncle Eddie was.
“Uncle Eddie wasn’t just doing things for migrants, but also had really good connections with the local people, the prominent people in Tamworth and the feedback was just, wow, he managed to bring together the local people to connect with migrants and support each other.”
Mayor Colleen Fuller OAM was also in attendance.
Cr Fuller said that the documentary was wonderful, and that the community has much to learn from Whitham and his legacy.
“I thought it was an excellent documentary,” Cr Fuller said.
“I knew a lot that was going to be in it and I think that the community missed out on something that was very worthwhile.
“The dedication that Uncle Eddie gave to multiculturalism was the start and the formation of Tamworth growing in multiculture and actually growing as a town.
“It’s worth going to have a look at because I believe people missed out and councils can learn some lessons from it too.
“I will be speaking to country mayors because I think something like that is very worthwhile for councils to progress multiculture, particularly in rural and regional areas.”
Eddie passed away late last year, on November 29, 2025 at the age of 82.
