Community clubs, including for example those founded by Italian, German and Polish migrants, were recognised as important for welcoming new settlers, providing venues to socialise and reminisce.

[3] A V Jennings was contracted by the government in 1950 to build 1850 homes but the limited availability of local tradesmen led to sourcing qualified migrants.

Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, Michael MacKellar wrote to congratulate their success "One would have to look far to find a better example of migration to Australia than that of the 150 German carpenters who arrived in Canberra 25 years ago... [They] faced their difficulties, built their houses and, fortunately for us, most of them decided to stay and build their lives here too.

"[6] In 1963 a group of Jennings Germans expatriates from Munich instigated Canberra's annual three-day Oktoberfest and the club has organised it every year since except in 2020, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[11] The festivities were being held at Exhibition Park in Canberra, but large increases in ACT Government hiring fees, liquor licensing, and security costs meant that from 2017 Oktoberfest was moved to the Showgrounds in nearby Queanbeyan.