A NEW program to introduce young Sudanese people in Melton Shire to the range of recreational activities available is starting this month.
Melton Shire mayor Justin Mammarella said the program had grown out of work done between the council’s Youth Services, the Migrant Resource Centre and Djerriwarrh Education and Employment Services.
“This new program is aimed at familiarising a group of young people from a Sudanese background with the great range of opportunities available in Melton Shire for sport and recreation, as well as support services,” Councillor Mammarella said.
“It has come about through work by Youth Services, which identified that the young people were keen to discover how they could get involved in the community.
“Some of the young people are from a refugee background and overall, the Sudanese community is one of the shire’s newer residential groups, so it is terrific to see these positive steps being taken and the response has been enormously enthusiastic.”
Starting this month Youth Services staff will take the group of young people to different sporting clubs, recreational activities and support services within Melton Shire.
“For anyone settling in a new area, or even a new country, the process of finding out more about your community can be a challenge and it is great for the council to be able to assist in this way,” Cr Mammarella said.
“While people from other cultural backgrounds may have the advantage of having communities that have been established in Australia and our own community for generations, in many ways these young people are pioneers and it is great to see them responding in such a positive way.
“By linking up with healthy, active and engaging activities, whether it is soccer, footy, athletics or any of the other opportunities on offer, the group will be able to build their confidence and find rewarding ways to participate in their new community.”
The group of about 15 young people will be involved in several preliminary sessions before the end of the year, with more to follow in the New Year.
For information on Melton Shire Youth Services, contact 9747 7200.
