By Kirsty Ross
A PROGRAM assisting Wyndham’s language students to speak English in a natural setting has also given women from country Victoria a chance to mingle with women from varying cultures.
The win-win cultural exchange program between two community centres saw ladies from Meredith, near Ballarat, spent time with 30 Wyndham women from 20 different ethnicities.
The Meredith women helped the Werribee Community Centre members with conversational English during craft activities, and in return grasped the essence of multiculturalism.
One of the country women is June Cameron, who lives on a farm outside of Meredith.
“It’s terrific. Meredith’s very Anglo. We don’t have much multiculturalism,” she said.
“I’ve never met someone from Ethiopia before.”
Ms Cameron was one of 10 Meredith Community Centre members to commute by bus to Werribee Community Centre last Monday, on the second of what will become a regular series of excursions back and forth.
Just months ago, the Wyndham women, who are all involved in English language programs several times a week, trekked to Meredith to show off their national dress and dancing.
Werribee Community Centre manager Jenny Barera said the 30 local ladies aged in their 20s to 50s, enjoyed the visits immensely.
Altona Meadows mother ViJaya Dandu has been apart of the language program for three months and loved the visit to Meredith.
“It’s a beautiful place where the people are so nice,” Ms Dandu said.
“Here we are talking one on one. It’s very good to meet new people and learn something new.”
If you would like to become involved, call Werribee Community Centre on 9742 4013.
