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New Sudanese Community Organisation To Help SettlementThe establishment of a local Sudanese community organisation to provide leadership, support and advice to help strengthen refugee integration into the wider Latrobe community, By Latrobe City - 12th October 2007 - Back to News has been warmly supported by Latrobe City Council and representatives of the Sudanese Bor community.
Council gave a commitment to help facilitate this initiative when it played host to a delegation of 20 representatives of the Sudanese Bor community on Tuesday. The delegates visited the municipality to find out more about Latrobe City, discuss issues with community representatives, and establish strategies to work with the community on successful refugee settlement and integration.
Latrobe City councillor, Cr Lisa Price, said she was delighted with the immediate rapport developed between Latrobe City Council and community representatives and the Sudanese Bor community.
"The Sudanese community is very keen to settle successfully in the Latrobe region as refugees. Many of those visiting had already applied for housing locally and others were keen to find out more about council, local community services, employment and support," Cr Price said.
Cr Price briefly outlined the history of local European settlement and the Valley’s long and proud history of welcoming new settlers from overseas and war torn countries.
"Our earlier migrant and refugee settlement experiences have positioned us well to appreciate that we each have something to offer one another as community members. We enrich each other’s lives," Cr Price said.
"Council acknowledges that the Sudanese community is eager to contribute to local community life. We welcome that resolve, and the resolve of the wider community to make them feel an integral part of the community."
Before breaking into discussion groups to address specific topics of interest such as education, health, recreation, church links, public transport, housing, employment and training; the group was given a brief overview of the municipality by a member of council’s economic development team.
Latrobe City’s manager community support and development, Steve Tong, said that during the group discussions information was provided on organisations and support agencies, as well as the location of services in the major towns.
"There was strong interest in the level and proximity of key organisations and support services, with Monash University campus and other educational and learning opportunities being especially attractive," Mr Tong said.
"Council is looking at a number of initiatives to help integrate the new settlers, including recruiting volunteers to act as ‘buddies’ in local communities. Further gatherings of new arrivals with representatives of agencies are also planned.
"Latrobe City also undertook to provide translated copies of key documents and brochures to inform and assist settlement," Mr Tong added.
"Before leaving, the delegates expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome exhibited by council and the community," Mr Tong concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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