“I came to Bendigo Community Health Services and I knew straight away I was in the right place when they said, what do you need? It brings me to tears just thinking about it,” Jan said.
Settlement Services team member Nay Chee Aung booked the bus out within a week, with almost 50 new arrivals keen to explore what the towns northwest of Bendigo have to offer.
He said excursion-goers have all arrived from refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border between four weeks and eight months ago.
“It’s going to be good for people to explore and learn about the area outside of Bendigo, because a lot are stuck at home and don’t know where to go,” Nay Chee said. “It’s also an opportunity for them to connect with other families.”
The Friday, April 28 itinerary will see people visit the Inglewood Eucalyptus Distillery Museum, Saluté Oliva at Boort, sample Red Dog Chillies from Fernihurst, enjoy a Lions Club barbecue and tour a Bridgewater farm, then finish the afternoon fishing by the Loddon River.
“Karen people have lived in the forest for most of their lives,” BCHS’ Ku Htee said. “They love nature, so part of this trip is also about exploring nature again.”
Jan hoped the day would expose Karen people to the possibilities of the Loddon Valley, which offers more affordable house prices, agricultural employment opportunities, and a peaceful, laid-back lifestyle.
“And out of these people there will be leaders,” Jan said. “We know our new arrivals are some of the best entrepreneurs in Australia, and communities like Inglewood and Boort need entrepreneurs.”
Pictured: BCHS’ Po Tu with handfuls of donated fishing rods, which will be gifted to Karen people as part of the Loddon Valley tour.
