SpiritWest Services (SWS), the community arm of the Western Bulldogs has received a funding boost from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) to increase integration, participation and inclusion of refugees and humanitarian entrants that have arrived in Australia in the past 5 years. 

The Settlement Grants program aims to engage refugees and humanitarian entrants in sport and physical activities that will enable them to form relationships, learn more about Australian culture and feel more accepted in the mainstream.  The project aims to assist with the integration of clients through employment and volunteering, sports and school based activities, and advocacy to mainstream agencies.

As part of this program, last week Whitten Oval played host to more than just football, in the Club’s new Infill Building.

Forty-seven conferees and 31 dependants from African countries including the Congo, Ethiopia, Liberia, Somalia and Sudan as well as from Egypt, Afghanistan, Burma, China, East Timor, Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Sri Lanka became Australians at a special citizenship ceremony. 

After receiving citizenship, conferees sang the national anthem followed by the Western Bulldogs club theme song.

Guests at the ceremony included Chief Executive Campbell Rose, President David Smorgon OAM, Victorian State Director for DIAC Mr Jose Alvarez, Mr Laurie Ferguson MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services and Maribyrnong City Council Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke.

Following the ceremony, some of Australia’s newest citizens headed to the MCG to watch the Bulldogs match against North Melbourne.

Western Bulldogs Chief Executive, Campbell Rose said “the Settlement Grants Program has already delivered 25 separate sports programs (cricket, athletics, lawn bowls, swimming / lifesaving, football,  football umpiring and cycling) through a “Sports Engagement Model” to people within the Western Region.”

“Some of our success stories to date include an umpiring program with Tedros, a young boy with an Ethiopian background who has been in Australia for two years.  Two years ago, Tedros didn’t know anything about Australian football; he is now umpiring field and boundary with the WRFL and has umpired at the International Cup and our recent InterAMES carnival as part of Refugee Week.”

“SWS will continue to work with other sporting bodies and service providers to deliver programs which help new arrivals learn more about Australian culture, increase participation in sport (either as participants, volunteers, officials or supporters) and address key settlement issues (eg. Road safety, health and employment),” Rose said.