37 newly arrived refugee young people recently participated in an action packed three day camp, aimed to facilitate personal development, friendship building and community engagement, with help from the Western Bulldogs community arm, SpiritWest Services.
The majority of young people were unaccompanied minors from war-torn countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia and Burma.
The three day camp to Angahook along the Great Ocean Road provided the young people to participate in recreation and personal development activities such as surfing, kayaking, mountain biking, art and team building.
For some participants it was the first time they had ridden a bike or visited a coastal beach since their arrival in Australia.
The camp provided the young people with not just opportunities to form new friendships with their peers but to engage with and learn about Victoria Police and local service providers including project partners New Hope Foundation, Western Young People’s Independent Network (WYPIN) and the Department of Human Services Refugee Minor Program.
The camp was part of the Western Bulldogs’ Settlement Grants Program funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to assist newly arrived refugees and migrants to settle and participate equitably in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
