SAINT Martins Lutheran College students have played their part in welcoming refugees to the Mount Gambier community through a fundraising project as part of their global studies class.
Exploring their ancestry and the impact their ancestors had on developing Australian culture and lifestyle, the group of Year 9 students identified that the majority of them arrived in Australia as refugees.
This realisation initiated an inquiry into understanding the many issues facing refugees as they enter Australia today.
Wanting to help support those who now call Mount Gambier home, the students reached out to the Migrant Resource Centre.
Holding a sausage sizzle on the school grounds, the determined students raised more than $365 to buy four new sewing machines for the centre.
“Although we did raise enough money to purchase the sewing machines for the centre to be able to support their education, I think the recognition of these people and what they have gone through and celebrating them becoming Australian is also very important,” teacher Stuart Cox said.
“We wanted to celebrate refugees and their impact on society generally, we felt like we needed to welcome them as we were once welcomed in Australia.”
Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre manager Anelia Blackie said the new equipment would help program participants further develop their skills.
“Many people may think a sewing machine is just a donation because it saves them money, but it is also a tool to learn new skills and to make money,” she said.
“We need to recognise the fact that people like these refugees came with skills and knowledge and we are just teaching them how to use an electric machine instead.”
Student Jarrod Baun said it had been an eye-opening experience.
“I have learnt just how different refugees are to what they are portrayed like on social media,” he said.
“What they are doing here is amazing and I hope these sewing machines will help them in the future.”
