吃瓜不打烊

2 February 2022

Catholic Regional College Melton, Melton, held a very special event for Dinka language speakers in the community.

The college is committed to supporting local communities and building connections between communities. It provides community groups with access to school facilities, which enables them to run events that promote community participation and inclusion. This year, the college hosted an Australia Day event to support the local Dinka language community. The Dinka Ethnic School of Victoria is a community language school that has operated since 2019. The school provides language lessons in Dinka, one of the main languages of South Sudan, to school-age children, and is funded through the Department of Education and Training.

This year, the Dinka Ethnic School was sponsored by the National Australia Day Council to host an event that gave the school community and broader community of Dinka language speakers the opportunity to reflect, respect and acknowledge the multiple stories of Australians. Guest speakers from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation provided a Welcome to Country that both educated the community on Indigenous perspective and history of the day, and created strong and lasting connections between the communities.

The day was an opportunity for all to be part of the Australian story and recognise the shared values we have. As well as increasing connections and fostering a sense of belonging, the day showcased the talent among members of the Dinka Ethnic School.

Catholic Regional College Melton Principal Marlene Jorgensen said there were many benefits to supporting community groups such as the Dinka Ethnic School, including improved relationships between groups, increased connection between school and home, and better engagement with parents which led to improved outcomes for students.

‘It is important that schools are outward-facing and that we continue to look for opportunities to build connections with the large variety of cultural groups that make up our diverse community’, Mrs Jorgensen said. ‘Only through dialogue and connection can we build trust, empathy and a deep understanding of those with whom we live and learn.’

Despite the heat, the Dinka students found ways to enjoy the day and reflected on what it means to be Australian through games, songs, speeches and play. Special thanks to the National Australia Day Council which made the day possible and supported the local community to tell their stories.