A new garden that celebrates the stories of Shepparton’s newest arrivals has been installed at Bourchier St Primary School just in time for Refugee Week.
‘refugees are like trees — they put down their roots and add value to the community.’
Participants of Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District’s Regional Youth Leadership and Participation Project planted the first shrubs and grasses on Wednesday.
When fully grown, the plants will resemble a long-neck turtle. Project co-ordinator Sam Atukorala said the group enjoyed getting their hands dirty and contributing to the Bourchier St Primary School community.
‘All the participants came right on time and even though I gave them two hours to plant everything, they did it within one,’ Mr Atukorala said. ‘They want to show they are in the community and support it, and it’s an opportunity for the kids to meet them too.’
Value and diversity co-ordinator Helen Ryan said she hoped the garden would be an ongoing project that would teach students about the values of a diverse community.
‘We have 18 students and three staff who come from refugee families at the school,’ Mrs Ryan said.
‘We’ll be celebrating World Refugee Day on Friday and have been learning the differences between refugees and migrants.’
Article and image courtesy Shepparton News
