Understanding Refugee Journey Workshop

On Monday the 3rd of March, Bendigo Community Health Services, in partnership with Sports Focus delivered an Understanding Refugee Journey session to the Bendigo Table Tennis Association and Bendigo Eaglehawk Badminton Association.

The session provided volunteers with a greater understanding of the pre and post life journey of people from refugee background, including the local Karen and Afghan communities.

The session is a part of a broader initiative supported by Badminton Victoria and Table Tennis Victoria, to support the inclusion of multicultural communities in Bendigo to play table tennis and badminton.

Come and try sessions will be held throughout March and April, providing members from our local Karen, Afghan (Hazara), Indian and Filipino communities the opportunity to give both sports a try in a fun social environment.

Our Community Development and Partnerships Lead Laura Bradley said “with our community becoming more culturally diverse, it is so important that our sport and active recreation organisations are supported to understand people from refugee background stories and experiences, and how their sporting clubs can create more welcoming, inclusive and culturally safe environments and opportunities”.

Laura is leading this project as a part of her cultural inclusion work and is excited about supporting the local badminton and table tennis associations to create sustainable change.

Congratulations to the Bendigo Table Tennis Association and Bendigo Eaglehawk Badminton Association on your commitment to cultural inclusion!

If your club would like to find out how to become more culturally inclusive, please contact us.