As part of Refugee Week, our VET Cookery students prepared some delicious traditional meals for a local refugee family, learning firsthand about the experiences behind this year's theme, A Million Stories.
The family, led by husband and wife, fled conflict, and unrest in Iran, seeking safety and a fresh start in Australia. After arriving by boat, they spent time in detention before settling in Melbourne. However, changes in government policy left the family without visa status for more than five years. During this time, they were unable to work legally, access Medicare or Centrelink, and lived with ongoing uncertainty and hardship while raising their four sons.
Despite these challenges, the mother and father showed remarkable courage and resilience, tirelessly advocating for their family while relying on food relief and community support.
While their journey continues, particularly as conflict in the Middle East raises concerns for loved ones still in Iran, their story is a powerful reminder of both the challenges faced by refugees and the profound difference that welcome, compassion, and community support can make.
Thank you to Gavin Hamilton (VET teacher) and his students for providing the wonderful food - a true gesture of welcome and care.
The Community Action prefects organised for Genevieve Dobson, the Relationships Manager at Lifeblood, to present to the Year 12 Cohort last week.
Genevieve spoke to students about the ongoing need for blood and plasma and about the many Australians who require these lifesaving donations.
The prefects are campaigning to those Year 12s who have or are turning 18 to be 'lifesavers' and join the Parade Lifeblood team.
Students interested in donating can come and speak with me.
The College has an active Lifeblood team that Parade families and friends can join. Signing up is quick and easy and makes for a lifelong routine that has genuine impact. You can be a part of the over 1.7 million donations needed per year to treat cancer, blood diseases, anaemia, trauma and numerous other conditions and injuries – all with anything from a one-time donation to a regular donation every twelve weeks.
Please see the link below to get involved, get donating and save lives:
http://my.donateblood.com.au/app/myteams_home/Parade%20College?orgId=160379
Hi, our names are Sam and Rocco, and we are leading an Eyewear Recycling Campaign as part of our Year 11 Touchstones Community Action project. Our goal is to collect unused seeing glasses from the school community and donate them to organisations that support people without access to eye care. Clear vision is something many of us take for granted, yet it can significantly impact education, work, and quality of life.
Through this initiative, we hope to raise awareness, support those in need, and encourage sustainable recycling practices within our school community.
Bring your glasses in today and drop them off in the Community Action Centre.
Sam Acquistapace & Rocco Tran
This week, Eddy's Brekky Van was lucky enough to receive a generous donation of Vegemite.
Many thanks to Haris Velovic's father Saljo Velovic, an employee at Bega, who kindly arranged the delivery of the jars of Vegemite.
As Term 2 winds up, we take the opportunity to thank all the staff and students who have volunteered with us and have continued the service we offer to the West Heidelberg community.
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