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Newcomers are linked with a volunteer 'buddy'. The 'buddy' can assist and support the migrant settle into their new community as well as offer practical information, resources, and social networks. During these meetings, stories and social knowledge are shared and volunteers can help with English, local knowledge and informal conversation.
Incidentally, the migrant and 'buddy' are given the opportunity to learn about a new culture, food, language and celebrations. This mutually beneficial friendship also enriches the social fabric of the whole community.
The 'buddy' relationship can be formal, informal, full-time, part-time, occasional or even one-off. It is up to the newcomer and their 'buddy' to decide when, where and how often to meet.
Volunteers are community-minded people of all ages who live in the region, have a positive attitude, and wish to help others. All prospective volunteers participate in an orientation and an initial training program.
Volunteers also receive:
- ongoing education, skill development and enhancement
- specific training to help people with English as a second language
- support in assisting migrants and their families
- a program of volunteer recognition
For more information about the Welcome Program, please contact Shirlei Barnes at Grampians Community Health on 5358 7400 or email. To download a PDF version of the Welcome Program brochure, please see the link below.
Welcome Program Buddies
Kate & Susan
"Kate and I have been meeting once a week since March. It's a big help to me, especially with my communication. In the future, I would like to learn about how to use the computer. We enjoy cooking and I share with her some of my Filipino dishes and I am very happy because she like them very much. She has shared with me how to bake cupcakes, chocolate cake and quiche. When we have finished our lesson we enjoy shopping together. We are good friends.
Recently, I completed 12 weeks work experience with Carey Covers, working 6 hours every Tuesday. I was a sewing machinist in the Philippines in an underwear factory for 4.5 years, and I was able to use my skills at Carey Covers, laying and marking, cutting and sewing tarpaulins. I enjoyed my experience and working with my co-workers and the owners, Geraldine, Peter and Robert Carey." Susan
Enriqueta & Horacio & Rose & Kevin
"We are taking our English classes with Kevin and Rose, they live in Landsborough and we in Navarre only 10 minutes. For us they are the best option to have conversation and comprehension. They are open to give us the classes the days we can, because they said that they can adapt to the necessities of the students, and it is fantastic because we have to take care of the Free Range Chicken Farm in Navarre, and sometimes we have something unexpected and they can change the hour or the day we usually have to take the class.
We started the classes last year and we are very happy because now we can understand better because they help us about the sounds of the words and some Australians slogans, we have fun about this because sometimes we understand different meanings of the words.
Other important thing is that we have a lovely friendship each class, we can learn also the life style of the Australians and it help us too much to improve our relationship with our community.
We really appreciate them the classes and their friendship and hospitality in their home." Enriqueta & Horacio
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Susan & Kate
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Rose, Horacio, Enriqueta & Kevin
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Welcome Program brochure
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