Student mentors needed by group

SOUTHERN Migrant Refugee Centre (SMRC) is calling for mentors to help support culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) students.
The Dandenong-based not-for-profit centre recently worked with Doveton College to stage a Cultural Diversity Day highlighting the different cultures in its classrooms.
More than 600 students took part in the event, which included an Aussie barbecue from the Rotary Club of Noble Park.
Volunteers including club president Conn Christoforou cooked up more than 800 sausages for kids from 100-plus different nationalities.
“It was good for Rotary and the school,” he said. “It was a huge day for us.”
The day also included art, African drumming, thong throwing, Bollywood dancing, AFL clinics, an Aboriginal welcome to country and smoke ceremony, a Casey Radio broadcast and more.
SMRC’s CALD mentor program co-ordinator Marina Savron said organisations exhibited alongside the fun activities to promote services available to the students and their families.
“The kids really enjoyed it,” she said.
SMRC has been providing services for migrants and refugees in the southern region for 20 years.
It set up programs and services at the newly-opened Doveton College, including a mentor program for Year 7 students, to support its migrant and refugee students and their families.
SMRC is seeking expressions of interest from the community and business sectors to be mentors for Year 7 and 8 students at schools in Casey and Greater Dandenong.
Call Ms Savron on 9705 6966 or email marinas@smrc.org.au for more information.
Community groups or schools can approach Noble Park Rotary for support by calling Mr Christoforou on 0481 247 952 or Rex Carter on 0400 969 980.
The club meets every Thursday at 6pm for a 6.30pm start at Sandown Regency Motor Inn in Noble Park.