Christmas barbecue

MIGRANT mothers living in Melbourne’s southeast celebrated their first Christmas in Australia with a barbecue at Myuna Farm in Doveton.
The Young Mums Work Group run by Mission Australia is part of a national program that gives migrant mothers living in areas such as Dandenong an idea of what it takes to be a better parent in Australia.
The program is like a mothers’ club that allows the new mothers to meet and discuss with Mission Australia workers different parenting techniques and to link them with health services.
Some of the migrant mothers and their babies celebrated their very first Aussie Christmas this year when the group visited Myuna Farm in Doveton for a festive celebration.
The good old Aussie barbecue was the feature of the celebration for the group, which includes mothers from Sudan, Burma and Sri Lanka.
Mission Australia communities for children manager Helen Ansems said strong community connections would provide newly arrived families and children with equally strong support.
“Many of these families have fled war torn countries to start anew in Australia and it is important that they be welcomed and have a sense of belonging in their new home,” Ms Ansems said.
“This initiative is about giving children, aged zero to five, the very best chance to make a successful start in life – and often that can simply begin by helping families feel part of a caring and inclusive community.
“Arriving in a foreign country and starting from scratch without any familiar support networks can be overwhelming – particularly if there are language and cultural barriers as well. Ensuring settlement services are linked with early childhood services will help families give their children the care and attention they need,” she said.
“This Christmas celebration is about making our young mothers feel welcomed and feel part of a larger family – an inclusive and caring community. Sometimes the need for community connection is often the circuit breaker to help someone back on the road to recovery.” – Shaun Inguanzo