By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
WELL-earned pearls of wisdom from a Dandenong group of venerable women have been recorded in a booklet.
‘Dandenong Community Stories’ shares tales and insights from six members of the Wahines social group, which regularly meets at Dandenong Neighbourhood House for bingo, cards and outings.
One of the subjects, Dorothy Parker, was born in Scotland during World War II. She remembered little about her early years on rations except that they were tough.
Her advice to new migrants is: “Face your fears and be involved in the community.
“There is no better way than just to smile at people and share a conversation.”
Another Wahine, Ivanhoe-born Carol Hebbard, reflects that travelling makes you into a better person.
Lila Connor says she’s learnt of “the power of smiles and kindness”, while Greek migrant and single mum Joanna Patsis said “love and hard work” gets you through life’s ups and downs.
According to the booklet, Ms Parker overcame a two-year bedridden bout of rheumatic fever as a child. She watched her friends walking to school and making snowmen from her bedroom window.
“Thankfully, penicillin was discovered and I got better,” she told the students.
At 29, she shipped to Australia with a husband, three children and 12 boxes of clothes. It was “by far the best decision I have taken”.
She got stuck in as a volunteer at Scouts, Dandenong Hospital and as high school treasurer, which helped her to meet people and adapt.
A visiting group of community development students from Springvale Learning and Activities Centre felt a need to treasure the Wahines and their stories within a booklet.
Trang Chau, one of the booklet proponents, said she and other students had originally visited to hone their communication skills with a range of cultures.
“At first when we met them, it was quite hard.
“Being Vietnamese, we can be shy to speak with other people because we get really nervous.”
What they discovered among the Wahines was a common love for Greater Dandenong’s multicultural community.
They also appreciated each other’s difficulties as migrants adapting to a new culture.
“We had to be patient before we asked questions.
“We first talked with them, had a joke and a bit of fun.”
