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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-11-11 Daily Xml
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SUDANESE REFUGEE PROJECT

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (15:29): I would also like to add my sentiments to those of the Leader of the Opposition about the contribution that the Hon. Rob Kerin has made to this parliament, and I will certainly miss the exchanges that Rob and I have secretly across the chamber.

Too often it is easy to be cynical in a world where compassion and tolerance do not easily fit into the all too prevalent pursuit of individual wealth and success, often at the expense of others. Therefore, I am delighted to talk today about a school, a teacher and a group of fantastic young men who have turned that viewpoint on its head. Through their time, work, money and selfless commitment, they have made a dream come true for a community that could not be further apart from them in the realities of life.

As part of the Future Problem Solving educational initiative, Francesca Peel and her class of St Peter's College 7P students embarked upon a mission to do everything they could to help Sudanese refugees who had fled their homeland and were now living in South Australia. The plan of action, which began in 2007 and continued this year, was simple: to make life a little easier for the Dinka Bor community with the ultimate goal being to raise enough money to buy them a small bus so that they had necessary access to transport.

The first step on this path was the combined community barbecue, where boys from the entire junior school brought in donations of sporting equipment, clothes, shoes, bikes and other household items. This initial success then launched two years of social activities, community get-togethers and anything that could fill the project coffers with funds.

The first big fundraising event was the 2007 Refugee Day held at Saints, where $2,864 was raised with activities, including casual clothes, snack-attack recess, a barbecue lunch, raffles and competitions. Many more fundraising efforts followed, the biggest being a further Refugee Day this year which raised over $3,000, and a quiz night which raised over $10,000.

Importantly, the smaller efforts also kept the money pouring in. From donation tins and hot chocolate at recess to donations from the St Peter's student and parent body—not to mention $3,000 allocated from the college's Charities Fund—the prospects of buying a bus look good. This was even after outlaying funds for trips to the zoo, purchasing a table tennis table and equipment, funding a $2,000 micro-financing account and sponsoring Kur (a Dinka Bor leader and refugee aide) to acquire a bus driver's licence.

However, while funds are important, it is fantastic that people reached out in other ways. For instance, Norwood State Swim donated a Learn to Swim campaign for 18 of the children; the Magdalene Centre, which provided a room for the community on Fridays, is now setting aside an exclusive area as an African refugee drop-in centre; John Brinkman and Associates audited the books of the Dinka Bor Association for free; Mrs Leon Rulfs, a former parent of the school, volunteered her time to begin language lessons at the centre; Mrs Julia Graham, a nutritionist, volunteered her time to provide information sessions at the centre; and Mrs Ellen Freeman, who has a grandson at Saints, provided free drama lessons to the Nile Boys, a group of young Sudanese men.

I am delighted that Saints have agreed to award at least one scholarship for 2009 to a member of the Dinka Bor community. Unfortunately, time limits me in mentioning everyone who has assisted the boys with their project, but I give my heartfelt thanks to them all. With this assistance and selfless commitment to the cause, the end result—though by no means inevitable—was a cause of great celebration. Saints now had enough funds to realise their dream of providing the Dinka Bor community with a means of accessible transport.

I was honoured to be a part of the ceremony at the college recently, when Francesca and her team of young men officially presented the Dinka Bor community with a small commuter bus. I was very moved by the spirit of unity and cooperation that was clearly evident in the faces of everyone present, and to see the joyous singing and dancing of the Sudanese women in their national dress in thanks for what they had been given was a moment to remember.

Though great results have already been achieved, I am reliably informed that continuing efforts to assist the Dinka Bor community will remain undimmed. Francesca has visited my office many times over the past few months to keep me informed of her, and her team's, activities and, for my part, I will be working very hard to assist the Dinka Bor community in their new efforts to secure government funding for new office equipment and the hire of a hall for social functions.

I am extremely proud to have St Peter's College in my electorate, and I give my sincere congratulations to Francesca and her 7P classes from 2007 to 2008. I would also like to give a special mention to those who are now in year 8 and still actively working towards—and supporting—the project.

The Sudanese Refugee Project is a shining example of what can be achieved through understanding, compassion and a willingness to reach out to others in need. The fact that it has been achieved by a group of young men still in their wildly formative years is a lesson to us all. To everyone involved in the project, a job well done.

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