In the wake of Cronulla, children on the same wave
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, today acknowledged the achievements of a project conducted by the Sutherland Shire Council in response to the events at Cronulla beach in 2005.
The project, On the Same Wave, involved a number of community groups and targeted students at upper primary and lower secondary school levels in the Sutherland Shire and further afield, including Sydney’s west, with the message ‘the beach is there to share’.
‘Sutherland Shire Council worked together with Surf Life Saving Australia to deliver presentations to schools and other community groups about beach and surf safety,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘They conducted activities and carnivals at beaches in the Sutherland Shire which promoted an inclusive approach to beach usage.
‘Children from opposite ends of Sydney learnt about beach and surf safety and also to respect each other as they got together to put their learning into practice on Sydney’s southern beaches.
‘Australia is one of the most successful culturally diverse countries in the world, and we need to ensure we address issues of racism and intolerance as they arise.
‘Projects like this are important, as they replace fear and ignorance with respect and understanding.’
A DVD that was produced as a part of the project is to be distributed to all schools in the Sutherland Shire and all surf life-saving clubs Australia wide. Sutherland Shire Council will incorporate the activities from the project in its community education program.
‘Sutherland Shire Council has demonstrated great leadership in addressing some very difficult issues in such a positive way,’ Mr Ferguson said.
On the Same Wave has been funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) community relations program since 2006.Media Contact: Khaldoun Hajaj - 0404 078 692
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08050.htm
Last update: 14 August 2008 at 00:00 AEST