A new program is bringing migrants and volunteers together over a cuppa to help newcomers to Warrnambool improve their English skills.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Each Tuesday, the Language Café will give migrants the chance to have casual conversations all while strengthening their language skills as part of the Welcome 2 Warrnambool program.
Brophy Family and Youth Services has partnered with Warrnambool City Council to bring the cultural calendar alive and provide regular support services to migrants.
Volunteer Di Clanchy said she was thrilled to be involved in the program.
"I'm very interested in people from other countries and learning," she said.
"This is also an opportunity to help others in the community and I've always been helped when I've travelled.
"It's a great experience and I've found it easy to discuss different things.
"The best way to learn is to practice."
Steve Chan is living in Australia and is originally from Hong Kong. He is currently working in town and has plans for explore the local area and learn how to dive.
"I'm on a working-holiday visa and I came here for work. I've been in Warrnambool for one month," he said.
"There's so much to do in Australia.
"A friend told me about the Language Café and I want to improve my English."
Originally from Vietnam and after retiring to Warrnambool two years ago, Tony Luu is also wanting to work on his language skills.
"My son told me about the Language Café," he said.
"I want to practice my English."
Welcome 2 Warrnambool project coordinator Lyn Eales is hoping the Language Cafe can develop into much more than a casual morning tea and conversation.
"Welcome 2 Warrnambool's Language Café is for anyone who wants to practice their English skills and for the wider community to meet new people from all over the world," she said.
"The volunteer team support our migrant communities in practising their language skills and in turn learn some new language skills themselves in a relaxed environment over a cuppa.
"We are definitely on the right track with this project and have received so much positive feedback and support from our community members who are excited to be involved in this project.
"I can predict us going out on excursions or for different activities like bush walking down to Lake Pertobe or Tower Hill."
Warrnambool City Council mayor Tony Herbert said he was thrilled the program is up and running.
"With Warrnambool now officially Australia's most liveable city, we want to make sure all our residents get the most out of living here," he said.
"Over the next year, the Welcome 2 Warrnambool program will create new opportunities for our migrant communities to be introduced to local activities and improve access to the city's facilities and services while creating opportunities for them to share their cultures with us.
"This program dovetails nicely with the Designated Area Migration Agreement with the Australian Government that will see overseas workers fill labour shortages in specific occupations.
"We want people from other cultures who often move here for work to feel that they are part of the community, to put down roots, see their families thrive and enjoy happy lives in Warrnambool."
All members of the public are invited to the Language Café to join in conversations with people from all over the world and practice English skills.
The Welcome 2 Warrnambool program has a full calendar and is looking to celebrate the upcoming Diwali - Festival of Lights on November 2.
For more information about Welcome 2 Warrnambool and the Language Café contact Lyn Eales on 5561 8888.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
