By BRIDGET COOK
CRANBOURNE’s Sulochana Naidu and Lyndhurst Secondary College have one thing in common – they are both working to improve cultural harmony in the Casey community.
This month, they were recognised for doing just that when they were presented with an honour at the 2013 Multicultural Awards for Excellence.
Ms Naidu was given an award for meritorious service to the community and Lyndhurst Secondary College received an education award for its Multipride program.
Ms Naidu migrated to Australia from Fiji in 1988.
She got involved in community work in 2001 when she was invited to take up an executive position in the Gippsland Indian Association, where she has taken many roles in the past 10 years.
She is now the vice president of the Triveni Society of Victoria in Casey.
Over the years, Ms Naidu has organised many events and activities to help different cultures assimilate into the community including family, community and spiritual camps, sporting events, picnics, religious festivals, harmony days in schools and fundraising activities.
Ms Naidu said a major problem she experienced when she moved to Australia was culture shock and through her work she aims to help others through that.
“Many go through this shock and need strong support in order to integrate with the local culture,” she said.
“Our culture provided a refuge for many who experienced identity crisis, lacked self-confidence, were victims of domestic violence and would have been lost into the world of drugs and alcoholism.
“Hence my efforts to keep our traditions and culture alive provided a strong base to support those who were feeling lost in their new homeland.
“Further, I’ve used my culture as a stimulant to participate in other cultures and take advantage of the opportunities the country offered.”
Ms Naidu said she aimed to create harmony and understanding between the diverse cultures in Casey.
“The world is a global village,” she said.
“However, due to the misunderstandings and wrong myths about different cultures and faiths, peace and harmony is disturbed.
“Active involvement and understanding of other cultures removes any ill feelings and wrong ideas we have about other cultures.”
Ms Naidu said she was thrilled to receive the award and it was an incentive to continue with her passion for promoting harmony in the multicultural community of Victoria.
Lyndhurst Secondary College was recognised at the awards for its Multipride program, which it introduced when it had a significant increase in students from migrant and refugee backgrounds from about 2008.
The school began experiencing racially motivated incidences and took swift action.
A working group of staff and students was formed, including those who were involved in the incidents, who met on a weekly basis.
The group has since run lunchtime activities, participated in leadership programs, developed partnerships with the council and multicultural organisations and speaks at assemblies.
The school has experienced a change in school behaviour and has now started promoting the Multipride model to other schools.
Principal Warren Wills said it was a great honour to receive the award.
“Our students, staff and parents are proud to receive such a prestigious award that recognises the hard work of our college community,” he said.
“This program was important as it promotes cultural harmony whilst developing students as leaders within our community.
“It has further improved multiculturalism and, in doing so, has enriched and advanced not only our college culture but also that of other schools.”
