Strengthening bonds with our diverse communities in Bendigo
More than 100 students, for whom English is a second language, have been able to learn more about the water they drink and the wastewater they send down the drain.
Members of Coliban Water’s Community Engagement Team delivered a session last week at Bendigo TAFE for a cohort of mainly Karen-speaking students.
Executive General Manager Customer and Stakeholder Experience Lauren McLean said it was a fantastic opportunity to share information, strengthen bonds and connect with the group.
“It’s the first time we’ve held a session of this kind, at this scale. With the help of a translator, we had a conversation with these students about where their drinking water comes from and why it is safe to drink; and what happens to the wastewater we all produce,” Ms McLean said.
“We also discussed how customers can access entitlements through our Coliban Assist program,” she said.
Recent statistics show approximately half of Greater Bendigo’s population was born overseas, with around 6,000 non-English speakers in the community.
Karen is the number one language spoken in our region, after English.
“We hope to instill a sense of confidence, which will allow these communities to approach us and contact us for information when required,” Ms McLean said.
“We enjoy having these conversations and connecting with our communities, and we’re always looking for more ways to do this.
“As we continue to develop these programs and resources, we’ll look to connect with other language groups too, so that we can better reach our CALD communities (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse).”
Many members of these communities are first-generation refugees who have experienced deprivation, trauma and displacement.
An estimated 3,500 to 4,000 Karen, 300 Afghan, and a growing number of South Sudanese people of refugee background have arrived in our region in recent years.
In November last year Coliban Water held three workshops for staff to learn about the ‘refugee journey’, and a further workshop was held earlier this year.
Bendigo Community Health Services facilitated these workshops, and also support the translation of fact sheets and other materials.
For those seeking more information about Coliban Water, and the water and sewer services it provides, visit coliban.com.au and click ‘translate’ across the top navigation bar. Alternatively, you can also request an interpreter when you phone us on 1300 363 200, via the National Relay Service.
Last updated on 10 Sep 2024