News from PRACE

On Tuesday the 16th of June at Merrilands Community Centre, the people of PRACE celebrated Refugee Week with stories and demonstrations of tea and coffee around the world. We had:

* Kenyan tea by Elizabeth,
* Greek coffee by Tina and Panayota,
* Indian tea by Surinder, and
* Japanese tea ceremony by Yuko.

Daniel from Fair Trade talked about the coffee trade around the world. In poor countries, farmers do not always get paid. In some places children are working long hours for no money. Fair Trade makes sure that the farmers get enough money for the coffee they grow. Oxfam Australia recommends Fair Trade coffee.

• Were you there?
• What did you enjoy most about the day?
• View some photos on the Preston Leader site, or
• Read the story from the Leader newspaper.

Thanks to everyone who came along, especially the wonderful people demonstrating their own tea and coffee.

photo credit: Darwin Bell

Tags: celebration, coffee, refugee week, tea

Remember the wonderful community oven launch from last year, when Ima Forni donated a wood-fired oven to the Merrilands Community Centre, and Vasili from Channel 31 came along to film the event? People cooked bread in the oven, people danced and sang together, there was music and feasting. (Story back here.)

Well now’s your chance to see your friends and colleagues on television! Channel 31 screened the show this week, and it’s being repeated Wednesday 6th May at 7.30pm.

If you don’t get Channel 31 on your television, you can find the video on their website at c31.org.au. (Search for “Vasili’s Garden”, and watch the program from 3rd May 09. Could be there for the next 6 weeks.)

It’s a great show, full of interviews with many people in the community, and also featuring Don the amazing horticulture teacher with his students.

Watch and enjoy! Tell your friends.

Plus:

• Find out more about our horticulture programs on the program information page.
• Find out more about Merrilands Community Centre via the Merrilands category.
• Still don’t know where Merrilands Community Centre is? We’re in Reservoir! Details here.

Tags: celebration, Channel 31, community, food, launch, oven, Vasili

With holidays fast approaching, it was time to celebrate the achievements of the first term.  The VCAL students worked together to plan and organise a sports day which included a BBQ lunch.  The BBQ raised much needed funds for the VCAL camp that will take place later on in the year. 

It was a wonderful way to assess the students in the Personal Development Strand of the VCAL certificate.  Everyone is looking forward to an even better 2nd term.

Tags: achievement, BBQ, celebration

PRACE has been helping adults to learn for 15 years now!! In mid-March we celebrated the event at our annual general meeting (AGM). Maggie Clarke talked about how important adult learning and community are.

One student – Josephine de Blasis – spoke about how much she has enjoyed learning English over the last few years.

Many students received their certificates for the year.

VCAL student Fabrizio started the night with some entertaining comedy.

We farewelled Chris Hobson from the Committee of Management after 7 years.

Thanks to all who came along!

Tags: celebration, certificates, committee of management