In partnership with AMES Werribee and Victoria Police, the Western Bulldogs took a diverse group of 15 AMES students from cultural backgrounds including Karen, Chinese, Russian and Ethiopian on a two day snow camp to Mt Buller from September 16 -17.
The majority of the group, aged between 15 and 26 years, had never been exposed to snow before.
It is the second year that SWS has supported the AMES Snow Trip. The trip complements the Western Bulldogs’ special relationship with AMES centres in the West, in particular through the SWS’ AMES Youth Sports Program.
In addition to the Snow Trip, newly arrived migrants and refugees in AMES centres at Werribee, Footscray and St Albans have been exposed to new sports experiences including swimming, water polo, tennis, athletics and of course, Australian Football through the Club’s Settlement Grants Program. The Programs aim is to engage migrant and refugee youth students in sport and physical activities, that will enable them to learn more about Australian culture, whilst promoting healthy living by providing sporting opportunities.
The project was made possible by the in-kind support and donation of Victoria Police who supplied transport, Buller Sports who equipped students with snow pants, jackets, gloves, a scenic chairlift ticket and toboggans and also Gough’s Bay Caravan Park who provided accommodation.
The camp was also kindly supported by personnel from various agencies who accompanied the group: Werribee Police Community Liaison Officer, Dawn Youla, Western Bulldogs Settlement Projects Officer, Mark De Campo, Western Bulldogs Multicultural Development Officer, Nish Moses and AMES youth teacher Felipe O’Reilly.
