News

Liam breaks new ground for cultural exchange

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:00:00

Merbein P-10 College student Liam Bennett will become the first Koori student to be involved with Mildura’s sister schools exchange program to China this year.

Merbein and Red Cliffs Secondary Colleges pioneered the exchange with Mildura’s sister-city Dali in 2010, and Irymple Secondary College is joining the program last year.

Chinese students will spent the first eight days in the Mildura region, spending time with their host families, and the Australian students will travel to China in September.

Although the program has been running for several years, Liam said he was excited to be the first Koori student involved.

“I had seen other students from the school do the exchange over the years, and a friend who went last time encouraged me to get involved,” Liam said.

“It didn’t really occur to me that I’d be the first Koori student, but I’m glad that I am – there will be a lot we can learn from each other.”

Liam is a Barkindji descendent, and his involvement in the exchange program is being sponsored by Mallee District Aboriginal Services.

Liam said while he was hoping to forge a career in science and physics, he was keen to find out about cultural issues, and the ethnic diversity of China.

“I know that the Han ethnic group is the major group in China, but also that the other ethnic minorities are now starting to be recognised – for example they are exempt from the one-child policy if their numbers are below 100,000 in total,” Liam said.

“I think it’s important to get across our culture as well – that we’re not separate communities in Australia, we’re one community and we all stick together.”

Liam said he knew the name of his exchange partner, Zhang Chen Fang, and would first be communicating with him through email and Skype.  Students have also been completing a China elective to prepare them for the exchange.

“I don’t know a great deal about how Zhang lives, or even how far he is from school, but we’re learning the language, and I’ve downloaded a Chinese language app onto my mobile so we can communicate properly.”

Liam said when he hosts Zhang in July he will be excited to offer him an insight into not only the Australian way of life, but Barkindji culture.

“I think we’ll be having a few camp-ovens, and I’m working on some traditional gifts he can take back with him,” Liam said.