Geelong City brigade and Region 7 Community Safety's Alexis Vorvis contributed to a three day camp for Sudanese and Karen (Burmese) refugees in January, earlier this year.
The camp was run by the New Hope Foundation, which provide services to newly arrived refugees in the Wyndham area. Also contributing to the camp were the City of Wyndham Youth Services, Victoria Police, and SpiritWest Services from the Western Bulldogs Football Club.
The first day of the camp was held at Eastern Beach in Geelong, where the 30 participants were given a talk on home fire safety by the ‘A shift’ from Geelong City brigade. They were then given a tour of a firetruck, which included a refreshing spray from the hose – temperatures on the day neared 35 degrees. 
Alexis Vorvis and Leading Firefighter Adam Shearer then got everyone involved in an obstacle course game that simulated what firefighters have to do in a house fire. Even in the heat, everyone had a great time, and learnt a thing or two about home fire safety.
The young refugee group then spent the afternoon with Lifesaving Victoria instructors, learning about safety in the water and enjoying a refreshing swim. Then it was off to the Brisbane Ranges near Geelong for two more days at a camp in the bush. Adam accompanied the group on this camp as a representative of CFA.
On the last day of the camp Adam handed out show-bags provided by Community Safety. He was impressed that despite some language barriers the young refugees had retained some of the home fire safety messages.
All in all it was a great three days for the young refugees as they began to learn about other cultures and different facets of the Australian way of life. The difference in their confidence levels from the beginning to the end of the camp was extraordinary.
Geelong City brigade is extremely proud to have participated in such a worthy event.
New Hope For Refugees
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