“I knew the Karen population in Bendigo was getting bigger, and I have a friend who sponsors a Karen uni student in Bangkok, so I was interested to learn more,” Iain said.
He made some enquiries, connected with BCHS and its program partners Sports Focus and the City of Greater Bendigo, and got the bowl rolling.
The first step was for BCHS to host an Understanding Karen Culture session for the bowls club members and board. Iain said there were plenty of surprises in the session.
“The big one was that every Karen person who came to Australia was a former refugee seeking another life – a better life,” he said. “And that there were between 3000 and 4000 people here. Also, the fact that they’re looking to get involved in Australian culture, including sport.”
Four Come and Try Lawn Bowling sessions were then held for Karen people, with almost 140 people attending. Fifteen club members volunteered to welcome the newcomers, on the green and in the club room.
“It’s totally new for this club,” Iain said. “In our club itself, there was not much diversity before this program … so for Karen people to embrace it, it’s been fantastic.
“We’re increasing the number of Karen people who are comfortable walking into the club and having a practice.”
Karen people are now coming to the greens in Quarry Hill each Friday to learn and practice, and hopefully build up to competing. Last week there were people aged three to 83 in attendance.
“Once they started to play, they really liked it and now they’re bringing back family members,” Iain said. “Every year we’d like more and more people to join.”
Mu Moo hadn’t played a sport since childhood. She said her newly found love of lawn bowls was relaxing, fun, and a good way to make new friends.
“We’d never played lawn bowls before, so we’re learning a lot,” she said.
Mu Moo has lived in Bendigo for 16 years. This is the first community group she has joined.
ABOVE: Mu Moo with Ta Na, Nido, Iain and Paw Kyi in the background.
Paw Kyi, who arrived 14 years ago, said the sport was good for both physical and mental health. “You’ve got to think, you’ve got to focus, and you’ve got to measure. So, it also improves concentration,” she said.
Iain credited the enthusiasm of BCHS Cultural Diversity team members Ta Na, Nido and Ta Mue, and Sports Focus’ Laura Bradley, for the program’s success.
Ta Na said compared to many of the past Sports Inclusion programs, bowls was an achievable sport for all ages.
“We had large numbers come along because it’s easy to pick up and a bit more relaxing,” he said. “Because of that we’ve increased the awareness of and enjoyment of the sport.”
Iain said the experience had cemented his theory that sport is a great way of breaking down barriers between people, cultures and languages.
Iain had a taste of that himself when volunteering to fill in for a French hockey team during a tournament overseas. He said the French/English language divide ceased to matter on the field.
“We’ve talked about inviting other communities in Bendigo as well,” Iain said. “We’re aiming to make the club more inclusive of Bendigo’s community.”
