Homework club hits heights with High Commendation

A HOMEWORK club that humbly goes about its business at community hub The Old Church on the Hill in Harkness Street every Tuesday afternoon has earned recognition at the 2025 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence.

Founded in 2024 and operated by Multicultural Connect Central Victoria, the Harambee Homework Club works predominantly with newly-arrived students from refugee and migrant communities.

The Club’s peer tutors, most of whom are from refugee and migrant communities themselves, received a Highly Commended distinction in the Refugee Young Leader category at the awards.

Program coordinator and Multicultural Connect Central Victoria’s director of community engagement Linto Thomas, who attended the recent Government House ceremony along with two peer tutors, said everyone felt privileged to be there.

“Especially for the young tutors, it was an opportunity to see the outside world and meet with other awardees,” he said.

“It was also an opportunity for them to understand the extent of their contributions and to have that recognition for them.

“To know that the idea is being recognised was really great.”

 

Mr Thomas said the concept of the club is simple – teaching phonics-based reading, primarily aiming at bolstering young learners’ confidence in their literacy skills.

“The idea is to help the younger primary school kids, especially from multicultural backgrounds – mainly (from) African backgrounds – have an opportunity to come together and learn,” he said.

“But, that’s just one element of the program.

“They also have the opportunity to meet other kids, play, mingle and consider the older kids – the peer tutors – as role models.

“So, the idea is (also) community connection, the chance to meet someone outside their culture.”

The program also relies on a second cohort of volunteer tutors, mainly local retirees who work one-on-one with individual students, and by the sound of things, there’s always room for extra.

“We have about 28 but it’s always great to have more,” Mr Thomas said.

 

“There’s not much of that intense learning happening – as long as they’re able to interact with young kids, spend time with them, to sit with them and read and are comfortable with different cultures, that’s the main criteria.

“It’s a term-to-term program, so the minimum commitment is at least for two terms.

“They’re always welcome to come and have a look before committing to it.

“If they’re a good fit, they’re welcome to join.”

Mr Thomas said it’s the perfect way to play an important role in a young person’s life.

“Someone who’s starting a new life here in Australia, they’re going to learn a lot from you, not just by language or the teaching, but also by spending time with you.

“It will be a couple of hours of your time, but actually it’s going to be big for them.

“You will see that change – the key is spending small chunks of time over a (longer) period.”

Those interested in becoming involved can contact [email protected] or 0401 397 129. The club doesn’t operate during school holidays.