AIRAR connect to a refugee’s story

IN recognition of Refugee Week, Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees (AIRAR) and Aireys Inlet Primary School undertook a joint project to build a personal connection between the pupils and the refugee story.

Using the recently published Man Man: Making meaning on Manus by AIRAR member Jill Parris as a guide, each grade at the school participated in a class run by AIRAR volunteer Colleen van de Horst.

The class explored Man Man’s life on Manus and his subsequent departure to live in the United States.

Drawing on Man Man’s photos of his life and the environment on Manus Island, the students learnt about refugees and Man Man’s own story.

For the project’s second stage, pupils could take a photo reflecting their personal environment in Aireys Inlet. Grade 4-6 pupils undertook this independently as a homework project, grade 3 pupils went on an excursion, and the youngest pupils used the playground as their focus.

An outstanding collection of photos were received with almost 90 students entering the competition, which was judged by noted Anglesea artist Deb Elliott.

Prizes for the competition were presented at a school assembly last month by AIRAR convenor Mary Bremner.

“You can clearly see the spirit and feeling of Man Man’s photography reflected in the students’ photos,” Ms Bremner said.

The first prize winner was grade 4 pupil Frazey Horsburg-White, with Bell Day from grade 6 winning second prize, and grade 6’s Shyra Gentle being awarded third prize. Each winner received an enlarged framed copy of their photo. Highly commended and merit awards were also presented.

School principal Jennifer Abel said the project had been important for the pupils to get an appreciation of what it is like to be a refugee and to learn that despite hardship it was still possible to find beauty in your environment.

She said the photography had also allowed the children to take time to stop, and really focus on the natural beauty of Aireys Inlet.

“Too often we take it all for granted.”

The photos will be compiled into a booklet, which will be sent to Man Man.