TWENTY-one students from the Karen Organisation of Bendigo graduated from their leadership course on Monday.
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Students undertook a 20-week course at Bendigo TAFE on how to become leaders within the community.
President of the Karen Organisation of Bendigo Eh Paung said he was proud to see so many students graduate.
“This gives me hope,” he said.
“There was only one Karen family in Bendigo in 2007 and now we have more than 500 people.”
Mr Paung said he hoped the course would encourage the students to go on to bigger and better things.
“We want them to become good role models and leaders not only for the Karen people but for the whole community,” he said. “Hopefully we can do the course again next year.”
Students learned about the Australian political system as well as the local City of Greater Bendigo council.
Department of Immigration community liaison officer Michael Abdilla attended the graduation ceremony and said it was good to see the Karen people of Bendigo come of age.
“It’s great to see them strike out on their own,” he said. “They have come a long way. It’s great for the people of Bendigo.”