Axe Creek leads the way

In conjunction with the Bendigo Bank’s community foundation, Axe Creek held a ‘come-and-try day’ late last month for 30 refugees at the Bendigo Major League Indoor Sports complex.

With an influx of refugees in the Bendigo region, the club noted the importance of creating an inclusive environment by helping refugees settle into the Australian life.

“We are very much into making our club connected to the community,” Axe Creek Cricket Club Treasurer James O’Bryen said.

“We want Axe Creek to be an inclusive club.”

On the day, refugees from the Afghan and Northern Pakistan regions joined members of the Axe Creek Cricket Club to engage in cricket and soccer activities.

“We got to know our newest members of the community and through an interpreter, we were able to break down a few of the language barriers,” O’Breyn said.

Members of Axe Creek noted the relationship between the two communities as being mutually beneficial, with the refugees learning about cricket and the cricketers learning about the hardships of being a refugee.

“These guys have faced a lot of adversities,” O’Bryen said.

“They have a lot of lessons to teach us.”

Cricket gear was generously donated to the refugees by Northcote Cricket Club and Mt Martha Cricket Club along with merchandise from Cricket Victoria and the Melbourne Stars.

Along with the sports activities, Bendigo Police attended the day to inform participants of their role in the community.

At day’s end, everyone joined together to enjoy an Afghan barbecue provided by the community.

With the success of the come-and-try day, Axe Creek Cricket Club will look to hold a follow-up session within the next month.