Torquay teacher to join walk off for refugees rally
TORQUAY teacher Rhonda Anchen has spent 15 years helping students reach their potential and today she is set to take a stand to make sure children in detention get the same privilege.
The 56-year-old will join the Walk Off for Refugees in Melbourne, calling for the remaining 17 children on Nauru, and their families to be resettled in Australia.
The Victorian Teachers for Refugees rally marks the deadline organisers of the Kids Off Nauru social media campaign set for the federal government to take action.
Ms Anchen, who taught in Colac, Grovedale and Lorne before semi-retirement from the classroom, said the achievements of refugees from Vietnam and Chile she attended school with in the 1970s had her convinced those currently in detention deserved the chance to hit similar heights.
“As teachers, our role is to educate, nurture and welcome and we’re precluded from doing that with what’s occur- ring with the kids in Nauru and their families,” she said.
“Those young people could become fantastic contributors to our community.
“It’s a humanitarian issue. These kids can’t be used as a political football.
“These children and their families need to be brought to Australia so they can reach their full potential.”
Ms Anchen expected a handful of friends and colleagues from around Geelong to attend the rally.
“We’re hoping we can have our voices heard ... and I think the more groups showing their concern through peaceful protest will make people who may be sceptical, a little bit more aware of what’s happening,” she said.