On International Refugee Day, Thursday 20th June
at the Australian Centre for Moving Image (ACMI)
FLN was involved in a collaborative project for
Refugee Week 2013. Every year the Yarra Settlement
Forum produces an event during Refugee Week,
which targets schools in the City of Yarra. These
events are designed to raise awareness of refugee
issues among secondary school students. This year
we followed on from the success of our 2012 event
and held another short film competition, for Year 9
and 10 students. The final films were screened at the
awards ceremony – Restoring Hope Film Festival.
The event was a success, with positive feedback from
ACMI and participating schools. We have already
started planning for the 2014 event and many Yarra
schools have shown interest in taking part again
next year.
Farewell to Scott Thornton
Scott began work at the Fitzroy Learning Network as a volunteer in the mid-nineties and
soon became full-time Finance Officer and manager of the Over-Fifties program, where his
skills as a cook and a bingo caller were put to very good use. When the first asylum seekers on
Temporary Protection Visas found their way to FLN in 2000, he became the steady ‘presence’
in the office, someone who was there and could be relied on for help and advice – a vital support
for people living with trauma and uncertainty. For many of our clients of that era his nickname,
‘Uncle Scott’, had real meaning. And at the many parties held at FLN in those days, his couscous
was famous!
Scott’s skills extended well beyond the office and the kitchen. He had a collection of useful tools
and could be relied on to carry out running repairs on locks, taps, doors and cupboards. He was
the keeper of the informal knowledge bank that develops in any organisation; when there were
questions about past procedures, staff or clients the usual answer was “Ask Scott”. In the days
when FLN had a resident cat, it was Scott who ensured that it was fed regularly, even during
vacations.
We will miss him – he has been such an important part of FLN – but changes in his health,
combined with changes in government funding and administration of Home and Community
Care programs, mean that the time has come for him to leave us. Our gratitude and very best
wishes for retirement go with him.
Fitzroy Learning Network Annual Report 2012/13
9