THE Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria held a retreat with a water safety message for a group of newly arrived Afghan women and girls at Saltbush, Balnarring Beach.
The resilient women, having fled their homeland under challenging circumstances, found solace, connection and peace in the bushland and coastal environment at the retreat. For many, Saltbush marked their first encounter with a beach, offering an opportunity to explore the beauty of the coast and discover the tidal movement in Western Port that exposes rock pools on low tide.
Group organiser and co-founder of the Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria, Gulghotai Bezhan, said the retreat was a way for the women to come together, share stories, and support each other. She highlighted the common struggles of depression and homesickness among the women and emphasised the goal of the retreat to foster a sense of community and shared experiences.
Acknowledging the diversity within the group and women representing different tribes from Afghanistan, efforts were made to pair families from different backgrounds to share accommodation in the houses at Saltbush to encourage connections, understanding and the discovery of common ground. Saltbush CEO Maree Feutrill said the women and girls slowly built their confidence through various activities that included participating in traditional music and dances, cooking and sharing traditional foods, and engaging in physical activities like soccer and bush walks, contributing to a sense of joy and celebration of their Afghan culture.
Life Saving Victoria’s diversity and inclusion team joined the group on the final day for a water safety education program on Balnarring Beach. The program was led by Afghani instructors speaking the national Afghan language of Dari, to impart key water safety messages including swimming between the flags, assessing weather conditions and understanding rip tides. One participant spoke about preferring mountains to the beach, but knew it was important to learn how to swim.
While the younger girls embraced the program with enthusiasm, many older women chose to explore the beach and rock pools, finding joy in the tranquillity of the coastline, Feutrill said. She said the women and girls at the retreat had developed a renewed sense of energy and discovered the strength found in unity and shared experiences. “The weekend had provided a respite from the challenges of resettlement, offering joy, cultural celebration, peer support and the essential water safety skills needed for their new life in Australia,” Feutrill said.
Saltbush is a not for profit, charitable organisation with a mission to provide restorative holidays and experiences for those who need it most.
First published in the Westernport News – 13th March 2024
