Gatton's new aussies pass citizens test | Gatton News | Local News in Gatton

ON June 15, more than 25 Gatton community members from refugee backgrounds sat and passed the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's (DIAC's) citizenship test.

Many of the people sitting the test took part in a three month volunteer test education program set up by the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS) in collaboration with volunteer members of the Gatton community.

RAILS is a free community legal centre, specializing in immigration law and legal education.

RAILS advertised the volunteer program through local NGO's and community leaders in Gatton.

RAILS provided cross-cultural and test education to volunteers, study resources, advocacy with the department and financed the meeting space.

The volunteer tutors and students met each Monday evening at the Gatton Baptist Church to study for the test.

RAILS liaised with DIAC to organise for test facilitators to go out to Gatton on June 15 to administer the test to the students.

Donna Marchiori of HB Recruitment and Training, also provided some citizenship training as part of the LVRC's Sustainable Regional Settlement Program, which was run for Gatton's African community.

DIAC had not trailed a group testing in the way it was done in Gatton before.

Paper tests were used that could be marked immediately, providing opportunities to re-sit in case of failures.

The Country Women's Association were kind enough to allow use of the CWA hall all day for testing free of charge.

Every client who had been through the study program passed the test, and are now eligible to apply for citizenship.

They bring to this country a wealth of knowledge, diversity, resilience and compassion.