Horses Connecting Cultures

Horses Connecting Cultures expands the Mooroopna North based Horses for Hope program to support the settlement of newly arrived community members. Refugees and established Australians will help rehabilitate troubled horses and through this shared experience within the therapeutic environment that Horses for Hope provides, address past traumas and break down barriers whilst creating lasting connections. Captured within a film created by Mooroopna Secondary College students and local filmmaker Mimi Leung. A premiere and public forum will invite critical thinking around the issue of living within an accepting and open society through the shared experience of community.

The Shepparton region is well known for its cultural diversity including over 30 nationalities, who speak more than 50 languages. It continues to assist refugees and asylum seekers and Uniting's Horses for Hope program is aware that we have a responsibility as a community to find ways to work with these people and we have a unique opportunity to do so. Several key concepts will be activated by this project, including social cohesion, reducing isolation, strengthening community resilience and building supportive relationships that will ripple throughout the community, giving opportunity for expanded tolerance and understanding.