Roo snags to add an Aussie flavour

By Rebecca Fraser
DAWN Nadarajah is set to share an “Aussie” Christmas with guide leaders from all over the world this year after jetting to India yesterday (Wednesday).
The leader with the Endeavour Hills Opal Guides was selected from guide leaders across the country to represent Guides Australia at one of the organisation’s world homes – Sangam in India.
The conference is titled Tis the Season, and the main purpose is to bring together cultures through understanding festivals and celebrations of people all around the world.
The conference runs from 20 December to 3 January and all participants will take part in programs to assist and support local communities while at Sangam.
Ms Nadarajah will then embark on a 17-day tour through northern India before travelling to Sri Lanka to work in areas of tsunami relief and recovery.
She will also visit orphaned children sponsored by various guiding units.
The mother of three adult children has been involved with guiding for more than 30 years – first in her home country of Sri Lanka, and now in Australia.
Ms Nadarajah moved to Australia with her family in 1984 following the outbreak of civil war in Sri Lanka and has worked as coordinator of the before and after-school program at James Cook Primary School in Endeavour Hills for the past 17 years.
She said her love of the outdoors, camping and children had led her to join the guides and she was looking forward to learning more about the international movement.
Ms Nadarajah will share Christmas with leaders from across the globe, each bringing their own cultural touches and backgrounds to the festivities.
She said kangaroo sausages, table decorations made from gumnuts, Minties and Tim Tams were part of her Christmas offerings.
The Endeavour Hills resident has never been to India and said she was looking forward to learning about the country’s history, culture, mythology, clothing and guiding traditions and bringing them back to Australia to share.
Ms Nadarajah went through an interview and selection process before receiving the news that she had been chosen to attend the conference.
She thanked the Endeavour Hills Guide units and Casinia Region Guides for helping to raise funds.
A dinner held at Clover Cottage in Berwick was attended by almost 100 people and raised $500 for the trip and a Sri Lankan hopper (pancake) night also raised funds.
“I do not know what to expect so I am going in to it with an open mind but hope to learn many things that I can bring back here and share with my guides,” Mrs Nadarajah.