Jenan Taylor
27 March 2024
A Melbourne vicar hopes to bring attention to the loneliness and isolation many international students experience as part of a new volunteer multicultural advisory role.
St Dunstan’s Camberwell vicar the Reverend Jobby John has been invited to help encourage better cross-cultural understanding and friendship among diverse communities by the Southern Metropolitan Advisory Council.
Advisors aim to share the concerns and values of people from a variety of backgrounds with the council.
Mr John said as an immigrant it was important for him be able to amplify some of the concerns of a range of people from different contexts.
He said he was in regular contact with multicultural groups through his work in a range of churches and education settings, in particular international students.
Mr John said those from the Indian community often told him that they struggled with loneliness, faced racial discrimination, and needed help adapting to the cultural changes in Australia.
Read more: Canon Glenn Loughrey hopes to make Indigenous Anglicans safer in Church in new role
Parish warden Maxine Farrar said Mr John would be right for the role because he brought a real heart and gentleness to his dealings with people.
She said he actively supported different congregations and would find a way of reaching church members who were more comfortable speaking other languages, including conducting services they would understand.
“He has a very open heart and a love for God. And he’s doing it because he feels it’s what he’s called to do,” Ms Farrar said.
Southern Metropolitan Region state member John Berger said the council would be an opportunity for community representatives like Mr John to speak on issues they were passionate about.
Mr John will start the advisory role in mid-April.
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