Federal Member for Blaxland, Jason Clare today attended the 35th anniversary celebrations of the Chester Hill Intensive English Centre.
The centre was opened by the Department of Education and Training on the 11 March 1978 with 13 students.
Today there are over 120 students from 25 different countries who attend the Chester Hill Intensive English Centre, aged between 11 and 18 years.
The students prepared a multicultural lunch for the guests to celebrate 35 years of learning.
“Our local community is very multicultural – 43 per cent of people in our community come from countries where English is not the main language,” Mr Clare said.
“There is a direct link between a person’s level of English and employment.
“In Bankstown, the unemployment rate for people who speak English fluently is 5.6 per cent. The unemployment rate amongst people who don’t speak English is 25.1 per cent.
“That’s why the work of the Chester Hill Intensive English Centre is so important. It makes sure that young people in our local community, who arrive in Australia with very limited English skills, have the same opportunities as people right across Australia.
“Congratulations Chester Hill Intensive English Centre on 35 years of delivering this important service to our local community,” Mr Clare said.
Media contact: Chris Zogopoulos (02) 9790 2466
