Rural Solutions SA has launched a program for the Vietnamese and Cambodian communities of the Adelaide Plains to help them recognize and deal with hazardous substances.

Targeting those with low English-speaking or numerology skills, the program covered domestic, industrial and farm situations.

Biligual liaison officers were trained to give short informal presentations in homes, schools, community centres, farms and other workplaces. Termed ‘ambassadors’, these local people were coordinated by Rural Solutions SA team member David Stephenson.  A fellow member of the Farm Chemicals Team, David Walker, assisted David as part of a Steering Committee.

In a wide collaborative venture, Michael Nguyen led the biligual team in farm chemical training, while community health workers Sophin Kheav and Ngoat Vu, Kylie Robinson of Virginia Horticultural Centre and Suzanna Paul of WorkCover Corporation provided valuable assistance on the Steering Committee.

A booklet, reference cards and fact sheets were produced in English, Vietnamese and Khmer languages.

These covered the key issues of:

* Using hazardous substances/promoting safer alternatives
* Understanding labels
* Storage and Disposal
* Child Safety and First Aid

Translated resources were distributed to all ambassadors, key community centres, local councils and schools plus ethnic radio stations and sales outlets for hazardous substances.

While still regarded as a basic beginning to a large and demanding task, the trained personnel and programmaterials have provided a continuing benefit to the community.

Media Contact:  David Stephenson, Rural Solutions SA,  Telephone 1300 364 322