Keep on learning is the maxim of Sunil Abbot of Werribee.
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The now 69-year-old migrated to Australia from India on a business visa in 2011 with the equivalent of a Year 12 education, and despite having worked for a multi national organisation in his country of birth and having adult children in Australia, he struggled to adapt to his new home.
Sunil had little knowledge of computers and technology or how systems and services worked. He had never encountered an EFTPOS machine for example and had to go about learning basic skills that others take for granted.
![Sunil Abbott outside his family restaurant. Picture supplied Sunil Abbott outside his family restaurant. Picture supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/zFAiTDuEg3GdzaaJJ3MGNK/88e42a68-2534-4b62-80e9-f076fc6c8709.jpg/r0_0_2028_2379_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Twelve years later, Sunil now owns two busy restaurants and has become a leader in the community, yet he still makes time to help other older migrants who are stuggling to assimilate and who may be feeling isolated and unhappy.
He attributes much of the success of his new life to the many opportunities for education at any age.
Sunil began his adult learning adventure with a basic computer literacy course at Tarneit Community and Learning Centre, following that up with more advanced IT training and then a certificate in Train the Trainer which allows him to teach other seniors in the community.
Although he had good written English, Sunil decided to improve his conversational language skills at Arndell Park Community Centre before doing a certificate three in commercial cooking at TAFE.
Walk Through Health
Other courses followed and during COVID he was selected for the Walk Through Health Program - online teaching aimed at improving the navigation of the health system for new and emerging communities in Wyndham. The course was run through Werribee Mercy Hospital and Wyndham Community Education Centre.
Soon after he came to Australia Sunil became concerned about the many older migrants who were struggling with the transition to their new home. Many felt isolated and lonely and cut off from society because of their lack of skills and knowledge.
"When I first came to Australia I was walking around the parks and I saw lots of older migrant people just sitting around. They seemed depressed," said Sunil.
"They told me they didn't know the language or culture and that they felt isolated when their children went to work and all they had to do was help look after the grandchildren."
Sunil's response was to open Club 60 Tarneit a social and education group at Tarneit Community Learning Centre which helps older migrants and visitors learn about the social and cultural life of Australia as well as providing advice on health and wellbeing and how to go about improving their education.
The club now has about 700 members who also do voluntary work in West Melbourne including planting trees and clearing open spaces.
"We give these older people the confidence to settle here and to travel around the community," said Sunil.
The club has no political or religious affiliations and most members have previously come from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. As well as socialising, the members celebrate festivals from their different cultures as well as Australian festivals.
Sunil also took part in Sons of the West, a free 10-week health program by the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation in partnership with local councils and community health services across Victoria.
The aim of the program is to empower men to make their health and wellbeing a priority by giving them the tools and knowledge.
Having completed four years of training with Sons of the West, Sunil now uses his knowledge to encourage other men to prioritise their health. He also plans to start Certificate 4 in hospitality next year. He will be 70 when he completes it.
Sunil's commitment to lifelong learning has earned him numerous awards and positions on various councils and representative bodies.
"It's been my passion to learn more and more," said Sunil.
Adult Learning Australia recently held its adult learning week on the theme Its Never Too Late - a reminder that returning to learning at any age and stage can make a profound difference to a person's life.