Grounded in heritage and inspired to fly! – SLANSW’s innovative Serendib mentoring program gives the Sri Lankan community in Australia a sturdy foundation and wings to soar – By Sheyana La Brooy
SLANSW’s innovative Serendib mentoring program gives the Sri Lankan community in Australia a sturdy foundation and wings to soar.
Community mentoring networks do more than support individual growth. They create meaningful connections, strengthen cultural identity, and help build the inclusive, resilient communities that are at the heart of multicultural Australia.
Named after a historical reference to Sri Lanka and the inspiration for the word “serendipity”, the Sri Lanka Association of New South Wales (SLANSW) Community Mentoring network, Serendib, aims to transform lives through mentoring, professional guidance, leadership development, and community connection.
The first of its kind for the Sri Lankan community in Australia, the Serendib program aims to bring the community together through mentoring by creating opportunities for learning, leadership, and connection while strengthening the bonds that unite us.
By connecting experienced community members with students, professionals, and new migrants, mentoring creates opportunities to share knowledge, guidance, and lived experience. These relationships help individuals build confidence, develop leadership skills, and navigate challenges while feeling supported by a network that understands their journey.
For culturally diverse communities, mentoring also plays a key role in preserving heritage. Through intergenerational connections, traditions, values, languages, and stories can be shared, helping younger generations maintain a keen sense of identity and belonging.
Like a bird strengthened in its nest before taking flight, mentoring provides a strong runway built on shared understanding, experience, culture, and community connection. It keeps individuals grounded in their heritage while giving them the confidence, lift, and momentum to spread their wings, soar beyond new horizons, and reach their fullest potential whilst supported by the flock.
At the same time, mentoring encourages active participation in Australian society. It helps individuals better understand their identity and explore opportunities with community support, which in turns gives confidence to build bridges across communities. It also fosters understanding and inclusion through shared experiences and creates social and professional networks that benefit both individuals and the wider community.
By preserving and celebrating cultural heritage and supporting personal growth and community engagement, SLANSW seeks to contribute to stronger, more resilient, and well-grounded communities. When people share their knowledge, experience, and culture, the community harnesses its collective strength to uplift those around them, and everyone benefits.
In an increasingly diverse Australia, community mentoring is more than guidance; it is an act of service and an investment in the future, creating a connected, confident, and empowered community for generations to come.
We invite community members to share your journey to shape someone’s future.
The Expression of Interest for Cohort 1 of Serendib is open until COB Monday 21 September 2026.
Visit the SLANSW website for more information: Introducing Serendib: The SLANSW Community Mentoring Network
By Sheyana La Brooy
Lead, Education and Engagement Subcommittee, SLANSW.
