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24 March 2025—To mark the close of Harmony Week and Cultural Diversity Week in Victoria, we are proud to share a story that highlights the power of culturally tailored diabetes education. This successful session, delivered to a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community in Melbourne, showcases how collaboration, respect and cultural understanding can make diabetes education more accessible, meaningful and impactful. It offers valuable insights into how CDEs can engage with communities at risk of or living with diabetes and ensure that care is contextually relevant to their needs. This story was submitted by Priyantha Weeratunga, Registered Nurse-Midwife, Maternal Child Health Nurse and Diabetes Nurse Educator, and Belinda Moore, Registered Nurse-Midwife, Clinical Trials Coordinator and CDE.
The first session of the culturally tailored diabetes education program for senior Sri Lankan citizens in northern Melbourne in November 2024.
A culturally tailored diabetes education program for Melbourne’s Sri Lankan senior citizens community is now well underway, with the second of six-monthly sessions scheduled to be delivered soon.
Designed and led by Priyantha Weeratunga, with support from her mentor Belinda Moore, the six-part series builds on the success of an initial education session delivered in November 2024.
That session—Ms Weeratunga’s first experience delivering diabetes education to a community group—sparked strong engagement and laid the foundation for this broader initiative, which supports the Sri Lankan senior citizens community in Melbourne’s northern suburbs and will continue through to June 2025.
That first session was a resounding success, showing an exceptional blend of cultural sensitivity, collaborative teaching and impactful learning.
It was co-facilitated by Ms Weeratunga and Ms Moore, who worked in harmony to address the group’s needs with both foundational and advanced knowledge of diabetes care.
The session began with an Acknowledgement of Country, honouring Australia’s rich cultural history.
This was followed by a Sri Lankan Buddhist chant, which immediately resonated with attendees and created a sense of belonging and cultural connection.
This opening not only bridged cultures but also set a tone of inclusivity and respect.
In addition, the educators introduced the pledge to End Diabetes Stigma, emphasising the importance of compassionate and empathetic diabetes care.
This thoughtful introduction established a safe and welcoming environment.
The collaboration between Ms Weeratunga and Ms Moore balanced novice and expert perspectives on diabetes education, covering essential topics such as:
Ms Weeratunga and Ms Moore alternated roles, with Ms Weeratunga taking the lead on foundational explanations while Ms Moore expanded on more complex concepts.
The content was delivered in both Sinhalese and English.
This dynamic not only enriched the session’s content but also modelled effective teamwork and mentorship in action.
One standout moment was a self-assessment activity facilitated by Ms Weeratunga, who asked attendees who was important in their lives.
When the group responded with “myself,” it set a powerful tone for the session — encouraging self-reflection and highlighting the importance of prioritising personal health.
This simple yet impactful question helped create the right mindset for exploring self-care and behaviour change.
The group’s engagement was strong, with many participants expressing a desire for further sessions—a response that directly inspired the development of the current six-month education series.
The follow-up program underscores the community’s recognition of the value and relevance of tailored diabetes education and their ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes.
This first session showed the power of delivering diabetes education in a culturally relevant and meaningful way.
By integrating cultural practices, fostering collaboration between educators and prioritising self-reflection, it succeeded in making diabetes education both accessible and impactful.
Ms Weeratunga is to be commended for her innovative approach and sensitivity, while Ms Moore’s mentorship ensured the session maintained depth and accuracy.
By addressing unique cultural needs and communication styles, CDEs can foster better understanding, promote health literacy and improve diabetes management within CALD communities.
This first session not only educated but also empowered attendees to take charge of their health, paving the way for stronger community health initiatives into the future.
We’re always looking to share stories that showcase the real-world impact of CDEs across Australia. If you have a case study, project or initiative you’d like us to consider, we’d love to hear from you. Please email your submission or expression of interest to communications@adea.com.au.
24 March 2025—To mark the close of Harmony Week and Cultural Diversity Week in Victoria, we are proud to share a story that highlights the power of culturally tailored diabetes education. This successful session, delivered to a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community in Melbourne, showcases how collaboration, respect and cultural understanding can make diabetes education more accessible, meaningful and impactful. It offers valuable insights into how CDEs can engage with communities at risk of or living with diabetes and ensure that care is contextually relevant to their needs. This story was submitted by Priyantha Weeratunga, Registered Nurse-Midwife, Maternal Child Health Nurse and Diabetes Nurse Educator, and Belinda Moore, Registered Nurse-Midwife, Clinical Trials Coordinator and CDE.
The first session of the culturally tailored diabetes education program for senior Sri Lankan citizens in northern Melbourne in November 2024.
A culturally tailored diabetes education program for Melbourne’s Sri Lankan senior citizens community is now well underway, with the second of six-monthly sessions scheduled to be delivered soon.
Designed and led by Priyantha Weeratunga, with support from her mentor Belinda Moore, the six-part series builds on the success of an initial education session delivered in November 2024.
That session—Ms Weeratunga’s first experience delivering diabetes education to a community group—sparked strong engagement and laid the foundation for this broader initiative, which supports the Sri Lankan senior citizens community in Melbourne’s northern suburbs and will continue through to June 2025.
That first session was a resounding success, showing an exceptional blend of cultural sensitivity, collaborative teaching and impactful learning.
It was co-facilitated by Ms Weeratunga and Ms Moore, who worked in harmony to address the group’s needs with both foundational and advanced knowledge of diabetes care.
The session began with an Acknowledgement of Country, honouring Australia’s rich cultural history.
This was followed by a Sri Lankan Buddhist chant, which immediately resonated with attendees and created a sense of belonging and cultural connection.
This opening not only bridged cultures but also set a tone of inclusivity and respect.
In addition, the educators introduced the pledge to End Diabetes Stigma, emphasising the importance of compassionate and empathetic diabetes care.
This thoughtful introduction established a safe and welcoming environment.
The collaboration between Ms Weeratunga and Ms Moore balanced novice and expert perspectives on diabetes education, covering essential topics such as:
Ms Weeratunga and Ms Moore alternated roles, with Ms Weeratunga taking the lead on foundational explanations while Ms Moore expanded on more complex concepts.
The content was delivered in both Sinhalese and English.
This dynamic not only enriched the session’s content but also modelled effective teamwork and mentorship in action.
One standout moment was a self-assessment activity facilitated by Ms Weeratunga, who asked attendees who was important in their lives.
When the group responded with “myself,” it set a powerful tone for the session — encouraging self-reflection and highlighting the importance of prioritising personal health.
This simple yet impactful question helped create the right mindset for exploring self-care and behaviour change.
The group’s engagement was strong, with many participants expressing a desire for further sessions—a response that directly inspired the development of the current six-month education series.
The follow-up program underscores the community’s recognition of the value and relevance of tailored diabetes education and their ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes.
This first session showed the power of delivering diabetes education in a culturally relevant and meaningful way.
By integrating cultural practices, fostering collaboration between educators and prioritising self-reflection, it succeeded in making diabetes education both accessible and impactful.
Ms Weeratunga is to be commended for her innovative approach and sensitivity, while Ms Moore’s mentorship ensured the session maintained depth and accuracy.
By addressing unique cultural needs and communication styles, CDEs can foster better understanding, promote health literacy and improve diabetes management within CALD communities.
This first session not only educated but also empowered attendees to take charge of their health, paving the way for stronger community health initiatives into the future.
We’re always looking to share stories that showcase the real-world impact of CDEs across Australia. If you have a case study, project or initiative you’d like us to consider, we’d love to hear from you. Please email your submission or expression of interest to communications@adea.com.au.
