Courage to Care will be at the Alan Heard Pavilion at Longerenong from today.

Event chairman Tony Weldon said the aim of the program was to stop people being bystanders to bullies.

“The program has been going for a number of years and we use stories from the Second World War to challenge students to stand up against prejudiced and discrimination,” he said.

“The Holocaust happened because so many people were bystanders and students will hear from a survivor of that time.

“The situation is still relevant to us today, and while people’s lives might not be at risk, whenever someone is bullied, there is always a victim, a perpetrator and bystanders.”

Dr Weldon said during the four-part program, students would hear from a Holocaust survivor and have small group discussions.

“We also have our flash exhibition with touch screens, where people can here more stories,” he said.

“We want the students to become ‘up-standers’, rather than bystanders.”

Dr Weldon said the Courage to Care exhibition would be in the region until Thursday next week.

It officially opened last night.

“Members of the community are welcome to come along during school times to have a look,” Dr Weldon said.

“We will also have school groups out there each day from the wider Wimmera area.”