Refugee week begins this weekend and this year’s theme is “Stand With Refugees”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ballarat’s House of Welcome has plans to do just that. Convenor Carmel Kavanagh said they would once again celebrate those refugees already in the area and would welcome newcomers.
The organisation will hold its annual Soup and Sandwich Luncheon on Wednesday, June 20, at 12.30pm at the Nazareth House Hall in Mill Street.
Mrs Kavanagh said there will be a host of entertainment, including the Namarilly Bagarook Dancers doing the “Indigenous Spirit Dance”, and the South Sudanese Cultural Dance Group.
Researcher Clara Geoghegan will speak about Australia’s Caroline Chisholm – “the Immigrant’s friend” and there will be a chance to win a holiday in Victor Harbour.
Tickets to the lunch are $20 and all proceeds will assist local asylum seekers and their families.
Tickets to win the holiday are available from annekav123@yahoo.co.uk or on 0401175045.
Mrs Kavanagh said it was important that the House of Welcome’s events were supported so they could continue their work in the area.
“When history looks back, will it be to see them standing alone, or will it be to see us standing with refugees?” she asks.
Nationally, Refugee Week will be celebrated by a range of activities and events organised by The Refugee Council of Australia – a small, not-for-profit organisation that relies on public financial support to continue its work in research, education and advocacy.