House of Welcome founder and organiser, Carmel Kavanagh said about 100 people attended, including guest dancers. She said some people sent donations instead and that it was “a lovely social occasion” attended by many of the city’s multicultural groups.

Entertainment featured the Namarilly Bagarook troupe, followed by the Irish dancers representing the second wave and the South Sudanese Cultural Dance Group, representing the most recent refugee wave.

Co-founder of the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project, Sister Brigid Arthur gave a vote of thanks at the lunch and spoke at the Ballarat Rural Australians for Refugees event last night.

Mrs Kavanagh thanked the Australian Catholic University for providing cakes, and Loreto College VCAL and St Patrick’s College students for helping with the lunch. Proceeds raised will go to local asylum seekers. 

House of Welcome Ballarat is grateful for donations. Details: (0401) 175045.