The national celebration of Refugee Week will be from Sunday June 19 until Saturday June 25.
Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to promote greater awareness of refugees, the issues they face and the contributions refugees are making to the Australian community. The first celebration of Refugee Week was a street procession and picnic lunch organised by Austcare in Sydney in November 1986.
Refugee advocates are feeling a new sense of hopefulness with the election of a new Government but advocates say their work goes on.
Janet Gaden, a spokesperson for Rural Australians for Refugees Daylesford (RARD) said, “There is still much to do to ensure that the new parliament and the new Ministry for Home Affairs deliver improved policies and go further toward justice for refugees.“
The theme for Refugee Week 2022 is “Healing”. Mainstream and refugee communities alike can draw upon shared hardship to heal wounds, to learn from each other and to move forward. Healing can occur through sharing experiences and connecting with others in the community.
RARD will observe Refugee Week in their weekly 5 -5.30 pm vigil on Friday June 24 and with a street stall on Saturday morning June 25th, 10.00-12 at the pedestrian crossing in Vincent Street. The proceeds of financial donations from the stall and raffle will go to support Refugee Legal Services, a pro bono service helping refugees with visa and other issues.
Material aid in the form of non-perishable food and household needs for the Asylum Resource Centre’s food bank can also be donated and left at the stall. Items can also be left at the box provided by the Council at their Duke Street office.
RARD encourages people to join them to acknowledge Refugee Week by visiting their stall on Saturday the 25th or attending the Friday evening vigil.
For further details contact Janet Gaden by email at gadenjanet@gmail.com or by phone on 5348 3034.
