Inner West Council celebrates Refugee Week Inner West Council will host the official NSW launch of Refugee Week 2016 at its new Inner West Refugee Welcome Centre. Media are invited to attend the launch at the Centre, Building 504, Wharf Road Callan Park on Friday 17 June, 10am–12pm. RSVP essential (seating limited) to refugeeweek@refugeecouncil.org.au The event has been organised by the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), Settlement Services International (SSI), and CORE Community Services. The theme of Refugee Week 2016 is “with courage let us all combine,” said Phil Glendenning, President of the Refugee Council of Australia. “Refugee Week is an opportunity to celebrate the courage of refugees who have made the sacrifice to leave their homes and countries to seek safety and protection. “Refugees have contributed to Australia’s great strengths of diversity, culture and our economic prosperity and these benefits have helped build the strengths of our society,” Mr Glendenning said. The launch event is supported by Inner West Council as well as several community stakeholder groups including AMES Australia, St Vincent de Paul Society and Life Without Barriers. City of Sydney is also a major sponsor. “The inner west community has long supported Refugee Week and has always welcomed refugees with open arms,” said Administrator of Inner West Council Richard Pearson. “Unfortunately, it’s not an easy time to be a refugee in Australia. It is most unfortunate that asylum seekers have been demonised in the media and by politicians in recent years. “Here in the inner west, we absolutely recognise and appreciate that refugees have made a huge contribution to our community. First from war-torn Europe after World War Two, and later from countries like Vietnam, Nepal, Sierra Leone and Sudan,” he said. Inner West Council acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the former councillors involved in this project. Inner West Council acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the former councillors involved in this project. Other Council-supported events planned for the week are: Street Food Market, Arts and Craft and Music from around the world Celebrating the many cultures of Sydney and the Inner West, Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Road Marrickville, Saturday 18 June, 4.pm – 9pm New Beginnings: Refugee Arts and Culture Festival Exhibition Curated by Miriam Cabello under the auspices of Settlement Services International (SSI), showcasing works by talented artists from refugee backgrounds. 5th Multi-Cultural 7 a Side Knock-Out Football Tournament A soccer tournament between multicultural communities with free activities like face-painting, a jumping castle and football skills for kids. As well, attendees will have the opportunity to meet A-league players. Documentary Screening: Faraway...So Close to Homeland Premier screening of independent Syrian film and documentary maker, Maher Jamous’ film showing the plight of 10 Syrian refugees who fled in 2013 to neighbouring countries. For further information please contact: Elizabeth Heath, Communication Coordinator, 9392 533 Madelaine Love, Communication Officer, 9335 2063.
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