Refugee group appeals for assistance

IT’S been twenty years since Australian Defence Force personnel rescued asylum seekers from the freight ship Tampa near Christmas Island.

In the same year, hundreds of Afghan and Iraqi asylum seekers died when capsized fishing boat SIEV X sank.

Ballarat Rural Australians for Refugees’ David MacPhail said his group is acknowledging these events by running a 20th Anniversary Appeal.

The organisation’s community fundraising activities have been extremely restricted over the last two years due to the pandemic, and therefore, so has their ability to advocate for those in need.

“We’re doing this to remind Ballarat people that we’re still here, and that we still need support, while reminding the government that we’re not going away,” he said.

“RAR is in need of funding to meet ongoing commitments of housing, transport, education, health and general living expenses for refugees and people seeking asylum. These are valuable members of our community, many of whom have no income because they are forbidden to work and are denied government benefits.

“In addition, the catastrophe in Afghanistan has dealt a heavy blow to Afghans in our community. RAR is working with them, and we urgently need assistance for legal fees and related costs as Afghan members of our community try desperately to get their relatives safely out of Afghanistan.”

Over the last 20 years, Mr MacPhail has seen the city’s culture change, as the community has become more diverse, and more accepting of refugees and asylum seekers looking to find a safe home in Ballarat.

He said a prime example of that is the public advocacy of current City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney.

“He has written three letters at the fall of Afghanistan. The first was to Afghans themselves, individually acknowledging their situation, embracing and supporting them.

“The second was to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, advocating for the very same things that the Refugee Council of Australia and the Asylum Seekers Support Service and RAR is asking for,” Mr MacPhail said.

“Thirdly, we’re using that letter as a public document that people can counter-sign here, and that will also go off to the Prime Minister. That level of support at the City is important, as is our place as a Refugee Welcome Zone.”

RAR has already raised more than $5000 as part of their 20th Anniversary Appeal.

If you would like to contribute to the Appeal, direct online donations labelled ‘20 years appeal’ can be made to Ballarat Rural Australians for Refugees, with the BSB of 083729, and account number 839 319 412.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation over $10, contact RAR treasurer Des Roache via [email protected] or 0418 537 713.