Sharing the refugee experience over tea

WITH Refugee Week taking place from this Sunday until next Friday, the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council will soon hold their regular morning tea event to acknowledge those in the region forced to flee their home countries.

BRMC’s manager for settlement engagement and transition support, and family violence community engagement, Hee Young Lim said the free event will tie into this year’s theme of Finding Freedom: Families.

“With this year’s theme, we want to come together with the community to celebrate the importance of family and the dedication of our Australian community members who embraced our refugees,” she said.

“This will be a significant opportunity to reflect on global humanitarian values as well and we hope it encourages community members to reflect on the significance of refugees finding freedom with their families.

“Our welcome morning tea is normally held on the last Wednesday of every month but this month we’ve changed it to a week earlier to tie into Refugee Week.

“Our Refugee Week program is 14 events this year where we come together to honour the strength and courage of those who’ve been forced to flee their homes.”

African lentil soup and bread will be on the menu while Ballarat Steiner School students and parents will perform a program of music relating to Refugee Week 2024’s theme.

Representatives from organisations like the Ballarat Refugee and Asylum Seekers Support Network, Rural Australians for Refugees, and Ballarat Afghan Action Group will also serve as guest speakers.

“They’ll be able to provide a brief introduction of their services so participants can increase their awareness on our refugee groups,” she said.

“The last song from Ballarat Steiner, Hearts in Harmony, will be something for everyone to sing together.”

The morning tea will be held at BRMC’s Welcome Centre from 10.30am to 12pm on Wednesday 19 June. To RSVP, visit bit.ly/4cxJbFx.