Refugee group acknowledged for going above and beyond

LISMORE Region Refugee Settlement group and its coordinator Anne Tuart have been recognised for their lifechanging efforts in helping families from around the world.

Ms Tuart recently received an Above and Beyond Award from the Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia group.

The group has been part of the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot program since 2023.

It is made up of volunteers who provide practical and ongoing support to refugee families on arrival and throughout their first year of settlement.

“There are a lot of people in the community who want to help refugees but don’t know how,” Ms Tuart said.

“Our group is a conduit for them to be able to do something practical through donations and furnishing the house.

“The last family was a mother of five children who had come from pretty tough conditions.

“The children are now thriving at school and one of the older kids has saved enough money to move to Sydney to study.”

The inaugural Community Sponsorship Awards were held as part of National Volunteer Week.

“It was an inspiring event, filled with powerful stories, smiling faces and well-deserved recognition of the deep compassion and commitment that defines community sponsorship,” a spokesperson said.

“We heard first-hand how individuals and groups are not only making a difference in the lives of refugee families but impacting their broader community through their compassion, dedication and quiet leadership.”

Brunswick Heads based-Syrian refugee Walaa Al Lahham won the Newcomer Volunteer Award, while John Purssey and Judith Alcorn of the Mullumbimby Refugee Support Group also won Above and Beyond awards.

A fundraising concert for umbrella organisation Northern Rivers for Refugees, Songs from the Heart, will be presented at St Mary’s Anglican Church in Ballina on Saturday September 27 at 3pm.

It will include a variety of performances to help raise money for the group.