Refugee support group celebrates a decade of welcomes

NORTHERN Rivers for Refugees will celebrate its 10th anniversary at Brunswick Heads Memorial Hall on Sunday June 15.

The event, which coincides with the beginning of Refugee Week, will feature a performance by acoustic trio Smokey Fields, featuring members of the “genuine fake Russian choir” Dustyesky.

Attendees can also look forward to a panel discussion exploring the history of the organisation, as well as a multicultural feast.

President Marilyn Leeks said the group — formerly known as Ballina Region for Refugees — has helped resettle 42 individuals, or nine households, from Syria and Venezuela across the Byron, Ballina and Tweed shires since its founding.

“For a number of years Syria had the highest number of displaced people in the world and we are trying to build a network for them in this area,” she said.

The organisation works closely with nine community supporter groups assisting refugees as they start new lives in Australia. The groups help with things like registering with Centrelink and Medicare, obtaining driver’s licences and setting up bank accounts.

“There are a lot of volunteers who started with us in 2015 are still involved even though we have changed our name, so the commitment of volunteers has been very significant,” Leeks said.

At the celebration, the organisation will also launch its Cup of Kindness campaign — a new initiative aimed at sustainable fundraising.

“People can donate $5 a week or $20 a month so we don’t have to rely on events, which have unpredictable outcomes, so much,” she said.

“We’re feeling very positive about the future. We’re feeling a lot of goodwill from the community.”

For more information, visit nrfr.org.au/10th-anniversary-party