Learn about refugees locally this week

REFUGEE Week begins on Sunday June 17, and local community group Surf Coast Rural Australians for Refugees (SCRAR) will be standing with refugees at a number of events across the region this year.

On Tuesday June 19, SCRAR is hosting a “Curry and a Conversation” night at the Torquay Pub for people to hear personal stories about the people going through the refugee determination process.

On World Refugee Day – Wednesday June 20 – hear from refugees who have recently arrived here at the Barwon Heads Bowls Club.

On Thursday June 21 at Torquay Library, hear from two teachers who taught English to asylum seekers on Nauru.

SCRAR will also set up a #WithRefugees sign on the Surf Coast Highway.

SCRAR’s Laura O’Connor said that as well as sending a message that refugees were welcome in the community, Refugee Week was also about campaigning for a fairer, more transparent and more humane refugee policy.

“I think people are getting tired of the cruelty, they want to see a fairer Australia; this is not us.

“At the moment we’ve got someone dying on Nauru, and we’re not even giving them permission to come to Australia for palliative care. How cruel can we get?

“I really believe that Australians, if they knew the truth of the matter, wouldn’t want this.”

For more information, head to the Surf Coast Rural Australians for Refugees Facebook page at facebook.com/SurfCoastRAR or phone Spring Creek Community House on 5261 2583 (Monday-Thursday 9am to 3.30pm).

For more events, head to the Combined Refugee Action Group website at craggelong.com