Music for a cause in Queenscliff

RENOWNED Melbourne-based choir Living Out Loud is headed to Queenscliff this month for a unique workshop and concert event to help raise funds to support asylum seekers and refugees living across the region.

Hosted by the Combined Refugee Action Group (CRAG) and the Queenscliff Rural Australians for Refugees (QRAR), the event will take place at the Queenscliff Uniting Church on August 11 between 2.30pm and 4pm

The choir, which is donating its time to the fundraiser, will first lead the community in a musical workshop, teaching attendees some fun new songs and celebrating the joy of singing together.

The choir will then run a relaxed concert, inviting the audience to join in for several sing-alongs.

Attendees are welcome to join as a participant or as a listener, and there is no pressure to sing.

CRAG president Peter Coghlan said all funds raised from the event would be shared between CRAG and QRAR and would be used to provide direct assistance to the refugees and asylum seekers living in the community.

For QRAR, these funds will support its ongoing initiatives, including helping asylum seekers and refugees with medical expenses, legal representation and material aid.

Meanwhile, CRAG will use the funds raised to assist with the legal costs of asylum seekers who are still going through the extensive process of applying for permanent visas.

Mr Coghlan said these legal costs included from government costs in applying for visas to the costs needed to appeal an unfavourable decision through the courts, and with many of the community’s asylum seekers living without work rights, these costs remain unachievable without support.

“The legal costs are very, very high.

“We have lawyers who assist us at a reduced cost and assist very, very well to get these people the justice they deserve.”

While the federal government do not supply exact statistics, Mr Coghlan said CRAG was aware there were “hundreds and hundreds of families and individuals” who have settled across Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast, with new families continually reaching out for support.

Over the past five years, CRAG has assisted with 72 legal cases, with most cases involving families, some comprised of up to five or six individuals.

“There seems to be, in terms of the general population… a belief that it’s all been sorted out now. Asylum seekers and refugees, they’re all settled,” Mr Coghlan said.

He said there were up to 12,000 asylum seekers across Australia, many in Geelong and many who have been living here for between 10 and 12 years, still living in visa limbo, and encouraged the community to show their support and come along for what would be a “fantastic event”.

“They’re still waiting to be given a fair go here and they’ve already proven that they’re good community people.

“If they’re allowed to work, they work hard and they take part in community activities and projects. They’re fantastic people.”

To purchase tickets, head to trybooking.com/CTFNG