Refugee advocates speak for the vulnerable

RURAL Australians for Refugees Bendigo are working to be a voice for the voiceless.

Assistant secretary Christine Cummins said the group was established in the early-2000s in response to the Federal Government’s stance on immigration.

“People gathered to see what on earth they could do in regard to the immigration policies, and the impact those policies were having on people seeking asylum, and settlement processes,” she said.

RAR took a hiatus for some years, before becoming more proactive about a decade ago, when offshore detention facilities on Manus Island and Nauru reopened.

“With this came the horrible implications of enduring long-term, indefinite detention, and what that meant for whole families was separation and children locked up; horrible consequences.

“Rural Australians for Refugees groups across the country were reborn from that, speaking for these vulnerable people,” Ms Cummins said.

In 2015 RAR Bendigo hosted a national conference, with the founders of the original Australian RAR group attending. The Bendigo branch has continued to strengthen since that event.

“We’re a group of volunteers from all walks of life and all ages, all about advocacy through campaigning, petitioning, letter-writing to politicians, and trying to keep the issues alive and heard, so the community are aware of what’s going on in the refugee space.

“On the third Friday of every month from 5pm, we have a little rally with placards for an hour in the centre of Bendigo, opposite the fountain in front of Rosalind Park,” Ms Cummins said.

“We ask people to ‘toot if you give a hoot,’ to acknowledge the rally. We get a great response and people cheer us on, which keeps these issues in focus so that refugees and asylum seekers are not forgotten.”

Supporters of the Refugee Council of Australia, Refugee Legal, and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, RAR Bendigo have coordinated food drives, and have seen successful legislation changes because of their “vital” campaigning.

“A lot of our work is behind the scenes stuff, but it does make an impact. We’re an enthusiastic group of skilled people,” Ms Cummins said.

As part of Operation Not Forgotten, the group are fundraising to free a refugee.

“We’re raising $18,500 to cover legal fees to get one person off Manus or Nauru, and settle them in Canada, where they’re then given the chance of a life, permanent residency, and a future.

“These people are in their eighth year in limbo, with no ability to get education, a career or family reunification, and there’s no long-term settlement plans. They’re rotting in limbo,” Ms Cummins said.

“Through the generosity of people, our campaign is only $2000 short of meeting our target to get one other person, hopefully, on the pathway to being settled.”

Contact [email protected] if you’re interested in volunteering with the group in any small or larger capacity, helping a refugee family in the community, or are keen to contribute to the Operation Not Forgotten fundraiser.

A Palm Sunday Vigil will be held on Sunday, 28 march at 7pm at St Andrews Church on Myers Street. Anyone is welcome and can bring a candle in a jar to hold if they wish.

Visit for more information bit.ly/3cKLW8R.