Multicultural community comes together

BALLINA’S diversity will be celebrated at a free multicultural party this weekend.

People who have migrated from Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, the Congo, Zimbabwe, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, China and Germany are among those who will attend.

Guests will enjoy cuisine from around the world and will be entertained by performers from Byron Taiko and Gabriel Out’s African drumming.

The event is part of a project the Northern Rivers Multicultural Forum – a network of government and non-government organisations – is running to help support migrant and refugee communities in the region.

When Northern Rivers for Refugees obtained a grant from Northern Rivers Community Foundation to gain a greater understanding of the digital literacy needs of migrants and refugees, it also discovered many people in the community were feeling isolated, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 floods.

They also had difficulty accessing culturally appropriate information and support.

It is hoped the event will give people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds the opportunity to meet one another and initiate future gatherings.

Northern Rivers Region for Refugees president Marilyn Leeks said they also wanted to learn how they can help improve the settlement experience.

“There’s a lot of media about wars and refugees and for me it’s a very positive way of celebrating the safety and wellbeing of people who have come here to flee violence,” she said.

“It’s also about looking at what’s a successful settlement for migrants and refugees.

“It doesn’t just happen automatically, we have to reach out as a community and be aware that people need a bit of extra support for the first six to 12 months.”

Venezuelan refugee Juan-Carlos Guerrero from Ballina is among those who will attend the event with his partner Maria Gabriela Medrano and her son Jean Karell Lezama.

“It will be good to connect with other people like us,” he said.

“The group Northern Rivers Refugees is wonderful and inclusive.”

The multicultural party will be held at Kentwell Community Centre tomorrow, Saturday, October 19, from 2pm to 5pm.