From Darwin to Hobart and Townsville to Fremantle, Australians will celebrate Refugee Week (June 14-20) at events ranging from soccer friendlies to film festivals.
This year’s theme of Freedom from fear demonstrates how refugees can overcome hardships to start new lives free from fear and persecution.
Events will be staged throughout Australia over the coming days in recognition of the remarkable journeys made by refugees who have created a new life in Australia, adding to the rich diversity of our nation.
In Sydney, filmmakers, artists and community members will come together through the week to celebrate the diversity, creativity and achievements of refugees at the Humanitarian Awards, Australian Refugee Film Festival and art exhibition at the Uniting Church in Pitt Street. And the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, will meet refugee women and advocates at a reception at Admiralty House at Kirribilli on June 18.
At the Casula Powerhouse on June 20, young people from refugee backgrounds will depict their life experiences through theatre.
In Brisbane, a candlelit vigil will wind through Southbank on the evening of June 19 while a community festival at Annerley Soccer Club on June 28 will include everything from sports tournaments to cultural performance and arts.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship and Tasmanian government agencies will welcome new refugee residents from Bhutan, Burma, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan with community events at selected Neighbourhood Houses across that state throughout the week.
Victorians can join in the Whittlesea Refugee Week Celebration in Epping on June 18, with music, dance, cultural performances and food. On the evening of June 24, the ABC Music Deli concert at the ABC Southbank Centre will feature exquisite music for voices and strings from Turkey, Afghanistan, Japan and India, made in Australia.
Football fans can see refugees become Australian citizens at a pre-game ceremony at Footscray on June 28.
In South Australia, a refugee citizenship ceremony and settlement comic book launch will take place at the Migration Museum on June 19, while on June 20, the SA Writers Centre will honour African writers with an awards ceremony and readings in Adelaide.
Fremantle in Western Australia will come alive with the day-long Freedom from Fear festival on June 20. The celebration aims to highlight the range of contributions made by refugees and migrants to WA society.
In the Top End, Malak Park will play host to a community event on June 20 which raises awareness of refugee-related issues through speeches and other forms of artistic expression.
In the nation’s capital, World Refugee Day flags will be raised around Canberra and a number of iconic buildings including Questacon, Old Parliament House, the National Library of Australia, the National Archives and the National Gallery will be lit up in blue each night.
Far to Here, a photographic exhibition which documents the journeys of the Darfur community from Sudan to Australia, will open in Parliament House on June 16 while the Companion House Soccer Tournament will take place on June 21 at the Australian Institute of Sport.
The friendly match between the Sierra Leone, Sudanese, Mon and Karen communities will strengthen the ties between refugee communities in Australia.
Media Enquiries: National Communications (02) 6264 2244
