News Update 2.v4 National Journey of the Welcome Scroll June 2018

Transcription

1 News Update 2.v4 National Journey of the Welcome Scroll June 2018 Launched in September 2016 by Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire Christine Henderson and Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo Rod Fyffe, the Scroll originally had only the logos of the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) and Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR). It now proudly bears, not only these 2 logos, but also the logos of local governments from all states of Australia.

2 During Refugee Week 2017 the Welcome Scroll made its reappearance in its new expanded format. At the Alexandra Gardens - 17 th June 2017 The Welcome Scroll was launched on its National Journey by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne and the Inflatable Refugee Belgian artist collective Schellekens and Peleman have created this inflatable figure from the same material as the boats used by human traffickers to cross the Mediterranean Sea are made from. The material is too fragile to withstand the waves of the sea, making the passengers on these boats extremely vulnerable. The sheer size of the Inflatable Refugee allows him to look over and beyond us and keep watch on the horizon, not limited by borders or documents. It makes him inescapable, undeniably present. An early morning crowd on the banks of the Yarra, a few speeches and a good many photos, and Scroll was on its way around Australia. First stop, the Immigration Museum.

3 The Welcome Scroll, now almost 6 metres long, with the logos of 113 Refugee Welcome Zone Councils, moved from the banks of the Yarra River to the Immigration Museum in Melbourne. The Scroll bears the declaration We are a Refugee Welcome Zone under the name and logo of each town or city listed have endorsed the Welcome Scroll with their Council Logo and Mayoral Signature *

4 The aim of the Refugee Council s Refugee Welcome Zones is to promote the adoption of flexible, humane and constructive policies toward refugees and people seeking asylum by local governments and their communities. On Wednesday, 21 June, the Welcome Scroll began the first part of its National Journey, travelling to the ACT and Canberra for the first ever Refugee Welcome Zone National Forum on Thursday, 22 June 2017 Instigator of the Welcome Scroll, Jan Govett, with Rural Australians for Refugees Vice-President, Ruth Fluhr The Journey Part 1. The Welcome Scroll travels south-east to NSW and Victoria through Queanbeyan, Cooma, Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Braidwood, Bowral, Shellharbour, Wollongong, Goulburn, Yass, Wagga Wagga, Euroa, Bendigo

5 On 22 June in Canberra at the Refugee Welcome Zone National Forum with Matthew Kirwin, Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, and in foreground, Mr Na Jit Lam, the UNHCR Representative for Oceania. Also in Canberra at the Refugee Welcome Zone National Forum were Refugee Ambassador, Priscilla Kuer Bul, and Road to Refuge advocate, Zaki Haidari

6 In Bega Valley Shire with Mayor Kristy McBain The Welcome signs that will be installed in towns across the Bega Valley Shire Liam Jolley of Bega High School presented the Welcome Tree to the Refugee Rally. The Year 11 student explained the tree was created to show refugees they are welcome in Australia. He also expressed concern at the political division surrounding refugees in Australia. "There is a lot of people from the left side of politics here today, and that is great that you have come out to support the rally, he said. "But if we're going to make progress on this issue, we need to reach out to the other side and discuss the mutual benefits of improving refugee policy." "While we were making this tree, there was concern that it was too political for a government school to take a stance on refugee issues, Liam told the crowd. "This isn't a political issue, it's a humanitarian issue," Liam added.

7 Robin de Crespigny, author of The People Smuggler was also in Bega so we had the opportunity to chat with her. The book is the true story of Ali Al Jenabi, who escaped torture under Saddam Hussein, only to find himself on an epic journey to find a safe place for himself and his family. Renowned author, Thomas Keneally, describes this as a significant book about a figure seen by some as a saviour and others as a criminal. Robin generously gave us 2 free autographed copies of her book to use as best we can to change the conversation about refugees. Thank you Robin. From Bega to Moruya People from Eurobodalla Shire joined in a celebration of Refugee Week in Moruya on Saturday, 24 June, at a special ceremony on the banks of the beautiful Moruya River as the Welcome Scroll visited on its national journey. Many thanks to Magella and Bernie from RAC Eurobodalla for their welcome. The Welcome Scroll includes the signature of Eurobodalla s Mayor Liz Innes. Deputy Mayor of Eurobodalla Shire Council, Anthony Mayne, and Councillor James Thomson display the Scroll. And on to Braidwood

8 Saturday, 24 June 2017 In Braidwood with Sister Jane Keogh and Tim McKenna (Manus Lives Matter), Braidwood RAR, and Amnesty International. Braidwood is in the Queanbeyan-Palerang Region of NSW In Bowral We were welcomed by Southern Highlands RAR members. And after the photos, we were treated to some delicious Bowral hospitality. Maree and Sarah (below) Geoff and Georgina.

9 After our visit to Bowral, we took 2 days off to enjoy the wonderful (if chilly) Southern Highlands, visiting the beautiful Fitzroy Falls, last seen by me 50 long years ago. We travelled on down the escarpment to Wollongong, taking the scenic route via Macquarie Pass and were almost late for our interview with ABC Illawarra. Photo at right The Welcome Scroll at full stretch in the ABC s Illawarra office. A quick re-roll and we were off to meet both the Mayor of Shellharbour and the Mayor of Wollongong

10 Shellharbour Refugee Week event: Shellharbour Council has become signatory to the official Refugee Welcome Scroll on its tour around Australia. Mayor Marianne Saliba signed the 6metre long scroll at Warilla Library with Wollongong Mayor Gordon Bradbery. The inspiration for the Welcome Scroll is to spread local government and community support for successful resettlement of refugees.

11 On to Goulburn Mulwaree and Yass Valley Councils Goulburn Mulwaree Council Mayor, Bob Kirk, with Steven Lamond from Goulburn RAR Yass Valley Mayor Rowena Abbey proudly holds the Scroll with Karan Gabriel from Yass RAR And finally to Wagga Wagga With Deputy Mayor, Dallas Tout and Prime 7

12 And so back to Victoria and the newly declared Refugee Welcome Zone of Strathbogie Shire. In Euroa - 4 July 2017 At a delightful afternoon of events among like-minded people, Strathbogie Shire Mayor, Amanda McClaren and a number of fellow councillors enjoyed the hospitality provided by Euroa RAR. Jessica Hackett, the amazing young woman who last year walked from Melbourne to Sydney, collecting 18,000 signatures on her Welcome Petition, was in Euroa when we visited with the Welcome Scroll. (Jessica with the Scroll - below right) Also there was the Strathbogie Shire Mayor, Amanda McClaren, and 4 Councillors. Strathbogie Shire has just just voted to become a Refugee Welcome Zone, and will sign the declaration next month. The afternoon in Euroa was organised by RAR Vice-President, Ruth Fluhr, and with speakers coming from Shepparton and beyond, was a wellattended event.

13 The Welcome Scroll Display at the Victorian Local Government Multicultural Issues Network Annual Forum: Communities Without Borders: Council Collaboration for Social Cohesion in September Photo below: With keynote speaker will be George Megalogenis, Walkley Award winning author and documentary maker. In Gippsland: Cardinia Shire: With Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen and former refugee representative Jawad Hakim

14 In Dandenong The City of Greater Dandenong threw open the door for our final signing event for With Cr Angela Long, Cr Matthew Kirwan, Cr Roz Blades on the right that s a rather tired me (still talking) but looking forward to a rest before travelling on in to 2018 on the National Journey of the Welcome Scroll

15 Our first stop on the National Journey this year was in Ballarat where the Scroll was welcomed, and signed by Mayor Samantha McIntosh, as part of Ballarat s Harmony Day celebrations.

16 Before I crossed the border on the South Australian leg of our National Journey, I stopped in Swan Hill where I was greeted by a small but enthusiastic gathering of Council and Community. Proudly displaying Swan Hill s entry on the Scroll are Cr Bill Moar and Joelle Whiting from Mallee Family Care Swan Hill s Mayor Les McPhee later posted on social media that his signature on the Scroll was a symbol of the region s commitment to welcoming refugees, diversity and multiculturalism. He spoke of the enrichment that refugees brought to society and how they strengthen the economy, especially in rural and regional Australia In Mildura we had a public signing of the Welcome Scroll in Langtree Mall, with Cr Jason Modica signing on behalf of Mayor Mark Eckel. I was honoured to meet Burundian refugee and Sunraysia resident Pacifique Ndayisaba, his beautiful wife Samanatha Ineza and delightful daughter Etia Moira.

17 And so on to South Australia and Port Adelaide Mayor Gary Johanson smiled broadly as he signed the Scroll and declared the Welcome Scroll a unique message of support for refugees During Refugee Week, we will be celebrating the contributions and resilience of refugees, and the culture of welcome being created in our city. UnitingSA will show an exhibition showcasing the culinary practices and life journeys of older migrants and refugees. We will learn poignant stories of family and settlement. The Welcome Scroll was part of a Multicultural Exhibition held to celebrate Refugee Week. Our Shared Table, a UnitingSA Ethnic Link Services project. It was an opportunity to hear poignant stories of family and resettlement. Our Shared Table brought together the migration stories of nine culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, exploring the deeper value of food through the life journeys of older migrants and refugees from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Bosnia, Russia, Egypt, India, Latvia and Uruguay. Ethnic Link Services Manager Shona Dudley-Martin said, Migrants and refugees have come to Australia from all corners of the world, bringing with them their rich culinary traditions. Food provides a sense of comfort, community and cultural preservation during times of uncertainty as new arrivals strive to adjust to their new surroundings and way of life. Launching the Multicultural Exhibition which also included an Anti-Racism Poster Exhibition, Mayor Gary Johanson added, Here in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, we are committed to providing a place where people from all walks of life can feel safe, secure and welcome. We thank the local people that have been brave enough to share their stories in both these powerful projects.

18 Being granted a reserved parking spot outside the Adelaide Town Hall sadly failed to compensate for an unexpected cancellation by the Lord Mayor, Martin Haese, who was ill. I was welcomed warmly by the City of Adelaide s Social Inclusion Officer, Lauren Grant, and we took photos, but it the moment lacked the usual excitement until we heard the sound of a hundred children singing, rehearsing for their evening performance. City of Adelaide - Refugee Welcome Zone Since 2014, the City of Adelaide has been a Refugee Welcome Zone, welcoming refugees and asylum seekers and acknowledging the difficult journey men, women and children make to Australia to seek our protection Faces of the Refugees Exhibition 2015 Community Programs Planner Zoe Hambour and Lord Mayor Martin Haese talk about the importance of being a Refugee Welcome Zone and celebrating Adelaide's wonderful cultural diversity.

19 Murray Bridge Faith Box, Community Development Officer for Murray Bridge, and Reg Budarick, Community Services Manager Council were busy planning an amazing multicultural festival for the following day when I arrived with the Welcome Scroll. But they found time for photos. I would have loved to stay for the festival but Mt Gambier City Council was waiting Mount Gambier Mayor Andrew Lee signs the Scroll Mayor Andrew Lee is pictured holding the Welcome Scroll with Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre Manager Anelia Blackie (left) and Rural Australians for Refugees Jan Govett.

20 Update June 2018 The Scroll, with just 2 Mayoral signatures, was launched in Bendigo in September It now has 113 signatures and is an impressive 6 metres in length. I have no doubt before it completes its journey around Australia, the Scroll will boast many more signatures and be considerably longer It is just one year ago, during Refugee Week 2017, that we set off on the National Journey of the Welcome Scroll I say we because I have begun to feel that the Scroll and I are a couple, a couple who drive slowly from state to state, region to region, city to city, town to town. Everywhere I am greeted by smiling citizens and councillors, long-time Aussies and newcomers just learning our strange ways. I also meet those who are waiting waiting to see if they will be accepted and allowed to remain in this wide brown land. As I drive the vast distances, passing through tiny, isolated, struggling hamlets with boarded-up shops, and abandoned schools and churches, I think about the colour, the vibrancy and life, the flavours, the songs, lilting accents, that refugees have brought to so many rural and urban communities throughout this country. Between June 2017 and June 2018, the Scroll has been welcomed in Melbourne Canberra Cooma Bega Moruya Braidwood Bowral Wollongong Shellharbour Goulburn Yass Wagga Wagga Euroa Kensington Pakenham Dandenong Ballarat Swan Hill Mildura Port Adelaide Adelaide Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier Thank you to all for the warmth of your welcome. And for your commitment to welcoming refugees into your community

21 Participating Refugee Welcome Zone Councils ACT ACT Government NSW Albury City Council Armidale Regional Council Ballina Shire Council Bathurst Regional Council Bega Valley Shire Council Blacktown City Council Blue Mountains City Council Byron Shire Council City of Canterbury-Bankstown Council City of Ryde City of Sydney City of Wagga Wagga Coffs Harbour City Council Dubbo Regional Council Eurobodalla Shire Council Georges River Council Glen Innes Severn Council Goulburn Mulwaree Council Griffith City Council Gunnedah Shire Council Hawkesbury City Council Hornsby Shire Council Inner West Council Kiama Municipal Council Ku-ring-gai Council Lake Macquarie City Council Leeton Shire Council Lismore City Council Liverpool City Council Moree Plains Shire Council Newcastle City Council North Sydney Council Penrith City Council Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Shellharbour City Council Snowy-Monaro Regional Council Sutherland Shire Council Tweed Shire Council Upper Lachlan Shire Council Willoughby Council Wollongong City Council Yass Valley Council NT City of Palmerston Queensland City of Ipswich Flinders Shire Council Toowoomba Regional Council Townsville City Council South Australia Adelaide Hills Council City of Adelaide City of Marion City of Mitcham City of Mount Gambier City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters City of Onkaparinga City of Port Adelaide Enfield City of Salisbury City of Victor Harbor City of West Torrens Rural City of Murray Bridge Town of Gawler Tasmania Break O'Day Council City of Launceston Clarence City Council Derwent Valley Council Hobart City Council Huon Valley Council Kingborough Council Northern Midlands Council West Tamar Council Victoria Ararat Rural City Council Banyule City Council Bass Coast Shire Council Borough of Queenscliffe Brimbank City Council Campaspe Shire Council Cardinia Shire Council City of Ballarat City of Darebin City of Greater Bendigo City of Greater Dandenong City of Greater Geelong City of Melbourne City of Monash City of Wodonga City of Yarra Colac Otway Shire Greater Shepparton City Council Hepburn Shire Council Hindmarsh Shire Council Hobsons Bay City Council Horsham Rural City Council Hume City Council Latrobe City Council Manningham City Council Maribyrnong City Council Maroondah City Council Mildura Rural City Council Moira Shire Council Moonee Valley City Council Moreland City Council Mornington Peninsula Shire Mount Alexander Shire Council Northern Grampians Shire Council Swan Hill Rural City Council Wyndham City Council Western Australia City of Fremantle City of Subiaco City of Vincent Shire of Augusta Margaret River Shire of Katanning Shire of Manjimup Town of Victoria Park

22 The Refugee Welcome Zone Declaration (Council crest/logo) The Council, Declares the Council of a Refugee Welcome Zone This Declaration is a Commitment in Spirit to Welcoming refugees into our community, Upholding the Human Rights of refugees, Demonstrating Compassion for refugees and Enhancing cultural and religious Diversity in our community. [name and title of signatory] Date: This Declaration is proudly supported and endorsed by the The Refugee Council of Australia is a national umbrella organisation representing over 1,000 organisational and individual members. The aim of the Refugee Council is to promote the adoption of flexible, humane and constructive policies toward refugees and asylum seekers by the Australian and other Governments and their communities.