World Refugee Week celebrations take many forms
Published Sunday, 15 June, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
From large community festivals and sporting events to dance workshops, business breakfasts and library displays, Queenslanders will celebrate World Refugee Week with diversity.
Communities and Multicultural Affairs Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Bligh Government funding would support community events and activities to honour the courage and contribution refugees make to Queensland.
“World Refugee Week salutes the spirit and courage of refugees and it’s an ideal opportunity for families to get out and celebrate the very rich diversity we are so lucky to share,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Grants totalling $37,000 under the Multicultural Assistance Program will support a wide range of wonderful events and activities commemorating World Refugee Week from 15 -22 June,” she said.
“Importantly, World Refugee Week incorporates and builds on the United Nations-sanctioned World Refugee Day held annually on 20 June.”
This year’s World Refugee Week theme is ‘A Place to Call Home’.
Ms Nelson-Carr said $30,000 had been allocated to the Volunteer Refugee Tutoring and Community Support Program (VoRTCS), in partnership with the St Vincent De Paul Society (Vinnies), to coordinate events designed for the whole family.
“I’m really pleased this year’s celebrations extend beyond Brisbane, with events being held in regional Queensland, including Cairns and the Gold Coast,” said the Minister.
“Centacare and Cairns Vinnies, for example, are organising a community event next Friday, June 20, which will include cultural performances and a free barbecue.
“The North Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce is hosting a special breakfast on Wednesday, the 19th of June which will feature a World Refugee Day presentation by VoRTCS.”
The VoRTCS Community Development Manager Elise Koppe said World Refugee Week celebrations ranged from workshops to performances.
“The activities will include sporting and cooking workshops and involve a partnership with Brisbane City Council,” Ms Koppe said.
The week-long activities will culminate with a World Refugee Day Community Festival in Annerley next Sunday, June 22.
“It will be a day for the whole family with sporting tournaments, cultural performances, art exhibitions, circus workshops, community forums and a plethora of multicultural food stalls to tantalise the tastebuds.”
The World Refugee Day Community Festival will be held from 10am on Sunday, June 22, at the Annerley Football Club Fields, Ekibin Reserve, Ridge Street, Greenslopes.
World Refugee Day will also be celebrated with an art exhibition, featuring pieces from young refugee students.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the exhibition was organised by the Queensland Integrated Community Health Clinic and supported by the Mater Child and Health Service.
“This exhibition is the culmination of an art therapy program conducted at the Moorooka State School which has helped children explore various art techniques and mediums,” she said.
For more information on World Refugee Week activities, visit www.refugeetutoring.org or call 3010 1000
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office on 3235 4280
VoRTCS community development manager Elsie Koppe on 3010 1000 or 3010 1077
QIRCH manager Claire Brolan on 3163 2880
Communities and Multicultural Affairs Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Bligh Government funding would support community events and activities to honour the courage and contribution refugees make to Queensland.
“World Refugee Week salutes the spirit and courage of refugees and it’s an ideal opportunity for families to get out and celebrate the very rich diversity we are so lucky to share,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Grants totalling $37,000 under the Multicultural Assistance Program will support a wide range of wonderful events and activities commemorating World Refugee Week from 15 -22 June,” she said.
“Importantly, World Refugee Week incorporates and builds on the United Nations-sanctioned World Refugee Day held annually on 20 June.”
This year’s World Refugee Week theme is ‘A Place to Call Home’.
Ms Nelson-Carr said $30,000 had been allocated to the Volunteer Refugee Tutoring and Community Support Program (VoRTCS), in partnership with the St Vincent De Paul Society (Vinnies), to coordinate events designed for the whole family.
“I’m really pleased this year’s celebrations extend beyond Brisbane, with events being held in regional Queensland, including Cairns and the Gold Coast,” said the Minister.
“Centacare and Cairns Vinnies, for example, are organising a community event next Friday, June 20, which will include cultural performances and a free barbecue.
“The North Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce is hosting a special breakfast on Wednesday, the 19th of June which will feature a World Refugee Day presentation by VoRTCS.”
The VoRTCS Community Development Manager Elise Koppe said World Refugee Week celebrations ranged from workshops to performances.
“The activities will include sporting and cooking workshops and involve a partnership with Brisbane City Council,” Ms Koppe said.
The week-long activities will culminate with a World Refugee Day Community Festival in Annerley next Sunday, June 22.
“It will be a day for the whole family with sporting tournaments, cultural performances, art exhibitions, circus workshops, community forums and a plethora of multicultural food stalls to tantalise the tastebuds.”
The World Refugee Day Community Festival will be held from 10am on Sunday, June 22, at the Annerley Football Club Fields, Ekibin Reserve, Ridge Street, Greenslopes.
World Refugee Day will also be celebrated with an art exhibition, featuring pieces from young refugee students.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the exhibition was organised by the Queensland Integrated Community Health Clinic and supported by the Mater Child and Health Service.
“This exhibition is the culmination of an art therapy program conducted at the Moorooka State School which has helped children explore various art techniques and mediums,” she said.
For more information on World Refugee Week activities, visit www.refugeetutoring.org or call 3010 1000
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office on 3235 4280
VoRTCS community development manager Elsie Koppe on 3010 1000 or 3010 1077
QIRCH manager Claire Brolan on 3163 2880