|
LIVERPOOL REFUGEE WEEK The Refugee Council of Australia works with other agencies around Australia to coordinate Refugee Week each year. Refugee Week is a chance for community groups to do something positive for refugees and asylum seekers from all over the world and also to celebrate the contributions and achievements of refugees within the local area. Refugees make up an important part of the Liverpool community and have made positive contributions. The Liverpool local government area has one of the highest intakes of refugee settlers in Australia. Liverpool City Council is committed to working with other community groups and organisations to coordinate Refugee Week events. Refugee Week 14-20 June 2009 Liverpool City Refugee Week events include: Macquarie Street Festival Friday 19 June, 10.00am - 2.00pm Macquarie Street, Liverpool Featuring multicultural dance and music, information stalls, multicultural arts and craft displays, family fun activities, men's health workshops and the annual Refugee Week Awards Ceremony. Celebrate! The Triumphs of Refugees Saturday 20 June, 6.00pm - 9.00pm Casula Powerhouse, 1 Casula Road, Casula A theatrical performance by young people from refugee backgrounds depicting their true life stories. The event will also include short films and cultural performances. Bookings essential - 9612 5211. LIVERPOOL REFUGEE WEEK AWARDS The Liverpool Refugee Week Awards are presented by the Refugee Week Planning Committee to acknowledge significant achievements and contributions made by people from refugee backgrounds to the Liverpool community. Following are the 2008 award recipients. Dr Hala Khamas is a well known General Practictioner working in Liverpool providing GP services to Mandaean and general Iraqi community members. Dr Khamas is also well known for her volunteer work in the community including contributing to Mandaean youth activities and supporting newly arrived people with their settlement. As a professional in the community, she has participated as a guest speaker in various information sessions, education community members in particular women, on health issues and health services in Australia. Dung Vu has been volunteering as a peer educator for the health promotion service for older people since 2005. Mr Vu has been conducting educational group sessions for older people to more effectively manage their medications and distributing information about health and medicine. Further more, in his role Mr Vu has been providing social social support to help older people from Vietnamese background with their social isolation issues and language barriers accessing services. He has also voluntarily coordinated the carer engagement project, which is a project of Mental Health Council of Australia. In this role Mr Vu has coordinated workshops for senior members of the Vietnamese community on health care in services through Anglicare South West Community Care Centre in 2008. Saif Alkamisi has contributed immensely to the Liverpool community through his music. He has been dedicating his musical talents and time voluntarily to many community events that promote diversity and harmony. Mr Alkhamisi has also been actively involved in organising social and cultural gatherings for the Mandaean community. Mr Alkhamisi has been sharing not only his passion for music, but organising performances and using his resources and networks for the benefit of the community. Natalina Ramos Horta arrived in Australia via Portugal in 1991 as an East Timorese refugee. She has been working very hard for the East Timorese community in Liverpool on a voluntary capacity. Mrs Ramos Horta has been working closely with the community promoting and encouraging active participation in community life to address some of the issues in the community including unemployment and social isolation. As the president of the Timorese Active Seniors Group she has been actively involved in organising community events, visiting sick community members in hospital and organising fundraising activities. Mrs Ramos Horta travels interstate to talk to and meet with community members, in particular the senior members, as a goodwill ambassador to promote living a positive life. |
||
