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 2011

National Refugee Week was held from 19-24 June 2011.

The Liverpool Refugee Week Committee delivered the following initiatives this year;

• Liverpool Refugee Forum, Monday 20 June 2011. First of its kind in Liverpool, the forum focused on refugees on a global, state, and local level. This was followed by workshops to promote increased knowledge, dialogue and identify gaps in service provision. A brief report will be developed to highlight some recommendations as identified from the workshops.
• Annual Street Festival, Friday 24 June 2011 held at Macquarie Mall, Liverpool. Highlights of the street festival included multicultural performances, drumming workshop, children's face painting and balloons, community art project and the awards ceremony.

Liverpool Refugee Week was brought to you by Liverpool City Council in collaboration with Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre, New Horizons, MTC Training Solutions, Liverpool Centrelink, Liverpool TAFE, Green Valley Local Area Command, Outer Liverpool Community Services, and Neighbourhood Connections. The forum was funded by John Edmondson VC Memorial Club through the CDSE Scheme.

For further information on Liverpool Refugee Week activities, please contact Council's Community Development Worker (CALD), Shabnam Bhana on 9821 7779 or email s.bhana@liverpool.nsw.gov.au.

LIVERPOOL REFUGEE WEEK AWARDS

The Liverpool Refugee Week Awards are presented by the Liverpool Refugee Week Committee to acknowledge significant achievements and contributions made by people from refugee backgrounds to the Liverpool community.  Following are the 2011 award recipients.

Stanley M'Mangwa
Stanley is a young local resident who came to Australia from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Escaping war and a difficult past, Stanley has excelled in his education, taking part in the school debating team and strives to achieve his dreams in Australia for a better future.

Stanley acted out his past in a refugee youth play at Lurnea Intensive English Centre in 2010 which raised awareness of the stories of refugees. After completing the play, Stanley said "And so we learnt that nothing good in this life is achieved without a struggle."

Stanley is an outstanding young role model with determination he can achieve anything.

Zulaikha Noori
Zulaikha came to Australia 11 years ago. She and her family spent time at Villawood Detention Centre. Zulaikha is currently completing her HSC and has received multiple awards for attendance, drama and dedication to her studies.

Zulaikha is involved in mentoring primary school children. She has participated in harmony day, Sydney Morning Herald writing competitions, talent quests and fundraising for the 40 hour famine. She is currently volunteering for the children's ward at Liverpool Hospital. 

Chenereh Osman Saleh
Chenereh has attended the Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre playgroups for six years. During this time, Chenereh has helped families from Kurdish backgrounds to settle into the playgroups. Chenereh assists with interpreting and helps families understand how mainstream services operate. Chenereh is an inspiration to all Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre childcare staff. Her generous and friendly manner helps all children, families and staff in the playgroups.

Kabil Al Suhairy
Kabil has been volunteering to assist the Mandaean community for the past eight years. He has actively organised social events promoting social support for newly arrived refugees and humanitarian entrants. He has devoted himself to assist with the resettlement process of refugees in Liverpool through variety of activities, including aiport reception, and linking newly arrived refugees to various services. Kabil has also played a role in advocating for refugee communities to promote access and equity.

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