Most Australians are unaware of the challenges that face refugees who live in their communities. Refugee Week is a national activity that involves conversation, education, and engagement about what it means to be a refugee in Australian society. St Vincent…

HUNDREDS of mourners gathered in Geelong to farewell Tamil asylum seeker Leo Seemanpillai yesterday at a funeral making a tragic pointer to Refugee Week. Eulogists remembered generosity of spirit and a bright smile as they paid tribute and illustrated his…

An audience of almost 500 appreciative music lovers enjoyed an encore performance this week by the AMES Voices Without Borders asylum seeker choir. Led by choirmaster and founder of the Choir of Hard Knocks Dr Jonathon Welch (AM), the 40-strong…

When Afghan bookbinder and printer Amini published a version of the Qur’an in his native language it triggered a six year saga that has seen him on the run from the Taliban and dodging death sentences imposed by conservative Islamic…

The issue of asylum seekers remains a hot topic in Australia. In all the emotion of the debate, we can forget that this is about people’s lives. Whatever our opinions are on the best way to deal with people coming…

A VICTORIAN-first program is making life a little easier for Burmese employees at a Kilsyth business. Read more: http://leader.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/showarticle.aspx?&article=c7233f9c-2ae2-4370-a1f9-4459b13d1199&viewmode=2&page=9

BALLARAT will be announced a Refugee Welcome Zone as the Town Hall hosts the Victorian launch of Refugee Week. Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council CEO and Refugee Week working committee convenor Ann Foley said Ballarat was a popular destination for young…

A compelling new photographic exhibition has captured the essence of Melbourne’s extraordinary Hazara community. The Hazaras have come to Australia to escape what many are calling a genocide in their homeland; and in the wake of fear and persecution they…

AN ambitious new program aims to divert furniture from landfill to needy families as well as giving a vocation to asylum seekers unable to work. Read more: http://leader.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/showarticle.aspx?&article=481e107d-592d-4e82-9795-02569131bb12&viewmode=2&page=7

Making music might seem like a harmless hobby, but for some refugees it’s a punishable offence. One Melbourne man has described the ordeal he faced after becoming famous as a singer in Afghanistan. Now part of the Voices Without Borders…

Ali Nesha made unreported history when she arrived at Christmas Island in May last year, at 98 the oldest asylum seeker to attempt to come to Australia by boat without an invitation. She made a bit more last December when,…

Melika Yassin Sheikh-Eldin is one of Australia’s great untold refugee success stories. After fleeing war from Eritrea in the late 1970s, she has completed a doctorate, set up refugee-centred social enterprises and helped thousands of new arrivals to Australia settle…