The aim of the celebration is to educate people about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia, to help people understand the many challenges refugees face, to celebrate their contribution to our community, and focus on how we can provide a safe and welcoming environment.
It's also a time for community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people; and for service providers to reflect on whether they are providing the best possible services to refugees.
This year’s theme is ‘Finding Freedom’ which encourages us all to show compassion and celebrate the resilience of the refugees that call Australia home.
To live without the fear of war, to have your basic human rights upheld, to live in equality and without the fear of persecution are just some of the examples of what freedom can entail. Every day millions of people across the world embark on dangerous journeys for the sole purpose of finding safety and freedom. From Australia to nations across the globe, settling into a new environment after experiencing the perils of a refugee’s journey can also provide the opportunity to live, to love and to dream.
This year, the Refugee Week Committee have co-designed a special Refugee Week event with input from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community leaders and service providers.
The Refugee Week Committee consists of members from AlburyCity, Wodonga Council, Albury Wodonga Volunteer Resource Bureau, Albury-Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council, Australian Red Cross, Gateway Health, Murray Valley Sanctuary Refugee Group, Service Treatment And Rehabilitation for Trauma and Torture Survivors - Refugee Support Services, and Uniting VIC/TAS.
The community are invited to come along to Mirambeena Community Centre from 11.30am on Saturday 17 June for a free event with living story books, free cultural food, performances, kids activities, games and more.
AlburyCity Mayor Kylie King encourages the community to come along and enjoy the fun.
"This is an opportunity to learn more about how local refugee community, and experience the diverse cultures that make our city such an amazing place to live," Mayor King said.
This event is supported by a grant from Multicultural NSW, AlburyCity and Wodonga Council.
Find out more about Refugee Week on the Refugee Week website.