Refugee Week is celebrated from 19-23 June. It's an opportunity for Australians to reflect on the sacrifices and the experiences of refugees, and celebrate how migrants who have settled here have enriched our lives and cultures.
Refugee Week has been celebrated in Australia since 1986. 37 years on, the event is still relevant as every day millions of people across the world embark on dangerous journeys for the sole purpose of finding safety and freedom.
Did you know that more than 59,000* of Mornington Peninsula residents were born overseas? That's not to say they all arrived as refugees, however it does tell us something about the diversity of people who call Peninsula home.
For the first time, we are hosting our very own Refugee Week event. Everyone is welcome to join us and hear from two young people who will share their experiences arriving as refugees in our country. One of them is Sina, who arrived in Australia in 2006. Having escaped ethnic persecution in a war-torn country, he wants to promote a sense of empathy and gratitude. As the oldest child, he had to take on numerous responsibilities beyond his age to help his parents and siblings navigate through obstacles and adversities. Sina now studies science at the University of Melbourne and works in banking.
Shadab arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2009. Now a motivational speaker, small business owner and commerce student, Shadab has spoken to numerous schools across Victoria on the topics of gratitude, self-belief, entrepreneurship and multiculturalism with the aim of inspiring students to strive to become the best versions of themselves. Through his story of facing extreme adversity as a refugee, Shadab aims to give his listeners a renewed sense of hope, evoke a deep sense of gratitude and empower them to look within themselves for what it takes to be better equipped and ready for the future.
Event details
Tuesday 20 June, 6pm in Mornington. Refreshments provided. This event is free and suitable for all ages.
Book at: mornpen.vic.gov.au/refugeeweek
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Steve Holland:
"Refugee Week is a unique opportunity for us to experience and celebrate the rich diversity of refugee communities through storytelling.
"Mornington Peninsula is a proud signatory of the Refugee Welcome Zone Commitment, and Mornington Peninsula Shire has been a Refugee Safe Zone since 2013.
"We hope that this event will improve understanding between our different communities here on the Peninsula."
*2021 Census data
