Murrindindi Shire Council will reinforce its commitment to embrace diversity, encourage the participation of all and welcome new residents by signing the Refugee Welcome Zone Declaration at a ceremony at the Jack Shiels Gardens in Alexandra from 3.00 pm on Wednesday 23 March.
The 'Refugee Welcome Zone' is an initiative sponsored by the Refugee Council of Australia and supported by Rural Australians for Refugees, an association of 90 local groups working to improve the situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Australia.
Council's Mayor Sue Carpenter encouraged the community to come along and support the event, which she described as an opportunity to learn more about Murrindindi Shire's status as a Refugee Welcome Zone, and to show support for the settlement of refugees in Australia and in our region.
'Becoming a Refugee Welcome Zone is a way for Council to show its support for the settlement of refugees in Australia and uphold its responsibilities as laid out in the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.
'During the signing ceremony, we'll have the opportunity to hear from Lizzy Kuoth as she shares her own refugee story of fleeing war-torn South Sudan with her grandmother and three young brothers, followed by a four-year wait in Egypt, before arriving in Melbourne in 2005.
'I also encourage the community to show their support for the Rural Australians for Refugees – Alexandra Branch by attending a free 'Myths about Refugees' event, with guest speaker Julian Burnside AO QC, at the Alexandra Shire Hall from 7.00 pm on Friday 25 March. You can find more details about this event here', Cr Carpenter added.
