Sutherland Shire – A Community For Everyone
Every year, millions of people flee persecution and cross the borders of their own countries in search of safety.
Sunday 16 June marks the beginning of Refugee Week and as Sutherland Shire is a Refugee Welcome Zone, Council will be once again supporting Refugee Week (Sunday 16 June to Saturday 22 June) with a special event in 2019.
We are partnering with Gymea Community Aid and Information Service to host two movie screenings of the film Journey Beyond Fear at Hazelhurst Theatrette on Wednesday 19 June 2019.
"These events are an example of our commitment to engage with the community and raise awareness about issues affecting refugees," said Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce.
"Council works alongside community groups and businesses to foster a vibrant, diverse and inclusive community.
"We welcome all individuals to be a part of our community and it's important everyone feels safe, respected and comfortable so that together we can all enjoy a wonderful quality of life."
Filmed over seven years, Journey Beyond Fear is a feature documentary about a refugee family's pursuit of resettlement, told through the eyes of a teenage girl and her family.
There will be two screenings of the film on Wednesday 19 June, an afternoon and an evening session, followed by Q & A sessions with a guest speaker from a refugee background.
Jenny Grey from Gymea Community Aid and Information Service said she was delighted to be working with Council to show this film in Sutherland Shire.
"This is a meaningful film and sharing this inspiring story with our community is a great way to celebrate Refugee Week while also raising awareness about people from refugee backgrounds," she said.
"Gymea Community Aid and Information Service is committed to supporting all members of our community to achieve inclusiveness, promote independence and participation in community life."
By actively engaging with the community and hosting these events, Sutherland Shire Council strengthens our commitment to being a Refugee Welcome Zone.
At a recent Schools Refugee Forum, Mayor Pesce re-signed our Refugee Welcome Zone certificate, which is on display in Council's Administration building, re-affirming we will welcome refugees into our community, uphold the human rights of refugees, demonstrate compassion for refugees, and enhance cultural and religious diversity in our community.
Further to our Refugee Week activities, Council will also be welcoming a bus tour of recently arrived refugees who will explore our local area with an interest to move to Sutherland Shire.
Journey Beyond Fear
Cost: $5
Wednesday 19 June, 2019
1.30pm to 4.00pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm
There will be a Q&A after each screening with a guest speaker from a refugee background.
Hazelhurst Regional Arts Centre & Gallery
782 Kingsway, Gymea
BOOK TICKETS:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/d/australia--sutherland/journey-beyond-fear/
MOVIE TRAILOR:
https://www.journeybeyondfear.com/
