By BRIDGET COOK
A CELEBRATION of refugees will take place in Hampton Park this month with a free event including entertainment, food, forum and workshops.
The Southern Ethnic Advisory and Advocacy Council (SEAAC) has teamed up with the Association of Hazaras in Victoria and the Afghan Women’s and Youth Group to host a local Refugee Week celebration on Sunday 15 June.
SEAAC community development officer Diana Nguyen encouraged the community to come along to the event to celebrate refugees from different cultural backgrounds who have settled in Australia.
“We welcome people from all cultures and backgrounds to have a cultural exchange in language, food and entertainment,” she said.
“This year’s Refugee Week theme is ‘Restoring Hope’ and we hope with this event the communities will come together to learn about another culture and share the colours of the multicultural communities in the City of Casey.
“There will be numerous performances including Hampton Park Secondary girl’s dance group, SeaACT youth improvisation drama performance, Afghan music performances, stalls from community services to link people, tug of war, Afghan cultural egg fighting and, importantly, free Afghan food.”
Ms Nguyen said the event would also involve a forum which would give the community a chance to engage with a panel of guest speakers from community groups, service providers and council members to discuss refugee experiences and settlement in Australia.
“The main reason for the event is to hold a forum for the community to discuss the issues that concern them,” she said.
“We know settling in Australia, a new country, new language, is hard.
“This is an opportunity for people to speak their concerns and to know they are not alone in their struggle.
“It is also to celebrate the great things in our community.”
The event is funded by the Victoria Multicultural Commission.
It will run from 11.30am to 4pm at the Arthur Wren Community Hall, Stuart Avenue, Hampton Park, on Sunday 15 June.
