Refugee Week 2009 - Events Calendar

Victoria

Ongoing

Emerge Festival 2009
Hosted by Multicultural Arts Victoria
A dynamic celebration of Victoria's many rich and undiscovered refugee and emerging cultures. From Africa to the Far East, traditional and contemporary music, dance, visual arts, exotic foods, ancient crafts and ceremonies.
Venue: Fitzroy Town Hall & Napier St, Fitzroy
Dates: Ongoing Event from 16 - 26 July
Contact: Jayne Lovelock (03) 9417 6777, 0430 199 552
Email: office@multiculturalarts.com.au
Booking: Essential

Friday 12 June

Finding Shelter
Hosted by Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Project
Guest speaker: Graeme Innes, Human Rights and Disability Discrimination Commissioner, AHRC
Time: 5.30 - 7.30 pm
Address: Gallery 314, Richmond Uniting Church, 314 Church St, Richmond
RSVP: By 5 June to Samantha on (03) 9326 8343 or sam.asp@hothammission.org.au

Kick Start Refugee Week
Hosted by Fitzroy Learning Network
Look out for the 2nd Year Interior Design Student Exhibition from Swinburne University. Students have been working on creating ideas for the network and future directions for our hall, Clubhouse and courtyard. Come and see the great work they've done in their studio: Changing Patterns in Social Space. BBQ and party to follow.
RSVP: By 10 June for catering purposes on (03) 9417 2897 or admin@fitzroylearningnetwork.org.au

Saturday June 13

"Returning Sudanese"
Hosted by Surf Coast Rural Australians for Refugees
Akoch Manhiem, Trent McCarthy and Ajak Kwai present their hilarious and heartwarming show fresh from the 2009 Melbourne Comedy Festival.
Venue: Torquay Senior Citizens Hall
Address: 16 Price St, Torquay
Time: 7:30pm
Contact: Jan Hale (03) 5261 9660
Email: jbhale@bigpond.net.au
Booking required: No
Cost: $15, $12 concession, family $30

Sunday 14 June

Freedom from Fear Soccer Friendly
Hosted by Brimbank City Council
An inaugural soccer friendly event for all ages, races and genders together with community service organisations offering free information.  Cultural experiences and fantastic food.
Venue: Selwyn Park
Address: Selwyn St, Ardeer
Time: 11am – 3pm
Contact: Chris McIntyre (03) 9361 6600
Email: ChrisMAC@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Booking Required: No
Cost: Free

Justice for Refugees
Hosted by Sanganatham Tamil Community Volunteer Broadcast
Young refugee and asylum seekers will participate in launching the Refugee Week Broadcasting Program.
Venue: Emerald, 3MDR Radio Station 97.1 FM
Address: Tune your radio to 97.1 FM
Time: 8 – 10am
Contact: Wicki  on 0404 059 231 or www.sanganatham.net
Cost: Free, donations accepted
Booking required: Yes

Monday 15 June

Refugee Week Launch
Hosted by the Refugee Council of Australia
You are invited to join us at the launch of Refugee Week 2009. This event will be an opportunity to share the stories of people who have fled persecution and to highlight the many achievements and contributions that refugees have made to Australia and to the world. The evening will include:
- Guest speakers reflecting on the current regional and global issues impacting on the lives of refugees and asylum seekers
- a screening of local and international short-films, including Ahmad’s Garden, the true story of an Afghan refugee’s attempt to create a home within a detention centre in Australia, and Stories from Near and Far, tales read and illustrated by young refugees in Australia
- musical performances
- food provided by Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Catering
Venue: Cinema 2, Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Federation Square
Time: 5:30pm for 6 pm start
RSVP: By 11 June 2009 to Rebecca Eckard on melbourne@refugeecouncil.org.au or on 03 9348 2245

Tuesday 16 June

Inter-AMES Football Competition
Hosted by Maribyrnong City Council
Come along and join the city’s up and coming football stars at the Inter-AMES football competition
Time: 10:30am
Address: Whitten Oval, 417 Barkly St, Footscray
Cost: None
Booking Required: No

 “Love Burma Love Freedom” Exhibition
An exhibition by Andrea Draper, Saw Chu Cil and Timothy Syrota
A unique exhibition that reflects the people and the rich traditions of Burma. Love Burma Love Freedom brings together the work of three creatives working in different disciplines: Andrea Draper a digital artist with Burmese origins; Saw Chu Cil a refugee painter who lives on the Thai Burmese border; and Timothy Syrota an author, photographer & film maker whose work has focused on Burma since first visiting Burma 1997.
Venue: fortyfivedownstairs
Address: 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Time: 6pm for 6.30 – 9pm

Open Afternoon
Hosted by Refugee Review Tribunal – Victoria Registry
Short presentations on the Legal and Country Research aspects of the Tribunal’s work. A staged hearing will be performed. Staff will be available to provide information and answer questions about the Tribunal’s processes. Afternoon tea will also be provided.
Time: 2:30pm      
Venue: Premises on the VIC Registry of the Refugee Review Tribunal
Contact: Tina Edwards 9276 5064
Email: tina.edwards@mrt-rrt.gov.au

Refugee Week at the Song Room’s

Performances by children from various schools, includes singing, percussion, drumming and dance.
Time: 11am-1.30pm
Venue:BMW Edge Theatre
Contact: Deborah Nicolson 94956422 or 0407316602
Email: deborah@songroom.org.au

Wednesday 17 June

Emerge Festival Forum : “Love Burma, Love Freedom”
Hosted by the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
To provide an open forum for discussion about the experiences of displaced people from Burma and to offer members of the Karen, Chin and Zomi communities in Melbourne to talk about their experiences in refugee camps and on settlement in Australia.
Venue: fortyfivedownstairs
Address: 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Time: 6pm for 6.30 – 9pm

Screening of “A Well-Founded Fear"
Hosted by Researchers for Asylum Seekers (RAS), University of Melbourne
As part of Refugee Week, Researchers for Asylum Seekers (RAS) are holding a screening of the documentary “A Well-Founded Fear”.
Venue: Gryphon Gallery, Graduate Centre (1888 building), University of Melbourne
Address: Grattan St, Parkville
Time: 6:30pm
Contact: Jo Tropea 0401 338 230 or Joanne.Tropea@mh.org.au
Cost: Gold coin donation

Centacare's Refugee Week Celebration by Women’s Groups
Hosted by Centacare Catholic Family Services
Please join us in celebrating the wonderful contributions made by our
refugee communities and enjoy delicious food prepared by the Karen, Chin
and African women from our Support Groups in the West.
Venue: Tarneit Community Learning Centre
Address: 150 Sunset View Bvd, Tarneit 3029
Time: 11:20am – 1pm
RSVP: By 10 June 2009 to Inderdeep Thapar or Lulu Johny on (03) 9689 3888 or
Inderdeep.Thapar@centacaremelbourne.org.au
Cost: Free

Hosted by Ringwood Library
Who are our new neighbours? Where did they come from? Join us at Ringwood Library where local residents from the Chin and Karen communities in Burma will share their refugee experiences with us. Morning tea provided.
Venue: Ringwood Library
Address: 4 Melbourne St Mall, Ringwood
Time: 10 am – 11:30 am
Cost: Free
Bookings: (03) 9870 0177

Refugee Week Event
Hosted by Borondara Interfaith Network
Join in celebrating an event in exploring faith and the experience of refugees. David Vincent and guest speakers will reflect on their personal faith journeys as refugees with an opportunity for discussions and reflections. Morning tea will be provided.
Venue: Mayor’s Room, Hawthorn Town Hall
Address: 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn
Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Contact: (03) 9278 4753
Email: traci.alchin@boroondara.vic.gov.au
Booking: RSVP by Friday 12 June

Refugee Week Debate and Dinner
Hosted by Maribyrnong Council
Come along and enjoy a free multicultural dinner and as the debating dynamos take on the subject: ‘It’s better to make music than to kick goals.” Council’s Building Bridges – Cultural Games booklet will also be officially launched on the night. Experience a new culture and be the first to try games from nine different countries. 
Address: Whitten Oval, 417 Barkly St, Footscray
Cost: Free
Booking Required: Yes.
Contact: Vanessa Korfiatis on 9688 0148 or vanessa.korfiatis@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

Thursday 18 June

Yarra Settlement Forum Refugee Week Celebration
Hosted by  Yarra Settlement Forum
Celebrating refugees in the community, especially at local schools, through participation in, e.g., music, dancing, art and community services displays
Venue: to be confirmed
Time:  11am-3pm
Contact: Maggie Abdelmalak (02) 9411 3525
Email: maggie.abdelmalak@nych.org.au
Cost: Free
Booking required: No, but informing us of the numbers coming would be helpful.

The Whittlesea Refugee Week Celebration
Music. Dance, Cultural Performance, Food
Time: 11am - 2pm
Venue: Epping Memorial Hall
Address: 827 High St, Epping
Cost: Free
Contact: Emma Antonetti on (03) 9401 6666 or
eantonetti@whittleseacommunityconnections.org.au

Friday 19 June

Afternoon of Song
Hosted by Maribyrnong Council
Enjoy a concert of traditional South Sudanese as part of Refugee Week 2009. Afternoon tea and refreshments will be provided.
Time: Please come along at 1pm to be seated at 1:30pm
Address: Uniting Church, 302 Barkly Street, Footscray
Cost: Free
Booking Required: Yes
Contact: Chrisoula Kanaris on 9376 5244 or chrisoulak@newhope.asn.au

Women’s Power Forum
Hosted by VIRWC
Celebrates women refugees with guest speakers: Amara Hamid, Myint Myint, San
Zelaihkha Akram. Refreshment will be provided
Time: 3 – 5 pm
Venue: Queen Victoria Women's Centre, Victoria Room
Address: 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Contact: (03) 9654 1243
Email: virwc@virwc.org.au
Booking: RSVP by 16 June
Cost: $15 and $10 Concession

From Refugee to Resident
Hosted by Prioletti Consultants
A Forum about the first refugees in Australia. Early experiences of refugees first arriving in Australia can provide an insight into service barriers and cultural needs. We invite you to share the fascinating personal journey of three refugees who arrived in Australia in the 1940s and 1950s. Speakers are Mrs Helen Schloetzer (Polish Displaced Person),Mrs Eugenie Demidenko (Russian Displaced Person) and Ms Tibet Curciali (Speaker from the Albanian community).
Venue: Reception Room, Level 1, Footscray Town Hall
Address: Cnr Hyde and Napier Sts, Footscray
Time: 10am–12pm (registrations open at 9:30am, forum commences at 10am
sharp)
Cost: $55
Bookings: Online at www.prioletticonsultants.com.au
Contact: Josie at josie@prioletticonsultants.com.au or 0438 846 584

Refugee Week Youth Forum – A Place to Call Home
Hosted by the City of Whittlesea
ForYoung People 12 – 25 years. Slide show on the Refugee Experience, Performances by MultiCultural Youth Crew (MYC), Snacks included (Halal)
Time: 10 - 12 pm
Venue: EdgeShop MM1
Address: Westfield Plenty Valley Shopping Centre, 415 McDonalds Rd, Mill Park
Bookings: By 7 June to Abdi Aden on 0408 104 723 or (03) 9404 8800 or abdi.aden@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Saturday 20 June

Grounded
Hosted by Footprints Enterprises Inc.
A mixture of traditional and modern performances and displays including the hottest emerging youth talent from the Hip Hop, Dance, African Drumming and Visual Arts Scene.
Venue: The Castle
Address: Hemmings Park, Princes Hwy, Dandenong
Time: 7-8pm
Contact: Sarah Williams 0418146601
Email: anotherworldispossible@live.com.au
Booking required: Yes
Cost: Free

Cultural Runway
Hosted by the Centre for Multicultural Youth
Cultural Runway is an event that celebrates cultural diversity through fashion, food and music.
Venue: Melton Youth Services
Address: 193 Barries Road, Melton (next to Bunnings)
Time: 12-4.30pm
Contact: Caitlin Wilks 0419 779 553 or cwilks@cmy.net.au
Cost: Gold coin donation
Booking required: No

Knitathon for Refugees
Hosted by the Victorian Multicultural Commission
Join New Hope Werribee in a massive ‘Knit Off’ for Refugee Week. We would like to invite the wider community to participate in trying to knit between 3-400 scarves for newly arrived refugees settling in Werribee to be handed out on Refugee Day. Tell you friends, family, colleagues; get out your knitting needles and a cuppa. Any colour, shape, size (babies to elderly).
Contact: Alison (03) 9974 1700

Refugee Day Celebrations
Hosted by New Hope Foundation
Celebrating the diverse culture of emergency refugee and communities in Wyndham: Food! African band and dancing! Bush dancing! Clowns! Face Painitng! Rides! Soccer!
Venue: Kelly Park
Address: Synnot St, Werribee
Contact: (03) 9974 1700
Email: Werribee@newhope.asn.au
Cost: None
Booking: Not required

Freedom for Refugees
Hosted by the Victorian Tamil Cultural Association Inc, Justice & Freedom for Ceylon Tamils Inc, and Tamil Community Volunteer Broadcast Inc
A seminar aimed at bringing together communities to discuss refugee issues. Afternoon tea provided.
Time: 5pm
Address: Band Room, 1 Robinson St Art Gallery
Cost: Free
Booking: Yes
Contact: Wicki and Sunthar on 0404 059 231

4us: Young People with Refugee Backgrounds Living in Australia
Hosted by the Refugee Health Research Centre and Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)
Watch a series of short documentaries on young people with refugee backgrounds living in Australia.
Time: 2 – 5pm (Please note this event will begin promptly at 2pm)
Venue: ACMI Studio 1, Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne
RSVP: By Friday 12 June at rhrc@latrobe.edu.au or (03) 9479 5874 

Sunday June 21

Emerge Festival Main Event
Hosted by Multicultural Arts Victoria
A smorgasbord of Panafrican, Indigenous & Pacific Islander music, dance on two stages with food, a marketplace and cultural workshops.
Venue: Fitzroy Town Hall
Address: Napier St (cnr Moor St), Fitzroy
Time: 12 – 5pm
Contact:Jayne Lovelock (03) 9417 6777
Email: office@multiculturalarts.com.au
Cost: Free
Booking required: No

Wednesday June 24

ABC Music Deli Concert
Hosted by Multicultural Arts Victoria
Hosted by ABC’s Paul Petran, a beautiful concert of exquisite music for voices and strings from Turkey, Afghanistan, Japan & India, made in Australia. Featuring Dya Singh (India), Khalil Gudaz (Afghanistan), Noriko Tadano & George Kamikawa, (Japan) and Huzzam (Turkey).
Venue: IWAKI Auditorium, ABC Southbank Centre
Address: Southbank Blvd, Southbank
Time: 6.30 for 7pm start, till 9.30pm
Contact: Jayne Lovelock (03) 9417 6777
Email: office@multiculturalarts.com.au
Cost: Free
Booking required: No