Celebrating Refugee Contributions in Western Sydney: a world of stories #WithRefugees
Announcement posted by SydWest Multicultural Services 20 Jun 2019
People of all ages and backgrounds are invited to the Blacktown City Refugee Week Celebration 2018 events in Mt Druitt, Thursday 20th June, 2019 from 12.30pm.
SydWest Multicultural Services is again celebrating the successes of refugees, in a collaboration with local community services to deliver an inclusive and inspirational celebration for the achievements and contributions that refugees make to our local society.
The event will be held at Westfield Mt Druitt, corner Luxford Road and Carlisle Avenue and in Dawson Mall in Mt Druitt starting at 12.30pm.
The event will start with Welcome to Country by indigenous elder, Uncle Greg Simms and officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale with a very special Welcome to Country by Uncle Greg Sims, indigenous elder.
Guest speakers include CEO of Refugee Council NSW, Paul Power, and inspirational youth speakers Rahila Haidary, 2018 WA Young Australian of the Year Nominee and James Hoang Nam Tran, youth motivational speaker.
The event will showcase entertainers from around the world, including traditional dancing from the Punjab, Ethiopia, Pacific Islands and Turkish belly-dancing; children’s activities including a visit from Rooby Roo and the Reading Tent; community services information stalls; young performers, a free BBQ and much more.
Around 300 people are expected to attend this free event and enjoy the opportunity for communities to come together, connect, share and unite in welcoming and supporting our refugee neighbours as well as share a meal.
SydWest Multicultural Services CEO, Elfa Moraitakis is encouraging people of all backgrounds to join in the Refugee Week celebrations.
Refugee Week 2019 is a very special opportunity for the whole community to come together, to celebrate and share the success of the refugee settlement journey.
Our Blacktown City event is that unique chance for everyone to share in the spirit of unity and to acknowledge and respect each individual who has had to leave his or her home country for fear of persecution.
It’s also an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the fact that we can call Australia our home, she said.
The Blacktown City Refugee Celebration Event is a collaboration of government, community and not for profit organisations including: SydWest Multicultural Services, Blacktown City Council, MECA Mt Druitt and community partners.