Signing of Refugee Welcome Zone Scroll marks commitment to refugees

Published on 15 June 2018

Mildura Rural City Council will next week reinforce our region’s commitment to being a safe and welcoming municipality for refugees by signing the national Refugee Welcome Zone Scroll.

The scroll will arrive in Mildura on Monday as part of Refugee Week, which runs from this Sunday 17 June to Saturday 23 June.

The signing will take place at a free and public event in the Langtree Mall from 3pm on Monday.

Mildura Mayor Mark Eckel encouraged the community to support the event, which he said was a chance to learn more about Mildura’s status as a Refugee Welcome Zone, as well as showing support for refugees and asylum seekers in our region.

“I’m proud to say that Mildura has been a Refugee Welcome Zone since 2002, marking our commitment to be welcoming of refugees and the positive impact they have on our community in terms of both the cultural and religious diversity they bring as well as the social and economic benefits they generate,” Cr Eckel said.

“Monday’s signing will also be an opportunity to hear first-hand experiences from Burundi refugee Pacifique Ndayisaba, who was able to escape to the safety of our region, illustrating the valuable role we can play as a sanctuary for those who may have been victims of a range of human rights abuses in their own country.

“Working alongside the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council we will continue to strive to maintain a community that is welcoming, inclusive and safe for refugees.”

Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees while celebrating the positive contributions they make to Australian society.

Originally celebrated in 1986, Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day on 20 June.

The national Refugee Welcome Zone Scroll is an initiative of Rural Australians for Refugees, Refugee Council of Australia and Refugee Welcome Zone Councils.

Free tea and sweets will be available at Monday’s signing event.

For more information contact Council’s Social Inclusion Officer Catherine Thompson on (03) 5018 8100.

Media enquiries  Ben Piscioneri p) (03) 5018 8689  e) [email protected]