Multicultural Community
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Asylum Seekers & Refugees

Refugee Welcome Zone

In 2002, the City of Port Phillip declared itself a “Refugee Welcome Zone” in support of the Refugee Council of Australia campaign. This declaration formed a commitment in spirit to welcoming refugees into our community.

 

World Refugee Day

This internationally recognised day occurs every year on June 20th. For information on coming events, or just to find out more about it, click on the UNHCR website.

Each year the City of Port Phillip celebrates Refugee Week (occurring around 20th June) with a fundraising event with performances and food, to raise funds for the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project. To find out more contact the Multicultural Liaison Officer.

 

What is an Asylum Seeker?

Click here for information on the Facts and myths on Asylum Seekers.

Asylum Seeker Policy Statement

Port Phillip Council considered the issue of asylum seekers at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 18 December 2006. 

As a result, the Council unanimously endorsed the following public statement supporting asylum seekers and refugees with past and present connections to the City of Port Phillip:

"For many former refugees, both local and since spread further afield, Station Pier, Port Melbourne and now the City of Port Phillip is particularly special as the point of arrival. Our City is where many experienced their first sights, sounds and smells of their new country, their new home.

The City of Port Phillip acknowledges and celebrates the long term presence and great contributions of many who arrived as refugees, to our city's social and cultural vitality, its economic strength, and its physical character and beauty. 

The City of Port Phillip believes that all people should be able to live their lives free from oppression and abuse. We assert that the current treatment of asylum seekers and particularly their mandatory detention is unjust and inhumane, compounding the trauma that most individuals in this situation have experienced.  All people have the right to seek asylum and should have the opportunity to have their claims heard fairly."

We are committed to engaging with local citizens and groups, including multicultural, interfaith, community health and support agencies, to determine how this community can support asylum seekers. Our goal is to work in partnership with asylum-seekers to empower them and foster their independence as well as celebrating the contribution of asylum-seekers and refugees to our community.

The City of Port Phillip encourages residents to assist this community where possible and is committed to promoting an environment in which refugees and asylum seekers are supported and valued."

How You Can Help

The City of Port Phillip encourages your support of newly arrived migrants and refugee families by supporting the work of three Melbourne-based organisations (see below). 

You can do this by:

  • Writing a letter to your federal MP
  • Volunteer your time to an asylum seeker support agency
  • Writing letters to asylum seekers in detention (for assistance visit Australians for Just Refugee Programs website)
  • Forming your own discussion group
     

Asylum Seekers are our Neighbours

We are working to increase the capacity of our community and service delivery to accept and accommodate difference among people. We will continue to advocate and address issues of racism and discrimination.

In seeking to enhance community understanding about multicultural issues, the council has published an article on the facts about asylum seekers. The article discusses the veracity of some popular myths about the circumstances of asylum seekers. Please download a copy of the Asylum Seekers: The Facts document.

Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project

52 Beaconsfield Pde, Albert Park 3206
Phone: (03) 9696 2107
Email: bssc@cyberspace.net.au (newsletters can be requested via this address)

This locally-based project aims to:

  • Provide hospitality and practical support for asylum seekers        
  • Actively network with like-minded individuals and groups who are working for justice for asylum seekers        
  • Promote advocacy for the rights of asylum seekers

The project currently supports people who have been detained in Immigration Detention Centres. They regularly visit asylum seekers at Maribyrnong Detention Centre and take phone cards, tobacco, toiletries, food, clothing etc to those being detained. The project raises money for bonds that people on bridging visas are required to pay to be released from detention. The project also assists some asylum seekers who have decided to leave Australia because they have lost hope in being given refugee status.

The project also provides assistance and support to Asylum Seekers living in the community with access to toiletries, food parcels, met tickets, etc, as well as assisting with seeking housing and employment.

If you would like to make a financial donation, cheques can be made to Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project. Money received will be used to give practical support to those on bridging visas or those still in detention.

New Hope Foundation

The New Hope Foundation is a public benevolent organisation that works in partnership with the New Hope Migrant and Refugee Centre (formerly Migrant Resource Centre) and ethnic communities to meet the material and support needs of newly arrived migrants and refugee families. The foundation provides furniture, white goods and other household items to families living in the south central, south-eastern, western and northern regions of Melbourne.

You can help by donating any unwanted household goods or by making a financial contribution.

For more information about the New Hope Foundation or to arrange for the truck service to pick up your unwanted household goods, please telephone (03) 9687 4500.

The Asylum Seeker Project

2/579 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9326 8343
Website: http://www.hothammission.org.au/         

This program provides free housing, casework and volunteer support, as well as paying for emergencies and providing monthly cash relief. Without this assistance, many asylum seekers would be at risk of becoming homeless, having no means by which to survive or support themselves in the community. The project relies on the support of the community to be able to continue helping asylum seekers.

Please phone ahead and ask what items are currently needed (this changes according to the number of asylum seekers on bridging visas living in the community, and what has already been donated).

Links to Other Organisations

Human Rights

Government

More Information

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