Iraqi-born and award-winning filmmaker Ali Al Azeez.

Marking Refugee Week 2019, the Festival will form part of Open Inner West at the Community Refugee Welcome Centre (CRWC) in Callan Park, Lilyfield, on June 22, 2019.

It will showcase artworks produced at the Welcome Creative Hub — a series of cross-generational and cross-cultural public workshops facilitated by well-established artists and filmmakers from a refugee background — and to become a permanent art installation featured at the Centre.

Mr Al Azeez, an acclaimed filmmaker in Iraq whose film Link won an award at the Baghdad International Film Festival, said that running the workshops had been a valuable experience in skill sharing and had given him a platform to drive creative participation and social connection between inner west locals and newcomers.

“It’s been great to meet new people from the local community and see the workshop participants bring their creative vision to reality through film,” he said.

Arriving in Australia as a refugee in 2015, Mr Al Azeez continued to make films, including a short documentary called Without Borders, which celebrated multicultural Australia.

The inaugural screening of his second short film in Australia, LifeJacket, was held at the New Beginnings Festival in 2016. LifeJacket is a fictional story based on real-life experiences of people who arrive in Australia by boat and find themselves stuck in limbo due to personal traumas and cultural differences.

SSI Arts and Culture Producer Raphael Brasil said the success of the Welcome Creative Hub reflected SSI’s ongoing commitment to support established artists from a refugee and migrant background.

The Hub provided a platform for established artists of refugee background to transfer their skills and knowledge to a broader audience, he said.

“As newcomers adapt to a new social and cultural environment, the Hub provides opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue, highlighting the concept of ‘place’ and connection to Sydney’s inner west.

“The initiative also allows local communities to learn something new, all while making a social impact.”

The project is run by CRWC in close collaboration with Settlement Services International (SSI) and Inner West Council (IWC) and uses a fresh and innovative approach to creative engagement.

Established artists and filmmakers that are driving the workshops include Majid Rabet, Ali Al Azeez, Mohammed Alanezi and Elham Marvi.

Officially held on Sunday 26 May, Sorry Day was an important moment during Reconciliation Week to remember our country’s dark history of forced removals of First Nation children.

At the Colyton Community Hub, the community was able to reflect on the painful history of the Stolen Generations, and recognise moments of resilience, healing, forgiveness and the power of saying “sorry”.

To begin the day’s events, visitors were welcomed onto Darug land by Indigenous staff members with okra paint and the affirmation, “I see you”.

After being welcomed as brothers and sisters, Lisa, the school’s Community Hub Leader and a strong Darkingung woman, held a traditional smoking ceremony which was carried out by Nicole, SSI’s Project Officer – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Specialist, and Gomeroi Woman.

While embracing the smoke, individuals were encouraged to reflect on those who have been wounded by policies of past times, and how there are now hopes for healing.

Nicole, SSI’s Project Officer – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Specialist, and Gomeroi Woman, then spoke of the importance of not forgetting the past, while working towards a more equal future for Indigenous Australians.

“First Nation people do not wish to live in the past; however the past lives in us. With over 60 000 years of cultural knowledge, wisdom, protocols and customs, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities continue to provide diverse landscapes, deep strength, resilience and purpose,” said Nicole.

“Now it is time to forgive the past, the present and future wrongs of this country.”

The day continued with a reading of the ‘Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples’, the speech read in parliament by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008. Afterwards, attendees were encouraged to reflect on what was said and write what they were sorry for on a piece of paper. The group then gathered, reading their apologies aloud before the pieces of paper were collectively thrown into a fire.

The day closed with the reveal of SSI’s official Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation Action Plan artwork by Indigenous staff member Julie.

The event brought together people of all backgrounds, and was a deeply moving, educational experience for all who attended.

Sara Hamka, SSI Arts and Culture Project Co-ordinator reflected, “Being here today, and walking alongside my Indigenous colleagues, has really opened my eyes to how important it is to keep having these conversations surrounding equity and opportunity in the Indigenous community. We still have a long way to go.”

“There is something about mosaic which I find very satisfying, as it is almost like doing a jigsaw puzzle,” said Serena, who volunteers her time and skills at Settlement Services International’s (SSI) fortnightly Community Kitchen.“I believe it is particularly beneficial for the people who come here and may be suffering from tough times, as it is quite a therapeutic process.”

Talented ceramic artist Serena first heard about the Community Kitchen in Auburn while volunteering at Villawood Detention Centre. Now, over a year and a half later, she has been coming to the Kitchen every fortnight to share her passion for artistic expression with the local community of newcomers.

When she first started volunteering, Serena would bring clay to teach new arrivals how to make pots, plates and cups, before taking them home to fire in her kiln.

“Although clay was fun, it required a bit of guidance, and the results were not immediate because of the drying and firing process,” she said.

The spark for this most recent project, the mosaic surfboard, came in October 2018 when she began looking for an activity that would unite people, even if they weren’t returning guests.

Serena wanted the group activity to be familiar for the participants, and at the same time, quintessentially Australian.

“Mosaic is a familiar decorative art form to most people, being commonly found adorning mosques and temples, and even though Auburn is in Sydney’s west, people still associate surfing with Australian culture.”

Over six months, Serena has led hundreds of guests visiting Community Kitchen events to cover the surfboard in a rainbow of beautifully coloured tiles, forming three distinct butterflies.

Serena plans to continue volunteering at the Community Kitchen, and is envisioning a mosaic chair as the next project.

“I love seeing such a diverse group of brave, strong people come together. Being part of Community Kitchen has been amazing and it is a pleasure to spend time with such a great team,” said Serena.

Learn more about volunteering with SSI.

Creating social cohesion and empowering people to achieve their full potential through community-based initiatives has always been at the heart of SSI Ability Links.

With a focus on youth, the program targets newly arrived refugees with a mental health or psychological disability who are ineligible for support from the NDIS.

“Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, a sport that helps to facilitate inclusion and social cohesion,” said Ability Links Operations Manager Ben Fioramonte.

Following the launch in April, SSI Ability Links Area Coordinator Susan Cameron-Jung said many different communities came together “to share their love of soccer”, including Football NSW, Auburn Youth Centre, Afghan Hassanian Youth Association, Bankstown and Canterbury Council and Woodville Alliance.

“It was amazing to see everyone so passionate and excited,” said Ms Cameron-Jung. “After this success, SSI Ability Links hopes to replicate the program throughout Sydney.”

The project will be held at Auburn Youth Centre every Friday from 5:30pm eight weeks from Friday, May 24.

Football NSW has partnered with Ability Links on the program, offering tailored coaching sessions and training for participants from beginner to intermediate level.

If you or anyone you know might be interested in participating in the program, please contact Tamana Muslih (tmuslih@ssi.org.au) or Nawar Shadood, (nshadood@ssi.org.au) from Ability Links for more information. 

The latest project, launched in Lidcombe last month, helps bring together and support young refugees and their carers through a weekly social soccer meet-up.

Monday marks the start of National Reconciliation Week — a time to learn about our shared history and to explore how each of us can contribute to a positive, unified future. This week covers two significant dates: the 1967 referendum to amend the constitution to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the Commonwealth to create laws for them, and the High Court Mabo decision, which recognised the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional owners of the land.

What does this mean for us at SSI? We all live and work on Aboriginal land. Every day, when we come to work, we walk on land where traditional custodians have had culture and connection for more than 60,000 years. That is a privilege – a privilege we must acknowledge and reciprocate by ensuring that, when we walk on this land, we walk together.

This year’s Reconciliation Week theme is ‘Grounded in truth: walk together with courage’. Walking together is about learning, exploring our commonalities, understanding our differences, and supporting each other. When you walk together with someone you walk beside them — not in front, not behind.

As an organisation, SSI has embarked on a journey of reconciliation. What’s our vision for that journey? We are still determining that, with the leadership of our Walking Together Committee, which was recently established to consult on Indigenous matters and develop our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The reason SSI is driving this process is because we recognise that we are stronger as one. Reconciliation is about acknowledging the strength within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and all that we have to gain by embracing one another’s contributions — socially, economically, culturally and spiritually.

Growing our engagement with, and understanding of, Australia’s First Nations cultures is our shared privilege. 

By connecting with people from different walks of life and getting to know the person behind the label, we have the opportunity to see that there are no gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities — just people, coming together to respect, accept and trust each other.

There is an increasing need for carers from diverse cultural backgrounds to give stability in safe homes to children of all ages.

Hear from SSI foster carers as they speak about their experiences and learn about the support they receive from our staff.

Operating for many years, SSI’s Turkish carers support group is a testament to their love and interest and support for each other, and support for the children they care for.

The event was a special cross cultural event dedicated to mothers of all backgrounds, said HSP Orientation Team Leader Nahla Toma.

An Inner West community Elder opened the event with a greeting ― “Yammakarra” meaning welcome in the Ngiyambaa language, before inviting everyone to partake in a smoking ceremony.

As the women passed through the smoke of the burning leaves, they were encouraged to bless their mothers. 

Following this reflective moment, the women heard from SSI staff member Rahaf Alrifai, who herself came to Australia from Syria as a refugee.

She shared her story of life and integration into Australian society, with her greatest piece of advice being to try and find work in as soon as they feel confident.

“I feel independent. I feel I am doing something positive in society, and I can help you do the same,” said Rahaf.

Before a traditional lunch of rice, soup and salad was served, the women were treated to a performance by mother and daughter duo, Sura and Assel. They sang a series of songs in Turkish Arabic and Persian for the group, focusing around the theme of mothers and motherhood.

Other activities organised to treat the well-deserving mums included nail painting and henna, a raffle, face painting and balloon animals for the children.

The Refugee Welcome Centre is run in partnership between SSI’s HSP team, The Inner West Council, and Justice and Peace office of Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.

SSI’s HSP team provides essential support and information to assist and empower refugees to gain independence and build strong connections in their new communities.

This event was funded through Inner West Community Wellbeing grant, with the aim of encouraging integration between new comers and Inner West locals.

Every Easter, the country and city join together at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, for 12 days of agricultural competitions, animal experiences, live entertainment, carnival fun, shopping and much more.

Not only did the 10 new arrivals get a chance to attend the largest annual ticketed event in Australia with literally hundreds of events on offer, they also became part of a celebration of Australian culture, from its rural traditions to its modern-day lifestyles — providing unique experiences for everyone.

The refugee families said they had a great time.

“The show was amazing,” one parent said. “The children really enjoyed seeing the animals and all that the show has to see.”

“It was marvellous,” said another. “It was also lovely for the kids. It was such a great combination of everything.”

A highlight for one participant was meeting a police officer and sitting in the police car for a selfie.

“We also enjoyed playing the games to try to win the huge stuffed penguin,” she said. “We didn’t win it in the end, which was disappointing, but we had a lot of fun and laughs trying.

“It was amazing to see how much the people cared for the animals. We saw them washing them and feeding them — they were so kind and caring.”

One participant thought the displays were very beautiful. “We didn’t know all of the different types of food available here. It was so interesting to see so many different aspects of Australia in one place.”

Typical of Welcome2Sydney activities, the show experience helped participants feel more confident to try new things and see new places.

One family was more experienced than the other and travelled out of their way to assist the new arrivals in getting to the show.

They spoke of how much they could relate to what it was like to be new to Australia.

“I really felt for them. I remember the first few weeks and all of the information that you have to take in.

“On the way we were able to talk and get to know one another.”

That assistance and help with language translation was much appreciated by the new arrivals.

“They really helped us to figure out how to get there with public transport.”

The families said that meeting new people made them feel welcome and more comfortable living in Australia.

Volunteer ambassador, Matthew said it was a great day out. “I had not been in a while but it was nice to walk around with the families and show them the different aspects of the show,” he said.

“One of the boys in our group unexpectedly bumped into a mate from school, which was really nice to see, and funny because although I have lived in Sydney for 50 years I didn’t see anyone I knew.”

There were also words of thanks for Matthew and his partner.

“They were amazing; we really loved their hospitality. They were really fun to be with for the day. We are looking forward to meeting them again.”

Welcome2Sydney aims to encourage newcomers to explore and develop a sense of belonging in their new home. Hosted by volunteer ambassadors, welcome activities include social, cultural and recreational excursions that match individual interests.

A member of the family that had previous experience with Welcome2Sydney said, “My closest circle of friends, ‘my besties’, are all people I met through Welcome2Sydney.”

Welcome2Sydney Project Officer Paula Ben David said SSI was grateful to the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW for the charity tickets that enabled the families to attend the Royal Easter Show.