On Sunday August 30, the Victorian Council of Churches’ (VCC) annual Festival of Refugees is set to fill Box Hill Town Hall with traditional performances from Sudan, Vietnam, West Papua, Sri Lanka and many more.
Aboriginal Elder Reg Blow will greet the diverse group and new wave Australian folk singer Kavisha Mazzella will make a special performance.
The festival has attracted large crowds in past years and has become a poignant celebration of multiculturalism and unity, bringing together individuals who have lived much of their lives in fear but can now celebrate their freedom.
Mr Theo Mackaay, General Secretary of the VCC said, “This festival is a mark of respect from the ‘settled’ community to those who have arrived recently. It is a way of welcoming people and adding to their sense of security. It is a way of honouring their struggle and the many contributions made to Australia by refugees over decades of this country’s life.”
“The refugee communities in Victoria are incredibly diverse – in country of origin, in culture, in religion and in their reasons for coming to Australia. But they have something in common – a desire to bring new life to themselves and to their families in an atmosphere of freedom and respect.”
The Festival marks Refugee and Migrant Sunday which is observed every year in thousands of churches around Australia. Dr Visier Sanyu, Act for Peace Development Officer for Refugees and Displaced People, said, “Refugees contribute greatly to the building of the Australian nation. They bring with them a rich diversity of skills, culture and heritage to our land. We are all enriched and blessed by their presence among us.”
The Festival of Refugees ‘From Fear to Freedom’, will be held on Sunday, 30 August 2009 at Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill Victoria, from 3pm to 5:30pm.
For further information about the Festival or to make a booking, contact:
Visier or Glenys on (03) 9650 4511 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please visit www.actforpeace.org.au for more information about Act for Peace’s work with refugees and displaced people around the world.
