Our vision
To welcome, respect and support refugees and people seeking asylum.
To promote the acceptance and integration of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia, by thinking globally and acting locally.
What we do
Volunteers across the Northern Rivers coming together to:
Refugee resettlement
Welcome refugees to settle locally and support them to access health, education and other services. >>
Raise awareness
Educate and inform the community on the need to care for people seeking asylum. >>
Fundraise
Fundraise and organise events, markets stalls and donor functions to achieve our vision. >>
Get involved
There are many ways you can act to change a refugee family’s life! You really can make a difference, one family at a time!
Refugee family welcome
- Join or start a support group.
- Undergo training & link with other local groups.
- Mentor a refugee family and change their lives.
Volunteer at events
- Get involved in local fundraising activities, or organise an event.
- Commit ad hoc or more often.
- Skilled and unskilled opportunities.
- Join our volunteer register.
“Truly, I am very grateful for your presence in my life and the life of my family, which has finished its first year in Australia. My family and I are enjoying a new life filled with love, friendship and happiness in every sense of the word.”
Foaad Makansi
Celebrating his first anniversary in Australia, supported by NRFR volunteers.
Latest news
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Bloudani girls shine
Read more: Bloudani girls shineBrunswick Heads sisters Sana and Ghina Bloudani have shown just what a refugee family can do if given the chance of a new life. The girls and their parents, Ousama…
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Healthy Responses to caring for Refugees
Read more: Healthy Responses to caring for RefugeesA recent positive experience with an unwell refugee has highlighted the value of a caring, collaborative public health system, plus the need for strong advocacy by Community Supporter Groups. Health…
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Basel gets mobile
Read more: Basel gets mobileWhen Syrian refugee Basel Kankoun arrived in Australia aged 30, he had never driven a car. Nor had he dreamed that he would one day own one. But the members…
Notices
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Time to protect human rights
Read more: Time to protect human rightsFollowing the appalling shootings at Bondi on December 14, 2025, the plight of refugees and asylum seekers has slipped further under the radar. Since then, the politics of division seems…
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Let’s end inhumane policies
Read more: Let’s end inhumane policiesFor the first advocacy report I would like to pass on information from the Refugee and Casework Service (RACS) about the challenges they feel refugees have faced in the past…
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NRFR changing of the guard
Read more: NRFR changing of the guardVice President Isabelle Borrelli thanked outgoing President Marilyn Leeks for her generous, competent, diligent, and superlative leadership efforts. Marilyn has stepped back into a non-executive role. The committee will share…
Latest events
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Bangalow market stall
Read more: Bangalow market stallOn the fourth Sunday of the month, NRFR’s Bangalow Market fundraising stall is going from strength to strength! The stall is a valuable fundraising opportunity and it helps spread the…
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Share the Love: Alstonville Community Gathers to Welcome New Refugee Family
Read more: Share the Love: Alstonville Community Gathers to Welcome New Refugee FamilyThe Alstonville community is coming together this Valentine’s Eve for a heartfelt celebration of music, food and solidarity – all in support of a newly arrived refugee couple making their…
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School students engage with refugee stories
Read more: School students engage with refugee storiesLindisfarne Anglican Grammar School Year 10 Geography students participated in an outstanding session as part of the ‘Changing Places’ unit. The event, delivered by NRFR, brought along a local CSG,…
Keep up-to-date
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