The Bulletin – Northern Rivers for Refugees

Our bi-monthly newsletter to keep you informed

NRFR refugee network gathering

Plenty of valuable first-hand information about settling refugee families was shared at the recent NRFR network gathering in Ocean Shores. Attendees came from Lismore, Tweed, Byron and Ballina and brought their experience of forming Community Supporter Groups (CSGs). Perhaps the…
Read more: NRFR refugee network gathering
NRFR awarded Ingrained Foundation grant

The Byron-based Ingrained Foundation has granted NRFR $10,000 to develop a training program and resource kit to help Community Supporter Groups and the refugee families they support. The Ingrained Foundation was set up by the original Stone & Wood Brewing…
Read more: NRFR awarded Ingrained Foundation grant
School students engage with refugee stories

Lindisfarne 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, Tweed Welcomes Refugees, which offered students a valuable opportunity to…
Read more: School students engage with refugee stories
Meet our new Events Coordinator

Rachel Bracken has been deeply engaged in community life since arriving on the Northern Rivers last year, and has stepped into a volunteer role as Events Coordinator for NRFR. Rachel is a funeral director and marriage celebrant working out of…
Read more: Meet our new Events Coordinator
Urgent support needed for Afghan artists and journalists at risk

A funding appeal has been launched to help three Afghan creatives in danger of being deported from Pakistan into the hands of the Taliban. Ocean Shores woman Sara Gloede has started the appeal to pay for visa extensions so Sabz…
Read more: Urgent support needed for Afghan artists and journalists at risk
Warm welcome for new Murwillumbah family

There’s a new family settling into life in Murwillumbah, and the welcome they’ve received has been nothing short of heart-warming.Fatemah, her teenage son Mohamad, daughter Amal and sister Tunis arrived in March after many years living in Lebanon. They had…
Read more: Warm welcome for new Murwillumbah family
SCU student placed with local refugee family

When John Omtha’s family was fleeing persecution by the brutal military regime in Myanmar, little did they know that one day John would be helping other refugees settle in Australia. The Omthas are from the Chin tribal group, which has…
Read more: SCU student placed with local refugee family
Alstonville welcomes refugees

Alstonville gathered for Refugee Week, sharing powerful stories and unveiling plans to welcome an Afghan couple fleeing the Taliban through skilled refugee resettlement.
Read more: Alstonville welcomes refugees
Major campaign launched at 10-year celebration

NRFR launched its Cup of Kindness fundraiser at a joyful 10-year celebration, encouraging weekly coffee-sized donations to support refugee families settling locally.
Read more: Major campaign launched at 10-year celebration
Family ready to roll

The Kankoun family’s wheels symbolise new freedom—cycling together now, saving for a car, and working toward Basel’s driving independence.
Read more: Family ready to roll
A concert to inspire

A concert to inspire hope and unity, celebrating community, culture, and compassion in support of refugees and their journeys to safety.
Read more: A concert to inspire
Lifetime service recognised

Stanley Yeo, founding BR4R member, was awarded life membership for seven years’ service, including leading HomeStay and promoting refugee support in his community.
Read more: Lifetime service recognised
Musical benefit night

Buy your tickets now for the NRFR benefit night on Friday August 22 of the smash-hit musical The Wake. Tickets will sell fast so go to Brunswick Heads Picture House website: The Wake is an original musical which tells the…
Read more: Musical benefit night
Locals honoured with awards

Four Northern Rivers locals, including Syrian refugee Walaa Al Lahham, were recognised in CRSA’s inaugural awards for exceptional support of refugee newcomers through CRISP.
Read more: Locals honoured with awards
Old and Gold fundraiser

Join us for our stall at Brunswick Head’s Old and Gold festival. This huge garage sale is an annual feature in our fundraising calendar. We’ll have all kinds of goodies available for sale: 27 Tweed St Brunswick Heads, 7 June…
Read more: Old and Gold fundraiser
Tweed welcomes new family

After an anxious wait, it was all smiles and hugs when Tweed Welcomes Refugees met their family from Syria at Brisbane Airport in mid-March. The family’s arrival had been delayed, but in the end, TWR were glad they didn’t arrive…
Read more: Tweed welcomes new family
Finding freedom in diversity

Northern Rivers leads the way in refugee support The theme for this year’s Refugee Week across Australia is “Finding Freedom – In Diversity.” In the Northern Rivers, the local community is proving that this isn’t just a slogan—it’s a lived…
Read more: Finding freedom in diversity
Celebrating Cultural Diversity

Join people from other cultures and language groups at the Multicultural Community Party in Tweed Heads on 31 May. Northern Rivers for Refugees, the Northern Rivers Multicultural Network invite multicultural communities to a free, family-friendly event. People from different cultures…
Read more: Celebrating Cultural Diversity
Ballina Players supports NRFR

Ballina Players is bringing Broadway’s razzle-dazzle hit musical, Chicago, to our community on June 12. Once more the Players are supporting refugees by providing a charity night with ticket sales to NRFR. This is one of the biggest fundraisers of…
Read more: Ballina Players supports NRFR
10th anniversary party

Come celebrate the 10th anniversary of the creation of what was then Ballina Region for Refugees (now Northern Rivers for Refugees) and all we have achieved since then.
Read more: 10th anniversary party
New family settles in Ballina

What a rocky start the Kankoun family has had to their new life in Australia – first the drama of getting out of Iraq, then one of the children in Lismore Base Hospital for 24 hours, and lastly the cyclone.
Read more: New family settles in Ballina
Do you have short-term storage space?

We urgently need somewhere to store goods in preparation for our Old and Gold Festival stall on June 7 in Brunswick Heads. Storage anywhere in the shire will do. If you have space or know someone who does, please contact…
Read more: Do you have short-term storage space?
Ousama gets his licence – and a job

The good news came thick and fast for the Bloudani family of Brunswick Heads. Father Ousama got his drivers licence and soon after was offered a job. The Bloudanis fled war-torn Syria to live as refugees in Lebanon after their…
Read more: Ousama gets his licence – and a job
Cup of Kindness coming your way

We are excited at the upcoming launch of our major fundraising campaign for 2025 – the Cup of Kindness. And you hardly have to do anything to help make it a success. The Cup of Kindness project aims to have…
Read more: Cup of Kindness coming your way
Refugee scheme is now permanent

NRFR has welcomed the Australian Government’s decision to make the CRISP refugee settlement pilot permanent. Under the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP), NRFR has supported nine households in the Northern Rivers since the start of the program in…
Read more: Refugee scheme is now permanent
Locals step up to help Afghan girl

Two local people have offered to pay the internet costs of a young Afghan teenager who is learning English online. We ran a story in our February Bulletin asking for help to pay the $15 monthly fee, and it didn’t…
Read more: Locals step up to help Afghan girl
NRFR & Tweed Welcomes Refugees partnership

Northern Rivers for Refugees recently formed a partnership with Tweed Welcomes Refugees. TWR is a community supporter group (CSG), formed in May 2023. TWR is the eighth CSG that Northern Rivers for Refugees has supported. The partnership is a commitment…
Read more: NRFR & Tweed Welcomes Refugees partnership
Breaking news: Great funding offer for CSGs

If you’re thinking of forming a Community Supporter Group to welcome a refugee family, there is $5000 in seed funding waiting for you – but be quick, the offer is limited to 55 groups across Australia, and you need to…
Read more: Breaking news: Great funding offer for CSGs
Rik Dillon honoured

NRFR stalwart and life member Rik Dillon has been named Ballina Shire Council Senior Citizen of the Year. Rik was honoured at the recent Australia Day ceremonies for his services to refugee settlement and to the sport of pickleball. “I…
Read more: Rik Dillon honoured
Meet our new Volunteers Coordinator

We’re delighted to welcome Ollie Heathwood as NRFR’s new Volunteers Coordinator. Ollie brings a wealth of experience and energy to this essential role. NRFR could not function without our incredible volunteers, and Ollie is already brimming with ideas on how…
Read more: Meet our new Volunteers Coordinator
NRFR praised for awards nomination

The Settlement Council of Australia, has congratulated NRFR’s nomination for the Outstanding Settlement Contribution Awards (OSCAs).  “It is a well-deserved nomination for the category of ‘Outstanding Work in Regional Setting’,” said Chief Executive Officer Sandra Elhelw. “This recognition reflects your…
Read more: NRFR praised for awards nomination
Help an Afghani girl learn English

Manizha is an Afghani teenager denied an education by the Taliban – but for a small monthly donation you can help her learn English online with a Northern Rivers teacher. Manizha is being tutored by a volunteer teacher recruited by…
Read more: Help an Afghani girl learn English
And yet another way you can help

Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) has launched The Isla Network – an online directory where anyone in Australia can share offers of support for refugee newcomers and local groups participating in the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP). (Read…
Read more: And yet another way you can help
Hilarity for a serious cause

More than 150 people gathered on 16 November with the same purpose – to support another refugee family to settle in the Northern Rivers. Local comedian Ellen Briggs gave her time gratis to MC a trivia night organised by FoRBS…
Read more: Hilarity for a serious cause
Help us find a job for a refugee

If you or someone you know may be able to provide employment for a refugee, please join us for drinks and nibbles from 6-7pm on Wednesday January 22 at Stone & Wood, Byron Bay. Please click this link to express your…
Read more: Help us find a job for a refugee
Lismore family in the swim

Knowing how to swim is an Australian essential, and the Lismore Region Refugee Settlement group’s new family are diving right in. With a steamy Lismore summer knocking on the door, the entire family is taking swimming lessons. The Hazara family…
Read more: Lismore family in the swim
BRRAWN flexes fundraising muscle

Which dog used to fantasise about shooting down the Red Baron in an air battle? Snoopy of course! And do you know the meaning of the word ‘flivver’? Could it be a new flavour of ice cream made with honeyed…
Read more: BRRAWN flexes fundraising muscle
Making the most of a new life

Happy, excited, safe. These three words sum up the feelings of the Bloudani family as they adjust to their new lives in Australia, 12 years after fleeing war-torn Syria. The family have wasted no time in the four months since…
Read more: Making the most of a new life
Ideas shared at network gathering

Ideas shared at network gathering Valuable tips for Community Supporter Groups were shared at a recent gathering of 15 people involved in refugee settlement in the Northern Rivers. The challenge of finding affordable accommodation was one of the main topics…
Read more: Ideas shared at network gathering
Family does Brisbane for free

The challenge was to show one of our newly arrived families how to do a capital city for free (excluding travel). Brisbane City Council has a great website called Five free things to do in Brisbane. We actually didn’t get…
Read more: Family does Brisbane for free
It’s been a big year for NRFR

The recent AGM heard that NRFR is in a strong position to continue supporting the settlement of refugee families in our area. One of the most significant decisions in the past year was to change our name to Northern Rivers…
Read more: It’s been a big year for NRFR
CRISP to be permanent?

It’s now been two years since the first refugee households arrived in Australia under the CRISP (Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot). Almost 500 refugees from 125 households have been welcomed to Australia. The anniversary was celebrated at a special…
Read more: CRISP to be permanent?
Raffle for Refugees

Buy tickets here to be in the draw to win over $2,000 worth of prizes! Drawn on Saturday 16 November at Trivia Night at Mullumbimby. Will you be a winner?
Read more: Raffle for Refugees
Big multicultural party

About 100 adults and children from around the Northern Rivers enjoyed a multicultural party at Ballina’s Kentwell Community Centre on October 19. The event was organised by the Multicultural Forum steering committee to help immigrants and refugees make connections and…
Read more: Big multicultural party
Trivia night @ Mullum

Join along for a night of side-splitting hilarity for a serious cause. Every cent you donate will help support a refugee family our small volunteer group are helping to settle in our beautiful region.
Read more: Trivia night @ Mullum
SOLD OUT! Ballina trivia

Our newest Community Supporter Group, Ballina Refugee Resettlement and Welcome Network (BRRAWN) is holding a trivia night at the Ballina RSL on November 1.
Read more: SOLD OUT! Ballina trivia
Life-changing experience

Ever since the horrible Tampa boat ‘incident’ I’d felt quite disempowered about the state of refugees, that is until a chance encounter about 18 months ago. I was walking my dog on the beach and I met a newly arrived…
Read more: Life-changing experience
Bunnings BBQ sizzles

Our doughty sausage sizzlers had a great day at the recent Bunnings BBQ in Ballina, raising $1957 – a stunning effort. Meg Pickup said the takings included $90 in donations. “It’s the first time we’ve had a donations box,” she…
Read more: Bunnings BBQ sizzles
AGM in November

Three positions on the NRFR management committee are up for re-election at the AGM on Saturday November 23 at 2.30pm at Tintenbar Hall. President Marilyn Leeks says: “I hope you can attend this gathering. If you are a volunteer and…
Read more: AGM in November
Calling medical practitioners

Mark Isaacs and Northern Rivers for Refugees are looking for volunteer medical practitioners to perform online consultations of refugees based abroad. Mark is an experienced writer, photographer, researcher and humanitarian, who connects refugees in dire circumstances with people living in…
Read more: Calling medical practitioners
Help women in Afghanistan

Since coming to power, the Taliban have placed more and more restrictions on women, to the point where they can’t even laugh in public. Now you can do something. Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) have provided letter-writing kits on their…
Read more: Help women in Afghanistan
Foaad’s special day

By Foaad Makansi One of the most beautiful, elegant and wonderful celebrations ever for you is the one that friends and family organise for you. Nothing lasts in your imagination like these memories.In these shots. on this day, I turned…
Read more: Foaad’s special day
Leen catches the singing bug

Young Leen has only been in Australia a year but she’s well and truly caught the performing bug after singing a duet at the sold-out Finding Freedom concert recently at Mullumbimby. Leen, 10, is now part of children’s choir that…
Read more: Leen catches the singing bug
Call for regular donations

We are encouraging our supporters to consider making a regular (eg monthly) donation to NRFR. While we continue to actively run fundraising campaigns, having a pool of regular donors would greatly boost NRFR’s capacity to support refugees. If you feel…
Read more: Call for regular donations
Trivia night helps refugee artists

A fun night of trivia was held at Ocean Shores Country Club on August 24 to help support three Afghan artists who are seeking asylum. Organiser Sara Gloede said the night was a big success but more funds were needed…
Read more: Trivia night helps refugee artists
Theatre performance

The remarkable true story of a woman shaking off the stifling bonds of society to live her own life forms the core of the Drill Hall Theatre Company’s production of The Chronicles of Eldershaw. A special fundraising performance in aid…
Read more: Theatre performance
Afghan family welcomed

A mother and her five children from Afghanistan have been welcomed to Australia by the Lismore Region Refugee Settlement group. Lismore co-ordinator Anne Tuart said the family arrived in late July and was already enrolled in local schools and TAFE.…
Read more: Afghan family welcomed
New Ballina group formed

The region’s newest CSG, Ballina Refugee Resettlement and Welcome Network (BRRAWN), has launched, with eight enthusiastic women forming the core group, and half a dozen others who’ve put up their hands as willing helpers. They’re a brainy lot (to complement…
Read more: New Ballina group formed
Acid Bleed are back

Get set for a fab night of jazz with Acid Bleed on Saturday, September 14 at 6.30 pm at Tintenbar Hall. This is a fundraiser for Northern Rivers for Refugees. Acid Bleed is a local five-piece jazz band playing a…
Read more: Acid Bleed are back
Ocean Shores trivia night

A fun night of trivia at Ocean Shores Country Club on August 24 will help support three Afghan artists, who are seeking asylum. Organiser Sara Gloede said it goes back to a local initiative established more than two years ago…
Read more: Ocean Shores trivia night
We’ve got a new name

At our Special General Meeting on June 15, the required 75 per cent of members present voted to change our name from Ballina Region for Refugees to Northern Rivers for Refugees. The new name reflects our expanded activity across the…
Read more: We’ve got a new name
Life memberships awarded

Two stalwarts of BR4R, Trish Antoniacomi and Meg Pickup, have been awarded Life Membership for their nine years of service to the organisation. The two inaugural members of BR4R were presented with badges by President Marilyn Leeks at our recent…
Read more: Life memberships awarded
Freedom concert finale

What a finale to Refugee Week (or month, as it was) when the Mullumbimby Civic Hall brimmed to capacity with standing room only as a sea of voices took to the stage for the Finding Freedom concert. Maestro Janet Swain’s…
Read more: Freedom concert finale
Big day celebrating our community

Fourteen-year-old Syrian refugee Nada stole the show at the Celebrating our BR4R Community event at Tintenbar Hall recently. Nada was one of three refugee panellists who told of their experiences, challenges and achievements since arriving here. In perfect English, Nada, who…
Read more: Big day celebrating our community
100 Groups in 100 Days project count extended

The nationwide project to create 100 Groups in 100 Days has been a huge success, and the count has been extended to August 31 to get over the line. The campaign by Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) achieved 79 new…
Read more: 100 Groups in 100 Days project count extended
Addams Family tops fundraising

The Addams Family Musical was a wonderful evening of high-quality musical theatre providing much joy and laughter.
Read more: Addams Family tops fundraising
This you Must See !

End of Refugee Week Special Concert The concert is the signature event for Ballina Region for Refugees (BR4R) to mark Refugee Week in Australia. BR4R has already helped four refugee families settle locally and is about to welcome more. The…
Read more: This you Must See !
Call for regular donations

We are encouraging our supporters to consider making a regular (eg monthly) tax-deductible donation to NRFR. While we continue to actively run fundraising campaigns, having a pool of regular donors would greatly boost BR4R’s capacity to support refugees. If you…
Read more: Call for regular donations
Migrants need better digital services

Migrants and refugees rely heavily on social media platforms like Facebook and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp for communication and information exchange. But they are hampered by language barriers and poor digital services. Those are among the key findings of…
Read more: Migrants need better digital services
100 Groups in 100 Days project needs a late rush

Ballina Region for Refugees has joined with the Australian Government in a new refugee settlement campaign, 100 Groups, 100 Days. So far, 64 new groups have committed Australia-wide in the lead-up to World Refugee Day on June 20. The campaign…
Read more: 100 Groups in 100 Days project needs a late rush
Special meeting on name change proposal

Ballina Region for Refugees financial members have been invited to a Special General Meeting on June 15 to vote on a proposed new name for the organisation. The proposed new name is Northern Rivers for Refugees. The meeting will be…
Read more: Special meeting on name change proposal
Driving to independence

How do you define the successful resettlement of a refugee family? Among the many ways such as succeeding in school and having access to language and medical services, is learning to drive. Public transport in the Northern Rivers is unreliable…
Read more: Driving to independence
Meet our refugee families at Tintenbar

Would you like to get to know some of our refugee families? Several will be speaking at the Celebrating our BR4R Community event at Tintenbar Hall on June 15. They include 14-year-old Nada, who is finding life in the Northern…
Read more: Meet our refugee families at Tintenbar
Extraordinary story brought to the screen

A remarkable film documenting one family’s flight to freedom from the Taliban will be screened at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre on June 18 at 7.30pm. It’s an extraordinary, uplifting story of courage and unbreakable love. The event is a…
Read more: Extraordinary story brought to the screen
Local voices raised for freedom

More than 80 Northern Rivers singers and musicians will come together at 3pm on June 30 to raise the rafters of the Mullumbimby Civic Hall in a massive fundraiser to help settle refugee families in the region. The concert is…
Read more: Local voices raised for freedom
Film Screening Fundraiser

Lennox Head Cultural Centre will be the venue for the screening of a powerful documentary of an Afghan family’s quest for freedom. The screening will take place on Tuesday, June 18 at 7.30pm. Tickets are $25, via Humanitix and at…
Read more: Film Screening Fundraiser
New date for Dead Legends show

It’s going to be a huge night on Friday May 10 when Bowie, Elvis, Queen and Aretha will echo through the Tintenbar Hall in The Dead Legends Show. Mullumbimby musician Smokey Fields and a few fellow fake Russians from acclaimed…
Read more: New date for Dead Legends show
New name proposed for BR4R

Ballina Region for Refugees financial members have been invited to a Special General Meeting on June 15 to vote on a proposed new name for the organisation. The proposed new name is Northern Rivers for Refugees. The meeting will be…
Read more: New name proposed for BR4R
Call for regular donations

We are encouraging our supporters to consider making a regular (eg monthly) donation to BR4R. While we continue to actively run fundraising campaigns, having a pool of regular donors would greatly boost BR4R’s capacity to support refugees. If you feel…
Read more: Call for regular donations
Acid Bleed jazz in Lismore

The fabulous Gypsy jazz band Acid Bleed is once again supporting Lismore Region Refugee Settlement (LRRS) with a gig at the Lismore City Bowling Club on Sunday, May 19. The Lismore group will shortly welcome another family to the Northern…
Read more: Acid Bleed jazz in Lismore
We need 100 Groups in 100 Days

Ballina Region for Refugees has joined with the Australian Government in a new refugee settlement campaign, 100 Groups, 100 Days. The aim is for 100 new support groups in the lead-up to World Refugee Day on June 20. The campaign…
Read more: We need 100 Groups in 100 Days
A chance to save two lives

If there is an accountancy firm out there willing to offer a job to a highly qualified Afghan refugee, you may be saving two lives. Amir and Sahar (not their real names) are a young couple living as refugees in…
Read more: A chance to save two lives
Networking success

The value of networking was fully realised at a recent meeting in Mullumbimby convened by Ballina Region For Refugees and involving representatives of CRISP refugee support groups from Lismore, Tweed, Ballina and Byron. The attendees discussed how best to share…
Read more: Networking success
Volunteer coordinator needed

We are looking for someone to take over as the volunteer coordinator for Northern Rivers for Refugees. Our warm thanks go to Evelina Piga, who has carried out that role for over 12 months. Evelina agreed to take on the…
Read more: Volunteer coordinator needed
Big hearts at Tintenbar Up Front

BR4R was the Charity of the Day at Tintenbar Up Front on 10 March, adding another $360 to our coffers. Tintenbar up Front showcases local musicians, singers and poets, and the standard of performances was very high, including an excellent…
Read more: Big hearts at Tintenbar Up Front
Networking success

The value of networking was fully realised at a recent meeting in Mullumbimby convened by Ballina Region For Refugees and involving representatives of CRISP refugee support groups from Lismore, Tweed, Ballina and Byron. The attendees discussed how best to share…
Read more: Networking success
New CSG in Mullum

A new Community Support Group (CSG) has formed in Mullumbimby to help settle a refugee family in the area. Mullumbimby Refugee Support Group (MRSG) hopes to welcome a Syrian family within the next few months. They would become the seventh…
Read more: New CSG in Mullum
Everyone deserves a safe place to call home

For more than seven years, there’s been one Sunday every month when two members of Ballina Region for Refugees, Trish Antoniacomi and Meg Pickup, both in their 70s, leave home at around 5.15 to set up the BR4R market stall.…
Read more: Everyone deserves a safe place to call home
Melbourne conference: Let’s work together

BR4R president Marilyn Leeks recently attended a Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) conference in Melbourne. Here is her report. This was Australia’s first gathering to celebrate and grow community-led refugee welcome.My takeout message from the panel of speakers…
Read more: Melbourne conference: Let’s work together
Six month on, a family update

We are a Syrian family consisting of a father, mother, two daughters, and a boy. We arrived in Australia and have been living here in a very close area for about 6 months. There were people waiting for us at…
Read more: Six month on, a family update
BR4R supports flood recovery

An act of friendship from seven-year-old Rahaf over the school holidays shows that successful resettlement can be measured in small ways.
Read more: BR4R supports flood recovery
It’s the vision thing

An act of friendship from seven-year-old Rahaf over the school holidays shows that successful resettlement can be measured in small ways.
Read more: It’s the vision thing
Donation for PNG refugees

An act of friendship from seven-year-old Rahaf over the school holidays shows that successful resettlement can be measured in small ways.
Read more: Donation for PNG refugees
Rik gets life

An act of friendship from seven-year-old Rahaf over the school holidays shows that successful resettlement can be measured in small ways.
Read more: Rik gets life
Our new publicity team

An act of friendship from seven-year-old Rahaf over the school holidays shows that successful resettlement can be measured in small ways.
Read more: Our new publicity team
Small acts can define success

What defines a successful resettlement? It’s a question often asked by and of CSGs. Not all successful outcomes cost money and not all stories are the same. Some aspects of success can easily be overlooked in favour of the big…
Read more: Small acts can define success
Learning in a digital world

Many new immigrants can struggle not only with language, but learning digital skills. A new program run locally the NSW Health Department is designed to help multilingual families better engage with digital technology.
Read more: Learning in a digital world
Mary’s family

“There is nothing left for us there” I’m sitting in the kitchen of the Haddad family in Ballina, having a conversation with Bashar and Mary about their experiences since they left Syria just over four years ago, and about how…
Read more: Mary’s family
Essam and Douua’s Family

We feel safe here Tucked away in a quiet, leafy cul de sac in Ocean Shores, is the home of Essam, Douaa, their two young children, and Douaa’s mother, Rabiaa. Its peacefulness is a far cry from war-torn Syria, which…
Read more: Essam and Douua’s Family

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