Our monthly newsletter to keep you informed
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NRFR & Tweed Welcomes Refugees partnership
Read more: NRFR & Tweed Welcomes Refugees partnershipNorthern 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…
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Breaking news: Great funding offer for CSGs
Read more: Breaking news: Great funding offer for CSGsIf 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…
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Rik Dillon honoured
Read more: Rik Dillon honouredNRFR 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…
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Meet our new Volunteers Coordinator
Read more: Meet our new Volunteers CoordinatorWe’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…
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NRFR praised for awards nomination
Read more: NRFR praised for awards nominationThe 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…
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Help an Afghani girl learn English
Read more: Help an Afghani girl learn EnglishManizha 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…
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And yet another way you can help
Read more: And yet another way you can helpCommunity 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…
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Hilarity for a serious cause
Read more: Hilarity for a serious causeMore 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…
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Help us find a job for a refugee
Read more: Help us find a job for a refugeeIf 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…
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BRRAWN flexes fundraising muscle
Read more: BRRAWN flexes fundraising muscleWhich 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…
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Ideas shared at network gathering
Read more: Ideas shared at network gatheringIdeas 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…
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It’s been a big year for NRFR
Read more: It’s been a big year for NRFRThe 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…
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CRISP to be permanent?
Read more: 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…
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Raffle for Refugees
Read more: Raffle for RefugeesBuy 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?
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Big multicultural party
Read more: Big multicultural partyAbout 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…
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Trivia night @ Mullum
Read more: Trivia night @ MullumJoin 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.
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SOLD OUT! Ballina trivia
Read more: SOLD OUT! Ballina triviaOur newest Community Supporter Group, Ballina Refugee Resettlement and Welcome Network (BRRAWN) is holding a trivia night at the Ballina RSL on November 1.
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Bunnings BBQ sizzles
Read more: Bunnings BBQ sizzlesOur 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…
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AGM in November
Read more: AGM in NovemberThree 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…
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Calling medical practitioners
Read more: Calling medical practitionersMark 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…
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Help women in Afghanistan
Read more: Help women in AfghanistanSince 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…
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Call for regular donations
Read more: Call for regular donationsWe 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…
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Trivia night helps refugee artists
Read more: Trivia night helps refugee artistsA 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…
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Theatre performance
Read more: Theatre performanceThe 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…
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New Ballina group formed
Read more: New Ballina group formedThe 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…
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Acid Bleed are back
Read more: Acid Bleed are backGet 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…
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Ocean Shores trivia night
Read more: Ocean Shores trivia nightA 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…
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We’ve got a new name
Read more: We’ve got a new nameAt 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…
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Life memberships awarded
Read more: Life memberships awardedTwo 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…
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Freedom concert finale
Read more: Freedom concert finaleWhat 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…
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100 Groups in 100 Days project count extended
Read more: 100 Groups in 100 Days project count extendedThe 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…
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Addams Family tops fundraising
Read more: Addams Family tops fundraisingThe Addams Family Musical was a wonderful evening of high-quality musical theatre providing much joy and laughter.
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This you Must See !
Read more: 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…
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Call for regular donations
Read more: Call for regular donationsWe 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…
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Migrants need better digital services
Read more: Migrants need better digital servicesMigrants 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…
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100 Groups in 100 Days project needs a late rush
Read more: 100 Groups in 100 Days project needs a late rushBallina 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…
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Special meeting on name change proposal
Read more: Special meeting on name change proposalBallina 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…
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Meet our refugee families at Tintenbar
Read more: Meet our refugee families at TintenbarWould 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…
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Extraordinary story brought to the screen
Read more: Extraordinary story brought to the screenA 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…
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Local voices raised for freedom
Read more: Local voices raised for freedomMore 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…
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Film Screening Fundraiser
Read more: Film Screening FundraiserLennox 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…
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New date for Dead Legends show
Read more: New date for Dead Legends showIt’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…
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New name proposed for BR4R
Read more: New name proposed for BR4RBallina 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…
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Call for regular donations
Read more: Call for regular donationsWe 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…
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Acid Bleed jazz in Lismore
Read more: Acid Bleed jazz in LismoreThe 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…
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We need 100 Groups in 100 Days
Read more: We need 100 Groups in 100 DaysBallina 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…
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A chance to save two lives
Read more: A chance to save two livesIf 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…
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Networking success
Read more: Networking successThe 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…
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Volunteer coordinator needed
Read more: Volunteer coordinator neededWe 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…
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Big hearts at Tintenbar Up Front
Read more: Big hearts at Tintenbar Up FrontBR4R 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…
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Networking success
Read more: Networking successThe 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…
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New CSG in Mullum
Read more: New CSG in MullumA 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…
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Everyone deserves a safe place to call home
Read more: Everyone deserves a safe place to call homeFor 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.…
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Melbourne conference: Let’s work together
Read more: Melbourne conference: Let’s work togetherBR4R 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…
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BR4R supports flood recovery
Read more: BR4R supports flood recoveryAn act of friendship from seven-year-old Rahaf over the school holidays shows that successful resettlement can be measured in small ways.
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It’s the vision thing
Read more: It’s the vision thingAn act of friendship from seven-year-old Rahaf over the school holidays shows that successful resettlement can be measured in small ways.
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Donation for PNG refugees
Read more: Donation for PNG refugeesAn act of friendship from seven-year-old Rahaf over the school holidays shows that successful resettlement can be measured in small ways.
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Rik gets life
Read more: Rik gets lifeAn act of friendship from seven-year-old Rahaf over the school holidays shows that successful resettlement can be measured in small ways.
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Our new publicity team
Read more: Our new publicity teamAn act of friendship from seven-year-old Rahaf over the school holidays shows that successful resettlement can be measured in small ways.
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Learning in a digital world
Read more: Learning in a digital worldMany 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.
