Bello Nambucca RAR Newsletter 17th December 2019

Christmas Island

Roadside demonstration report

Our fundraising total for 2019

News from National RAR committee

Refugees in limbo

Our first market stall of 2020

Christmas Island

And finally…

Roadside demonstration report

Our final roadside demonstration for 2019 took place last Thursday in Coffs Harbour. As usual, the response from passing motorists was overwhelmingly supportive, which should not surprise us, given that survey after survey indicates that the majority of Australians want the cruelty of offshore detention to end, and want the government to accept the New Zealand offer to take refugees from Nauru and PNG. One of our supporters asked the question: “I wonder if we will still be doing this next December?” The only way we can achieve a “no” to that question is to redouble our efforts in 2020 to bring this shameful chapter in our history to an end. We hope therefore that more supporters will take part in our campaigning next year.

Our first roadside demonstration of 2020 will take place on Waterfall Way in Bellingen on Thursday 16^th January from 2.30 to 4.00 pm. You will find us opposite the entrance to the golf club, near to the Yellow Shed. Why not make a New Year’s resolution to join us?

Our fundraising total for 2019

At the beginning of the year, we had a tentative target of $10,000 to support the Asylum Seekers Centre in Sydney. As you will be aware, the ASC supports hundreds of asylum seekers in Sydney as they wait, seemingly indefinitely, to have their claims for protection to be processed, whilst living very precariously in the community. The ASC provides people with essential support, ranging from meals, English lessons, legal advice, financial support, equipment for children starting school, help in securing housing and employment, and much besides. They are entirely dependent on donations to keep the service going.

Throughout the year, we have raised funds through a range of activities: musical events, auctions, lunches, raffles, the sale of merchandise, and individual donations. Every dollar that we have raised has been donated to the ASC, apart from $160 sent to National RAR committee to cover our insurance and to support their operation. This week, we have transferred $3,000 to the ASC, making the total for the year an amazing $12,200. That’s a great result, and we would like to thank everyone who has supported our fundraising efforts in any way during 2019. The ASC’s Jaclyn Dunn responded: “Thank you so much for your email! What fantastic news. I am blown away by what Bellingen and Nambucca District RAR have done this year. Surpassing your fundraising target by $2,200 is amazing. These funds will help ASC provide vital services to many people. Many thanks to you and everyone involved.”

Our big challenge now is to come up with some new ideas to raise funds in 2020. If you have a bright idea to share, and you are prepared to roll your sleeves up to make it happen, then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com. 

News from National RAR committee

The RAR National Conference will take place in July 2020 in the Blue Mountains, and the draft programme will be posted on the web site shortly. There will be a strong focus on breakout sessions, together with a number of keynote speakers. The last conference, held in Albury in 2018, and attended by three members of our group, was hugely successful and inspiring. Look out for the details of the 2020 conference on the National RAR web site.

Two members of the National committee have had to step down for personal reasons. This means there is an opportunity for two RAR members to step up and join the National Committee for the rest of the year - up to the July AGM. The committee meets via Zoom (on-line) twice a month on Wednesday evenings (AEST) from 6.00 to 7.30 pm. Please contact Louise at rar.australia@gmail.com if you would like to discuss this.

Refugees in limbo

A world-first study tracking 1100 refugees over three years has found that people who come to Australia seeking asylum are nearly two and a half times more likely to think about killing themselves or to believe that they would be “better off dead” than those with more secure visas. People with insecure visa status are also two to four times more likely than secure visa holders to have been tortured and imprisoned, and to have witnessed friends, family and strangers being raped, assaulted and killed. Those on insecure visas also faced more stress once they arrived in Australia, which was exacerbated by their experiences in detention. Nearly all were terrified of being sent home and most worried about those they had left behind.

These findings should surprise no one. Our government’s punitive asylum policy is focused on making life as difficult and stressful as possible for those seeking protection on our shores. That’s the key reason that our current open letter to the Prime Minister, in which we argue for the return of permanent protection visas, which the Abbott government replaced with temporary visas in 2014. As we state in the letter, which has so far attracted 500 signatures at our market stalls: “These temporary visas, whether TPVs or SHEVs, leave refugees in a permanent state of anxiety, when what they so urgently need is a sense of security to enable them to rebuild their lives.” 

Our first market stall of 2020

Please note that our first market stall of 2020 will be at the Bellingen market on Saturday 18^th January from 9.00 am until 1.30 pm. We hope to see you there.

Christmas Island

The politicians have isolated Priya, Nades and their QLD-born girls on Christmas Island, 5,000km from their Biloela home. They are now facing their second Christmas in detention.

Today, please post a card with a message of hope and compassion to Priya & Nades, c/- Phosphate Hill Immigration Detention Facility, Christmas Island, 6798.

It can take two months for ordinary mail to reach Christmas Island. To help your card arrive in time, make sure you add a 50c Australia Post Priority Label: bit.ly/prioritylabel

Thank you to everyone who has offered to send gifts to Christmas Island. Because of the limited capacity for mail on the twice weekly flights to Christmas Island, a simple card is the best way to show your support right now. Rest assured a ‘Christmas care package’ has already been sent from Bilo.

And finally...

This is our last newsletter for 2019. We will now take a break for a couple of weeks. Our next newsletter will appear in your inbox on Tuesday 7^th January. A huge thank you to you all for your support and commitment during the past year. Our work is not over, and we will need to return, refreshed, in 2020 to keep up the fight for justice for refugees and asylum seekers whose lives and wellbeing have been sacrificed on the altar of political expediency for so many years.

Check out the index of subjects on our blog http://bellorar.blogspot.com.au

It includes articles from many sources and letters to politicians and newspapers.

This newsletter is sent to >670 recipients

Our Face book is at https://www.facebook.com/Rural-Australians-for-Refugees-Bellingen-and-Nambucca-Districts-269696303205083/timeline/

(579 likes)

Twitter Account @RARBellingenNam

Email address bellingen.rar@gmail.com

The National RAR web site is at  www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au 

The National RAR facebook site is at  RAR Facebook

Bello Nambucca RAR Newsletter 3rd December 2019

 Roadside demonstration report

Bush, Beach and Bash report

Valla Beach market stall: Saturday 7^th December

Life in Australia for Medevac transferees

Medevac and Senator Lambie

Roadside demonstration report

We had another successful roadside demonstration next to the Big Banana last Thursday, with lots of support from passing motorists. Our seven supporters were joined for a while by two students who had recently graduated from the Coffs Harbour Senior College. Their interest and enthusiasm was truly uplifting!

Our next demonstration, which will be our final one for 2019, will be by the Pacific Highway in Coffs Harbour, opposite the base hospital, on Thursday 12^th December from 2.30 to 4.00 pm. We hope that many of you will try to get along to support us in reminding the public about our shameful treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.

Bush, Beach and Bash report

There was a great turn out of thirty supporters for our final fundraising event of the year on Sunday. Half of the group enjoyed a stroll around the Jagun nature reserve, led by John and Bronwyn who shared with us their great knowledge of the flora and fauna of the reserve. Somehow, we didn’t make it the beach! Lunch on the deck followed, and it was clear that everyone welcomed the opportunity to eat, drink and enjoy one another’s company until mid-afternoon. We raised an amazing $905 from donations and the raffle of a bottle of Veuve Cliquot. Together with the money raised from the recent sale of coins, other donations and sales at our market stall, it looks as if we will far exceed our 2019 fundraising target of $10,000 for the Asylum Seekers Centre. We will let you know the total amount for the year in our final newsletter of 2019 on 17^th December.

Valla Beach market stall: Saturday 7^th December

Our final market stall for 2019 will be at the popular Valla Beach market on Saturday 7^th December from 9.00 am until 1.00 pm. We’ll be collecting signatures on our open letter to the Prime Minister, handing out information leaflets and selling merchandise to raise funds for the Asylum Seekers Centre. Please drop by to sign the letter if you are visiting the market. If you can help out at our stall for an hour or two, then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com. New volunteers are always very welcome. 

Life in Australia for Medevac transferees

At this critical point in the government’s efforts to repeal the Medevac legislation, it is worth remembering that the Coalition has always been opposed to the transfer of sick refugees to Australia from offshore detention, and has spent large sums of taxpayers’ money attempting to block transfers over a number of years through the courts, but to no avail. The courts have routinely ordered the transfer of sick people, accompanied by family members, on the grounds that their medical needs – most often mental health problems – could not be met offshore. Once the refugees are here, lawyers intervene to prevent their return to the punishing regime from which they have been transferred. Since the start of 2016, only about eight people have been returned to offshore detention, much to Minister Dutton’s chagrin.

But what is life like in Australia for this group of people? The reality is that they live in fear of being returned offshore, they have few rights, and many restrictions on their lives. Most of those transferred remain in community detention and are subject to curfews, restrictions on their movements and the requirement to report weekly to the authorities – much like alleged criminals on bail. It is not surprising that they are often unable to overcome the sense of worthlessness that offshore detention instils. Academic and journalist Saba Vasefi explains: “Poor rehabilitative services and deprivation from civil engagement are two major components which contribute to refugees’ disempowerment.” People’s fear and uncertainty breeds anxiety and prolonged illness. One refugee reported: “Two days ago, my sister called my caseworker and she said: “you might get sent back to Nauru,” and so then again we get depressed.”

Nicolas Procter, professor of mental health nursing at the University of South Australia, has been working with asylum seekers for 25 years and advises governments on health and suicide prevention programmes for refugees. He says: “It takes time for people, particularly who have been in some cases in excruciating distress and despair, to be able to talk about that, to be able to bring about a calmer sense of self in all of that experience. That’s one of the real-world issues that this at-times-fragile and vulnerable group are in need of.” Unsurprisingly, professor Procter says that removing the threat of being returned to Nauru or PNG would help patients’ recovery. He adds: “Many people are dealing with such tremendous amounts of uncertainty that is linked to excruciating states of distress. If you want to rock somebody’s mental health, give them a dose of uncertainty and that will do it.”

There is clearly an urgent need for the government to treat these sick people with humanity and sensitivity, to manage their medical problems appropriately and to reassure them that they will not be returned to the terrible situation on Nauru and in PNG. We need a compassionate, safe, and permanent solution for these people, so that they can finally have some sense of security and, with support, rebuild their shattered lives.

Medevac and Senator Lambie

At the time of writing, we are still in the dark about Senator Lambie’s voting intention in relation to the government’s bid to repeal the Medevac legislation. She has stated that she will back the government provided that it meets her demand for a quid pro quo which she refuses to disclose as it is a “national security issue.” It has been widely speculated that she will back the government provided that it agrees to take up the New Zealand government’s offer to resettle 150 refugees, but this has neither been confirmed nor denied. Senator Lambie has been under huge pressure to do the right thing, namely to refuse to support the repeal of the legislation, from a wide range of organisations and citizens. It seems that only the Coalition, supported loudly by its friends in the Murdoch press, is keen to see the Medevac legislation repealed. Most Australians, according to a recent Guardian poll, back the legislation in its current form, or believe that it should be more compassionate. Only 22% of respondents believe that the current legislation weakens Australia’s borders. But that has not stopped Senator Mathias Cormann from spouting the usual government nonsense, stating on Monday: “Each individual senator has to make a decision: whether they stand on the side of stronger national security or weaker national security.”

It is very likely that the repeal bill will be tabled in the Senate this week. We can only hope, for the sake of the sick refugees, that the government suffers another defeat.

 

Check out the index of subjects on our blog http://bellorar.blogspot.com.au

It includes articles from many sources and letters to politicians and newspapers.

This newsletter is sent to >670 recipients

Our Face book is at https://www.facebook.com/Rural-Australians-for-Refugees-Bellingen-and-Nambucca-Districts-269696303205083/timeline/

(579 likes)

Twitter Account @RARBellingenNam

Email address bellingen.rar@gmail.com

 

The National RAR web site is at  www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au 

The National RAR facebook site is at  RAR Facebook

Bello Nambucca RAR Newsletter 26th November 2019

Roadside demonstration: Thursday 28^th November by the Big Banana

Our next market stall: Valla Beach, Saturday 7th December

B, B and B: directions to 39, Rogers Drive

Coin collection bonanza

Craig Foster speaks out for Medevac

Roadside demonstration: Thursday 28^th November by the Big Banana

A reminder that our next roadside demonstration is on Thursday 28^th November from 2.30 until 4.00 pm by the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. Please consider joining us if you can. These demonstrations make a significant impact, and are a great way of promoting our message of compassion and justice for refugees. 

 

Our next market stall: Valla Beach, Saturday 7th December

A reminder that our final market stall of the year will be at the Valla Beach market on Saturday 7^th December from 9.00 am until 1.00 pm. As usual, we’ll be engaging with market-goers, handing out leaflets, asking people to sign our open letter to the Prime Minister, and selling merchandise to raise funds for the Asylum Seekers Centre. If you can help out for an hour or two, then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com. 

B, B and B: directions to 39, Rogers Drive

A final call for our fundraiser and social on Sunday 1^st December, commencing at 11.30 am. The details of the event can be found in any of the newsletters of the past four weeks, which are on our blog.

Directions:

Turn off Giinagay way onto Valla Beach Road. Proceed for 450 metres, and take the turning on the left into Kuta Avenue, just before the water tower. Proceed along Kuta Avenue for 450 metres, and Rogers Drive is the third turning on the left. Proceed down the hill, and you will find number 39 almost at the end of the road on your left. There is plenty of parking on the driveway, and some off-street parking on both sides of Rogers Drive.

Coin collection bonanza

A few weeks ago, one of our supporters generously donated a coin collection to us, in the hope that it might be of some value. Following some research, and contacts with dealers in Sydney and elsewhere, we catalogued those coins in the collection which we thought would have some value. The work paid off, and a visit to a coin dealer in Lismore resulted in a receipt for $1,809, which will be donated to the Asylum Seekers Centre, together with the funds that we expect to raise at our social on 1^st December. How good is that? Almost all the coins were silver Australian florins, shillings and sixpences, with a high, and therefore valuable, silver content. A huge thank you to our very generous donor, who wishes to remain anonymous.

If anyone is interested, we still have just over 100 silver coins from New Zealand and Great Britain which we would like to dispose of. If you have an interest in these coins, or know somebody who might want to purchase them, then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com. 

Craig Foster speaks out for Medevac

Former Socceroos’ captain and sports broadcaster Craig Foster has spoken out passionately about the need to retain the current Medevac legislation, declaring that people in offshore detention are now “long past any threshold of torment a human should suffer.” He has visited Port Moresby recently and has seen at first hand the suffering of the asylum seekers and refugees. He commented: “The physical and psychological torment from almost seven years of detention is difficult for most of us to truly understand. I implore anyone involved to uphold the basic right of humans to access adequate care. In relation to the Medevac legislation, he had this to say: “I invite all MPs to come with me to meet those directly affected by our decisions- there are real people at the end of each clause, flesh and blood resting on every vote.”

The Medevac repeal Bill is finally due to be considered by the Senate tomorrow, Wednesday 27^th November. As you will know from earlier newsletters, the vote of Senator Jacqui Lambie is absolutely crucial. Her vote is likely to determine whether the legislation stays in place, or is repealed. Could you therefore please make one final push to urge her NOT to support the government’s attempts to repeal the legislation. Remind her that the law is working well. It is about duty of care and providing support for people for whom Australia has responsibility. It is saving lives.

Senator Lambie’s contact details are: senator.lambie@aph.gov.au. Telephone: 02 6277 3614.

Check out the index of subjects on our blog http://bellorar.blogspot.com.au

It includes articles from many sources and letters to politicians and newspapers.

This newsletter is sent to >670 recipients

Our Face book is at https://www.facebook.com/Rural-Australians-for-Refugees-Bellingen-and-Nambucca-Districts-269696303205083/timeline/

(579 likes)

Twitter Account @RARBellingenNam

Email address bellingen.rar@gmail.com

 

The National RAR web site is at  www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au 

The National RAR facebook site is at  RAR Facebook

Bello Nambucca RAR Newsletter 5th November 2019

Roadside demonstration report

Next market stall: Saturday 16^th November, Bellingen market

Bush, Beach and Bash: Sunday 1^st December, from 11.30 am

Accommodation needed for asylum seeker family

Do you have an unwanted acoustic guitar?

Australians in Canada supporting our refugees

Roadside demonstration report

We had a great turnout for last Thursday’s roadside demonstration in Bellingen, and the response from passing motorists was overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. We wondered how our elected representatives would react if they were to observe such positive support for ending the cruel policy of indefinite offshore detention!

Our next demonstration will be on Thursday 14^th November in Coffs Harbour, next to the Big Banana, from 2.30 to 4.00 pm. Please join us if you can.

Next market stall: Saturday 16^th November, Bellingen market

Our next market stall will be at the Bellingen Community Market on Saturday 16^th November from 9.00 am until 1.30 pm. We have been allocated site C13, which is accessed via the Park Street entrance. We expect to have a busy morning handing out information leaflets, asking people to sign our open letter to the Prime Minister and selling merchandise to raise funds for the Asylum Seekers Centre. Please drop by to sign the letter if you are at the market. If you can help out for an hour or two at our stall, then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com.

 

Bush, Beach and Bash: Sunday 1^st December, from 11.30 am

Hopefully you will have read about our next fundraiser in last week’s newsletter. Our plan is for a social get-together and fundraiser to help us reach our $10,000 2019 target for the Asylum Seekers Centre. Please arrive at 39, Rogers Drive, Valla Beach at 11.30 am, armed with a plate to share. If you don’t feel up to the Bush and Beach elements, or if it rains, then just turn up at 12.30 pm or earlier for lunch. We are asking for a $20 donation. Drinks will be provided, and there will be a raffle. It will be a great opportunity for a social get-together before things get too busy as Christmas approaches. Please put the date in your diary, and let Mike know if you are planning to come, as we hope you will. Please email Mike at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com.

Accommodation needed for asylum seeker family

We wrote some months ago about a family, comprising a mother and her three young children, who were living in a one-bedroom cabin on the property of one of our supporters. They are still there, and still desperately looking for a unit in Coffs Harbour. A group of our supporters are contributing to a fund to pay the rental on a property when one becomes available, but so far, the family have had no luck in securing a rental unit. If you, or anyone you know, has any contacts who may be able to help in the search for a rental unit on the east side of the highway in Coffs Harbour, then please contact Margaret on 0414 592 519. Their current accommodation is just not suitable for a family of four.

Do you have an unwanted acoustic guitar?

The eldest child of the asylum seeker family referred to above is learning the guitar at his Bellingen primary school, and is showing a lot of talent, but he needs to practice at home. If you have an unwanted acoustic guitar at home that you are prepared to donate to Kelvin, that would make him very happy. In the meantime, he is collecting recyclable bottles to help him save up to purchase one, so he is clearly keen and willing! Please contact Margaret on 0414 592 519 if you can help.

Australians in Canada supporting our refugees

A group of Australians living in Canada have established a group named Ads-Up (Australian Diaspora Steps Up), to help bring refugees from Manus and Nauru to Canada under the country’s sponsorship scheme. They were driven to action following the recent election in Australia which saw a huge spike in acts of self-harm and attempted suicides. Last week the first refugee sponsored by the group arrived at Toronto airport after almost seven years on Manus, and a second man will arrive next week. Meanwhile, another group, which we wrote about and raised some funds for at our market stall in Coffs Harbour a couple of months ago, has now raised approximately $330,000 in sponsorship funding and is about to submit its first batch of 17 applications. It’s shameful that our government is unwilling to take action to rescue these refugees from their terrible situation in offshore detention, but it is inspiring to learn about people with open hearts in other parts of the world who are prepared to intervene and to offer refugees a new life. As the Iranian refugee who arrived in Canada last week said on his arrival: “Before this, I had no future.”

Check out the index of subjects on our blog http://bellorar.blogspot.com.au

It includes articles from many sources and letters to politicians and newspapers.

This newsletter is sent to >670 recipients

Our Face book is at https://www.facebook.com/Rural-Australians-for-Refugees-Bellingen-and-Nambucca-Districts-269696303205083/timeline/

(579 likes)

Twitter Account @RARBellingenNam

Email address bellingen.rar@gmail.com

 

The National RAR web site is at  www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au 

The National RAR facebook site is at  RAR Facebook