refugee council of

annual report 2016/17

www.refugeecouncil.org.au1 Refugees Contribute President’s Report

oday, Australia is more multicultural Nirary he recent years of drama and trauma for and families, and even to mobile phones — became than ever before. We live this reality in refugees both in Australia and internationally more restricted. With a change in the law, more Nirary Dacho is 29 years old. He the food we eat, the music we listen have compounded even further in 2016/17. people are now locked up more easily through the T fled Syria in 2015. He has a Masters T to and, most importantly, the people we cancellation of visas, creating a new class of people degree and more than eight years More people are seeking safety – from persecution, surround ourselves with. in indefinite detention. For those in the community experience in IT. In Syria, he worked conflict, violence and violations of human rights – than whose claims are increasingly being rejected in the Over the last century, many people have as a university lecturer and as a at any time since World War II. new unfair system, they are being left to destitution come to our shores seeking help from all manager at the Assyrian Human The crisis faced by tens of millions of people, from and exploitation. over the world. Each community has played Rights Network. South Sudan to Syria and Iraq and across to Myanmar, a part in making Australia what it is today. By contrast, Australia has now started the However, when he arrived in has continued to escalate. As the world committed resettlement of an additional 12,000 people displaced Of course, to be a refugee, a person is rightly Australia he applied for over 100 to the first ever Global Compact for refugees, in light by conflict in Syria and Iraq. The resettlement of judged on their need for protection, not on jobs without success. “The main of the growing need for a cooperative international people from Syria and Iraq was welcome, although the contribution they might make to their barrier was local experience”, he said. approach to displacement, we have seen former the unnecessarily drawn out process delayed the host county. However, the fact remains that leaders in the global community, such as the USA, UK Not one to give up easily, Nirary decided to do something opportunity to enable them to start the rebuilding of study after study has shown that people who and Australia, shrink from their responsibilities to the about it. their lives. Similarly, while the release of most children have come to Australia as refugees have most vulnerable people in the world. from detention in Australia is welcome, far too many made overwhelmingly positive contributions, He set up a website which connected skilled people from Back home, we have heard about – but have been children are still suffering on Nauru. economically as well as culturally. refugee backgrounds with companies offering internships largely prevented from seeing – the suffering of those or traineeships. Today, Nirary runs RefugeeTalent.com, a We, together with our members, worked with political The entrepreneurial spirit that characterises we have sent to Nauru and Papua New Guinea. burgeoning business matching refugees with jobs. leadership of state governments to win more than these communities is perhaps unsurprising, Thousands remain there as we approach the fifth year 25,000 TAFE places for people seeking asylum, and given the resilience and courage that they Not only is Nirary himself an example of refugee of their seemingly indefinite detention and breach of with the University sector to deliver over 100 individual have had to show in order to make it this far. entrepreneurship, but his efforts have made a difference to their most fundamental human rights. We have also scholarships to this group, who would otherwise be the lives of hundreds of people from refugee backgrounds, been left in the dark about the fate of the boats that This year we featured several stories of unable to continue their study due to the prohibitive enabling them to start rebuilding their lives and contributing to the Australian Government has pushed back to sea. contribution. costs. their new home. While the Australian Government continues to Australia has now wasted billions in detaining people emphasise it is ‘saving lives’ in its brutal turnback on Nauru and Manus Island, caused great damage Hani Abdile policy, their approach shines a light on Australia’s to many thousands of people, and been condemned At only 21 Hani Abdile has lived hypocrisy. Just 34 Rohingya refugees were resettled for our brutal policies by the international community. Contents through more than most of us. On in Australia in the three years to 2017. Of perhaps greatest concern is the way our approach her own and only 16, she fled her In a similarly punitive approach, the lives of tens of undermines a sustainable global approach to President’s Report 3 home country of Somalia, leaving thousands of people who arrived by boat seeking managing the current crisis of displacement. Our her parents and siblings behind. Global Trends 2017 4 our countries protection, remain in limbo. These Government’s insular fixation on closing Australia’s Her journey for asylum took her vulnerable people face a future living in the margins, borders fails to recognise the global nature of the Australia’s Refugee Program 5 via Indonesia to Australia, where unable to access further education and vulnerable to crisis and the global cooperation required to begin to she was placed in detention on Policy 6 exploitation. Others who had found safety in Australia resolve it. Christmas Island. were unable to become citizens, as the Australian Our Roles & Priorities 8 Human displacement is a challenge the entire world There, Hani began to write. She Government dragged their feet in deciding their must face together. With more than 65 million Our Organisation 9 began by writing about her life, citizenship applications, as the Federal Court found people displaced, 22.5 million of them refugees partly to improve her English skills. One day she posted one in a case brought with the support of the Refugee and 10 million stateless people across the globe, Our Achievements 10 of her poems on Facebook. It was found by Janet Galbraith, Council in December 2016. these people need their rights. There is not one the founder of Writing for Fences, a group of people who are, Refugee Alternatives 2017 11 Some things that were already bad got worse. For single solution. Despite this, the Refugee Council of or have been, in Australia’s immigration detention system. many refugees in Australia it became even harder Australia continues to advocate with and for refugee Refugee Week 2017 12 Today, Hani is making her mark on the Inner West to reunite with loved ones overseas and for some communities for fairer and more just policies for cultural scene as an event organiser and poet. Our Members 14 people who came more recently, it has now become people seeking protection.. Hani has now published a collection of poetry and prose, impossible. While we welcomed the release of most Financial Reports 18 There is still so more to do as we continue to face titled I Will Rise. children and families from detention and the closure challenges in 2017 and strive to provide clear actions of several detention centres, those kept locked up Find out more at writingthroughfences.org/ our governments and communities can take to ensure continued to be incarcerated for increasing periods Australia treats refugees humanely. of time in increasingly difficult conditions. Their 2 Front Cover Photo: James Alcock access to the outside world — to visitors, friends Phil Glendenning, President 3 Global Trends 2017 Australia’s Refugee Program

he latest global refugee statistics from the remains small, despite a significant increase in n another difficult political year, the RCOA team The Minister also proposed draconian citizenship United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees resettlement arrivals to Australia in 2016. has been working to raise the issues brought to legislation requiring a university level of English, a (UNHCR)’s Global Trends report highlight the us by refugee communities and our members to longer waiting period and increased, unreviewable T Last year, 27,626 resettled refugees arrived in Australia, I need for Australia to increase support for refugees, improve the situation of refugees and people seeking powers for himself. Working with our membership, with the increase being due to the one-off commitment including those from eastern and central Africa. asylum. Our three campaign priorities this year reflect hundreds of submissions were made opposing the of 12,000 places for Syrian and Iraqi refugees and hundreds of conversations and consultations with reforms, and when the Government refused to publish Over the past two decades, the global population of delays in the processing of refugee applications which community members about some of their most the submissions, we did so on our website. forcibly displaced people has grown substantially from saw a previous reduction in arrivals. pressing concerns: family reunion; citizenship; and 33.9 million in 1997 to 65.6 million in 2016. There Led by the voices of those with direct experience, Australia assisted 34,193 refugees through access to education. are now 22.5 million refugees worldwide, an increase we held meetings with government, opposition resettlement or the onshore asylum process in 2016. in 1.2 million people from 2015. This includes 17.2 and crossbench members to outline the potential This represented 1.36% of the 2.5 million refugees Family Reunion million people under UNHCR’s mandate and 5.3 implications of such changes. A huge win for civil around the world who received refugee protection or million Palestinian refugees registered under UNWRA. Separation from close family remains a primary society, the voting down of the bill showed our power resettlement last year. concern for thousands of refugees and people when we work together. Altogether, more than half (55%) of all refugees Australia’s refugee resettlement program is significant seeking asylum across Australia. It is extremely worldwide came from just three countries: in international terms because of the very limited difficult for those affected to rebuild their lives, without #EducationForAll • Syrian Arab Republic (5.5 million) number of resettlement places available. knowing whether their siblings, parents, children or RCOA has continued to push for the removal of • Afghanistan (2.5 million) other relatives are safe or if they will ever see them However, the UNHCR statistics show that Australia’s barriers to education for refugees and people again. This is a major barrier to successful settlement, • South Sudan (1.4 million) politicians mislead the Australian public when they seeking asylum and has secured a number of affecting not only the families in question, but whole Children made up an astonishing 51% of the world’s suggest this makes our nation one of the world’s important victories on this front. Since launching our communities. refugees in 2016. most generous. Instead of congratulating themselves, #EducationForAll campaign, the state governments Australia’s leaders should be reaching out to nations Building on our work in 2016, RCOA facilitated picnics of NSW, SA, Victoria and ACT have introduced During 2016, 10.3 million people were newly such as Uganda with offers of increased resettlement across Australia to bring people together to better policy changes allowing people seeking asylum and displaced by conflict or persecution. This included 6.9 and aid support, thanking the nations in the frontline understand and equip them to raise the issues with refugees on temporary visas to access vocational million individuals displaced within the borders of their of refugee movements for not closing their minds and their political members. In the next stage, the Fair Go education courses up to Diploma level. This has own countries and 3.4 million new refugees and new hearts to persecuted people. For Families campaign will conduct polling to better had a profound effect on the lives of thousands of asylum-seekers. The latest UNHCR Global Trends 2017 are understand the Australian public concerns around people around the country. In addition, RCOA has RCOA’s analysis of the UNHCR statistics shows that detailed in the infographic below. this issue and take the matter to parliamentarians. We worked with a number of universities to introduce new Australia’s contribution to the global refugee response will also take this message to politicians in scholarships to over 130 people wishing to study at directly, accompanied by people personally affected degree level. by family separation, and push for fundamental RCOA has also set up a number of online resources change to provide people the best start in their new to point people in the direction of available funding country. and to provide updates as new scholarships are released. Many community members have told us Citizenship that they have found this to be an invaluable resource. It has been a dramatic year in the world of Australian In September, RCOA joined forces with a number of citizenship, particularly for people who came to Victorian Universities to provide information sessions Australia as refugees. At the end of 2016, we around the state about how to access and apply for supported two people to win a landmark court battle scholarship funding. against the immigration minister on citizenship delays. Despite the significant progress made in the This was based on RCOA research which showed campaign, many people around Australia remain more than 10,000 people from refugee backgrounds unable to access or afford higher education. We at were affected by prolonged delays in obtaining RCOA believe that education is a universal right, and citizenship, with devastating consequences. crucial in allowing people to move out of limbo and Since the court win, RCOA has kept the pressure into meaningful employment. We will keep advocating on the Department of Immigration to process the for this until education really is for all. backlog. We are delighted to hear that some have had their decisions sped up – yet many are still waiting. 4 5 Policy

e thought things couldn’t get much worse in refugee policy, but they Policy Reports and Submissions in 2016/17 Whave. In the past year, the Australian Government has introduced or proposed even The Refugee Council of Australia continues to • South Sudanese community organisations in Sydney harsher measures for those seeking safety in conduct research and make submissions on • Barriers to Education for People Seeking Asylum Australia. Internationally, worsening conflicts refugee and asylum seeker issues. Here is a list and Refugees on Temporary Visas and weakening commitments by governments of the output for this year. also threaten the protection of millions of • Delays in citizenship applications for permanent • Nothing about us without us: Getting serious about people. refugee visa holders refugee self-representation One of the few bright spots in Australian • Report on refugee self-representation: advocacy in Submissions policy was the announcement in late 2017 Geneva 2017 that people transferred by Australia to Nauru • Submission on the OPCAT in Australia consultation or Manus Island would have the opportunity • Report of 2017 Annual Tripartite Consultations on paper to be resettled in the US. However, more than resettlement • Response to the proposed citizenship changes7

half a year on, there are still many unanswered Photo: James Alcock • Spotlight on Australia’s cruel asylum policy at the • Submission on strengthening multiculturalism questions about this deal, and so far only a are rarely changed. There will be thousands of people Human Rights Council small number of people have left under this deal. who will be forced to lodge claims in court, but their • Intake submission on Australia’s 2017-2018 refugee • Recent changes in Australian refugee policy and humanitarian program In Australia, the Australian Federal Government has first court date will often be in 2018 or even 2019. In the meantime, people in this situation will have no • Expanding support for alternatives to detention for • Submission on the status of the human right to recently announced that it will be effectively forcing children in Asia Pacific people to apply for protection by 1 October 2017. income support, often have no right to work, and freedom of religion or belief Those that did not meet this deadline will no longer sometimes do not even have the right to live lawfully • Resettlement fraud: Background and resources • Submission into the Social Services Legislation be able to apply for any kind of visa or receive any in the community. • Getting involved in the annual UNHCR-NGO Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care money to survive. This affects around 5,000 people One of the brighter spots has been the release of Consultations in Geneva: a guide Reform) Bill 2017 in Australia, most of whom are on long waiting lists many people from detention in Australia, especially • Speaking Out: voices of young people from refugee • Submission on the Australian Government’s foreign at the handful of legal centres offering free legal children. However, those who are still in detention & asylum seeking backgrounds policy White Paper representation. are finding it much harder, and are staying there • Raising concerns about Australian refugee policy to • Submission into the inquiry into migrant settlement much longer. RCOA has published a report on the After the Australian Government removed funding UNHCR 2016 outcomes for much of their work with asylum seekers in 2014, increasingly difficulty faced by detention visitors, one • Raising concerns about the Middle East and North • Submission into proposed Immigration these legal centres have managed to survive through aspect of these changes in policies and procedures. Africa to UNHCR Transit Accommodation Project, Broadmeadows, the impressive generosity of ordinary people. They Perhaps the best news story in the past year has Victoria have been making, and continue to make a heroic been the resettlement of the additional 12,000 people • Raising concerns to the International Office of effort to serve these most vulnerable of people in a from Syria and Iraq, mostly in existing settlement Migration • Submission into the inquiry into freedom of speech very short space of time, as without their help many areas in NSW and Victoria. While the processing of • Raising concerns about Africa to UNHCR • Inquiry into migrant settlement outcomes people are likely to be wrongly denied protection and their applications took a long time, surges of arrivals in • Raising concerns about Asia with UNHCR • Submission into the inquiry into the Migration sent back to danger. This follows a very slow start late 2016-2017 meant that all those people have now Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing to the so-called ‘fast tracking’ process of granting arrived and ultimately more than 20,000 people were • Refugee Needs and Trends: A Statistical Snapshot Cohort) Bill 2016 people protection, which only really got going in the resettled in 2016-2017, one of our highest intakes in • Australian advocacy in Geneva second half of 2016. • Submission on the serious allegations of abuse, recent years. • Not Working: Experiences of refugees and migrants neglect and self-harm on Nauru and Manus Island Government policy has also meant that people on Internationally, there was some good news with the with Jobactive • Submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry temporary protection visas have not received real help agreement to develop a Global Compact on Refugees • Recent changes in Australian refugee policy to settle in Australia, making it much harder for them and for the UNHCR to lead the development of a into human services • Settlement Grants Program: Where does the money to get work. Without Commonwealth subsidies, they Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework in the • Submission on dispute resolution in Victorian go? are also effectively locked out of further and have little next two years. residential tenancy laws hope of being able to reunite with their families. . • State of the Nation 2017: Refugees and people Yet the election of Donald Trump as President, and • Submission to the Victorian Government on the seeking asylum in Australia Those granted temporary protection visas are, rising tides of nationalism in key countries, also State Disability Plan however, lucky compared to those who are found • Addressing the pain of separation for refugee threatens to undermine the international commitment To read all the Reports and Submissions not to be refugees by the Department. The new ‘fast families to refugees. By suspending its refugee resettlement visit www.refugeecouncil.org.au/our-work/ tracking’ process provides for a very limited form of program, the US has effectively halved the world’s • Education barriers facing South Sudanese refugees publications 6 review, with the predictable outcome that decisions resettlement capacity at a time when ever more in Australia 7 people are in danger. Our Roles & Priorities Our Organisation

hrough its strong links with refugee Vision Support for our work RCOA Board members (1 July 2016 communities and sector networks, RCOA is For the voices of refugees to be heard, the rights of After the removal of our organisation’s core funding in May – 30 June 2017) well positioned to inform and be informed on T refugees to be respected, the humanity of refugees 2014, we were fortunate to receive generous support from the Phil Glendenning – President the broad spectrum of refugee and asylum activities in valued and the contribution of refugees celebrated. Australian community. In 2016/17, this support grew and RCOA William Maley – Vice President Australia and internationally. is focused on consolidating our funding streams and seeking Adrian Graham – Treasurer The central position RCOA holds within the sector in Purpose new opportunities to ensure the long term sustainability of Sonia Caton – Chairperson (resigned position Australia means that it is able to contribute to refugee RCOA’s work in support of refugees and asylum seekers. To work with its members in promoting the and Board 13 November 2016) policy discussions at the highest levels of government development of humane, lawful and constructive Thank you to the many people who supported our work, by Lis De Vries – Chairperson (since 14 November in Australia and through international dialogue. RCOA policies towards refugees and asylum seekers donating, promoting our cause to friends and through social 2016) shares information through publishing research and by Australian and other governments and their media, and the organisations who provided support in light of Ali Nur – Secretary analysis, active engagement with the media and communities. the removal of our government funding. Caroline Fleay presentations to schools, community groups and public seminars. RCOA coordinates and promotes The $947,747 in donations and memberships received Abdul Karim Hekmat the national celebration of Refugee Week. It promotes Aims from the public and members was the largest amount Melika Sheikh Eldin involvement in a network of Refugee Welcome Zones In order to achieve this purpose, the Council pursues received in RCOA’s history. As at 30 June 2017, RCOA had Jenny Semple with local councils across Australia, encouraging local the following aims: 186 organisational members, approximately 440 individual Beata Ostapelj-Piakowski – Joined Board 14 communities to take positive action in welcoming members and three life members. November 2016 • To act as a unifying organisation and to represent its refugees. members. Special thanks to Rob Keldoulis and Colin Biggers & Paisley Maya Cranitch – Joined Board 14 November As a key link between Australian NGOs, United for their generous support throughout the year. 2016 • To promote the empowerment of refugee Nation agencies and international refugee agencies, John Roc – Joined Board 14 November 2016 communities and individuals in Australia and RCOA coordinates the representation of Australian Add your support Ruth Jacobs – Joined Board 14 November 2016 internationally and support the capacity building of NGOs on matters of international refugee policy. Marc Purcell – Joined Board 14 November 2016 the refugee sector in and beyond Australia. To continue RCOA’s work as an independent community voice Through its International Policy Network, RCOA for fair treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, we need the Ella Dixon – Joined Board 13 April 2017 works with member agencies and refugee community • To monitor, research and present information on support of Australian individuals and organisations who share Susan Harris-Rimmer (resigned 10 October 2016) representatives to raise common concerns at key issues relating to the needs and circumstances of our goals: fair and humane treatment and policy for refugees United Nations meetings globally. refugees and asylum seekers. and asylum seekers; and a welcoming environment. Please RCOA staff (1 July 2016 – 30 June While working with its member organisations and • To assist governments and inter-governmental support us now. Tax deductible donations to RCOA are always 2017) supporters, RCOA takes seriously its responsibility to organisations to formulate policy and improve support needed and gratefully received. Paul Power – Chief Executive Officer support the advocacy and public voice of Australia’s and services for refugees and asylum seekers. For more information, contact RCOA on: Tim O’Connor – Communications Director refugee communities. To ensure this is reflected, • To increase public awareness and media sensitivity Phone: (02) 9211 9333 or Visit our website – Joyce Chia – Director of Policy RCOA commenced implementation of an updated towards refugees and asylum seekers. www.refugeecouncil.org.au Effie Mitchell – General Manager Strategic Plan for the period 20106-2020. Rebecca Eckard – Senior Policy Officer Goals Total Income by Source - 2016/17 Michelle Ferns – Project Officer During the period 2016-2020, RCOA will work with its Other income Martyn Green – Accounting Officer $32,726 members towards: Asher Hirsch – Policy Officer Refugee Week Ewan Isbister – Fundraising Strategist • Promoting better opportunities and improved $120,602 services and support for refugees settling in Australia; Rebecca Langton – Membership Officer Grants Georgie McGrillen – Project Manager • Promoting fairer government policies for people $109,892 seeking asylum in Australia; Sahar Okhovat – Policy Officer Louise Olliff – Senior Policy Officer • Promoting more effective systems of international Projects and Laura Stacey – Media and Campaigns Officer protection for refugees and asylum seekers; consultancies $149,179 Donations and Zamera Shariffie – Face to Face schools • Promoting increased public support for refugees in membership fees coordinator $947,747 Australia; Shukufa Tahiri – Policy assistant • Supporting the advocacy and public role of Vijhai Utheyan – Administration Assistant Australia’s refugee communities; and Deena Yako – Face to Face schools coordinator

Photo: James Alcock • Enhancing the capacity of RCOA to achieve its Eileen Wahab – Projects Officer 8 organisational goals. 9 Our Achievements Refugee Alternatives 2017

he 2016/17 year continued to see a great • Established coordination amongst the advocacy he Refugee Council of Australia and UNSW deal of activity and some great achievements sector in Australia aimed at more focused and better Sydney Grand Challenges held the inaugural Tpromoted by and shared with our membership outcomes for refugees and people seeking asylum. TConference Refugee Alternatives: Improving and refugee and asylum seeker communities. With Policy, Practice and Public Support on 22- 23 • Grew the Refugee Community Advocacy Network a staff equal to 12 full time equivalent people and February 2017. The Conference injected broader (RCAN) in NSW and Victoria, working with necessary support from our volunteers, we have: thinking and focused outcomes by ensuring that lived refugee community members; held two Statewide experience and good practice are the foundations of • Completed 18 formal submissions and given Conferences for the Victorian and NSW branches. strategic, fair and improved policy development: that evidence at 15 Federal Government inquiries on • Led the Australian NGO and refugee community people with lived refugee experience drive the design, issues affecting refugees, people seeking asylum participation in key global UNHCR meetings, content and delivery of solutions. By partnering with and Australia’s international approach and barriers including international NGO consultations. those that are best placed to find solutions to current to improving outcomes for people who are issues, the Conference was able to ensure over displaced, stateless and seeking protection • Facilitated more than 30 teleconference meetings on key issues of asylum seeker and refugee 40% of the 70 speakers and moderators were from • Published 26 research reports, papers and briefings settlement policy. refugees and asylum seekers backgrounds. to international, regional and national audiences on The Conference gave an opportunity to discuss, issues relating to accessing edcuation, opportunities • Directly engaged federal, state and local politicians share, learn and contribute to new understandings. for improving Australia’s policy settings, practical in our advocacy. Principal Sponsors With the central focus on ‘alternatives’, the space mechanisms to raise the voice of lived experience, • UNSW Grand Challenges • Actively participated in the Asia Pacific Refugee supported new ideas and partnerships that were our serious concerns with Australia’s approach to • CBP Foundation Rights Network at Board level, and in regional and both inspirational and hopeful, as well as providing a people seeking asylum and educational barriers for international advocacy, and organized a visit by platform for concrete recommendations for action. people seeking asylum. delegates to Australia. Sponsors Over the course of the two days, more than 350 • Welcomed 16 new local councils as Refugee • The Australian Migrant Resource Centre • Published 62 public statements on key issues and people from refugee backgrounds, academia, service Welcome Zones, including holding the inaugural • Australian Red Cross provided hundreds of interviews to local, national provision, advocacy, policymaking, government and Refugee Welcome Zone national seminar. • Curtin University and international media. engaged individuals came together to collaborate • Liverpool City Council • Coordinated National Refugee Week in Australia • Received unprecedented public financial support, and discuss policy and practice. The broad range of assisting in support of more than 500 local events with total contributions from the Australian public expertise made for riveting, purposeful engagement • Marist 180 around the country. and members totaling $1,360,146. on a range of themes including good practice in • STARTTS resettlement; innovation within education; mental health and resilience; youth issues; deconstructing the Partner drivers of forced migration; refugee women’s fight for • Settlement Services International (SSI) justice; and refugee authorship in creative industries. From these sessions, a range of clear cross-cutting Event Partners in Victoria priorities, strategic outcomes and platforms for action • Wyndham Community & Education Centre emerged. Looking ahead, the Refugee Council of • City West Water Australia and UNSW Sydney Grand Challenges are excited to share the wide range of recommendations to support action in international, regional and local spaces and continue the momentum at all these levels. Full details of these recommendations can be found at: https://refugeealternatives.org.au. The Refugee Council of Australia and UNSW Grand Challenges are grateful for the support of all the sponsors of the Conference.

10 The RCOA delegation at international NGO consultations in Geneva. 11 Refugee Week 2017

efugee Week 2017 was officially Australia’s Vincent de Paul Society. biggest to date, with over 500 events Other sponsors included Rcelebrated across the country. Film screenings, Navitas English, Jesuit Social art exhibitions, circus performances, public Services, NSW Teachers storytelling, music festivals, comedy galas, poetry Federation, City of Melbourne, slams, fashion shows, a smorgasbord of mouth- NSW Service for the watering food and much, much more brought out Treatment and Rehabilitation tens of thousands of Australians to celebrate the of Torture and Trauma courage and contribution that refugees bring to their Survivors (STARTTS) and adopted nation. Core Community Services. Refugee Week partners For the first time, Refugee Week 2017 included the are Amnesty International exciting addition of Australia’s first ever Refugee Film Australia, Australian Refugee Festival. The Festival enjoyed many sold-out screenings Association, NSW Refugee and a magnificent line up of films and speakers in Health Service and Overseas Sydney and Melbourne, with many others hosting their Services to Survivors of own screenings around the country. Torture and Trauma (OSSTT). The official Refugee Week Launch was held at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney and featured The official Refugee Week wrap party took the form of inspiring voices of people from refugee backgrounds, the Festival of Welcome in Melbourne, in conjunction live entertainment, a book reading of I’m Australian with Federation Square’s Winter Solstice celebration. Photo: James Alcock Too by award-winning Mem Fox and the 2017 Thousands of Victorians flocked to the Square in spite Parade. In South Australia, a full week of events was Humanitarian Awards organised by STARTTS. The of the wintry weather to dance to music from around held at Government House, including films, speeches event was an incredible celebration of the diversity of the world, sample the delicious treats on offer and and community dinners. Tasmanians celebrated with a Australia. celebrate all that refugees bring to Australia. This was community kitchen, a welcome tree and much more. In exemplified by the incredible musical talent of refugee Throughout the week, every state and territory ACT, the Refugee soccer world cup brought together artists such as King Bell, Ajak Kwai and the Burundian came out to show their support and appreciation players of all stripes for a friendly competition, whilst Drummers. They shared the stage with Australian for Australia’s refugee communities. Over 15,000 those in the Northern Territory were treated to an artists who have raised their voices for refugee justice, Queenslanders attended Luminous, the annual Lantern incredible World Music Festival. including the Hard Aches, Robot Child and award- winning Melbourne artist Dan Sultan. Major sponsors of this year’s Refugee Week were the City of Sydney, Community Migrant Resource Centre, Settlement Services International (SSI) and the St

12 Photo: James Alcock Photo: James Alcock 13 Our Members

Organisational Members Cabrini Health Justice for Refugees SA Sanctuary Australia Foundation Canberra Refugee Support Inc Kildonan Uniting Care Save the Children Australia Access Community Services Career Seekers Lentara UnitingCare Asylum Seeker Program SCALES Community Legal Centre Act for Peace Caritas Australia Life Without Barriers Settlement Services International ActionAid Australia Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba, Social Justice Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre Sisters of Charity of Australia Advance Diversity Services Commission Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre Adventist Development and Relief Agency of Australia Ltd Catholic Education Office Wollongong Loreto Sisters Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre (ADRA Australia Ltd) Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Archdiocese of Lutheran Community Care South Australia St Bede’s Social Justice Group Advocacy for Oromia Association in Victoria Brisbane Macarthur Diversity Services Initiative St George Youth Services Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Australia Catholic Religious Australia Marist 180 St James’ Church, Sydney Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees CatholicCare Tasmania Marist Sisters St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia AMES Australia Catholics in Coalition for Justice & Peace MDA Ltd St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Amnesty International Australia Centacare Cairns Melaleuca Refugee Centre St Vincent de Paul Society Refugee and Migrant Committee Anglican Diocese of Adelaide Centacare Catholic Family Services SA Melbourne Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (WA) Anglicare Migrant and Refugee Services Centacare Wagga Wagga Mercy Community Services SEQ Ltd Stand Up: Jewish Commitment to a Better World Anglicare North Coast Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees Mercy Works Ltd Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families Anglicare Refugee and Migrant Settlement Services (NT) Centre for Multicultural Youth Metro Assist Sudanese Online Research Association & Sudanese Armidale Rural Australians for Refugees Centrecare Incorporated Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Inc Australian Integrated Learning Program Armidale Sanctuary ChilOut MiCare Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors Cohealth Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT Inc Rehabilitation Service (ASeTTS) Communicare Migrant Resource Centre (Northern Tasmania) Inc Sydney Multicultural Community Services Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Health Community Migrant Resource Centre Migrant Resource Centre (Southern Tasmania) SydWest Multicultural Services Inc Assyrian Australian Association Companion House Montmorency Asylum Seeker Support Group TAFE Queensland English Language and Literacy Services Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Core Community Service Mt Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency The Brotherhood of St Laurence Multicultural Communities Asylum Seekers Centre Diversitat Multicultural Council of Tasmania Team Auburn Diversity Services Inc Eagle Arts & Vocational College Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga The Humanitarian Group Australia for UNHCR East Gippsland Asylum Seekers Support Multicultural NSW The Mercy Foundation Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education Multicultural Services Centre of WA The Multicultural Network Australian Catholic Social Justice Council Edmund Rice Centre Mirrabooka Multicultural Youth Affairs Network NSW The Tasmania Opportunity Australian Clinical Psychology Association Executive Council of Australian Jewry MultiLink Community Services Inc Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Support Australian Council For International Development FamilyCare Muslims Australia - Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Townsville Multicultural Support Group Australian Council of Trade Unions Fitzroy Learning Network Northcott UCA WA Synod Social Justice Unit Australian Education Union (Federal Office) Foundation House (Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Northern Settlement Services Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod Australian Education Union -Teachers Torture) NSW Council for Civil Liberties UnitingJustice Australia Federation Branch God’s Dwelling Place Bethany City Church Inc NSW Refugee Health Service UTS Art Gallery Australian Karen Foundation Hands of Love Inc. NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture UTS Faculty of Law Australian Karen Organisation Inc Horn of Africa Relief and Development Agency (HARDA) and Trauma Survivors Valerio Daniel de Simoni Association Inc Australian Migrant Resource Centre Host International Oromia Support Group in Australia Victorian Arabic Social Services Australian National Committee on Refugee Women House of Welcome Overseas Services to Survivors of Torture & Trauma Waverley Council Australian Red Cross Illawarra Multicultural Services Oxfam Australia Welcome to Australia Australian Refugee Association Inc Immigration Advice and Rights Centre Pax Christi Australia (NSW) West Wagga San Isidore Refugee Committee Ballarat Community Health Inala Community House Pratt Family Foundation Western Region Ethnic Communities Council Baptcare Indigo Foundation Queanbeyan Rural Australians for Refugees Whittlesea Community Connections Baptist Care Australia Institute of Sisters of Mercy, Australia and Papua New Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture Wimmera Development Association (Wimmera Settlement Baptistcare Incorporated Guinea and Trauma Association) Barnabas Relief Education and Development International Commission of Jurists, Australian Section Refugee Advice and Casework Service Women’s Health in the South East Bathurst Refugee Support Group International Society for Human Rights Australia Inc Refugee and Immigration Legal Service World Vision Australia Bendigo Community Health Services ISHAR Multicultural Women’s Health Centre Refugee Connect Wyndham Community and Education Centre Inc Bhutanese Organisation In Australia Inc Jesuit Refugee Service Australia Refugee Legal Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group Jesuit Social Services Salvation Army B’nai B’rith Australia/New Zealand Justice and Freedom for Ceylon Tamils Salvos Legal Humanitarian 14 Bridge for Asylum Seekers NSW 15 Our Members

Individual Members Volunteers (1 July 2016 – 30 June David Lloyd Bishop Clyde W& Eleanor Jacka Libby Hogarth Phillipa Bellemore Barry Smith Anneliese Johnson Isabel Hartley Nicole Giblett Nola Randall-Mohk oMords Margaret Lawry Herron Lis de Vries Mark Raue Ellie Valier Brenda Gaal Terry Beaton Domhnaill Shovlin 2017) Ruth Farmer John & Jan Fleming Bob Bredemeyer Renee Goossens Tom Rubin Lee Borradale Leo Schultz Michelle Parker Thanks to all our volunteers in 2016/17. We are William Maley AlisonPardoe Quynh Dao Kathryn McArdle Sara Wills Sonja Davie Richard Dent Andrea Hamann Liam Jensz unable to complete all the work we do without Valerie Grogan John & Dorothy Collings Hazel Green Cathryn Ollif Lee Williams Murray Johnson Daniel Rathbone Alison Tye the diligent and consistent support of our Christine David Harslett Peter & Julia Hutten AlisonPardoe Patricia Brush Caroline de Costa Jill Gordon Charles Bevan Thomas Hickey dedicated volunteers James Altman Ruja Varon Brian Arnott Bess Flores Jenny Golding Freudenstein Virginia Spate Dean Pratley O’Connor Marie Diane Gosden Patricia Lawrence Bill Stringer Carolyn Philpott Pru Brewer Suzanne Entner Carol Keil Maddison Norton Katrina Burton Special thanks go to: Catharine Clements Brian Kearney Jonathan Persse Margaret Grey Kate Bechet Jim Russell Amanda Hughes Rebecca Bachalani Lesley Oakley Melissa Phillips Gillian Johnson Marina Tyndale- Anne O’Byrne Vera Yee Galen Townson Charles Body Anne Huang Rae Jacobson Peggy Daroesman Kaitlin McKenzie Keith Suter Kate Jeffery Biscoe Tim Sullivan Caroline Fleay Pauline Brown John Roc Susan Niewand Beverley Burke Alicia Rodriguez Kamela Rezai John Marlton Norman James Robyn Mathison Bruce Errol Frances Hanna Jennifer Genion Dorothy Campion Peter Moran Helen Reid Moones Mansoubi Katherine Smith Nizza Siano Doreen Hyder Ken Tunnah Philip Feinstein Marcela Garrett Steven Phipps Des Lewis Julie Gittus Roger March Aaron Lowth Keelin Macdonald Wendy Harte Bruce Hogben Margaret Tonkin Vicki Fairfax Janet Hunt Margaret Hetherton Freida Andrews Yunfei Xu Elizabeth Abbott Abigail Fisher Kelly Lenehan Sky de Jersey Cathie Halliday John Nettle Kate Brooks Ron Grant Nava Malula Pauline Hibbard John Elder Joan Hindle Abigail Lewis Kiran Narang Robin Burns Pauline Griffin Margaret McCaskill Owen Evans Rob Taggart Catherine Claire Ziegler Lisa Stewart Kieran Dennis Alexandra Coelli Lauren Quayle Marian Sawer Anne Gibbins Gwenda Patton Gordon Baker Mark Lauer Crittenden Jeanne Makinadjian Michael Rubbo Judy Rowlands Alexia Gilbert Luma Salman Jennifer Strauss Susan Dikeman Elizabeth Wellington Bryan Michaels Natalie Shea Peter Kanowski Ingrid Moses Victoria Martin- Stacey Lewis Ali Raza Magdalini Zonnios Jeff Siegel Marion J Downe John Ball Helen Shepherd John Ingleson Andrew Manton Annette Noble Iverson Lorraine Hart Alison Graham Martinho Da Cruz Sandra McCullough Mary-Louise Andrew Lynch Ann Taylor David Kay Eugenia Tsoulis Patti Benjamin Tom Mosquera Grace Evans Amanda Ngo Lemos Elizabeth Walpole Deveson Stephen Cadusch Edwin & JillianLe John Ingram Joseph Furolo Caron Passmore Stuart Waters Alexandra Robinson Andrew Lok Meshak Njuguna Pamela Lemoine Bernard & Alex Reilly Sueur Janis Trevaskis Tim Coles Nick Armitage Helen Jordan John Rolls Barbara Jackson Michael Li Robert Blackburn PhCilaiptcphapole Noel O’Brien Anne Yardley Susanna Agardy Judy Burgess Azadeh Dastyari John Stark Kennedy Baker Belinda Chan Natasha Zeng Yolande Enright Antigone Kefala William Castleden Margaret Haenke Terry Lustig Kenso Deborah Willcocks Krista Maier Amelia Sturton Simone Hoey Bonnie Sanders Noushin Arefadib Milton DavidFisher Joanna McLachlan Brian Moody Bernie McKenna Victoria Ponsford Cassandra Joan Addison Anne Campbell Sally Marsh Cameron Doig Oliver August Rosie Brennan Penny Vine Marj McMullen Alice de Jonge David Bradford Michael Riches qudratullah wahidi Parkinson Janet Ho Catherine Fabiny Renee McCathy Gray Birch Jennifer Bourke David & AnitaHunter Richard & Meredith Francis Carolyn Allen Carol Bristow Glen Johnston Mark Otter Charlotte Bell Rosie Binns Sheridan Roberts Janine Arundel Joan Alexander KarHlaeggie Penelope Harvey Kate Angus Mary Lack Ruby Wawn Adnan Mohammed Chris Smith Sally Hunter Hilary Da Costa Tony Wilson Robyn Henderson Kathleen Smith Peter Cranwell Debra Hayes Margaret Smith Adrian Walker Berenice Shelley Colleen Martin Samara James Robyn Andrew Sheila Walkerden Michael Green Kapil Talwar Brian Cosgrave David Gyorki Julie Simpson N Andrews Martha Morrison Cordelio Huriman Sherri Cui Kate Orman Coral Seaborn Ian Flux John Ireland Denise Elphick Neil Matheson Penelope Lee Ruth Jacobs Sue Murray Dalal Sleiman Shirin Sohrabi Rebecca-Lea Peter Sainsbury Margaret Stewart Charles Green Joanna Hayter Cassandra Evans Craig Ringer Thomas Ballard Patricia Rayner David Hopkins Sitarah Mohammadi Barnett Linda Watson Siobhan Mullany Carmel Clark Sandra Symons Fikry Bassiuoni Saliha Kerslake Brenton Clutterbuck Alison Boulle David Sullivan Sophie Boyle Julie Marcus Lynne Crilley Lynette Payne Sue Course Stephen Nicholson Donna Callaghan Eva Adamkiewicz George Pund Alina Hodgetts Patricia Dunn Ronald Swanson Mary Stuart Margaret Piper Jane Unwin Robyn Annear Cathy Picone Alison Woods Elizabeth Gardiner Eleanor Martin Tamana Mirzada Chris Cartledge Kate Simpson Christa Schwoebel Denise Christensen Gabriella Gresz Jacqui Austin Corey Hammond Margaret Visbord Leah George Elif Le Son Teone Tobin Andrew Harrison Wayne Sanderson Maureen Long Ramdas Sankaran Deborah Cleland Jim Commadeur Sophie Leaver Alisa Clarke Michael Hassan Emily Foley Tsachi Pilossof John & Bronia Renison Alain Rondot Nicholas Adler Jan Dayl Beadle Nora Stewart Gerald Onsando David Goldschmidt Joan Bloom Georgina Ingleton Yuqi Dong RobynDurack Margaret Molan Bao Nguyen Jennifer Clutterbuck Michael McCray Len & Sue Baglow Klaus Menzel Sydney Jantos Coralie Nichols Harrison Spratling Hannah Hildenbrand Dennis Altman Maureen Wendy Slonim Liz Hughes-Brown Stephanie Grant Cecilia Zammit Tracey Tulleners Raymond Ingwerse Harry Kent Hayley O’Heare Jed Coppock Lee Joyce AngMelcaDonagh Louise Rodbourn Marianne Wiseman Bruce Goodwin Anthony Webster Julan Suwanis Peter Lanyon Gavin Brown Isabella Tilley Sonal Patel Daniel Zu Rosemary Elbery Elizabeth Ameer Ron Baumann Karen Hall Angela Saunders Jane Wilkinson Emma Black Jane Thomas Jack Stanovsek Jacob Flynn Margaret Healy Lucy Carter Fergus Fricke Uma Menon Geoff McPherson Diana Kym Ashraf Naddaf Jai Denton Jacob Flynn Andrew Lok Emma-Kate Liz Sweaney Elaine Cohen Brett Andrews Cristina Garcia Yelo John Hughes Layla Petherbridge Lotte St Clair Jemima O’Callaghan Keelin Macdonald Nicholson Darryl Grigg Brigid Bruer Raffaele Ciccone Michael Henry Moin Kazi Lesley Walker Julie Holledge Jesse Hirsch Esra Khaled Abdelkhalek June Close Savitri Taylor Robin Sevenoaks Martha Ansara Hala Abokamil John Frawley Lesley Cioccarelli Kerry Burton Jesse Mason Charlotte Bell Anne Zevis Sonia Caton Peter Smith Ivan Horacek Ivan James Jan Williams Cassandra Stanford Caristia Sanders Joseph Lea Kimiko Grayson Robin Jones Vicky Marquis Dawn Wilson Robin Chapple Margaret Rowell Jacqueline Coupe Barnaby Wilshier Stella Dimadis Juan Leonardo Alvarez Eric & Lorraine Maree Klemm Paul Wand AM Philippa Mansor Ann-Maree McEwan Norma Hawkins Molly Tebo William Lord Judith Rees Persson Jack Trezise Melanie Petranovic Ali Nur Renae Summers Cathy Bray Barbara Jackson Andrew Elek Bernadette &H Gene Banducci June Drake Jean McPherson Philippa Weiland Meera Parish Ammar Hindi Paul Perini 16 Maaagretinn Patricia Mather Meredith Burgmann Peter Deutschmann Teresa Cannon Barbara Trauer Ngila Bevan Judith Johnston 17 Financial Reports

Refugee Council of Australia Inc – ABN 87 956 673 083 Statement of Financial Position

Profit and Loss Account As At 30 June 2017 2017 2016 For the Year Ended 30 June 2017 $ $ 2017 2016 ASSETS $ $ CURRENT ASSETS Income Cash and cash equivalents 578,060 795,558 Donations and membership fees 947,747 890,653 Projects and consultancies 149,179 103,931 Trade and other receivables 131,904 176,378 Grants 109,892 106,449 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 709,964 971,936 Refugee week income 120,602 126,526 NON-CURRENT ASSETS Other income 32,726 30,161 Property, plant and equipment 26,306 4,712 Total income 1,360,146 1,257,720 TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 26,306 4,712 Gross Profit 1,360,146 1,257,720 TOTAL ASSETS 736,270 976,648 Less: Expenses Advertising 42,727 21,417 LIABILITIES Audit fees 2,500 2,590 CURRENT LIABILITIES Bank and govt charges 8,410 7,319 Trade and other payables 47,553 68,443 Board expenses 25,270 13,098 Computer expenses 32,946 26,002 Employee benefits 94,628 62,103 Conference/Seminar costs 1,084 2,815 Other financial liabilities 50,724 59,853 Consulting and professional fees 6,715 15,786 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 192,905 190,399 Depreciation 4,378 5,898 Electricity and water 2,822 2,544 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Meeting expenses/catering 1,759 879 Employee benefits 40,523 36,529 Minor equipment & furniture 1,570 1,737 TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 40,523 36,529 Insurance 5,879 4,701 Office rent (Sydney & Melbourne) 65,889 46,766 TOTAL LIABILITIES 233,428 226,928 Leave pay provisions 32,525 18,585 NET ASSETS 502,842 749,720 Long service leave 3,994 - Recruitment 419 110 EQUITY Postage & Courier 12,565 14,422 Retained earnings 502,842 749,720 Printing, stationery & office supplies 43,308 34,504 TOTAL EQUITY 502,842 749,720 Project expenses 198,521 124,668 Publications, books & DVDs 90 229 Repairs and maintenance 248 150 Salaries 925,004 662,965 Staff development 26,235 7,913 Dues & subscriptions 3,429 2,676 Superannuation contributions 87,015 62,915 Telecommunications 11,748 11,985 Staff Travel & Accommodation 52,861 33,781 Volunteer support 1,801 1,506 Audited financial statements Workers compensation insurance 5,145 5,370 The Refugee Council of Australia accounts for 2015-16 were audited by DFK Laurence Varnay, Chartered 1,607,024 1,133,164 Accountants, Sydney. The audited financial statements are available from the Refugee Council’s Sydney office or (Deficit)/Surplus for the year (246,878) 124,556 online at www.refugeecouncil.org.au

18 19 Sydney Office Suite 4A6, 410 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 Ph: (02) 9211 9333 Fax: (02) 9211 9288 Email: [email protected] Melbourne Office Level 6, 20 Otter St Collingwood VIC 3066 Phone: (03) 9600 3302 Email: [email protected] www.refugeecouncil.org.au Twitter: @OzRefugeeCounc 20 Incorporated in ACT ABN 87 956 673 083