Locals are invited to join in a celebration of Refugee Week in Moruya on Saturday morning at a special ceremony as the Welcome Scroll visits the Eurobodalla on its historic national journey.
The event near the Moruya Markets - at Russ Martin Park - will feature Live music, a bric a brac stall and refreshments for sale to raise money for refugees.
The Welcome Scroll is 5 metres long, features hand turned red gum handles and the signatures of representatives from over 140 Refugee Welcome Zones around the country. The scroll includes the signature of Eurobodalla’s Mayor Liz Innes, and Mayors from Braidwood and the Bega Valley shires. Eurobodalla Deputy Mayor Anthony Mayne will speak at the event.
“ It is so terrific to be able to mark Refuge week 2017 so constructively” said Ms Bernie Richards Convenor of the Refugee Action Collective Eurobodalla.
“The tour links us here on the South Coast, with all the other Welcome zones around the nation. ” said Ms Richards.
Arriving in Moruya via Bega on Saturday morning, the scroll comes to the NSW South Coast fresh from its launch in Bendigo - and its Melbourne leg where it has been on display at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum.
“The scroll works effectively like a baton or a torch - shining light on commitment to resettlement and welcoming refugees. ” said Ms Richards.
“During Refugee week in particular it is relevant to note that Australia benefits greatly from the entrepreneurial characteristics and the energetic endeavors of those resettling.”
The Welcome Scroll is endorsed by Refugee Welcome Councils throughout the nation - including the Eurobodalla Shire Council - and the Refugee Council of Australia and Rural Australians for Refugees.
“ This is a great opportunity to reflect on the social and economic contributions that refugees make to local business, to social life and to the revitalisation of ailing regional districts and economies.” she said.
“The Welcome Scroll will shortly make its way to regional Victoria, where in the past 5 years in the Wimmera, more than 160 Karen refugees from Myanmar have resettled in the town of Nhill.
A report by Deloitte Access Economics and the AMES settlement agency found that the resettlement initiative there has added more than $40 million and 70 jobs to their once ailing local economy.” said Ms Richards.
Once the Scroll leaves Moruya, it travels up the mountain to Braidwood and Queanbeyan, and will be welcomed in Wollongong, Goulburn and Wagga. The scroll returns south, via Ballarat, Warnambool and Victoria's Western District. After touring Gippsland the Welcome Scroll travels to SA, TAS, WA, NT and QLD.
