MARIBYRNONG’S reputation for welcoming refugees is on display this week as part of Refugee Week celebrations.
Maribyrnong Council set events rolling on Tuesday by launching new ‘welcome booklets’ at an event featuring live performances from Phoenix’s hip-hop group Raw Elements, Ee’da, an inspirational spoken word performer from South East Asia, and Bitsat Seyoum, a local Ethiopian performer.
Mayor Catherine Cumming said: “Refugee Week [which ends on Saturday] aims to acknowledge the culturally rich contributions that refugees make to our community and raise awareness about the plight of refugees worldwide.”
Other events and activities include a film screening at Footscray library, women’s swim night at Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre and the Refugee Week art competition.
The Western Bulldogs are getting into the spirit of Refugee Week, holding the sixth annual CALDplay Cup at Whitten Oval today.
Fifty newly arrived migrants and refugees from Melbourne’s west are testing their football skills in an Australian rules carnival, with women’s and men’s teams playing.
The Bulldogs will also hold the seventh annual citizenship ceremony, with 60 refugees from across the west set to become Australian citizens at Whitten Oval from 2pm on Saturday.
The African Australian Community Centre in Footscray is holding a free community barbecue from 1-3pm on Saturday featuring multicultural food and entertainment from soul and jazz musicians.
Details: maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/refugeeweek or 9688 0200.
