Hi Redlands for Refugees folk,
We had a lively and interesting meeting last night – thanks to
those who attended. Here’s a summary of key decisions and developments.
HOSPITALITY DAY POSTPONED – NOW JUNE 28
Regrettably, we’ve had to postpone our next Hospitality Day –
complications in the availability of some key people meant we could not
continue with Saturday, May 31. Sincere apologies to the 28 of you who had
advised that you were able to help on that day. The new date is Saturday,
June 28, and it will be at the lovely waterside Beth Boyd Park, at
John St and Mooroondu Rd, Thorneside. This will be the first weekend of the
school holidays, so we look forward to including families with children among
the asylum seekers and hosts alike. I’ll start a new Host List for that day
– please email me if you can come and help.
SOCIAL PICNIC
The meeting didn’t want to pass up the last weekend in May
altogether, so we decided to have a social picnic for R4R people and their
families and friends. This would help us get to know each other better, include
people who can’t come to our meetings, and also give us a chance to check out
the June 28 venue. It will be on Sunday, June 1, from 12 noon, at Beth
Boyd Park. Please bring food for your lunch plus something to share. There
are BBQs. Seats and/or blankets would also be good. No RSVP – just turn up if
you can.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION – FILM NIGHT
We decided on a film and discussion format, perhaps with a small
component of live music. This will be held on Friday, June 13, 6:30 for
a 7:00 pm start. Venue is to be confirmed but we’re hoping for Mary
MacKillop Catholic Church hall, 12 Hardy Rd, Birkdale (just down the road from
Trinity UC). We propose to screen the film, Between the Devil and the Deep
Blue Sea, and Rebecca Lim from Romero Centre has kindly agreed to take
questions in the discussion afterwards. The event will conclude with supper. We
will email you with a notice and flyer and put a piece in the Bayside Bulletin
once the venue is confirmed. It would be great to have a strong turnout from
R4R folk, and be encouraged to invite your friends and family. Details of the
film are here: http://deepblueseafilm.com/about/ .
I have ordered a copy of the DVD for R4R to keep as a resource – if you can’t
make the screening, you can borrow it!
REFUGEE WEEK EVENTS
· Romero
is hosting a Refugee Conference and Film Festival, State Library of
Qld (South Bank), on Friday, June 6, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. A second day on
Saturday, June 7, will be a family day of activities and workshops showcasing
cultural diversity. Contact the Romero Centre for details: 3013 0100.
· The
annual Lantern Parade for Refugees will be held at South Bank
on Friday evening, June 6(which is also Queensland Day). Gather
near the Wheel of Brisbane from 5:00 pm. This includes a procession along the
River Walk, ending with a concert at the Courier-Mail Piazza.
· Refugee
Week this year runs from June 15-21. The national web site is here:http://www.refugeeweek.org.au/
· A rally
for refugees and asylum seekers is being held in Brisbane city
on Saturday, June 21. A planning meeting tonight will continue the
planning. More details to be advised.
· An ecumenical
prayer service for World Refugee Day will be held on Friday,
June 20, 6:00 for 6:30 pm, at St Stephen’s Catholic Cathedral, Elizabeth St,
City. (They are basing this service on what we did for our prayer vigil on
April 11!)
David Busch
