On behalf of the NSW Settlement Partnership, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said this announcement was a lifeline to people fleeing the war in Syria as well as to many living in refugee camps.

“We welcome the government’s action to increase Australia’s refugee intake, and we are thankful for this decision as it will undoubtedly save many lives,” Ms Roumeliotis said. “Australia has a great legacy of accepting refugees to its shores and we believe the world now needs the support of our country more than at any time since the Second World War.

“NSW Premier Mike Baird has said the state is able to support a greater number of refugees and I can say that SSI, along with humanitarian settlement service providers and other partners, is ready and willing to play its part together with the community to support those people granted visas to settle in NSW.

“The news that government will provide $44 million in financial aid to the UNHCR to assist with humanitarian relief of the Syrian conflict is also extremely welcome. The government says this money will fund some 240,000 people living in refugee camps.”

SSI is the lead partner of a consortium, the NSW Settlement Partnership (NSP), which comprises 22 organisations. The NSP partners include SSI’s 11 member Migrant Resource Centres and multicultural services and 10 organisations based around the state, including rural areas.

Media enquiries:

SSI Online Communications Coordinator, Callan Lawrence, 0478 156 491 or 02 8799 6746
SSI Communications Coordinator, Rekha Sanghi 0422 304 578

As a multicultural society Australia is well equipped to welcome these additional refugees. The federally funded Humanitarian Settlement Service (HSS) providers have the capacity and knowledge to assist with their transition into Australian communities across the country.

SCOA’s Chair Dewani Bakkum said, “Refugees bring much with them, contributing greatly to their new communities economically, socially and culturally. Research has shown the positive impact refugees make. A short-term investment in their well-being will benefit Australia in the long-term. Settlement service providers are vital to ensuring these positive outcomes.”

SCOA applauds the Government for their commitment to addressing the growing global humanitarian crisis with permanent settlement.

*The Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) is the national peak body representing migrant and refugee settlement agencies across Australia, including SSI. 

Media Contact:
Dewani Bakkum, SCOA Chair – 0434 744 620
Eugenia Tsoulis, SCOA Deputy Chair – 0419 852 993

SCOA’s Chair Dewani Bakkum said, “the Prime Minister’s review of the humanitarian intake is welcomed, although a shift in quota numbers is not enough — an overall increase in humanitarian intake numbers is needed.

“This increase should not be part of the Government’s new Safe Haven Enterprise visa scheme, people fleeing need to find certainty and safety. Permanent visas will allow for those who have suffered so much to rebuild their lives, and will allow them to positively contribute to Australia.”

“The settlement sector have the knowledge, capacity and experience to assist with a greater number of refugees transition into Australian communities. Regional areas, in particular, are a viable settlement option without some of the resource pressures metropolitan areas face and can help to offset labour and population declines” said Ms Bakkum.

There has been a reduction in the number of people being assisted by the federally funded Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) which supports newly arrived refugees, providing greater capacity within this program to deliver assistance.

Growing evidence supports what we know anecdotally — that refugees are a positive resource economically and culturally. An increase in refugee numbers is supported by a host of Australian state governments with Premiers of New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania saying they will open their doors to a greater intake of refugees.

Ms Bakkum stressed, “Refugees are human resources with experience and skills to contribute to Australia and they should not be considered a burden. Initial support from Humanitarian Settlement Services will allow them to become our future neighbours, colleagues and friends.”

*The Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) is the national peak body representing migrant and refugee settlement agencies across Australia, including SSI. 

Media Contact:
Dewani Bakkum, SCOA Chair – 0434 744 620
Eugenia Tsoulis, SCOA Deputy Chair – 0419 852 993

We have all been shocked and saddened by images of people, especially those of young children, who lost their lives while searching for safety in Europe. The images and news of thousands of desperate families struggling across armed borders, huddled together in makeshift shelter or trying to board trains are almost as graphic.

I’m not sure anyone has a good understanding of the exact numbers of people entering Europe, or trying to, but some 350,000 were recorded at European Union borders by the International Organisation for Migration between January and August. Many more are sure to have gone undetected. Many more are expected to enter Europe by the end of the year. This compared with 280,000 for the whole of 2014, which was in itself a year of mass migration.

More than 626,000 people made claims for asylum in Europe last year, about 200,000 more than the year before. Germany granted the most, and expects 800,000 refugees and asylum seekers this year, followed by Sweden and Italy. These people, whether we call them “migrants”, “refugees” or “asylum seekers”, are said to be traveling mostly from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as smaller numbers from Sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan and other nations.

These numbers of people now being seen in Europe reflect what has been happening closer to the world’s war and conflict zones in recent years. The UNHCR estimates that Pakistan was host to 1.6 million refugees in 2014, with more than a million refugees taking safety in Lebanon, and both Iran and Turkey housing more than 800,000 refugees. There are more than 50 million displaced people around the world.

These aren’t just numbers, they are people — they are men, women, boys and girls — fleeing horrific wars and persecution. The world is experiencing the greatest movement of people since the Second World War. It’s reported that there are also many people fleeing from economic and environmental crisis. In any circumstance, people generally do not risk their lives to leave a safe and secure home.

This is where a great challenge stems from; no matter the policies of individual governments, people will seek safety. If barriers to safety are put up by one nation, people will seek safety at the next, and if that country puts up barriers, those people will turn elsewhere. It is becoming obvious that the more barriers are put up, the more people will perish.

Australia has always played a big part in accepting refugees from around the world and now more than ever the world needs our support. There is a big role for the not-for-profit sector to play alongside government in relieving this crisis. Civil society must show that there is strong support for courageous action by policy makers looking for humane solutions.

We can show there is support to increase Australia’s already significant humanitarian intake; we can demonstrate how we would support those people who come to our shores from such traumatic experiences; and we can promote the huge benefits a society can enjoy when it welcomes refugees and migrants and lets them contribute. 

Yet there are no easy answers to fix the crisis. Already this year myself and representatives of SSI have attended the UNHCR NGO Consultations in Geneva, where these, and more challenges were discussed along with plans for solutions. This week I will attend the International Metropolis conference in Mexico City, titled “Migrants: Key Players in the 21st Century”. I will join hundreds of academics, policy makers and representatives of civil society organisations working in the areas of migration, settlement and social diversity.

The current problems that the world is facing are sure to cast a shadow over the conference. The conference will include research and presentations of case studies and evidence from around the world, best-practice policy in immigration and settlement and development workshops.  

My hope is that the knowledge shared and learned by decision-makers from around the world at this conference can lead us somewhere positive.

Violet Roumeliotis
SSI CEO  

 Past Connect Australia Foundation scholarship recipient Mou Ayol speaking at the launch. 

As the philanthropic arm of SSI — Australia’s largest not-for-profit humanitarian organisation — the SSI Foundation will provide targeted support through education scholarships and grants programs to people from a refugee background to support their successful transition into the Australian community.

SSI’s aim is to minimise the impact of structural disadvantage felt by those seeking refuge in Australia by increasing their access to education, employment and community infrastructure. The SSI Foundation will complement its work in humanitarian settlement, accommodation, asylum seeker assistance, foster care, disability support and employment services.

Once they are living in Australia, and typically in the earlier years, refugees face many challenges, such as financial hardship, dealing with experiences of torture and trauma, and family separation. Australia has a long history of providing successful settlement outcomes for refugees, many of whom have gone on to make important civil, social and economic contributions to our society.

The SSI Foundation aims to continue that tradition by providing targeted scholarships and grant support to those most in need and facing social and economic challenges.

The foundation was launched by 2014 Australian Human Rights Medal winner Dorothy Hoddinott AO, who, as principal of Holroyd High School in western Sydney, has guided hundreds of refugee and asylum-seeking children to become model citizens.

In the first year the SSI Foundation will provide 36 education scholarships throughout NSW for eligible primary school, high school and tertiary students (including university, vocational and skills recognition). In following years there will be a comprehensive suite of grant opportunities for arts and culture, health and wellbeing, settlement innovation and sponsorships in community support and engagement.

The SSI Foundation’s Education Scholarships are intended to help minimise the financial barriers experienced by refugees and asylum seekers as they participate in the NSW education system.

Speaking at the launch at SSI’s head office in Ashfield was Mou Ayol, a former refugee from Sudan whose scholarship from the Connect Australia Foundation enabled him to attend a TAFE course in Community Welfare. Since then he has obtained a Bachelor of Social Science through the University of Western Sydney and is studying for a Masters in Urban Management and Planning.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the Foundation demonstrated that SSI’s commitment went beyond its contracted programs. “Through the work of the SSI Foundation, SSI can achieve its vision of a society that values the diversity of its people and actively provides support to ensure meaningful social and economic participation.

“The SSI Foundation taps into the strengths, talents and resilience of refugees to help individuals and families reach their potential.

“Although the scholarships will not fully fund an individual’s degree or schooling, they will be a significant contribution for many. A scholarship from the SSI Foundation may be just enough to remove that final financial barrier and allow a refugee an opportunity for a suitable education.”

“This is just the start,” Ms Roumeliotis said of the Education Scholarships. “There is more to come.”

The SSI Foundation welcomes donations from members of the community who are committed to creating a fair and just society.

Opportunities for support include funding scholarships at a local or state-wide level, from primary school through to university. Additional areas of support include funding a specific stream within the grants or sponsorship program.

All donations are welcome and will help make a difference to those who have sought refuge in Australia.

For more information and application forms, applicants should visit the Foundation pages on the SSI website. Application forms for each category can be downloaded from the category page.

Media contact: SSI Corporate Communications Manager Angela Calabrese, 0401 284 828.

Ms Roumeliotis said that at the start of Refugee Week 2015, and as we approach World Refugee Day on June 20, we must remember the individuals and families caught up in events beyond their control which has forced them to flee their homes.

“These are people like you and me, leading ordinary lives, until something extraordinary happened,” Ms Roumeliotis said. “The prevalence of war, civil conflict, and political upheaval in many parts of the world is creating a growing population of displaced people and refugees.

“Many thousands of refugees have settled successfully in Australia since the humanitarian settlement program was introduced. And because many more will continue to come out of need, not choice, we as a humanitarian settlement organisation and all members of the Australian community must do our best to support these new arrivals and make them feel welcome in a show of common humanity.”

This year’s theme for Refugee Week 2015 – ‘With courage let us all combine’ – taken from the second verse of Australia’s national anthem, celebrates the courage of refugees and acknowledges the skills and talents that refugees bring to their new home.

“In winning this important award Shabeera has been recognised for making a difference to the lives of refugees both as a case manager and in her community, something we should all aspire to do in our own way,” Ms Roumeliotis added.

Speaking at the launch event SSI Chair Kamalle Dabboussy said that Ms Zia was the embodiment of the positive impact that refugees have on Australia.

“As a case manager with SSI Shabeera demonstrates daily her commitment to her clients seeking asylum and we congratulate her for this wonderful achievement and recognition today.”

The theme celebrates the courage of refugees and acknowledges the skills and talents that refugees bring to their new home.

Speaking at the launch event SSI Chair Kamalle Dabboussy said that Ms Zia was the embodiment of the positive impact that refugees have on Australia.

“As a case manager with SSI Shabeera demonstrates daily her commitment to her clients seeking asylum and we congratulate her for this wonderful achievement and recognition today.”

Ms Zia said she was humbled by the experience of winning a humanitarian award and appreciated the recognition for her work.

“Memories of my family’s personal refugee experience light my passion to do what I consider to be a grain’s size worth in striving for human rights,” Ms Zia said.

Ms Zia and her family fled the civil war in Afghanistan and had a five year journey before arriving in Australia.

“We carried our home on our shoulders in neighbouring countries like nomads, facing discrimination, racism, and persecution.

“I joined SSI to be able to make a small difference, if any, in the lives of those most vulnerable, and I am inspired by the resilience of my client’s in the face of challenges.”

SSI will celebrate the culmination of Refugee Week on World Refugee Day, June 20, with the New Beginnings Refugee Arts & Culture Festival.

From July 1, eligible asylum-seekers will be able to apply for this new type of temporary protection visa that will facilitate them living in any part of NSW, excluding Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle for up to 5 years.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said: “The Baird Government’s announcement and the SHEV scheme give renewed hope to asylum seekers currently living in the community.  And we’re pleased to see that other states are now also considering joining the scheme.

“The new scheme can benefit both rural communities and asylum seekers: we know there are often problems finding workers in parts of the state and our clients tell us they’re keen to work and contribute to the community.

“Service providers like SSI, that currently work with asylum seekers and understand their needs, have some suggested ideas around service models that will support communities and those taking up the new visas.

“Access to services will support community integration and help people to get sustainable employment,” said Ms Roumeliotis.

Media enquiries:

SSI Marketing & Communications Manager Angela Calabrese, 0401 284 828

The new arrivals ­– mainly from cricket-loving nations Sri Lanka and Pakistan, but also from Burma and Afghanistan – have seen significant improvements in their cricket skills, and have been given an opportunity to connect with Australian-born community members.

And, as well as picking up some nifty tricks from the new arrivals to use on the pitch, the Knox alumni have been enjoying the benefits that come with volunteering to help people in need.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said Marco van Westing, 19, who graduated from Knox Grammar in 2012, had approached SSI and asked how he and some of his peers could help refugees and those applying for refugee status make the transition to living in Australia.

“It was very inspiring to see how proactive the boys from Knox Grammar School were in wanting to support people who have come to Australia from very difficult circumstances,” said Ms Roumeliotis.

SSI told Mr van Westing the best first step would be to attend SSI’s fortnightly Community Kitchen event to meet some new arrivals, so that’s what they did. “We met some of those people who had recently arrived in the country and we thought we would definitely like to help them get more involved in Australian culture. But at the same time, we realise it’s important to empathise with them and try to understand and respect the cultures they have come from.”

Cricket – a game loved equally by Australia and the South Asian nations where many of the clients they met were born – was the obvious middle ground.

Mr van Westing and his fellow alumni have loved training and playing with the group. “It’s just a great way to get involved in something that helps people. Sport connects the Australian community and allows asylum seekers and refugees to connect on that same level. It has been a very fun and fulfilling experience and one we hope to continue.”

Ms Roumeliotis added, “Sport has proven to be a great way of connecting people from around the world with communities here in NSW, around a common interest, and it’s a great confidence booster for new arrivals.”

“Regularly participating in sport gives them a focal point in their week, something that they can look forward to, and it’s also a healthy activity that helps them release some of the stress they have experienced in their ordeals.’’

The training has most certainly been beneficial for their cricket skills, too, according to Peter Abboud, Assistant Secretary of Auburn District Cricket Club, who said he noticed significant improvements. “Their skills were ‘raw’ at the beginning of the clinics, and they improved dramatically over the course of the training. Two of them played for our Club this Sunday just passed – one of them was the top-scorer, and the other batted and bowled very well, too.”

Mr van Westing said he hoped the Knox Grammar Old Boys could take part in regular events with the refugees and asylum seekers SSI works with, and plans to return to his old school to talk to current students about his involvement with refugees and asylum seekers.