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The theme for Refugee Week for 2015 to 2017 is “With courage let us all combine,” which refers to the second verse of the national anthem and celebrates the courage of refugees and of people who speak out against persecution and injustice in our world. It is also an invitation for unity and for positive action, encouraging Australians to improve our nation’s welcome for refugees and to acknowledge the skills and energy refugees bring to our country; their new home.

It takes courage to be a refugee 
As people who have faced persecution because of who they are (their race, nationality or membership of a persecuted group) or what they believe (their religion or political opinion), refugees need courage:

The courage not to deny identity or beliefs in the face of persecution.
The courage to leave all that is familiar and step into the unknown in search of peace.
The courage to keep going in the face of devastating loss, difficulty and despair.
The courage to begin again, to work hard and to maintain hope in an unfamiliar land.

It takes courage to speak out against injustice 
In a world where refugees experience persecution in their countries of origin and often face discrimination, difficulty and rejection in places where they seek refuge, speaking out often requires courage. In Refugee Week, we acknowledge and celebrate the dedication and bravery of refugee leaders, advocates and citizens who draw attention to violations of human rights, support people at their time of greatest need and challenge callous indifference to the suffering of others.

A call for unity and action for a fairer society 
The Refugee Week theme encourages Australians to celebrate the best aspects of our nation’s welcome of refugees, frankly acknowledge unjust treatment of asylum seekers and refugees and commit to working together to ensure that we do better. In doing this, we celebrate the positive contributions to Australian society made over the past 70 years by the 800,000 Australians who once were refugees, taking inspiration from the second verse of Advance Australia Fair:

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross,
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas,
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.

Our local commitment
I am very pleased that at Tenison Woods College we celebrate with deliberate intent Refugee Week, drawing attention to the plight of refugees, celebrating their courage and resilience, and renewing our commitment to working for a more just global community. One such example will be our participation on Saturday 17 June in the 10-year celebration of Karen/Karenni settlement in Mount Gambier. This, like the entertaining Congolese Community Celebration afternoon, will be a great way to engage with community members to hear stories, music, taste food and to celebrate a wonderful community achievement.

In a Catholic community which draws its inspiration from our God of love, abundance, welcome, and a God of preferential treatment for the poor and marginalised, I am also delighted that we take the opportunity to recognise the contribution which our refugee brothers and sisters have made to our community; adding to the rich diversity, sensitivity and innovation of our community.

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