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Don't Reinvent the Wheel

March 2003
By Mandy Cox

Welcome to the first edition of "Don’t Reinvent the Wheel" a resource sharing newsletter for refugee support groups in Brisbane. We have limited funds and precious time so lets share ideas, resources and contacts. Below is an update of what each group has developed that might be of use to others. Please let Mandy Cox (33667836) know if you would like to write the next edition of this newsletter due in August. You can also find this information on www.barc.org.au. 

Bayside Refugee Support Group

Lynn Scott from the Bayside group has developed three powerpoint presentations on: a) Asylum seeker and refugee statistics, b) Myths and Facts and c) How and why you should join a refugee support network. Lynn has designed a "how to "cover sheet that guides community educators through how to use the powerpoint presentation. It is very user friendly and can be used by any group in Brisbane with some minor changes. Lyn can be contacted on 38932010 and diamondwing2002@yahoo.com

Bayside is engaged in a "Free Transport" campaign to ask Jim Soorley and Qld Rail to provide free tickets to asylum seekers on bridging visas. If  other groups want to join this campaign please ring Rita on 33482363. 

Red Hill Paddington Refugee Support Group

A "How to set up a refugee support group" kit has been produced by this group ( and Gateway). For a copy of this simple guide to establishing a group please ring Mandy Cox on 33667836 or download the kit here

Red Hill has also completed a number of submissions to seek funding for refugee support projects including a proposal for an arts oriented awareness raising workshop for children to be run at the Ideas Festival. Please ring Mandy Cox on 0401410659 if you are thinking of applying for funds.

In conjunction with the Refugee Claimants Support Centre "Scattered People Choir" management team, the Red Hill group are negotiating with Griffith University and Arts Queensland to set up project partnerships. Hopefully a CD and video clip will be produced as a result of this exciting collaboration. As well as great products to generate funds they can be used to raise awareness and engage wider support for asylum seekers. Any support group members with CD marketing experience and or a special interest in music and song writing  who would like to support asylum seeker's participation in this project please ring Brian Procopis on 38614400.  

A number of retro and antique items have been donated to the group to sell to raise funds. If anyone has contacts with honest antique dealers could they please ring Karen Dare 33667836. 

Pine Rivers Refugee Support Group

The Pine Rivers group have successfully negotiated meeting space at the Pine Rivers Community Centre and are planning to apply for project funds to expand their groups activities. They received a small grant to a produce a video in collaboration with three Pine Rivers schools over the next 6 months. Copies of the video will available for purchase to be used as a tool for promoting discussion and awareness amongst high school students. Please ring Deb Emery on 32058352 or 0402437201 for more information.

Benarrawa Refugee Support Group

A Refugee Issues Learning Circle has been meeting at Benarrawa. Janelle and Laraine are interested in sending out the Learning Circle packages and sharing their insights and recommendations regarding Learning Circles. They can be contacted on 3379925. 

The Benarrawa group have also come together to write letters to the media and politicians in support of refugees. Please ring Janelle and Laraine on 3379925 if you are interested in starting your own letter writing campaign. 

In conjunction with Milperra school the Benarrawa group have received funding for a cooking/life skills project to support and enhance skills of refugee family members in contact with Benarrawa and the Milperra school. Laraine on 3379925  is happy to share information about how this project is run and how they secured funding. 

Gateway Refugee Support Group

The Gateway group has a beautiful hand sewn banner (saying Refugee Support Group) that can be lent to other groups to use at street fairs, information booths etc. Please ring Renee Mills or Penelope Tod on 33999255 to organise the collection and return of the banner.  

A pledge form has been developed by the group as well as a "Dear Friends and Supporters "  letter that asks the broader community to join networks of support. Please ring Mandy Cox on 33999255 or 0401410659 for  templates that can be altered to suit your group. 

The Gateway group has also hosted three information nights to inform and support refugee support group members. Workshop outlines on a) Conflict resolution and listening when talking about the asylum seeker issues. b) Relating Cross Culturally c) Ethics and Confidentiality are available for other groups to use. Please ring Mandy Cox to arrange copies to be sent to you 33999255.  

The Gateway Group has catered for a stall at the Bulimba and Morningside Fairs and have recipes and ideas for how asylum seeker families and group members can work together. Please ring Penelope Tod or Mandy Cox on 33999255 for more information.

To provide feedback on this site, make corrections or for any other comments, please email Chris Gibbings admin@barc.org.au