Many of the staff are themselves former refugees, from Afghanistan and Burma, who have overcome immense challenges to learn English, complete tertiary studies and then pursue a career helping others achieve successful lives in Bendigo.
We asked some of the people in these photos, what does Finding Freedom mean to you?
“Freedom for me is when you don’t have to prove to people of authority that you belong here wherever you go without getting arrested. It also means you don’t have to be financially rich to be able to attend higher education and chase after your dream.” – Bwe Ku Say, Settlement Engagement Transition Support Case Worker.
“Finding freedom means for me a fair go for all regardless of their culture, race, religion or beliefs.” – Zahir Azimi, Cultural Diversity and Relationships Project Worker.
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“The people in these photos, they embody freedom by how they walk with people as they help them settle into a new country and learn that there is freedom from starvation, freedom from military brutality and so forth. It is this team that has the motivations and skills to assist people to experience the different freedoms in their new homeland.” – Marty Street, Senior Leader Settlement Services and Kaye Graves, Senior Leader Refugee and Cultural Diversity.
Thank you to all staff pictured. Missing team members from the top photograph are Sue Ghalayini, Habiba Seyedi, Christina Lay Moo, Paw Paw, Megan O’Keefe and Kerry Garam.
