The SSI Ability Links sponsored Yuin Ducks A Grade rugby league girls team was runner up in 2016 Nations of Origin carnival held in Port Stephens, recently.

Children, volunteers, church groups and families from the Ku-ring-gai community have welcomed newly arrived refugees with open arms, showing their support with a welcome event, donation appeal and more.

A state-wide discussion about refugee-related arts practice will take centre stage at a forum SSI is co-hosting later this month.

Refugees and people seeking asylum were joined by other people from around western Sydney to celebrate the end of Ramadan, in a series of SSI events to mark the Islamic holy month.

SSI’s Community Kitchen was the scene of a colourful celebration in July, as people from all faiths and backgrounds celebrated Eid al-Fitr over a meal.

SSI led the “Every child has a culture” forum in Bankstown, on June 21, emphasising the importance of cultural recognition and diversity in out-of-home care.

Majed Al Zanad was four years into a medical degree when the war in Syria forced him to abandon his studies. Like many refugees, he is now facing the challenging process of getting his past experience recognised so he can resume his medical studies in Australia.

Blacktown North Public School launched its Community Garden on June 28, thanks to contributions from local businesses, community organisations and the school’s Community Hub leader, Hasret Mehmedali.

SSI and the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) are seeking expressions of interest for the Young Refugee Women Scholarship Program to attend, and actively participate in, the National Multicultural Women’s Conference 2016—Influencing Change: Vision and Impact.

Ability Links NSW (ALNSW) teamed up with Playgroup NSW and SSI Community Engagement on July 12 to hold an inclusive and fun day outdoors for children from all backgrounds.

Since arriving in Australia with his wife and son less than 12 months ago, Maxeem Georges has begun studying a master’s degree in finance and started working for a large insurance company in Sydney.

The past fortnight has brought heartening news for the refugee community, with the NSW Government’s announcement of a new round of funding to support refugee resettlement.

A talented refugee from Syria has used his IT and web science skills to co-develop an online platform to help bridge the gap on one of the greatest challenges facing newly arrived refugees – employment.

Khaledah Alrubaie is a highly skilled engineer with two university degrees and a masters. She also happens to be a refugee.

Record-breaking numbers of forcibly displaced people worldwide have increased the importance of this week’s Refugee Week celebrations, according to Settlement Services International (SSI) CEO Violet Roumeliotis. The annual celebration of the courage and contribution of refugees would be a particularly poignant occasion this year in light of the staggering number of refugees and other forcibly displaced people around the world, she said.

Starting a business takes perseverance and hard work. That is especially true in a foreign country with different business practices and a new language, like Syrian refugee Zaher Batal has done.

The NSW Government is once again supporting the refugee community with a pledge to prioritise refugees in public sector recruitment. 

Baroque violinist Anna McDonald is passionate about exploring the realms of new music – a passion that she developed after a decade of studying and performing in London.

At the New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival 2016, the fun won’t end with the music and dance performances. A host of original workshops will also expose attendees to new experiences ranging from relaxing yoga with sacred Aboriginal sounds to vibrant African dance and drumming.

While many places in the world are experiencing turbulent times due to the unprecedented displacement of people, it is always useful to stop and ponder what makes Australia such a peaceful corner of the globe and a wonderful place to live.