Refugee Week 2025

Rebuilding lives through community engagement

Refugee Week 2025 will be observed across Australia from 15 June to 21 June. This annual event aims to raise awareness of the experiences of refugees, the challenges they face, and the valuable contributions they make to Australian society.

This year, the Refugee Council of Australia continues its three-year theme, ‘Finding Freedom’, with a focus on diversity in community. The theme highlights the vital role that community plays in everyone’s life, regardless of background, identity or experience. For many refugees, finding freedom involves escaping conflict, violence or persecution to seek safety in another country. In their new home, it is often the strength of community that provides the support, sense of belonging and hope refugees need to rebuild their lives.

One initiative making a real difference is the Community Refugee Integration and Support Pilot Program (CRISP). Run by Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) in partnership with the Australian Government, CRISP connects refugee families with small groups of Australians who commit to supporting them throughout their first year in the country.  The first step in supporting a family is helping them establish their life in Australia, beginning with securing initial housing and providing essential items like furnishings, clothing, food and other necessities.

Clare Hicks, Deputy Principal at Our Lady’s Primary School in Surrey Hills, has been closely involved in this journey and understands the challenges refugee families face. She is part of a CRISP team currently supporting a refugee family.

Since their arrival in Australia, Clare and her team have offered the family practical support with housing, school enrolment and employment. Their efforts have played a vital role in helping the family settle into their new life.

Our parish has also contributed financially to this initiative as part of our commitment to social justice and community outreach. We are proud to support CRISP through the efforts of Clare and her team. Clare looks forward to sharing updates on the family’s journey and inviting parishioners to get involved if further support is needed.  

To learn more about CRISP, visit refugeesponsorship.org.au. For details on events taking place during Refugee Week, visit refugeeweek.org.au.

By Tricia Norman