Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group was founded in 2001, twenty years ago. We are a group of ordinary Australians who remain united by the vision of a compassionate Australia where people seeking refuge and asylum are treated with justice and compassion. We are all volunteers. BMRSG has no particular religious or political affiliation except a commitment to common decency.
We offer friendship and practical support for refugees and those seeking asylum.
We enable refugees to thrive, not just survive as they develop their skills, activities and businesses.
We provide community education on refugee issues and advocate for government policies which reflect the spirit of the 1951 Refugee Convention
Christmas presents to refugee children
Spent on rental assistance
Smart phones & laptops provided
These achievements are only possible due to our wonderful volunteers. Visitors who stay in contact with those seeking asylum in the community and in detention, those who organise and support our Cars for Refugees program, the mentoring and English conversation volunteers, employment assistance team and fundraisers are just some who bring hope to so many.
Find out more; Youth Shoebox Facebook pageSee; Drop Off locations
Australia’s adoption of a Human Rights Act would transform our community by ensuring the values we all share of kindness, respect, fairness, dignity and equality will be at the heart of our legislation and legal system.
DOWNLOAD: BMRSG’s submission
Many of the refugee households supported by BMRSG are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on their table.In July 2022, $4,504.48 was given to refugee families for food support. This increased to $6,200 for January, 2023 – just under $1,700 more.
The most significant increase, however, has been in rental assistance. This has risen from $10,320 in July 2022, to $16,300 in January, 2023.
We offer friendship and practical support for refugees and people seeking asylum to enable refugees to thrive, not just survive as they develop their own skills activities and businesses
Make The Meaning Positive. Made by Emily Condell and Rachel Zhao of Smiths Hill HS.
for our 2022 Schools Video Competition.
See more Videos on the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group YouTube channel.
by Zac Thompson, Smith’s Hill High School
See more Posters on the Student Video and Poster page
Dozens of refugee women began walking on Friday 22 September from Immigration Minister Andrew Giles’ office in Melbourne to Canberra, to highlight the appalling situation for 10,000 asylum seekers denied permanent visas.
These strong women will arrive in Canberra on Wednesday 18 October.
On 14 February 2023 the law changed allowing all holders of a TPV or a SHEV to be eligible for a Permanent Visa to remain in Australia. The visa they will be eligible for is called a Resolution of Status
Visa (Subclass 581) (RoS).
This information applies to you if you arrived in Australia before 14 February 2023 and you held or applied
for a TPV or SHEV before 14 February 2023
Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) have provided fact sheets with information about the
new visa and the process to apply for it: https://www.racs.org.au/tpv-shev-processing
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