Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group Inc

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.


Friendship and support

We offer friendship and practical support for refugees and those seeking asylum.


Enabling Self Help

We enable refugees to thrive, not just survive as they develop their skills, activities and businesses.


Education and advocacy

We provide community education on refugee issues and advocate for government policies which reflect the spirit of the 1951 Refugee Convention 

Achievements

During 2022-23 financial year two areas of assistance stood out, rent relief and food assistance as cost of food and rentals increased.

445

 Christmas presents to refugee children

$150,930

Spent on rental assistance

40+

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.

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Get Involved

Take Action

Hello Shoeboxers! The 2023 Youth Christmas Shoebox Project is up and running.
If you are thinking of being involved this year, what we need are the completed shoeboxes and other donations as always, but also any other help in terms of sharing this project with your school, your workplace as the Kris Kringle activity or your local community.

Stay Informed

SUBMISSION::The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry  June 2023

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

Donate

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.

What we do

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

Young Supporters Spotlight

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

News and Events

Refugee women walk to Canberra for permanent visas

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.

Email your MP

Pathway to Permanency to  TPV/SHEV holders.

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

Events

02/02/2024

Cultural Exchange Weekend – February 2, 2024 - February 4, 2024 @ 12:00 am

We need your help!

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