Achievements
In the financial year 2023-24 BMRSG provided emergency rental assistance to households experiencing unemployment.
Provided financial support for women and children impacted by domestic violence.
Made successful grant applications to fund BMRSG back to school program and support programs for special needs students.
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Helped with the cost of car registration and car maintenance to assist refugees on their path to independence.
Over the last 12months, the Letter Writing group wrote more than 700 letters to politicians and newspapers.
Worked closely with migration lawyers to gain successful visa outcomes for those on Bridging Visas.
- Each Christmas hundreds of refugee children receive a personal welcome note from a local school child in shoeboxes containing age appropriate gifts. 521 boxes were given out for Christmas 2024.
- At the end of 2024, BMRSG Back to School program gave $6,300 to school students of refugee families. This money is targeted to assist families who are on Bridging Visas. These families don’t receive any Centrelink benefits.
- Tuition fees paid for an asylum seeker who has completed a forklift training course. This will help him on his quest to become financially independent.
- Our group is often invited to talk to community groups about the work that we do. We have been guests of Blue Mountains Writers Festival, Katoomba Rotary, Blue Mountains TAFE, Blaxland High School and other local organisations. This is a core part of our Education and Advocacy work.
- BMRSG contributed towards the cost of special (and very expensive) glasses for a refugee whose sight was significantly impacted by an exploding bomb. The new glasses have given him greater confidence to go outside his home.
- We paid for medical tests for 3 children of a family applying for permanent residency. And the application was successful. A wonderful outcome!