General News
16 March, 2023
Garden party to raise funds for asylum seekers centre
As Harmony Day approaches, a local refugee group is calling on residents to join them in Wonderland this weekend for a fundraiser benefitting asylum seekers. Maryborough’s branch of Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) are organising an event to...
As Harmony Day approaches, a local refugee group is calling on residents to join them in Wonderland this weekend for a fundraiser benefitting asylum seekers.
Maryborough’s branch of Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) are organising an event to raise money for the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre this Sunday at Buckley’s of Dunolly — featuring afternoon tea, entertainment and drinks, the Alice in Wonderland themed garden party will be held from 2 to 5 pm with a $20 entry fee counted as donation.
Encouraging the community to help people seeking refuge in Australia, the fundraiser’s host and RAR member, Rachel Buckley said the function would raise awareness about the issue.
“We have to think globally of people who are having trouble in the world, and quite a few people are at the moment,” she said.
“This fundraiser is about people coming together, getting the conversation going and giving a donation towards the asylum seekers who’ve come to our shores.
“We’re also commemorating Harmony Day and honouring different cultures, it’s enriching for everybody.”
Marked across the country on March 21, Harmony Day celebrates and promotes the rich cultural diversity in Australia — and appreciating different traditions, Ms Buckley said, should go hand-in-hand with assisting those seeking humanitarian aid.
“I genuinely believe our people are very openhearted and very generous. I think we all want to help when we see trauma in the world but we don’t know how to do it. As individuals, we feel a little bit helpless so if we can do small things together like this fundraiser, that is a step in the right direction,” she said.
“The other thing I think we need is to see [that commitment] from our leaders. I love the idea of the shires having a welcome refugee zone where they don’t have to give any money, but it shows that from the top down, we all want to encourage new people to our town.
“It’s a good thing to have new families come from all over the world and any little thing that we can do to help is great because I think everybody is struggling a little bit.”
The fundraiser takes place on Sunday, March 19 at 1787 Maryborough-Dunolly Road and entry is capped at 40 people.
To register your interest for the event contact Rachel Buckley on 0427 275 006.