Newly arrived Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Refugee Welcome Zone
The Mornington Peninsula Shire is a proud signatory to the Refugee Welcome Zone (signed in 2013), a Refugee Council of Australia initiative.
As a Refugee Welcome Zone the Shire has made a commitment in spirit to welcome refugees into the community, uphold the human rights of refugees, demonstrate compassion and enhance cultural and religious diversity in the community.
To realise our commitment to the Refugee Welcome Zone the Shire is undertaking a range of actions, including:
- During Refugee Week each year, coordinates and supports community activities that raise awareness about refugees and people seeking asylum.
- Attends the Victorian Local Government Multicultural Issues Network.
- A supporter of the campaign Racism. It stops with me (since 2013).
- A member Council on the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum and supporter of the Back Your Neighbour Campaign
More info:
Refugee Week
Refugee Week has been celebrated across Australia since 1986 and is opportunity to raise awareness about refugees, the issues faced and the contributions refugees continue to make to the community.
Mornington Peninsula Shire celebrates Refugee Week and since 2013 has been a Refugee Council of Australia signatory to the Refugee Welcome Zone
Recognising Refugee Week provides local community opportunity to broaden collective understanding of what it is like to be a refugee, breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive society.
Refugee Week 2024
For Refugee Week 2024 the Shire supported the screening of documentary 'Journey Beyond Fear' at local Peninsula Cinema. Followed by a live Q&A with Director Robyn Hughan, Producer Steve Warne and MC Rosemarie Draper (OAM).
Journey Beyond Fear is a feature documentary told through the eyes of a teenage girl and her refugee family in pursuit of resettlement. An emotional roller coaster that takes audiences from despair to joy through hope, humour and love - shattering prevailing stereotypes.
More info:
Back Your Neighbour Campaign
Back Your Neighbour
Mornington Peninsula Shire is committed to raising awareness of the issues affecting refugees and people seeking asylum; as well as create a culture of welcome, together celebrating positive contributions made by refugees to community.
The Shire is a member of the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum, working with over 40 Councils across Australia to advocate to the Federal Government for certainty and support for our residents seeking protection from war and persecution.
The Taskforce’s Back Your Neighbour Campaign urges the Federal Government to:
- Provide people seeking protection who are living in Australia, the opportunity to work and study.
- Give them access to affordable health care and essential basic support.
- Ensure a timely and fair application and review for all people applying for refugee protection.
- Provide people who have been refused a visa to stay in Australia, with a fair review.
Refugees and people seeking asylum deserve dignity, respect and safety.
Support the campaign today by signing the petition.
We invite community members, local groups and organisations to sign the petition or become a partner. You can take action here.
Support Services - newly arrived Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers
A list of support services put together by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Are you a person who is seeking asylum and living in Victoria? Refugee Council provides a Victoria service map to help find the support you need locally.
Refugee Resource Hub is a place of welcome, community and support for people seeking asylum and refugees living in Melbourne’s South-East.
Monash Health provide a dedicated Refugee Health and Wellbeing service. Including comprehensive primary care services together with tertiary services.
Multilingual health information
Health professionals and others working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities can use Health Translations to easily find translated health information in over 100 languages. Health Translations is a Victorian State Government Initiative.