Welcome Refugees Fundraiser

*Eventbrite registration / tickets are NOT VALID (for promotional purposes only), you MUST purchase tickets through the Humanitix link. Purchase tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/welcome-refugees-fundraiser-j2p36hk1

Inner West for Refugees - in collaboration with Fern Events and the City of Sydney – present our annual Welcome Refugees Fundraiser – and this year we have a treat for you with a venue overlooking the magnificent views of Darling Harbour, illuminated by the world renowned Vivid light displays! Funds raised will be donated to the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown.

Join us on Thursday 9 June at Harbourside for a cocktail style event with a delicious food and drinks package, brilliant, curated conversation, plus an array of specialty items on offer for you to peruse and bid for in our silent auction. Enjoy Afro-Cuban music by international trio Moussa Diakite, Len Samperi and Junior Jones.

Our expert Suzanne Waldron will facilitate conversations with former Sudanese refugee Abang Anade Othow, and with the Asylum Seekers Centre CEO, Frances Rush OAM.

Do you have a spare Dine and Discover voucher kicking around, that needs using by the end of June? Why not use it for a great night out and all for a good cause!

Tickets are $100 per head with a portion of tickets available on a ‘Pay What You Can’ basis. Your ticket includes substantial canapes by PlateitForward, wine, beer, soft drinks and a chance to win lucky door prizes. Raffles and silent auction will include art works, gourmet produce, fine wines, beauty products and activities.

Registering through Eventbrite is NOT a valid ticket. Please purchase tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/one-step-advocacy-and-allyship-in-action

This is an opportunity to celebrate with interesting people while contributing to the work of not-for-profit organisations!

What: Welcome Refugees cocktail-style event

Where: Harbourside, Level 2, Darling Harbour

When: Thursday 9 June 2022 – 6pm – 9pm

Why: Art, music, entertainment and food in support of refugees and asylum seekers.

Who are our speakers and performers?

Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC)

Frances Rush OAM has been the CEO of the Asylum Seekers Centre since 2015. The Asylum Seekers Centre is a place of welcome which provides practical and personal support for people living in the community who are seeking asylum. Support services include accommodation, financial relief, health care, employment assistance, education, food, material aid and recreational activities. The Centre campaigns to improve public laws and policies, and to bring about change. The Asylum Seekers Centre is a non-for-profit organisation which relies on philanthropic grants, donations and some state government support, as well as a team of staff and more than 400 volunteers.

Abang Anade Othow

Abang is a true survivor. Born in the Sudan she fled to Ethiopia and then Kenya before arriving alone in Australia at the age of 18. Education has been a key to Abang’s survival. Despite gaps in her learning due to forced relocation and the need to learn new languages, Abang has attained a Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Teaching. For the past 10 years she has been teaching students from diverse backgrounds. Her new journey is to embark on advocacy and work with marginalised communities.

PlateItForward

The stunning venue for our event is provided by PlateItForward, a social enterprise harnessing the power of food through a mix of hospitality and charity. The menu blends home cooking techniques, international recipes and contemporary Australian flavours. PlateItForward provides education, employment and hospitality experiences to people experiencing disadvantage. Plate It Forward was awarded the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Community Human Rights Champion.

Moussa Diakite Trio

Moussa is a guitarist, singer and composer from Mali. His style is derived from the “Wassoulou” style of music, fused with elements of Congolese, Highlife, Afro Beat, Cuban, Blues and Jazz. Moussa spent his foundational years in the iconic Afro-Latin “Rail Band”, one of the first bands to combine elements of Cuban and Congolese Jazz with West African rhythms, melodies and instrumentation like the Kora and the Belafon.

Len Samperi plays bass in the Moussa Diakite Trio. In the 1980s Len was part of Hoi Polloi. His indie/pop music project can be heard on TripleJ Unearthed.

Junior Jones has been playing drums since he could lift a wooden spoon. He is a member of World Music group Caribbean Soul, Australia’s leading soca/calypso/reggae/salsa band.

Suzanne Waldron

Suzanne Waldron was born in England. Born deaf, Suzanne underwent repeated surgery to attain hearing. She lived in a truck travelling Europe before becoming a foster child, then homeless teenager. Suzanne works with individuals, organisations and influencers to build cohesive relationships in community, government and not for profits. She is a creative director for the Museum of Freedom of Tolerance and former curator for TEDxPerth. She is an active ambassador for R U OK? and Nakuru Hope, and a nominee for Western Australian of the Year 2016.

Host or Publisher Inner West for Refugees