Community generosity sees almost $10K raised

TWO HUNDRED and fifty tickets were sold in advance of Saturday’s Join the Welcome event at Archies Creek in a successful afternoon under the sun… But what was the story behind the fundraiser.

“Today is the makings of near on 100 different volunteers and donations, including bands and artists,” Burra Welcome Committee event coordinator, Laura said.

“Archies Creek have opened up their venue for us and we have had 15 businesses donate goods for the silent auction, and not to mention all the little bits from posters to advertising – which has been great.

“We have called it Join the Welcome because we really believe that it does take a village to welcome a family into our community and for it to be a successful resettlement.”

Ten bands and artists took to the two stages over the six-hour event, as hundreds of guests enjoyed the sunshine outside, a testament to how much Australians want to get behind the refugee crisis.

“Greg Walker (Sand Brothers) has been instrumental in pulling the bands together and liaising with Archies Creek to get this running today.

“The money that we make today will sustain the Syrian refugee family that we are sponsoring for the rest of the year, which will give us the flexibility to really help them have a great start here and take away some of those financial pressures they are under. We have one year to transition and support them to independence.”

The family came to the attention of the committee through academic Miki.

“Miki brought it to us – we put our hands up and here we are today,” Laura smiled.

“We are working with CRSA (Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia).

“It’s a pilot program that has only just started here but has been running in Canada for 40 years with huge success. Anyone can do it.”