St Michael's Parish
Social Justice Group
ASHBURTON

The St Michael's Social Justice Group functions under the overall umbrella of St Michael's Parish Ashburton. The group has met, for many years, usually monthly, with meeting dates advertised in the Parish newsletter.

The Social Justice Group provides a forum for sharing, education and action on issues of common concern. The group acts both locally and in conjunction with other external groups on broader issues, such as supporting the region of Same in East Timor and working with the Ashburton Asylum Seeker Support Group (see below).

This year there were two special projects regarding social justice issues for indigenous people and working for improved housing for a young family in Ashburton with major health problems. If you would like to be part of the group, contact the presbytery on 9885 2498.

Ashburton Asylum Seeker Support Group (AASSG).

Four years ago members of our local Baptist, Catholic, Uniting and
Anglican Churches formed the Ashburton Asylum Seeker Support Group
Our group is concerned that there are asylum seekers in Melbourne who, despite their traumatic past, are not allowed to work and have no financial support or Medicare rights. In an effort to give themselves and their family a new start and often trying to escape persecution, they left all that was familiar and traveled to Australia. Unfortunately, they found there was no welcome mat.

The AASSG became aware of Hotham Mission, a Uniting Church Asylum Seeker service. Hotham Mission facilitates and oversees the linking of destitute asylum seekers with churches and other aid organizations. With their help and a generous response from the local community, we have been able to maintain support for two asylum seeker families for the past four years.
Just last month however, one of our families has returned to their home country.

If you wish to help provide rent, utilities and a living allowance for
asylum seeker families or would like any further information please phone Leonie Gilbert on 9885 8300.


CRISIS IN THE CONGO

Members of the Social Justice group meet political refugee Pierre Kazadi Mwamba to hear of the continuing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

 

Spiegelhall Evening


The impetus for the night was the need to support Sixta Mambor, a West Papuan student, who has been living with a family in St Michael's Parish for the last few years. Sixta has now commenced tertiary studies at Deakin
University and does not have the means to meet the substantial fees ($6000 per semester) on her own.

Funds raised from the night will be divided 50/50 between Sixta and the 2 families of asylum seekers in Melbourne who have been supported by
Ashburton Asylum Seekers Support Group for several years (a group formed in conjunction with other local churches and the Hotham Mission)."
Ashburton Asylum Seeker Support Group

 

This years Boroondara Social Justice Evening was hosted by the St Michael's Parish, Ashburton with representatives from St Dominic's Camberwell, Our Lady of Good Counsel Deepdene, St Roch's Glen Iris, Holy Redeemer East Oakleigh , St Cecilia's Glen Iris, and Sacred Heart St Kilda.


Members of the St Michael's Social Justice Group
L to R (Seated): Tom O'Donnell, Judy Sullivan, Marg Sowersby, Fiona Dodds and Visitor
L to R (Back Row) John Nihill, Carolyn Crey, Joan Quinlan, Sixta Mambor, Jane Wood, Jim Sowersby, Gillian Wilkes, Eileen Nicholls, Marita Conheady Barker, Visitor, Max Barker, and Visitor


Marg Sowersby, Dan Place, Cath Place and Fr William Attard PP


Fr Attard with West Pauans


St Michael's parishioner Annette Mackintosh, Louise Byrne West Papua Association
and Dr Jacob Rumbiak


Sixta Mambor


Fr Attard with West Papuan Visitors


West Papuan Dancers


West Papuan Dancers

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Ashburton Asylum Seeker Support Group

Four years ago members of our local Baptist, Catholic, Uniting and Anglican Churches formed the Ashburton Asylum Seeker Support Group.

Imagine being in a strange land with little or no English, no family or friends; not allowed to work; having no financial support or Medicare rights.  How can you take care of yourself? How can you house, clothe and feed your family? Optimism is replaced by helplessness and depression.  Dreams are all but shattered.  And there is a fear of an enforced return to the country from which you have escaped.

Our group is concerned that there are asylum seekers in Melbourne who, despite their traumatic past, are now living in just these circumstances. In an effort to give themselves and their family a new start, they left all that was familiar and traveled to Australia. Unfortunately for them, they found there was no welcome mat.

The AASSG became aware of Hotham Mission, a Uniting Church Asylum Seeker service. Hotham Mission facilitates and oversees the linking of destitute asylum seekers with churches and other aid organizations.  With their help and a generous response from the local community, we have been able to maintain support for two asylum seeker families for the past four years.  Some information about our families:

Sri Lankan Family This family of four is living locally, the youngest boy (born in Australia) is attending kindergarten and the older boy is happy in grade 3 at primary school. The mother has been attempting to gain nursing skills. Their continued inability to work is impacting heavily, particularly on the father.

Turkish Kurd Family  The parents are extremely stressed by their uncertain future. Their case is waiting determination by the minister (their last hope) and they have to constantly apply for short term visas. Legal experts believe they have a strong case and have been lobbying on their behalf. Both children attend secondary school and are well integrated into Australian life. The girl regularly attends a Christian holiday camp which she loves. The boy is a keen soccer player.

If you wish to help provide rent, utilities and a living allowance for our families please phone Leonie Gilbert on 9885 8300.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a............ dream,..saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be... thou there.. until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him........... .......................................................................................................................................................
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt......
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Matthew 2:13-14............................................................................................................................
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Fundraising night for Sixta and the asylum seekers.

21 October 2006

Fundraising night for Sixta and the asylum seekers. Howard Langmead, the Anglican minister/comedian, and David Bridie.

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