The Western Bulldogs celebrated World Refugee Day on Saturday by hosting their 11th annual Citizenship Ceremony at Victoria University Whitten Oval.
Forty-five migrants and refugees received their Australian citizenship from Maribyrnong’s Mayor, Councillor Nam Quach on Saturday with over 100 guests and dignitaries in attendance.
The conferees were from 21 different countries with many coming to Australia as refugees and humanitarian entrants from countries such as Iran, Sudan and Ethiopia.
The event marked the end of Refugee Week, a week in which the Bulldogs’ community arm, SpiritWest delivered a range of events and activities throughout Melbourne’s west to celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society.
SpiritWest supports over 2,000 refugees and humanitarian entrants each year in Melbourne’s west through its Settlement Services, funded by the Department of Social Services.
This year’s Refugee Week theme is “With courage let us all combine”.
Taken from the second verse of the national anthem, the theme celebrates the courage of refugees and of people who speak out against persecution and injustice.
It serves as a call for unity and for positive action, encouraging Australians to improve our nation’s welcome for refugees and to acknowledge the skills and energy refugees bring to their new home.
