General News
29 April, 2022
Cairns welcomes Refugees from Myanmar and Ukraine
MORE than 30 people from Myanmar and Ukraine who have fled from war in their countries were welcomed to Cairns with a traditional Aussie morning tea at Centacare FNQ Multicultural Services this week.
Minjil Cultural Services were in charge of the official Welcome to Country, and they presented a gift to the new arrivals after their welcome ceremony.
Most Reverend Bishop James Foley conducted the Welcome Blessing, and he recounted stories about his travel to Ukraine during the 1980s.
The Honorable Warren Entsch MP and Michael Healy MP attended the morning tea. They spoke of the importance of supporting people who flee the conflict in their countries and seek refuge in Australia.
The group included families with young children, the elderly and teenagers who are studying while in Australia.
Schoolteacher and psychologist Ganna Chumachenko from Kyiv in Ukraine, arrived in Cairns three weeks ago. She fled the country with her husband and daughter.
Ms Chumachenko said she was touched by the warm reception Australia had given her.
“It is my first time in Australia, and I have been amazed at how open and welcoming the people have been and how willing they have been to help,” she said.
“I would really like to say a big thank you to Australia for making my family welcome here and not only my family but lots of other families as well.”
Centacare FNQ has a long history of supporting migrant communities and refugees settling in the region.
Centacare FNQ’s Executive Director Anita Veivers said this was a time when FNQ residents needed to be kind and open towards the communities seeking refuge.
“This is a chance for us to come together and warmly welcome our newest arrivals to the region from Ukraine and Myanmar,” Ms Veivers said.
“It is a very special time for both communities being Ukrainian Easter and Thingyan (Myanmar New Year).
“Together, we can show them that they have all the support and love in their settlement journey from our entire FNQ community.”
The morning tea was a great opportunity to share time with the families and understand how the FNQ residents can continue to support them as a community.
Centacare FNQ also thanked their partners TAFE, Cairns Safer Streets, Sun Pacific College, Diocese of Cairns, Refugee Health and the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma for their ongoing support in the settlement process of these families and individuals.
The team at Centacare FNQ highlighted that together, as a community, we can help those fleeing their war-torn homelands to feel safe and supported.
