Council Boosts Brisbane Refugee Festival
27 June, 2009
Brisbane City Council has boosted the annual World Refugee Day Community Festival by kicking in a huge $50,000 towards the Annerley event on Sunday.
Council’s financial contribution to this event – which last year drew 10,000 people - outstrips the State Government’s $30,000 and has enabled this year’s event to continue to support the community.
A 17 nationality team soccer tournament, volleyball tournament and Tibetan master Tenzin Choegyal - a word class performer who opens proceeding for the Dalai Lama all across the world – are highlights.
Family and Communities Chair Geraldine Knapp said Council’s support of the event - which is presented in conjunction with Multicultural Development Association and Multicultural Affairs Queensland - didn’t just end with the community grant.
“We recognise what World Refugee Day means for so many Brisbane residents from all over the city - with fantastic music, food, art and sport - but especially what it represents for Brisbane’s refugees,” Cr Knapp said.
“Recently we’ve seen many people escaping conflict from the Middle East and Burma and we want to create more opportunities for them to rebuild their lives by making use of all the opportunities available to them here in Brisbane.
“Opportunities like World Refugee Day are about building Brisbane’s community during a global financial crisis, and strengthening our social fabric by enabling our new residents to contribute to our city.”
Council has also provided extensive support through officers helping to stage the event and in particular the very popular soccer tournament and other sporting components.
Cr Knapp said the soccer tournament had to be one of the highlights of the event.
“Everyone knows how popular soccer is across the world, and most of us would recognise its power in transcending barriers between different cultures,” she said.
A Queensland Roar player will also make a special guest appearance. The Annerley based World Refugee Day celebrates the UNHCR World Refugee Day 2009, which was officially marked on June 20.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman will speak at the event at 12 noon.
Event details:
Sunday June 29, 9am to 4pm, Annerley Soccer Club Fields, Ekibin Reserve, Ridge Street, Greenslopes, FREE admission [Ends] June 27, 2009
