Detention of asylum seekers
Australia's system of mandatory indefinite detention is in urgent need of reform.
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Refugee Week events calendar: Queensland
| Waiting for Asylum: Figures from an archive Saturday 11 June to Sunday 7 August (opening Thursday 23 June), Brisbane Ten years since the SIEV X tragedy, asylum seekers still provoke strong political, emotional and ideological responses across all ranks of Australian society. Working with the Fryer Library archive of refugee ephemera, collaborating artists Ross Gibson and Carl Warner interpret the precarious position of the asylum seeker in Australia past and present. Details: 10:00am-4:00pm daily (opening night Thursday 23 June from 5:30pm); The University of Queensland Art Museum; University Drive, St Lucia; for further details call (07) 3365 3046 or e-mail artmuseum@uq.edu.au |
| Collaborative Witness: Artists' responses to the plight of the asylum seekers and refugees Saturday 11 June to Sunday 7 August (opening Thursday 23 June), Brisbane Intense media coverage of events surrounding asylum seekers creates witnesses of all Australians. Through multiple styles and materials, artists challenge one-dimensional portrayals and become not only witnesses, but also collaborators on the complex story of those seeking asylum. Works produced over the past decade question the nation's response to the plight of the refugee. Artists include Benjamin Armstrong, Lyndell Brown and Charles Green, Jon Cattapan, Tim Johnson and Karma Phuntsok, Rosemary Laing, David Ray, Judy Watson, and Guan Wei. Details: 10:00am-4:00pm daily (opening night Thursday 23 June from 5:30pm); The University of Queensland Art Museum; University Drive, St Lucia for further details call (07) 3365 3046 or e-mail artmuseum@uq.edu.au |
| Book Launch of 'Unforgettable Voices: Australia We Are Here!' Thursday 16 June, Brisbane A collection of stories by Afghan and Iraqi families who have resettled in Queensland, with a performance by Roz Pappalardo. Edited by Jason Macleod, Jeniece Olsen, Hassan Ghulam and Sabah Al Ansari. Hosted by the Romero Centre. Details: 1:00pm-4:00pm; Premiers Hall, Queensland Parliament House, cnr of George and Alice Streets, Brisbane; for further details call (07) 3846 3250 or e-mail |
| 171 Plus Club: Circling the globe in Logan Thursday 16 June, Logan Join us for personal stories of former refugees who have found a new life in Australia, and freedom from fear. Speakers will talk about the realities of the refugee experience, including the many joys and challenges they face in their new communities. Presented by Logan Central Library in conjunction with ACCES Services Inc. Details: 10:30am; Logan Central Library, 26 Wilbur Street, Logan Central; RSVP to (07) 3412 4100. |
| 'Telling Stories': an exhibition of refugee art and culture Friday 17 June to Sunday 19 June, Brisbane This three-day exhibition, presented by Art from the Margins, will feature artwork, film, textiles, collage and traditional costumes as well as a program of live performances and poetry by artists from a refugee background. A variety of cultures and backgrounds will be represented including from Iraq, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burma. Enjoy the live music, poetry readings and talks by refugees from 1:30pm on Saturday and from 10:30am Sunday. Details: 10:00am-4:00pm daily; Wesley House, 140 Ann Street, Brisbane; for further details, contact Anthony Anderson on (07) 3621 4540 or a.anderton@wmb.org.au |
| Screening of the 5th Annual Australian Refugee Film Festival Saturday 18 June, Nundah The Australian Refugee Film Festival aims to raise awareness of important local and international refugee issues and to celebrate the achievements, stories and indomitable spirit of refugees. All proceeds will go towards supporting displaced people from Burma. Details: tickets $5 ($10 for families); 12:00pm; North-East Baptist Church auditorium, Chapel Street, Nundah; for further information go to footstepsforburma.org |
| Multicultural Refugee Week Celebration Sunday 19 June, Macgregor The event will feature multicultural performances,raffle draws and an address from special guest speaker will be Mr David Matas, 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee. Funds raised will be used will go towards the Sudanese Support Foundation and the Logan Karen Community of QLD. Details: $15 (includes dinner); from 5:30pm (dinner commences 6:30pm) MacGregor Primary School Hall, 370 McCullough Street, Macgregor for further details e-mail qmc.aus@gmail.com |
| Brisbane Refugee Film Festival 2011 Sunday 19 June, Southbank A selection of short films from the Australian Refugee Film Festival. Hosted by the Romero Centre. Details: 2:00pm-6:00pm; State Library of Queensland, Auditorium 1, Southbank. for further details call (07) 3846 3250 or e-mail |
| World Refugee Day Morning Tea Monday 20 June, Toowoomba All interested Directors, Coordinators, Educators and Cultural Support Workers are invited to explore implementing practices that enhance cultural diversity in child care settings. RSVP by 16 June. Details: 10:00am; 17 Long Street, Toowoomba; for further information contact Sharyn McCarthy on (07) 4699 1691 or 0439 747 258, or Jane Lindsay on (07) 4633 8400. |
| Interfaith celebration of human rights Wednesday 22 June, Nathan Representatives of nine Living Faith communities in the Brisbane area - Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Indigenous Australian, Islamic, Jewish, Pagan and Sikh - will each speak briefly on their specific appreciation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). All present will be provided with a copy of the UDHR. Financial donations will be welcome on arrival to assist with costs. Co-sponsored by the Griffith University Multi-Faith Centre and Amnesty International. Details: 7:15pm-9:00pm; Multi-Faith Centre, Griffith University Nathan campus, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan; RSVP essential by 17 June to (07) 3735 7052 or multi-faith-centre@griffith.edu.au |
| Living Archives Symposium Thursday 23 June, Brisbane Kate Durham and Elaine Smith will discuss their activism and the manuscript collections they have donated to the Fryer Library that reflect that activism. The discussion will be moderated by Carol Johnman Low, a community worker who, through her work with refugees, now focuses on working with people and their stories. During the symposium, researchers and artists who have worked with the material in the archives will discuss their responses to the material, and members of the local refugee community will present their perspective. Items from the archive will be available for viewing. The symposium is being held in conjunction with three related art exhibitions at the UQ Art Museum which will be open to the public from 11 June to 7 August, 2011. Details: 2:00pm-5:00pm; Library Conference Room, Level 1, Duhig Building (Bldg 2), The University of Queensland, St Lucia; RSVP by Wednesday 22 June to (07) 3346 4328 or ssah-mgr@library.uq.edu.au |
| Rally for refugee rights Saturday 25 June, Brisbane End mandatory detention; children out of detention; don't send asylum seekers to Malaysia. Sponsored by a Brisbane-wide coalition of 17 refugee support agencies and community bodies. Details: 1:00pm; Brisbane Square (top of Queen Street Mall), Brisbane CBD; |
| World Refugee Day Community Festival Sunday 26 June, Annerley Brisbane celebrates its newly arrived refugee communities in a festival of food, entertainment, sport and culture. Experience Brisbane's vibrant and diverse cultures through traditional and contemporary performances including African and Middle Eastern musicians and dancers, arts and crafts exhibitions and much more. Watch volleyball and soccer competitions, sample delicious food from around the world and participate in a variety of workshops. Free entertainment for families includes camel and amusement rides, animal farm, artistic and sporting activities for children. Hosted by Brisbane City Council in association with the Multicultural Development Association. Details: 9:00am-6:00pm; Annerley Soccer Club Fields, Ridge and Juliette Streets, Annerley; for further details, call Brisbane City Council on (07) 3403 8888. |