Will Mead is the convener of Griffith Rural Australians for Refugees. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith will soon have signs at main entrance roads stating the town is a “refugee welcome zone”, the convener of advocacy group Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) Will Mead said.
“Not many people seem to know this but a number of years ago Griffith did sign up to become a refugee welcome zone, along with many other councils across Australia,” Ms Mead said.
“It would be good to see us promoting this with signs that let people know refugees are welcome here.”
Two Soroptimist International Griffith members first raised the idea of having refugee welcome signs at a 2018 Griffith City Council Communities Committee meeting, a forum that brings together councillors and ratepayers to address community issues and needs.
At a later 2021 meeting, the Communities Committee resolved “that the information be received and refugee welcome zone signs be erected, with a letter sent to convener Rural Australians for Refugees Griffith, Will Mead advising of the committee’s recommendation.”
The signs are aimed at showing “new citizens, refugees and asylum seekers that Griffith City welcomes them and appreciates the contributions they make to our economy and community,” according to the minutes of the Communities Committee meeting.
At an ordinary meeting of Griffith City Council in July 2022, Cr Dino Zappacosta requested “that council investigate installation of refugee welcome signs as previously endorsed by the Communities Committee.”
Shireen Donaldson, council director economic and organisational development, said, “Council has budget approved for installation of signs and has been working with Will Mead on the design and installation of the signs including their proposed locations”.
According to Ms Mead, the process is not as easy as it may appear.
“I never realised how complicated the rules are for signs. If the speed limit is 100 [km/h], then the sign has to be a certain size and distance from the road, this is different if the speed limit is 40 or 50 [km/h],” she said.
Leeton’s sign welcoming refugees. Photo: learningfromleeton.lpage.com.au.
Neighbouring Leeton Shire Council currently displays a sign welcoming refugees, migrants and new settlers to their community, though Ms Mead said the Griffith signs would be simpler, stating the town is a “refugee welcome zone”.
Griffith RAR member Pat Cox said, “RAR have long been concerned with the plight of refugees but there are also many people in our general community who want to welcome refugees … we think that as a community we should have a sign.”
Ms Cox said her desire to help refugees stemmed from her days of teaching English to migrants.
“I could see there was a real need … it was always gratifying when I got to see someone we helped settle in to Griffith.”
As part of Soroptimist International Griffith, Ms Mead and Ms Cox have also been advocating for the need to build more social housing to address rising homelessness, stronger NSW laws to prevent coercive control in relationships, and the licensing of labour hire organisations to reduce the exploitation of overseas-born farm workers.
Soroptimist International Griffith are always looking for members. If you’re interested in finding out more, you can message them on their Facebook page.
Further information on Rural Australians for Refugees, which was formed in 2001 and has an active network of more than 75 groups, can be found on their website.
Loading ...
