about BR4R
Ballina Region for Refugees became incorporated on 13th December 2016. It is colloquially known as BR4R and is often referred to in this shortened form across the website and in other documents.
Ballina Region for Refugees is a Registered Charity with The Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission (ACNC) (Charity ABN 64 683 380 227) and is a Public Benevolent Society with tax exemption status. BR4R is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient for the purpose of receiving donations.
The Annual General Meeting is held each year in November or December and members are invited to join or renew membership in yearly increments.
In 2018 BR4R employed a Project Worker to undertake the development of a resource kit and training materials in a Family Reunification Project funded by the Mercy Foundation. This is the only person to be paid by BR4R. All other participants are voluntary.
A Brief History of BR4R
A s with many things in life, Ballina Region for Refugees (BR4R) grew from small beginnings.
In early 2015, Sue Kelly, a local resident, had been incensed by the Australian Government’s growing inhumane treatment and policies towards people seeking asylum.
Sue published a notice in the local paper, the Ballina Shire Advocate, inviting like-minded and concerned people in the community to meet at a cafe in Lennox Head on the 28th February 2015 to discuss what they could do.
About 12 people came to that meeting and this was the beginning of Ballina Region for Refugees with Sue Kelly as the founding leader.
An early decision was to encourage Ballina Shire Council to declare the shire a ‘Refugee Welcome Zone’.
On the 20th June 2015. Mayor David Wright, on behalf of his fellow councillors, officially made “a commitment in spirit to welcoming refugees into the community, upholding the human rights of refugees, demonstrating compassion for refugees and enhancing cultural and religious diversity in the community.”
BR4R (as it began to be known colloquially) proceeded to organise rallies, vigils and talks. It also started fundraising to enable financial and material assistance for refugees and people seeking asylum in on-shore & off-shore detention as well as those needing support in the community.
Soon the Homestay Program was developed – providing respite for refugees with short stays in homes in the region. The Nauru Friendship Group also was formed to support men and women on Nauru through regular contact and the donation of clothing, food and phone credit.
BR4R continues its work with an evolving management team, being guided by a strategic plan and implementing new programs as needed. BR4R is assisted by a large number of volunteers.
All of us at BR4R dream of the day when our work is not necessary.
What Drives Us
Our Vision
The vision of Ballina Region for Refugees is to welcome, respect and support refugees and people seeking asylum.
Our goal is to promote the acceptance and integration of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia, by thinking globally and acting locally.
BR4R management Committee
Marilyn Leeks
President
Isabelle Borrelli
Vice President
Rik Dillon
Treasurer
betty Weiler
Administration and
Membership Coordinator
Trish Razzi
Minutes Secretary
Tre Rawstorne
Member Representative
Lisa Dillon
Publicity Coordinator and
Member Representative
Alan Larsen
Member Representative
Our Volunteers
Mary O’Brien receiving 2017 Volunteer Award<
with David Wright (Ballina Mayor) & Gunela Astbrink (BR4R President).
2019 Volunteer Awards
Meg Pickup, Kath Cavanagh, Jen Coughran,
Jane Eliott (for Northern Rivers Fok Choir) and Trish Antoniacomi
Our many volunteers are the life-blood of Ballina Region for Refugees. We couldn’t do all we do without you!
We are extremely appreciative of the time and energy that they contribute in helping BR4R achieve it’s goals.
While it is very difficult to focus on specific volunteers, BR4R presents Volunteer Awards each year to show our appreciation for the support by some individuals.
In 2017, the Awards went to:
- Mary O’Brien for her tireless work and significant contribution across a range of activities.
- Conan Griffiths for his donation of time, expertise and output in designing promotional materials for BR4R.
In 2018, the Awards went to:
- ….
- …..
In 2019, the Awards went to:
- Kath Cavanagh for wonderful work in fundraising and donations..
- Jen Coughran for much work on various documents, projects and volunteering.
- Trish Antoniacomi for work above and beyond what was required for fundraising, volunteering and committee work.
- Meg Pickup for work above and beyond what was required for Secretary, Events co-ordinator and volunteerin.
- Marilyn Leeks for her work with the Nauru Friendship Group, Mercy Foundation Grant, Family Reunification Project and other documentation and policy work
- Gunela Astbrink for excellent leadership as President over several years as well as her work with Homestay and many other projects.
- Northern Rivers Folk Choir (led by Peter Lehner) for performances and fundraising and other events and generousity in donations.
Our Supporters
We cannot do our work without the in-kind assistance of our Supporters.
These are some of the businesses who have supported us over the past few years.
Please support them as they have supported us.
Click on their logos to connect with them.
