The recent AGM heard that NRFR is in a strong position to continue supporting the settlement of refugee families in our area.
One of the most significant decisions in the past year was to change our name to Northern Rivers for Refugees at the Special General Meeting on 15 June. President Marilyn Leeks acknowledged it wasn’t an easy decision, and thanked members for their commitment.
“The name change has opened opportunities for us to work with the Byron and Tweed Councils and strengthened our relationships with CRISP community supporter groups and community members beyond Ballina,” she said.
In the last year NRFR has partnered an additional three CRISP community supporter groups (CSGs), bringing the total to seven.
We also host two gatherings each year of CSG members from Lismore, Ballina, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby, Tweed Heads and Gold Coast. The networking helps build relationships, share updates about their groups and households and discuss issues such as finding affordable accommodation for refugee households.
NRFR has approximately 50 members. We have 185 registered volunteers and 570 people receive our monthly Bulletins.
In partnership the Multicultural network, Northern Rivers for Refugees received a grant of $10,000 from the Northern Rivers Community Foundation to run a Digital Literacy Project for refugees and newly arrived migrants.
In the election of committee members, Marilyn Leeks was re-elected president, Isabelle Borrelli was re-elected vice-president. Two new committee members were elected from Tweed Shire – Elizabeth Waters and Bernd Langer.
Lisa Dillon has resigned after five years on the committee to focus on the Ballina Refugee Resettlement and Welcome Network (BRRAWN) CRISP community supporter group.
NRFR finances are healthy, with $68,862 cash in bank as at 1 July 2024. Total revenue was $91,998 for the financial year ending 30 June.
NRFR members at the recent AGM at Tintenbar Hall.