The value of networking was fully realised at a recent meeting in Mullumbimby convened by Ballina Region For Refugees and involving representatives of CRISP refugee support groups from Lismore, Tweed, Ballina and Byron.
The attendees discussed how best to share ideas and co-ordinate support for groups in the region. Problems and solutions were discussed as well as feedback on how families were settling in.
Fundraising was a major topic, and BR4R explained how it could help other support groups on the North Coast.
As well as established groups such as Friends of Refugees Byron Shire (FoRBS), Tweed Welcomes Refugees (TWR), Lismore Region Refugee Settlement (LRRS) and BR4R, the gathering was attended by the newly formed Mullumbimby Refugee Support Group (MRSG), and representatives of two groups in the formation stage in Byron Bay and Ballina.
The meeting identified that it would be useful to be able to communicate online, ask each other questions and share good ideas. Bernd Langer (TWR), Jude Alcorn (MRSG) and Lisa Dillon (BR4R) will look at easily accessible ways to do this online and report back at our next gathering.
Also discussed was a possible name change for Ballina Region For Refugees and its role as a Supporting Community Organisation registered with CRISP.
It was suggested the name be changed to Northern Rivers for Refugees to reflect the broader footprint of our activities. This will be taken back to BR4R committee and members and an update will be provided at the next gathering.
The next network gathering will be scheduled for mid-year.