Art event to celebrate five years of helping asylum seekers
By Ashlee Betteridge
Bridge for Asylum Seekers will
celebrate its fifth anniversary with
an art exhibition and birthday event
at Circle Cafe this month.
The Balmain-based organisation
has provided more than 400 people
released on Habeus Corpus orders
or Bridging Visa Es with money to
survive.
These asylum seekers have no
right to work, access government as-
sistance, Medicare or education and
rely on support from charity.
Asylum Seeker project coordi-
nator Kate Maclurcan said that the
Federal Government’s abolition of
temporary protection visas in last
month’s budget was a positive step
but there was more to be done.
“We are very pleased that tem-
porary protection visas have been
abolished but we would like to see
an end to the very crippling condi-
tions of Bridging Visa E. We would
Gr Fl, 47 York St, SYDNEY p: 9262 6899 7 Days
e: getfit@healthandimage.com.au w: healthandimage.com.au
like all people to have rights to work
and Medicare,” Kate said.
Bridge for Asylum Seekers began
in 2003 and has survived through
fundraising, support from the com-
munity and funding from groups
such as Leichhardt Council.
“My position has been primarily
funded by Leichhardt Council and
I have been working here for three
years. We are immensely grateful for
their ongoing support,” Kate said.
The art exhibition, which will
feature works by refugees and do-
nated pieces from artists, will hang
at the cafe from June 15 to June 21.
The event is part of Refugee Week
and works will be available for sale. Kate Maclurcan, asylum seeker project coordinator for Bridge for Asylum
Funds will go to support Bridge for Seekers, with some of the art works that will be displayed to celebrate
Asylum Seekers. Refugee Week and the organisation’s fifth anniversary.
The birthday event will be held
on Sunday June 27. Federal Member To RSVP for the anniversary, con- Street, Balmain.
for Sydney Tanya Plibersek will tact Kate on 9810 5826 or katema- For more information on Bridge
speak. There will also be an African clurcan@hotmail.com before June for Asylum Seekers, visit www.asy-
drumming performance. 14. Circle Cafe is at 334 Darling lumseekersfoundation.com.
. . . What a relief !
595 Darling St, ROZELLE p: 9810 7500 Wed-Sun
Village Voice Balmain June 27