Tamil Feast event a success

On Saturday Feb 23 around 100 people attended for a treat of cultural experience.

The Baptist Church of Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group hosted a Tamil Feast and Dance, to demonstrate welcome to Tamil refugees who have settled in the Hastings. The MNCRSG provides welcome with practical and social support as they make every effort to be fully functioning in freedom. Members have been eager to assist with professional assistance in seeking work, as there are no Settlement Services available locally.

Classically trained for 20 years in Traditional Indian Dance, Nick then provided a moving performance of his art.

Annie from Laurieton described the day as wonderful.  

“It was lovely to see a big interest. The food was delicious and the dance was very emotional. The most important thing to me was increasing awareness of how we can help refugees locally.”

Local dance teacher Galena introduced Nick’s performance: 

“The dance is in the style of Indian classical Bharathanatya. He learned the divine art from an early age to an advanced level over 20 years. Nick has won awards for his dancing and is also a poet, writer and a journalist, born in Jaffna Sri Lanka. He has a degree in Psychology. He hopes to share his skills with Bollywood dance classes to be introduced soon."

Janette Jones, President of the Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group, declared the day a success, which highlighted the skills of the newcomers and gave them a welcome they deserve.

Kathryn Parle
Publicity Officer
Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group

T-shirts by Kurdish artist available for sale

Farhad Bandesh is a Kurdish artist - a refugee imprisoned on Manus Island by the Australian Government for nearly six years.
This is an opportunity to buy an awesome t-shirt, support art and an artist directly, and raise awareness about this important issue.
Farhad’s artistic talents include being a guitar maker, singer, musician, painter and poet.
100% of money raised goes directly to this artist to continue practicing art.

It is inspiring to see how he continues to produce art whilst imprisoned in such harsh conditions on Manus Island where sourcing materials to practice art is really difficult.
The t-shirts have just been printed and are available now!
The Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group Inc is arranging a bulk order at a discounted rate.
Our price: $30 each plus $5 postage and handling.
Here's the order form - T-shirts by Farhad Bandesh order form
Orders must be received by Sunday 10 March 2019.
T-shirts are 100% Australian made - they are not made in sweatshops; we refuse to use child labour or any exploitation of workers. Thank you to Troppo Prints in Brunswick, Melbourne for their amazing print work.