Excerpts from Port Macquarie News article, Friday July 13, 2018.
The Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group has welcomed 14
refugees from the Tamil community who are considering making
the Hastings home.
In Port Macquarie on July 9 the group spent the day
visiting TAFE, Port Macquarie SkillsLink and Charles Sturt University to
discover potential educational possibilities. They were also able to
spend time at the Koala Hospital and at the beach.
Janette Jones from the Mid North Coast Refugee Support
Group said that a number of members are considering a move to the
Hastings.
“The group of refugees are currently based in Sydney but have
come for a visit to the Hastings this week as part of the See Visit
program,” Ms Jones said.
“The refugees are all from Sri Lanka and have fled severe
persecution and trauma to end up in Australia.
“And even after they have been granted legitimate refugee status
they have to adhere to a strict criteria of being self sufficient in order to
stay.”
The group, which includes families and a number of adults,
have been in town exploring all of the wonders the Port Macquarie-Hastings
region has to offer.
“The visas they have mean they are expected to work or study and
support themselves, but part of the criteria is living in regional places like
Wagga Wagga, Bathurst and Port Macquarie, after being settled in Sydney,” she
said.
“Today’s visit is a chance for them to have a look at a regional
area they may wish to call home and so we have visited some tourist places as
well as places where they may be able to get employment.”
Support worker, Reverend Dr John Jegasothy said the group,
despite being refugees, have a long battle to become permanent residents let
alone citizens.
“Fleeing the trauma and war in Sri Lanka is only the beginning
for these refugees, once they arrive in Australia they have to keep proving
they are legitimate which can be draining,” Rev Jegasothy said.
“It can be a 15 year process to become a citizen and that is
only after reapplying for visas a number of times.
“Multicultural NSW has been extremely helpful to get
opportunities for the refugees so they can move to our regional hubs.”
Refugee and potential new comer to Port Macquarie, N.BA. Nikshan
Sharma, said after all the trauma that the refugees have faced, Port Macquarie
looks like a delightful place to settle down.
“All of the refugees who have to leave Sri Lanka have been
through great traumas and it can be really hard to keep going but by being
surrounded by caring people and great support it does make it easier,” Mr
Sharma said.
“All of the group have been struggling to live in Sydney
so we are looking at moving to a regional hub like Port Macquarie.
“We have been shown around today and everyone we have met and
spoken to have been absolutely wonderful.”
Ms Jones also said that there will definitely be a number of
refugees moving to the area and if anyone would be willing to help ease their
move to please get in touch.
