Refugees interned in Australia during the Second World War set up their own universities in camps at Tatura in Victoria and Hay in New South Wales. The first of these was founded aboard the HMT Dunera, which carried about 2,500 detainees to Australia in 1940. At Tatura, the Collegium Taturense taught subjects including law, Chinese and jazz. Refugee advocates also helped teenage boys prepare for university study. The story draws on a new podcast, Emergency Exit.
Parwana Afghan Kitchen in Adelaide has been recognised by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand award, which honours restaurants serving high-quality food at good value. The family-owned restaurant has operated since 2009. The Ayubi family fled Afghanistan during the Cold War and arrived in Australia as refugees in 1987. Family members say the award was a surprise and an emotional moment. They say their mission is to share Afghan hospitality, culture and food.
The Vietnamese Museum Australia has been officially unveiled in Sunshine, with a ceremony held on Saturday 17 October. Museum chief executive Tammy Nguyen said the museum honours people who left their homeland, often as refugees, seeking freedom and a better future. The museum was funded by $9.7 million from the federal government and $8.6 million from the state government, along with community fundraising. Alongside it, Wominjeka Plaza opened as a public space honouring Traditional Owners and celebrating refugee and multicultural communities in Brimbank. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
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Grace, a Papua New Guinean woman, fled violence from a partner and moved to Australia as a seasonal worker. She was later granted asylum after the Administrative Appeals Tribunal found she faced a real chance of harm if she returned. Advocates say women on temporary visas face serious barriers to support, including limited access to Centrelink and Medicare. Lawyer Jarin White and Hobart Women's Shelter chief executive Janet Saunders are calling for governments to expand support. A national advocacy group wants more funding for shelters and access to housing and health care.
Australia's first museum dedicated to Vietnamese-Australian history has opened in Sunshine, Melbourne. It was built on a council car park and marks the end of a decade-long campaign by the community. Chief executive Tammy Nguyen said the museum honours refugees who left Vietnam by boat seeking freedom. Victorian Premier Ben Carroll opened the centre, and both federal and Victorian governments contributed funding. University of Melbourne professor Lan Anh Hoang said public attitudes to refugees in the 1970s and 1980s were mixed.
Mourners gathered at the SIEV X Memorial in Canberra to mark 25 years since the sinking of the SIEV X, Australia's deadliest asylum seeker boat disaster. On October 19, 2001, 353 people died when the fishing boat sank off Java while heading to Christmas Island. Of the dead, 146 were children. The memorial, at Weston Park beside Lake Burley Griffin, has a wooden pole for each victim. Organisers say more than 100 victims' names have not been made public. Memorial co-founder Steve Biddulph said the memorial sends a message that ordinary Australians are not terrified of refugees.
Home affairs minister Tony Burke issued directions slowing visa approvals during Labor's national conference in July. Weeks later, he postponed a planned Press Club speech after cabinet colleagues withheld sign-off. A report that the refugee intake would fall from 20,000 prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to confirm the figure would stay. Labor's platform was amended to a softer commitment on refugee numbers, and the 20,000 intake's funding runs for four years, with its renewal still undecided.
Jam for Refugees will hold its last-ever concert in Geelong this weekend, ending an annual event that has run for nine years. The eight-and-a-half-hour concert begins at 11am on Saturday 17 October at All Saints Anglican Parish of Newtown and Geelong West. Organiser Dr Terry Norman said people can attend for as little time as they wish. The event will feature Geelong musicians, short talks from people working with refugees, and personal stories from refugees and former refugees.
Colac and District Rural Australians for Refugees is seeking local volunteers to assist an incoming refugee family. An information session will be held this month to discuss support roles. The group aims to foster community integration for the new arrivals. Caitie Tacey, Sifa Irunga, and Rosie Longmore are among those involved in the initiative. The organisation encourages residents to participate in welcoming the family.
