Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to wish the Canberra Refugee Support 15 years Happy Birthday. They were established in 2001 and recently celebrated their 15th birthday at a fundraiser at the Hellenic Club and also, most importantly, farewelled their current president, Geoff McPherson AM, who has been there from the start. His role has been very ably taken over by the new president, Doug Hynd.

Canberra Refugee Support provides an invaluable service here in Canberra. It helps refugees settle into Canberra. It provides them with advocacy services. It also provides them with policy advice. It conducts training sessions and also, most importantly, settlement support. When you are transitioning into a new country, it is vitally important that you have someone there to help you make the transition into that new country and new community.

During all those years that Geoff has been president of Canberra Refugee Support, there have been a number of achievements, and among them are the Calvary Hospital Mentoring Program, the annual CRS Scholarships and the Asylum Seeker Access Card. There is also the significant support that the group gives to the community here. It provides so much to our community, as well enriching our community. Thank you so much to Geoff McPherson AM for your contribution to Canberra.

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