In Solidarity and Support: Refugee Week and the Power of Inclusive Communities
As we mark Refugee Week 2025, we pause to honour the extraordinary courage, resilience, and strength of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict, persecution, and disaster.
As we mark Refugee Week 2025, we pause to honour the extraordinary courage, resilience, and strength of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict, persecution, and disaster. These journeys—often marked by hardship, loss, and uncertainty—are also stories of survival, hope, and the enduring human spirit.
In light of current global events, we also acknowledge that this may be a particularly difficult and emotional time for many across our communities. For those who are directly impacted or carrying the pain of past experiences, we extend our heartfelt compassion. If you or someone you know is feeling distressed or overwhelmed, please know that you are not alone. Support is available through our CatholicCare Victoria network, and our teams are here to listen and help—always with empathy, dignity, and care.
This week at CatholicCare Victoria, we proudly celebrate the contributions of refugees and people seeking asylum, who continue to enrich our communities in countless ways. Their strength, courage, and generosity of spirit remind us of the importance of building a society where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
At CCV, we believe that every person deserves the opportunity to belong, to thrive, and to live a life of dignity. That’s why we are deeply committed to supporting refugees and asylum seekers across Victoria through a range of specialised programs that offer practical, compassionate support in areas such as education, employment, English language skills, housing, and mental health.
By walking alongside people as they rebuild their lives, we help foster stronger, more inclusive communities—where diversity is celebrated, belonging is nurtured, and every individual is empowered to live life to the full.
This week at CatholicCare Victoria, we proudly celebrate the contributions of refugees and people seeking asylum, who continue to enrich our communities in countless ways. Their strength, courage, and generosity of spirit remind us of the importance of building a society where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
What is Refugee Week?
Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual event to raise awareness about the experiences of refugees and the vital contributions they make to our society. Led by the Refugee Council of Australia, the 2025 theme—Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community—continues a national conversation about inclusion, belonging, and collective strength.
This year’s Refugee Week also marks two significant milestones:
- The arrival of the one millionth refugee through Australia’s Humanitarian Program
- The 50th anniversary of Vietnamese refugee resettlement in Australia
These milestones serve as powerful reminders of how welcoming and inclusive communities create space for healing, growth, and opportunity—for everyone.
2025 Theme: Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community
Refugee Week 2025 invites us to reflect on the theme of Finding Freedom, with a focus on diversity in community—recognising that true belonging and freedom are only possible when our communities embrace every individual, “regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, language, disability, sexuality, or age.”
This deeply resonates with our mission at CatholicCare Victoria: building thriving communities where everyone belongs.
For many refugees and people seeking asylum, community is more than a place—it is a lifeline. It offers safety, belonging, and the strength to rebuild. Diverse communities don’t just accept difference—they are made stronger by it. They provide the space for people to connect, find their voice, and realise their potential.
At CCV, we are committed to empowering communities and fostering resilience—so that every person, including those from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, has the opportunity to thrive, be heard, and live life to the full.
Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Our Impact
CatholicCare Victoria has a long-standing commitment to supporting refugees and asylum seekers, with over 50 years of dedicated service. Our work began in the post-war era, when the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau (as we were then known) responded to the needs of European migrants arriving in Australia between the 1940s and 1960s. At that time, we provided centralised counselling services to help individuals and families cope with trauma, loss, and grief.
In the 1970s, as waves of Vietnamese refugees arrived in Melbourne fleeing conflict and persecution, CCV recognised the need to adapt. Under the leadership of Fr James Brasier, the organisation decentralised and established regional offices—including in Dandenong and Footscray in 1973—to better serve communities across the city.
Today, CCV continues this legacy by helping newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers in Victoria navigate their new environment. We offer comprehensive support in areas such as education, employment, English language learning, mental health, and housing—empowering individuals and families to build safe, stable, and hopeful futures.
Our supportive programs are delivered across the state to help refugees and asylum seekers connect, recover, and thrive in their new communities:
Our Programs
Settle Well
A school-based program helping refugee youth overcome settlement challenges.
Settle Well: Next Phase – Job Readiness
Supports newly arrived refugees and migrants to prepare for and maintain employment.
Asylum Seeker Support Program
Practical and emotional support for individuals and families seeking asylum.
Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS)
For refugees in Australia less than five years, focusing on the “Three Es”:
- English – language skills development
- Education – access to learning and training
- Employment – job readiness and opportunities
Social Support Groups
Flexible support tailored to individual needs.
What CCV Is Doing in the Community This Refugee Week
- Shepparton – The Family and Wellbeing Services team will join other social service providers to offer free food, activities, and live music at the Greater Shepparton Refugee Week Celebration.
- La Trobe University (Shepparton) – CCV is supporting an event featuring guest speakers, cultural performances, and a screening of Watandar, My Countryman.
- Norlane – The Job Readiness team will host a stall at Cultura’s Refugee Week Celebration and Expo. Come and say hi, and enjoy fun activities like bead-making!
- Dandenong – A morning tea will be held to thank the supporters of CCV’s Refugee and Asylum Seeker Programs. Their compassion and commitment have made a meaningful difference in the lives of those seeking safety and a fresh start in the community.
How Can You Support Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Your Community?
Visit the CatholicCare Victoria team at a local event in your area. Have a conversation over coffee or share your story with someone in the community.
Donate to CCV and help vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers access support for education, employment, English language skills, mental health, and housing.
You can also volunteer your time, advocate for fairer policies, or simply offer a warm welcome—every action, no matter how small, helps build a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone can belong and thrive.
