Refugees received a warm welcome at Coogee Beach, in Sydney’s east, yesterday as they visited the beach for the first time and learnt about Australia’s beach culture and water safety.

Dozens of individuals and families, mostly from war-torn Afghanistan and Iraq, gathered at Coogee Surf Life Saving Club on Tuesday 18 June 2024 to learn from community experts about how to stay safe on the beach, and while swimming and rock fishing.

The Randwick City Council event, held in partnership with Settlement Services International, and Sydney Multicultural Community Services, included key speakers and demonstrations from Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command, and NSW Police Marine Area Command.

Sessions were held in English, Arabic and Dari. Participants also enjoyed a walk along Coogee Beach to meet local Lifeguards. The women and girls visited McIver’s Ladies Baths while the men and boys climbed aboard the Marine Area Command jet ski.

Randwick Mayor Philipa Veitch said Refugee Week is an important opportunity to acknowledge the significant contributions of Australians who had come from another country seeking asylum, many of whom had fled persecution, war, or other forms of conflict.

“It can be a terrifying prospect having to leave your country and establish a new life somewhere else,” Mayor Veitch said. “To everyone who has recently made Australia home or are seeking refuge on our shores, we say welcome.

“There are some wonderful organisations that provide support services that can help make the transition easier, including Settlement Services International and Sydney Multicultural Community Services, and we thank them for providing this critical support.”

Mayor Veitch said that learning about beach and water safety was critical for anyone living near or on the coast. “A day out at the beach is a very Australian thing to do, particularly if you live in Sydney or any other coastal city or town,” she said.

“In Randwick City, we have 29 kilometres of coastline. Our magnificent Coastal Walkway links 10 beaches and eight ocean pools. Millions of people visit these places every year. However, while our coastline and water are beautiful and unique, they can be dangerous.

“Council’s Lifeguards and our volunteer lifesavers do an in incredible job to keep our community safe, but safety is everyone’s responsibility. Learning beach and water safety skills can save your life or the life of someone you love,” Mayor Veitch said.

Randwick Council is also supporting the Australian premiere of Simple as Water, a film about the displacement of five refugee families, as part of 2024 Refugee Week celebrations. Simple as Water will be screened at the Ritz Cinemas in Randwick on Monday 24 June. Entry is free,  however registrations are required.

Artist and author Nawras Jabbar will also share her debut picture book Nawras’ 11 Year Journey for a special Storytown session at Lionel Bowen Library on Wednesday 19 June. Children aged three to five are invited to learn about Nawras’ inspiring story as a Mandean refugee from Iraq, and enjoy rhymes and a craft activity.

Banners with the message ‘Refugees Welcome’ translated in 50 different languages, are also being displayed in front of Randwick Town Hall to welcome those who have recently made Australia their home.

Refugee Week 2024 is from Sunday 16 June to Saturday 22 June.

Randwick Council events celebrating Refugee Week 2024

Welcome Project – Water Safety
Date: Tuesday 18 June 2024
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, Coogee Beach

Storytown – Nawras’ 11 Year Journey
Date: Wednesday 19 June 2024
Time: 11.15am – 11.45am
Location: Lionel Bowen Library, Maroubra

Film screening – Simple as Water
Date: Monday 24 June 2024
Time: 6pm – 8.30pm
Cost: Free but registrations are required. Register here.
Location: Ritz Cinemas, 45 St Pauls St, Randwick