Last week, The Edmund Rice Centre was honoured to help organize and take part in a heartwarming community gathering for newly arrived refugee families from Afghanistan. The primary goal was to establish connections among these families and lay the foundation for a strong community-based support system. The event was organized in an informal, family, and child-focused manner, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It was truly inspiring to witness the power of community coming together to support those who have recently arrived and are navigating the challenges of a new life.

Opinion Piece, ‘Alopi Latukefu, Director Edmund Rice Centre

‘Truth will set us free’. (Book of John 8:32).

As our country prepares to commemorate January 26^th 2024 once again as our national day, it is time for a renewed discussion on how and when we celebrate being Australian. This year offers an opportunity to begin a process of healing as a nation following last year’s referendum experience. A renewed approach to truth-telling, which the Uluru Statement from the Heart called for, is much needed in this post-referendum age.

As we enter the fourth month of the war in Gaza and in light of the almost 25,000 Palestinians killed, thousands of whom are children, the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education renews its call for an urgent ceasefire agreement that will put a stop to these atrocities.