Who We Are

THE HISTORY OF RAR

RAR began with three depressed people in a lounge room, feeling angry and helpless and saying, 'what can we do?' The answer we came up with was: 'let's work locally'. Three weeks later, after leafletting in the streets and outside the supermarkets, and promotion in the local press and on the radio, we put on a hugely successful public meeting in Bowral, attended by nearly 500 people. We also collected over 400 signatures for an open letter which was published in the local paper, protesting the Government's policies.

After that first meeting we were inundated with supportive emails and phone calls. Since then over eighty RAR groups have formed in country towns all over Australia, and people interested in forming new groups are contacting RAR on a daily basis. RAR is also networking with many other organisations committed to justice for refugees.

While the growth of RAR has been phenomenal, the network remains an informal one. We believe that the more local groups there are working in their own way to promote understanding of refugee issues, the more influence RAR will eventually have in bringing about change.

At the first Bowral meeting we put forward a ten point plan of action. The four main planks, which RAR will campaign for in 2004, are:

The acceptance of all asylum seekers onto our shores in accordance with Australia's obligations under the UN Convention.
The closure of the detention camps in their present form.
The abolition of the inhumane Temporary Protection Visas.
The doubling of Australia's refugee intake to 24,000 a year.

SUMMARY

RAR is a rapidly growing grass-roots movement with enormous potential. We are under no illusions that a change in this country's policies will be quick or easy. But with the hard work and commitment of our nation-wide membership, Rural Australians for Refugees will make a substantial contribution to bringing about a more humane and welcoming policy towards refugees. For a more detailed report read the address by Helen McCue AM; RAR Co-founder; delivered at the RAR 2004 National Conference History of RAR.

History

First meeting in Bowral

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