Vandals attack Newcastle refugee centre ahead of opening
Posted
A support centre for refugee women in Newcastle has come under attack by vandals just days before it was set to open.
Zara's House at Jesmond has been set up to help refugee women in the Hunter region of New South Wales meet friends, upskill and transition into their new lives in Australia.
It will be officially opened tomorrow by Newcastle's Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes but staff arrived this morning and found the glass doors of the centre smashed.
A panel of glass at a neighbouring shop was also damaged, but centre volunteer Sister Diana Santleben said she thought there was a clear motive.
"I suspect it was somebody who wanted to make a statement about refugees," Sister Santleben said.
"I'm very distressed about it ... but whoever it was, that's their problem.
"We are going to have a glazier here this afternoon who'll fix the windows and by tomorrow morning this place will be ready for the opening."
Police are looking into the incident but said at this stage it was too early to confirm whether the attack was targeted.
Centre offers refugee women a new start
Zara's House hopes to capitalise on world class talents and traditional handcraft skills that refugee women are bringing to Australia from their native countries.
It is hoped the women will be able to gain financial independence by selling clothes and furnishings made at the centre.
Dozens of women have already signed up to take part in workshops at Zara's House, including partners of Afghan interpreters who have been settled in Newcastle in recent months.
Newcastle has also settled refugees from countries including Iran, Eritrea, Syria and Iraq.
Nneka Onu is one of the volunteers who has been helping to get the centre ready for its opening.
She arrived in Newcastle from Nigeria nine months ago with her family and said settling into the city had been a challenging but positive experience.
"With the help of organisations like Zara's House, you are made to understand that you are welcome in the city of Newcastle," she said.
"They help to integrate the women into society, to shake off that fear."
Mrs Onu's husband Emeka said it was important all Australians respected the plight of refugees.
"People are running away from their homes because they are being mistreated," he said.
"People are looking for safety, especially women who have been treated unjustly.
"We want to create a kind of awareness that will make people understand; refugees should be treated with respect."
Topics: vandalism, refugees, jesmond-2299
