Part of the crowd at Balmain Uniting Church

Gavin McCairns
NSW Minister for Immigration

Hasan Sowaid
Director of Compliance, NSW Immigration

Leichhardt Mayor Jamie Parker

On Sunday 28 June 2009 a very special service was held at Balmain Uniting Church. It celebrated the work of volunteers working with asylum seekers and refugees in our local community.
 
Coordinated by Balmain For Refugees' Frances Milne, more than one hundred volunteers were thanked. They are barristers, solicitors, keyworkers, legal researchers, psychiatrists, psychologists, interpreters, community support workers and visitors to Villawood, as well as one media coordinator. Critical to the survival of many of those BFR helps is the financial support provided by Bridge For Asylum Seekers Foundation. Virginia Walker and other committee members were present.

A large crowd packed the church (which doubles as the Circle Cafe Monday to Saturdays) to hear guest speakers including Mr Gavin McCairns, NSW Director of Immigration; Mr Hasan Sowaid, Director of Compliance for the NSW Immigration Department and Leichhardt Mayor Jamie Parker. 
It was refreshing to hear that the mantra for the NSW Immigration Dept, under Mr McCairns,  in dealing with asylum seekers, is now:  
"How would I want to be treated myself? Would I be prepared to see my actions published on the front page of the newspapers? How would the person I most respect in the world judge my behaviour right now?. McCairns explained that this fitted in perfectly with Federal Immigration Minister Chris Evans' request to staffers to, "walk-in-their-shoes". 
 
After the event, Gavin McCairns remarked: It was delightful and I felt humble for myself, proud for Hasan and grateful for all of the work of all of the volunteers."

Mayor Jamie Parker conveyed how pleased the Council are to have the opportunity to fund the work of the Project Coordinator in this very important work.

Pro bono barrister, Shane Prince,
who has worked on over 200 cases