Refugees and Asylum-Seekers

Warrnambool Refugee Resettlement Project (2003)

Businessmen and philanthropists Mark Carnegie and John Singleton saw an opportunity for the sustainable resettlement of refugees in parts of rural and regional Australia suffering skills shortages. These refugees were fleeing torture, trauma and persecution.

The challenge was to meet both to the needs of refugees and those of a regional town to ensure a win/win situation for everyone. A project was successfully developed and piloted by Louise Doyle in collaboration with investment banker Cass O’Connor.

The highly successful project has since grown substantially, winning the National Local Government Award for Community Services/Rural and Regional Community Awards in 2004. It was also featured in The Weekend Australian’s magazine.

“For me belonging is where my family feels comfortable and where my family feels this is my place. When I see my children well integrated into the mainstream children and lifestyle and I see them happy and playing and I feel this is where they belong.” Refugee Community Member