Two students from Wodonga who first came to Australia as refugees will be part of a major rally at Parliament House on Tuesday.
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The action is being coordinated by Rural Australians for Refugees, with a message that “Australians say ‘no’ to kids in detention”.
RAR president and Tolmie resident Marie Sellstrom said her group wanted to send the message at the rally that refugees should be provided with safe homes.
“We’ve got two students from Wodonga who were refugees and are now Australians,” she said.
“The North East of Victoria and the Riverina part of NSW is going to be very strongly represented, which is very gratifying.
“We’ve got a busload coming from Benalla and picking up from Wangaratta.”
Albury’s St Matthew's Anglican Church Archdeacon Peter Macleod-Miller will be another of the speakers at the rally.
Refugees sometimes visit rural residents for homestay weekends, which Ms Sellstrom said allowed them the opportunity to see refugees are people just like them.
“People in the country are known for their hospitality and their warmth … It’s in country people’s nature to be welcoming,” she said.
“People come round with casseroles and cakes and want to help – this is no different.
“They’re starting to see that these people need help as well.”
People in the country are known for their hospitality and their warmth.
- Rural Australians for Refugees president Marie Sellstrom
She said detention on Manus Island and Nauru was leading to the destruction of mental and physical parts of children’s lives.
“At some stage the government and the politicians have got to start listening to the people. This cannot continue,” Ms Sellstrom said.
The rally will arrive at Parliament House at 12:30pm on Tuesday.
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