Actor, comedian and broadcaster, Tom Ballard, will be host and keynote speaker at the invitation of Macedon Ranges Rural Australians for Refugees at Kyneton Town Hall next month.
The event, to be staged with assistance from Macedon Ranges Shire and the support of major sponsor Bendigo Bank, will mark the beginning of Refugee Week 2023 – a program whose theme this year is ‘Finding Freedom’.
Comedy and humour has always been at the centre of Tom Ballard’s life but, like all comedians, he has his serious side.
He is a passionate advocate for the rights of the disadvantaged, but he sees comedy as a way to channel his passions into a creative and positive force for change.
He has long been a harsh critic of successive governments’ policies toward refugees and asylum seekers.
“The way they have been treated in this country – by consecutive governments and the mainstream media – is a total disgrace,” he says.
“We can and we must do better. There’s no better time than Refugee Week for concerned citizens to come together, amplify the voices of those with lived experience of our immigration system, and recommit ourselves to the fight for a better future.”
Appearing with Tom will be Hazara photographer and human rights activist Muzafar Ali.
Also on the program is Innocent Karabagega. He escaped civil strife in Burundi and now studies Law at Victoria University. He hopes to work for the UN as a human rights lawyer.
Innocent will be joined by Dalal Sleiman, a refugee from Iraq who learnt English, obtained a degree in Community Development and now assists newly arrived refugees and asylum-seekers.
Lizzy Kuoth, fled war-torn South Sudan. She mentors young people, striving to promote social cohesion. She and her fellow guests are grateful for the second chance at life they have been given and want to share their lessons learned with others.
“I have been given a huge opportunity,” Lizzy says, “and I want to pay it forward.”
The afternoon’s program, the aim of which is to promote a greater awareness of the refugee experience, will include the launch of the student writing competition and the drawing of MRRAR’s major raffle.
Five raffle prizes, donated by local businesses, total some $2500.
Organisers of the event are anticipating an overwhelming response from the local community and urge all those interested to book early.
The event will be held from 1-4pm on Saturday, June 18, at the Kyneton Town Hall.
Adults $35, students $10. Bookings via mrsc.vic.gov.au/refugee-week, email comedevadmin@mrsc.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 888 802.
