Vittoria Pasquini on behalf of the Coordinator Marisa KatisOur beautiful organic vegetable garden blossomed in 2021 among many difficulties (Covid lockdown the main one), many thanks to Ann Game’s continuous, generous work and expertise, to Marisa Katis for general coordination, to Jill Romuld for account keeping and to our volunteers working in the garden individually […]
CONTINUE READINGBy Mariella Totaro-Genevois In 2022 the VDSA Lunch Project Group for the ASC in Newtown will celebrate its 10th birthday, and notwithstanding the disruption and distress provoked by COVID-19, as I will illustrate later, there is definitely cause for being proud of its work and achievements during very difficult times.So far, the VDSA Lunch Group […]
CONTINUE READINGVisiting refugees has continued this past year despite the Omicron variant of Covid being present. The first event in 2021 was a picnic for a group living in the Auburn area, which was dominated by the youngest taking his first steps! A feature of our visits is seeing the progress of the children and the […]
CONTINUE READINGDuring the pandemic volunteers were encouraged to do planting and routine maintenance work in pairsor small groups.At the beginning of the year we redesigned the garden to allow for plant rotation and including bee –attracting plants.Initially, despite the pandemic, we were able to deliver our vegetables weekly to the RedfernCommunity Centre and Jarjum College when […]
CONTINUE READINGBy MarielIa Totaro-Genevois In 2021 the VDSA Lunch Project Group has marked its ninth year of existence, and notwithstanding the disruption and distress provoked by Covid 19 there is still cause for celebrating its work and achievements. Since its foundation the VDSA lunch group has prepared, transported and served lunches to clients of the Asylum […]
CONTINUE READINGBy Vittoria PasquiniSince its foundation almost 10 years ago, VDSA has been committed to the improvement of the lives and wellbeing of Indigenous youth. We know that there is still a lot to do in Australia to close the gap between non-Indigenous population and First People and that the reconciliation process is slow. We are […]
CONTINUE READINGMy name is Justin [we have changed Justin’s name for anonymity and safety] from Sri Lanka. I came Australia to seek asylum by the brutal war against Tamils.I was incarcerated at Sydney immigration residential housing between 2011 to 2016 by the reason of adverse security from ASIO. Those period of my life was limbo. I […]
CONTINUE READINGCharity Haynes for Alison RacoMuch of this year has been dominated by the Coronavirus and its impact on vulnerable people like asylum seekers highlights the importance of VDSA in their lives. All those asylum seekers and refugees living without visa or on welfare are not eligible for the government’s special benefits like JobSeeker. So, if […]
CONTINUE READINGIn 2019 VDSA partnered with Redfern Jarjum College support to a Term 3 soccer training program for students. “While challenging at times, the kids really enjoyed playing as a team. Learning how to play within the rules and navigating the emotions of winning/losing is really important for these kids” said one of Jarjum College teachers. […]
CONTINUE READINGThis year brought deep and abiding sadness with the death of one of our long-serving and very active members, Nicoletta. Her absence is strongly felt. Many refugees and asylum seekers attended Nicoletta’s funeral and wrote moving tributes. We have continued with our usual activities of visiting refugees and their families in the community. Some steadfast […]
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