Asylum Seeker Resource Centre blog

    • 10 MAR 20
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    Veronica’s Story | Feast for Freedom 2020

    Veronica’s Story | Feast for Freedom 2020

    “My food represents where I come from. It represents my culture. Papua New Guinean food is fresh, it’s organic. It comes straight from the market or garden and into the pot. We are a very communal family, that’s how we lived back in Papua New Guinea. My children are my joy and food is a

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    • 02 MAR 20
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    Genet’s Story | Feast for Freedom 2020

    Genet’s Story | Feast for Freedom 2020

    Genet came to Melbourne as a refugee from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The first few years were very challenging not knowing the language and without a support system, but she never lost hope and worked hard to learn English and to adapt to Australia. Today, she lives a quiet and happy life with her husband and

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    • 27 FEB 20
    • 0
    Hamed’s Story | Feast for Freedom 2020

    Hamed’s Story | Feast for Freedom 2020

    Hamed is a chef, restaurateur and Iranian refugee. He is part of this year’s Feast for Freedom representing his Persian heritage, with three dishes inspired by his childhood memories and the beginnings of his cooking journey.  This is his story. __ “I learnt to cook from my mother’s careful explanations. She taught me everything I

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    • 24 DEC 19
    • 0
    How can I protect my son?

    How can I protect my son?

    Anan and her son have been living safely in Australia for the last 6 years on a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV), but she has received a letter informing her that her ongoing application for protection has been rejected.  In part, this is due to the limbo a TPV leaves people seeking asylum in – complete

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Renovations at ASRC and Changes to Services

What is happening? 

The ASRC is renovating our centre and our main entrance will be closed from Monday 6 May to Wednesday 26 June.  

How to access the centre? 

There will be a new entrance through the Innovation Hub door on Nicholson Street. 

What is changing?

The ASRC will need to make some changes during this time:

  • Unable to serve hot meals at lunch time from Monday 6 May to Wednesday 26 June. 
  • Frozen meals may be available for you and your family to take home.
  • The Centre will be closed at lunch time from 12.45 PM to 1.30 PM
  • Legal assistance is by phone only, unless you have an appointment confirmed in writing. If you are seeking legal advice, please call 03 9274 9889 between 10am and 12.30pm, weekdays except Wednesday

There may be longer waiting times for our drop in services. If you do not need to come to the centre, please delay your visit for as long as you can or call us on 03 9326 6066

Information on opening hours for all ASRC services and other services can be found on our ‘Get Help’ pages at https://asrc.org.au/get-help/

What is staying the same?

  • Foodbank 
  • The Health Clinic 
  • Women's Empowerment, Education and Employment Services
  • Access to existing on-site appointments with our legal team  

Where else can you go for support? 

If we cannot help you on the day, or if you do not wish to wait, more information about other services can be found on our ‘Get Help’ pages at  https://asrc.org.au/get-help/

If you have an emergency, please call 000 - People seeking asylum will not be charged for ambulance services. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing distress and requires crisis support, please call Lifeline  on  13 11 14 or text Lifeline on 0477 131 114

If you are seeking support about domestic or sexual violence, please contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732

If you are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, call 1800 825 955

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