The family were met by members of the local Sanctuary Refugee Foundation and driven to Bellingen which, for the foreseeable future, they will call home. Preparations for the family’s arrival stepped up a gear last week.

Rental accommodation was arranged thanks to a local family stepping forward, and donations of furniture, clothing and even foodstuffs, thanks to Kombu Wholefoods, have been overwhelming.

Local SRF member Richard Jordan spoke to primary school children last week about the new members of the school fraternity and was impressed by the scale of welcome our local kids are ready to give.

Pencil cases have been bought from saved pocket money, favourite shoes and books have been shared. In the coming weeks,

Elizabeth and her family will be adjusting to a very new space, with very different rhythms. They have received the kind of welcome Bellingen, as a community, can be proud of.

Successful long-term settlement requires that we continue that support. Contact can be made through: Sanctuary Refugee Foundation: P.O.Box 449 Bellingen NSW 2454.