Walls of welcome restored: by the community, for the community

 The sun? Blistering.

The mural on our building? Marred by graffiti.

The community? Ready to take action.

On Saturday 31 January, the Asylum Seekers Centre welcomed over 50 staff members, board members, advocates, community members, long-time supporters and first-time volunteers – all armed with buckets, sponges, and the determination to restore our walls of welcome.

Asylum Seekers Centre’s CEO Elijah Buol set the tone for the day. 

“Cleaning this wall is a powerful statement. It says welcome is not just passive, it is something we choose, protect and renew.”

This was a practical act of welcome, Elijah adds. It was a way for the community to care for a place where more than 4,600 people seeking asylum walk through each year to find safety, dignity, and connection. 

“The mural here is not just decoration, it is a promise: that you are safe here, you belong here.”

A place people feel connected to

The Asylum Seekers Centre mural is an iconic part of Sydney.

You know you’re in Newtown as soon as you see that building wrapped with bold colours and vibrant illustrations of native flowers and birds in flight. 

Maite, a volunteer, shares how she always passes the building on her way to work.

“I used to say, what a beautiful building, what a beautiful mural. It was bright, cheerful, happy and colourful.”

In recent years, worsening graffiti has stained the walls.

“Before today, that feeling wasn’t there any more. 

“And I can see how for the people that need this place, it would make such a difference to come back to that feeling – how beautiful, cheerful, hopeful this place is.” 

That sense of compassion and community action reverberated across the crowd of volunteers.

Jelena shares that joining the clean-up day was part of her birthday celebration with her friends. 

“It’s just really important that we show up as a community together!”

Hip-Hop artist L FRESH the LION echoes this, “You know services can’t do everything. 

“So if there’s something they need help with, who’s gonna help them? I feel like that’s where the community can come together to try to help.”

Heather Payne, ASC board member, adds, “I came because I wanted to help get the mural back to its beauty… 

“It says we really respect and want to make it a nice place for the people who come here.”

Sweaty solidarity

Despite the summer sun, the energy of the day never dipped. 

Volunteers refused to take breaks, only accepting the staff members’ offers of cold water and icy poles. 

Music played all day, prompting spontaneous dance breaks and bursts of singing mid-scrub. 

Everyone was treated to authentic Malaysian lunch including noodles, tandoori tacos, and sweet rose milk tea from Sangee’s Kitchen. 

An entrepreneur, mum, and person seeking asylum, Sangee shares how special it is to be able to share her food. 

“It’s a big day. We bring lunch for the helpers and everyone… I’m very happy. This is my community and I’m waiting for the new look! Exciting!”

Senator David Shoebridge, sleeves rolled up like everyone else, shares, “You know, the more graffiti we scrubbed off, the more beautiful it looks. 

“I think this is a real act of personal solidarity, community solidarity… Our country needs more of this.” 

David emphasises the importance of acts like this at a time of rising hostility. 

“There’s a lot of messages trying to blame migrants and people seeking asylum for problems.

“There’s no better time, no more important time, to show that solidarity and connection and say that we’re not gonna let people who come here seeking our help and protection, we’re not gonna let migrants be the scapegoats for our political problems.”

Our local Newtown MP Jenny Leong weighs in too.

“Welcome and allyship are verbs. You can’t just put a pin on. You can’t just say, ‘oh, welcome’, without doing the action. 

“What we know is that it’s an active thing that you have to keep doing to make people know that they are part of the community.

“People should be shared the basic dignities and human rights they deserve. No matter how far they are from their homeland.”

Restored walls

By the end of the day, the graffiti had been removed. 

The colours shone again.

Our mural was back. 

Ayan*, a member of the Asylum Seekers Centre community, shares how lovely it is to have the walls of welcome restored.

“Walking into the building now with its bright colours makes me feel welcomed and hopeful. 

“It reminds me there are people who care about creating spaces where everyone feels respected and supported. 

“I’m very grateful to all the volunteers who made this possible.”

Thank you to all our volunteers. Thank you for restoring our walls of welcome. Thank you for choosing and protecting welcome in action.

*Do you want to wear your welcome? Visit Shop With Impact and get your welcome shirts and other merch to spread to a message of solidarity.

Wear your welcome