Welcome forward: An afternoon of music, connection, and art

“In a world where people are turned away too often, we turn towards walking alongside people seeking safety.”

– Elijah Buol, CEO of the Asylum Seekers Centre

National Welcome Week at the ASC

The air inside the main hall of the Asylum Seekers Centre was filled with warmth, chatter, and anticipation as over 60 community members, staff, volunteers, and supporters gathered to celebrate National Welcoming Week. 

Novela, ASC’s Community Engagement Specialist and the architect of the event, captured the heartbeat of the gathering:

“ASC has always been a place of safety and welcome. And this National Welcoming Week we’ve come together to celebrate our beautiful diversity.”

In a public landscape far too often dominated by divisive rhetoric around people seeking asylum and migration, moments like this provide warmth and dignity. It is a space for joy and a time to honour the rich tapestry of our community.

Music, movement, and First Nations culture

To kick off the festivities, tables in the main hall were pushed aside to set up a makeshift stage for First Nations performer Ryka Ali.

Ryka brought vibrant energy to the room, sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through words, music, and dance.

Ryka teaches the audience about traditional music and dance.

The session was deeply interactive.

Audience members stepped forward to play the didgeridoo and join in traditional dances.

Elijah, who personally joined in the music and dance, emphasised how we all have similarities that act as a universal bridge among different peoples.

“Culture connects us,” he notes, later sharing the moments in Ryka’s session that reminded him of his mother and other similarities from his home. 

Great chats over great food

As midday approached, the whole room transformed through collective action.

Everyone including guests, staff, and community members grabbed their chairs and worked together to clear space and set up tables for lunch.

Members of the local council, Councillor Ismet Tastan, Councillor Liz Atkins and Councillor Vicki Clay as well as Josephine Dambudzo, Multicultural Community Wellbeing Officer also joined in.

“This was about community solidarity and this event was made possible by a beautiful partnership with the Inner West Council,” Novela shares.

“They helped us create a space where our community members can connect with others, learn Aboriginal culture, and have the opportunity to reflect on belonging and inspire someone with their own art.”

Defining welcome beyond words

Before food was served, local leaders offered short reflections on connection and belonging.

Newtown MP Jenny Leong delivered a passionate reminder that hospitality must extend to fundamental human rights:

“We want to see people seeking asylum and refugees welcomed here, to have their rights to work, the rights to education, rights to public transportation and indeed access to safe secure affordable housing. 

“It’s absolutely critical that we don’t just say welcome, but we also show that we are welcoming by making sure those supports and services are offered to people.”

(L) Member for Newtown Jenny Leong MP (R) Ismet Tastan, Josephine Rechichi, COO of the Asylum Seekers Centre, Elijah Buol, Liz Atkins, Jenny Leong and Josephine Dambudzo

Elijah Buol echoed this call to action, reminding everyone in the room:

“You are welcome. You are seen. You are heard. And that’s what we do here at the Asylum Seekers Centre… 

“Together we can build an Australia where no one is left behind.”

Following the speeches, everyone sat down for a nourishing hot lunch.

Live music from an artist from A Sound Life filled the background, adding to the warm atmosphere as conversations flowed.

Delicious lunch prepared and served by ASC staff and volunteers from St. Paul’s College.

A powerful “How are you?”

After the beautiful lunch, we heard from community member Ayan*, He reflected on what the word “welcome” meant to him.

He recalled his very first visit to the Asylum Seekers Centre on a heavy, rainy day. An ASC team member met him at the train station with an umbrella.

“When I got to the Centre, they asked, ‘Are you okay?’ 

“It wasn’t where I was from or my case. They asked me how I am. That’s what a warm welcome means to me.”

Ayan shared how deeply moved he was that no one demanded papers or case histories at the door.

Instead, he was greeted as a person first, offered a warm drink, and given a safe space to rest, and feel welcomed.

Welcome forward

The afternoon culminated with a collaborative art session led by Jamie Kamphet from the Art Gallery of NSW.

Jamie guided everyone through an art workshop to create “Welcoming Letters”.

Equipped with markers and stickers, participants wrote heartfelt notes and drew illustrations inside their folded creations.

Interactive art hosted by Jamie Kamphet of the Art Gallery of NSW.

Once finished, each person dropped their letter into a basket and drew out someone else’s work.

It was a sweet exchange – literally passing a message of warmth and welcome from one neighbour to another.

Belonging is everyone’s business

From cooking and decorating to handing out party favours, every single staff member and volunteer pitched in to make the day extra special.

Work at the Asylum Seekers Centre is hard work, but we believe it is one hundred percent work that matters.

 And for three hours during Welcoming Week, the Centre was transformed into a sanctuary of pure joy, showing what happens when a community opens its doors with genuine heart.

*Photos of Joshua Morris.