Coming together in celebration

Earlier this year, people gathered to mark Refugee Week at an old school building nestled in the bush at Fryerstown in Victoria. The event was a celebration of refugees and the community they are a part of. There was music, an abundance of food, and several familiar faces from this series.

Nita's gamelan orchestra was set up on the verandah. Nita, Aaron, their musicians and dancers were all dressed in vibrant traditional Indonesian outfits.

Rebecca was inside at a table with some other South Sudanese women, all talking and laughing while weaving grass baskets.

Lhamo was in the kitchen helping to prepare lunch, making her famous dumplings.

And behind it all was New Home's co-producer Ginny, demonstrating the care, commitment and belief she has in these women.

There are some new voices in this final episode of New Home.

Pipit and Arob share stories from their experience of moving to Australia. Two of the gamelan orchestra’s dancers, Jennifer and Nina, tell us about how much joy they get from being involved.

In our conversations throughout this series and from speaking to people at the event, it is clear that finding community in Australia can be challenging, but events like these help build connections and can spark unexpected friendships.

Connecting to different community, and different people is really great. It's great for us. It's great for them. We get to know each other. I think we should do more.

Arob

The event was supported by Sisterworks, Rural Australians for Refugees, Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services and the community of Fryerstown itself. These organisations and others like them have made a meaningful difference in the settlement journeys of the women featured in this series.

New Home shares the stories of migrant and refugee women who are quietly building new lives in regional Australia, making friends, and finding community.

If you've missed earlier episodes, find New Home in the SBS Radio app, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

New Home is presented by Alison Hanly, and produced by Alison Hanly and Ginny Tan.