a al is en e o e g d e NEWS WHAT'S ON LIFESTYLE REALESTATE CLASSIFIEDS SPORT NEWS WHAT'S ON LIFESTYLE 1-45 46-47 57-111 1-45 46-47 49-56 112-126 130-131 49-56 REALESTATE CLASSIFIEDS SPORT NEWS 57-111 112-126 09 130-131 of new asylum seekers Alexis Carey LAST week, 50 schoolgirls taped their mouths shut in a symbolic show of support for asylum seekers who have sewn their lips closed in protest against their continued detention. The Bethlehem College Ashfield students held a half-hour strike every day at lunchtime in protest against the Federal Government’s mandatory detention of refugees, particularly children. The school’s Refugee Week initiatives co-ordinator Leah Sakr said the students wanted to highlight the trauma of keeping children and refugee families in detention centres. “We have been passionate about the plight of refugees for some time now and the students said they wanted to learn more about the refugee experience,” she said. “It was the students’ own idea to protest to show solidarity with asylum seekers and highlight their plight for the start of Refugee Week.” Last week. students, teachers and the school’s P&C president also went to protest at the Children Out of Immigration Detention (ChilOut) social action event at Sydney’s QVB. “We physically stood in a cage and symbolically removed a child from this cage and placed them in a safe place,” Year 11 student Sarah Azzi said. “It was very powerful to At the Marrickville Refugee Forum hiphop artist and Skid Row radio presenter Kween G recalled what it was like to come to Australia as a 10-yearold Ugandan asylum seeker. ‘ Everything was intimidating at first and I wanted to be taken home but I got over that very quickly. Bethlehem College students sit in marked squares during their lunch hour with numbered masking tape on their mouths to show solidarity with asylum seekers. Picture: CRAIG WILSON stand in this small cage and see people walk past without even looking at me. It made me feel worthless. I know now how these children must feel every day. “They have no hope, they are in despair. They don’t know the result of their asylum applications and they are kept in the dark. We want an end to mandatory fREE imPLANT CONsULT detention for refugees.” Growing unease with Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers has prompted Sydney Catholic Schools executive director Dr Dan White to call for the immediate release of all children held in immigration detention. “I know it has been said by others, but surely the measure of a civilised society is how we treat the most vulnerable,” Dr White said. “It should never be our aim to punish people for seeking asylum … we should take responsibility for processing applications for asylum, rather than farm out this role to our regional neighbours, many of whom are struggling with their own local issues.” THE FACTS ■ Latest official data shows that 1023 children are locked in Australia’s immigration detention facilities ■ Sydney’s Catholic schools have plans for refugee children to apply for an education bursary through the Catholic Education Foundation ■ Go to acmro.catholic.org.au 208 Anzac Parade Kensington Ph: 9663 5007 4 Charlotte Street Ashfield Ph: 9716 7180 V1 - ICOE01Z01MA $588* inc. GST *Mirror or Melamine *Conditions apply between walls Up to 2400 We provide standard and custom designed wardrobes in affordable prices with 10 years written guarantee Special $888* inc. GST between walls *Mirror or Melamine *Conditions apply Up to 3600 ceiling height 2400 ANTi wRiNkLE AND DERmAL fiLLER TREATmENTs NOw AvAiLAbLE This week is refugee week. Friday, June 20, is World Refugee Day. Custom design to suit your needs • factory prices ceiling height 2400 *Including check ups, cleans, fillings. For patients in a health fund please quote this ad to benefit “Asylum seekers and refugees can play a positive role in Australian society.” ImpressIve Wardrobes Special NO GAP ON GENERAL DENTAL* ``I realised I could use my voice to send out messages and tell stories and I met so many people and learnt so much. That all came from having somewhere to go and be accepted. Safety mirrors, federation, heritage, craft wood, specialised in hinged and sliding solid timber and polyurethane doors 20 years of experience Visit our showroom at 54 Canterbury Rd, Bankstown • P: 9796 1022 • Open 7 Days www.impressivewardrobes.com.au INNER WEST COURIER INNER WEST, Tuesday, June 17, 2014 09