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A Place To Call Home.
 Unless
you've been living under a rock for the last few years you should
be well aware of the controversy that surrounds Australia's
current policy with regard to refugees. Even though this key
matter has been discussed by a wide range of people in various
forums - Parliament, talkback radio, lounge rooms and even the
local pub - a solution is about as far off as the lands these
people have fled. On Sun 20 June, World Refugee Day celebrates
the people who have left the only life they have ever known
for the chance to experience life as it should be for all of
us.
'A Place To Call Home' offers a musical journey by artists from Bosnia, India, Sudan, Liberia, Croatia and our own Liam Gerner on behalf of Australia. All involved will sing and dance up a storm for a three hour daytime concert.
"I'm really excited. It's going to be a real mixture," Gerner enthuses, assuring me that negative feelings on the topic will be put aside and optimism will be the focus of the day. "We are going to celebrate the people in our community and help support the organisations that help the refugees. It's going to be a really unique gig."
Known for his spirited views Gerner seems an ideal choice as representative of our country. "I've written a lot of songs that express my personal feelings on the way we treat refugees and that was obviously picked up," he says of his inclusion in to the line-up.
The event has been organised by the Australian Refugee Association (ARA) and the Migrant Health Service (TMHS) to help raise awareness of the situation that surrounds the people who arrive illegally on our shores and Gerner praises them for offering assistance with things such as rent and groceries.
"I've got some friends from Iran who have just got out of Baxter Detention Centre after spending three and a half years there with their family. The government gives refugees nothing; absolutely no financial support, they're only allowed to study for three months and they're not allowed to work or earn money." Being so close to people who are affected by our laws has enabled Gerner to see first hand how our treatment affects refugees. "The reason why they were let out is because their family suffered terribly from depression," he sighs. "It is just so sad."
Supporting the cause so strongly has resulted in Gerner trying to alert people to this very emotional topic through song.
"My songs are all about saying it's OK to say what you feel about what is happening in our community at the moment. You don't just have to sit back and accept it or feel it's bad to say what you think," he explains. Gerner is aware however that the problem is on a global scale and is realistic that we are still a long way off resolution. "Whether it changes anything is up to the people in power," he points out, "but I just hope people will come a long and support these organisational groups who really do look after people in need." All proceeds go to the Australian Refugee Association which directly helps those who need it most.
The refugee issue is incredibly complex and given the fact that people stake their very existence on the chance of having a life of quality, it will always remain an extremely sensitive issue. 'A Place To Call Home' is an opportunity to channel positive energy in to a cause that will, with any luck have a favourable outcome for all involved.
Kelly Parish
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'A Place To Call Home' will be held at The Govenor Hindmarsh on Sun 20 June at 1.30pm. Tickets are available at the door and children are welcome. More information can be found at www.ausref.net and www.worldrefugeeday.org.au
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