Refugee Week Lunchtime Speaker Panel and Sound Bath Session

Join us for our Refugee Week Lunchtime Speaker Panel and Sound Bath Session, delivered in partnership with Advance Diversity Services.

This special lunchtime session will be hosted by former foreign correspondent Melinda Ham, author of The Lucky Ones: Stories of Australian Refugee Journeys.*

Learn about the extraordinary refugee journeys of our panellists Saadou and Veronika originating in Palestine and Ukraine respectively.

The speaker panel will end with a peaceful sound bath —offering time to pause and reflect.

Thursday 19 June, 12.30pm – 1.30pm (registration opens at 12pm)

Hurstville Library Exhibition Area

Cost: Free (catering provided)

*Available in Georges River Libraries. Six book prizes, including a signed copy of the book available to be won on the day!

Melinda Ham 

Melinda is an award-winning journalist and has written for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Economist. Spanning 70 years, and tracking journeys from Iraq, Afghanistan, Poland, Tibet, Vietnam and Zaire, The Lucky Ones offers a window into the complex history of Australian refugee experiences.

Panel Speakers:

Veronika

Armed with only her passport and hope, 15 year old Veronika jumped on an evacuation train from Ukraine to Poland, eventually making her way to Australia in 2022. Three short years later, Veronika learned English, enrolled in university to undertake a Bachelors in Computer Science as well as secure employment with a local IT company. She has a deep passion for supporting other Ukrainian refugees settling in Australia as well as sharing her own journey of resilience and strength.

Saadou

Saadou arrived in Australia from Palestine last year. Saadou is a Lecturer at the University of Palestine Dental College in Gaza, holding a speciality in periodontology and Aesthetic Dentistry. Saadou now gives back to the local Palestinian community through his work as a Palestinian Support and Cultural Coordinator at IWA Australia.