Through music and song, refugee claimants at the RCSS have conveyed their stories, sadness, hopes and dreams. We are proud to have independently produced three CDs:

The award winning Scattered People album evolved out of refugee claimants in Brisbane coming together to sing - finding and sharing their 'common ground' - their brokenness, their resilience, their frustrations and their hopes for the future. Songs were written and performed. Friends of the Refugee Claimants Support Centre contributed their songs as well and the CD was launched in late 2000.

Tragically, some members of the choir have been refused protection in Australia and have been forced to return to the countries from which they had escaped. We all fear for their safety. The Refugee Claimants Support Centre Choir has since dispersed, its members demoralized, disempowered or deported. But their voices and their spirit carry on in this CD.

 

The Scattered People CD project received support from Lifeline, Brisbane City Council and the Sidney Myer fund.

 

Listen to samples from the Scattered People CD:

"Labarik Sira Hotu", one of the songs from the CD, has become well known in East Timor.

It was used by the United Nations in their advertisements to encourage people to vote in the August 2001 democratic elections. Afonso Corte Real, a Timorese Australian, was nominated for a Sunnie Award for this song.

 

IMPORTANT NEWS!!!! The RCSS have just been granted some funding from the Brisbane City Council's Community Development funds to give new life to the Scattered People's Performing Arts Project. For more information, contact Brian on 3357 9013 or 3624 2400.

 

Normal Days was the follow up music project after Scattered People, with some of the original Scattered People choir alongside new singers and supporters, and coordinated by Sweet Freedom. The CD was launched in 2007.

Abebe’s story:

Abebe arrived in 1998 in Australia as an asylum seeker from Ethiopia after fleeing political persecution, which had led to injuries resulting in paraplegia. He had to struggle for nine long years without permission to work, any access to services, any income, or the right to hold a Medicare card. He survived with the help of the community and friends around him who supported him with shelter, food and friendship.

What kept Abebe going was hope and a dream. That Australia would grant him a new home, and that he would do his best to repay Australia by becoming a champion for this beautiful country and it’s people. Abebe dedicated himself to training hard with his goals firmly in front of him. In early 2008 he finally, finally was allowed to become an Australian citizen! The community around him celebrated with him! His citizenship finally allowed him to be selected to represent Australia at the Paralympics.

Buy the Heartlifter CD.