Companion House ran two major health projects: The Healthy Communities Project and The Young Men Growing Project.The Healthy Communities Project focussed on health education for adults. The project covered topics of nutrition, a broad range of…
1995 – TRANSACT Joins International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, an umbrella organisation sharing information and resources to combat worldwide torture and trauma and serve those who have suffered and need assistance.
Companion House continued with their annual soccer tournament on World Refugee Day once again in 2010 with six teams from the Chin, Karen, Liberian, Mon, Sierra Leone and Sudan communities. 2010 was the first year that the Liberian team participated,…
21st March Tuesday – ‘Refugees Hide Grim Secrets’ Article published in The Canberra Times by Jacqueline Fuller. Interview with TRANSACT Director Michele Harris and statements from Svend Christensen, representative for International Rehabilitation…
25th March Saturday – Lions Club fundraiser race day at Queanbeyan race course for TRANSACT. Creating community awareness for the organisation as well as raising funds for their cause. A small Advert was placed in The Canberra Times in the ‘Fridge…
27th April Thursday – ‘Play Emotionally Trying’ article by Rachel Hill published. The article follows the process George Huitker (Actor) and Belinda Pearson (Director) take to understand the psychological trauma and torture that victims are exposed…
01 July Saturday – TRANSACT receives $48,000 Government Health Grants for 1995-1996. Published in Canberra Times ‘Annual Health Funding for Community Groups.’ A.C.T Health Minister Kate Carnell reported funds totalling $739,500 for 25 community…
Published “Companions in the search: a multidisciplinary guide to assist in the rehabilitation of clients who have experienced torture and trauma before settling in Australia.”
It's also been suggested that this is where the idea for "Companion…
Painting in an outback setting with a road and kangaroos. On one side of the road there is green grass and fighting and on the other side of the road there is desert and peace.
A quilt of 100 patched together squares, some have figures of women on them which are all decorated uniquely and in between the figures are patches of different cloths.
They completed the refurbishment of their medical service. The set up of a new medical room, replacement of ageing medical equipment and starting a new process for improving referral pathways to community GPs.
Produced “Singing our Cultures”, a CD of songs for children in Arabic and Dinka, in collaboration with Sudanese women and the West Belconnen Child and family Centre.
Linked asylum seekers and people from a refugee background who had visa cancellations to migration advice and legal support when needed. Also advocated for torture survivors and people with vulnerable mental health in decision-making processes.
The ACT Parents and Citizens Council, the ACT Principals Association and Companion House cosponsored the 2016 Me and My School Forum. The forum succeeded in its aims to: foster a greater understanding of the difficulties and perspectives of families…
Companion House and partnering organisations received a 2016 ACTCOSS partnership award for their collaboration in careers advice and establishment of training pathways for young asylum seekers, as well as organising driver’s licence scholarships for…
Over 2015-16 they managed the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS) for the ACT. Under the IAAAS Companion House provided: 405 immigration advice sessions (most of these were focused on family reunion applications) and 9 asylum…
Companion House entered into an alliance with the University of Canberra to ensure five young asylum seekers were able to access tertiary education in 2016. This partnership will provide new options for asylum seekers in Australia.
32 families participated in the Happiness Garden in Pialligo growing fresh vegetables and herbs both for themselves and to share with their communities. Community members also participated in an open day for the wider Canberra community, and a…
During Refugee Week in 2002, Canberra Museum and Gallery had an exhibition featuring the works of the Kosova Women's Crochet and Knitting group. The group was established to connect women who were part of the families with temporary visas.
Companion House were donated $10,000 from Triple J's "Real Appeal", Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of
Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) in December 2001
Donations were utilised to provide services to young men from the ages of 13-20 who had…