History of Companion House

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In 2001 $10, 000 from Triple J ‘Real Appeal’ were given to the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma. Donations were used to organize two very successful bus trips for children and their families with over 100 participants.…

The BRITA Project was designed from an ‘international review of group based activities to promote young people’s life skills’. The project was initially designed in Queensland. From 2003 and 2004 Companion House took charge of implementing the…

Companion House sponsored a harmony day event with the Migrant Resource centre of Canberra and Queanbeyan. The event involved plenty of dancing, poetry readings and singing centres around harmony as a theme, as well as ‘multiculturalism and…

27th August Thursday – TRANSACT Annual General Meeting with guest speaker Roberta McRae. Roberta McRae was a former Australian Politician and the 1990 recipient of the Order of Australia Medal for service to Migrant Assistance. This advertisement is…

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During 2004 Companion House held a number of groups and projects:Men’s groups – In 2004 there were several men’s groups held. One was a psyco-educational group that assisted with depression and related conditions, creating a supportive environment…

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As with all years Companion House offered events specifically designed for children. In 2004 these events included sports, rock climbing and a trip to the South Coast during the summer. They also ran holiday day programs.

19th April Monday – Advertisement in The Canberra Times, seeking participants for a production of ‘Death and the Maiden’ by Ariel Dorfman (Chilean) TRANSACT placed word in the paper asking for those who want to be involved in their planned production…

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High levels of Vitamin D deficiencies had been experienced in the community, to assist with this Companion House decided to develop a program for women. Issues cited by the women were; ‘lack of exposure were a lack of opportunity for sun exposure,…

23rd June Wednesday – Refugee Week lunch with guest speaker Liv Ullmann at National Press Club Barton. Liv Ullmann is a Norwegian actress and Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. TRANSACT gave a presentation at 7:30pm that same day.

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This project was developed to work with the Sudanese and Sierra Leone Communities in order to develop stronger social connections and increase access to African food stuffs. Both women’s and young men’s groups were held over the year where they could…

Companion House hosted a World Refugee Soccer day event with 300 people from refugee and soccer communities across Canberra showing up to participate in the event. One of the goals of the event was to bring the Sudan and Sierra Leone communities…

19th June Saturday – Refugee Week Musical Launch ‘Canberra City Band’ Westfield Belconnen. TRANSACT gave a stage presentation.

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Companion House developed the Refugee Transition Housing Program as part of a ‘tripartite agreement with ACT Housing and CatholicCare to provide transitional housing for six months for refugees and asylum seekers’. The program aimed to relieve the…

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From August to December 2007 the Karen Group Program was run at CIT Reid to increase community bonding and build strength in the Karen community. The project was extremely successful and produced many great results. One Karen woman was able to get a…

25th June Monday – ‘The Link Gallery’ exhibited 44 refugee artworks until 2nd July and an article ‘Refugees’ Memories Revealed in Art’ was published in the Canberra Times on the 27th June, showcasing some of Natalia Silva’s artwork. Emma MacDonald…

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The Mon community was a small and young demographic so this program was started to give them assistance in regard to parenting and cultural transition for all members of family. Mon women experienced difficulties when it came to parenting due to a…

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2008 marked the first year in which the Mon and Karen communities had participating teams in Companion House’s Refugee Soccer Day match, along with the Sierra Leone and Sudan teams. Sierra Leone won the first match against the Sudanese team 6-2, and…

In 2009 ‘Companion House became the first non-government organisation to opt into the ACT Human Rights Act, agreeing voluntarily to be bound by the Act’.Read more about the ACT Human Rights Act here:…

Lack of affordable housing continued to be a problem in Canberra, however with the Refugee Transitional Housing Program helped in alleviating some of the problem in regards to finding housing for refugees.

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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…

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1995 - The agency established an onsite medical service and health reviews and integrated this with counselling services.

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On December 10th 2009 Companion House celebrated 20 years with a festive evening including speeches, performances and refreshments.

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In June 2010 Companion House moved location from O’Connor to Cook.

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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.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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1996 Transact started a dedicated children’s early intervention counselling program.

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IMGP0720.JPG
Six squares of tapestry that have been framed for display, all with red outlines

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Six squares of tapestry that have been framed for display, all with red outlines

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Green rose with Persian writing

In 2010 Companion House moved to the Community Hub in Cook (41 Templeton Street Cook, next to the Cook shops)

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In 2010 Companion House started offering the first Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS) in the ACT region.

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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.

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Facilitated women from four communities to start participation in health screening and engage in physical activities such as tennis and Zumba

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.

Raised $10,000 at a fundraising dinner for emergency relief, which has helped to address the needs of asylum seekers.

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…

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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…

Originally funded through donation and ran during the Summer holidays of 1995-1996

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Guide written by TRANSACT staff members for health practitioners, utilised by several of the Safe Havens

A guide written by TRANSACT staff member to provide and assist newly arrived parents into Australia. Utilised in several of the Safe Havens

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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.

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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…

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