Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1990-2019 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
3 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Ecumenical Refugee Support Group Incorporated (TERSGI), was formed in August 1990 by members of various Catholic, Anglican and Uniting churches in Brisbane. It was incorporated in October 1990. The group operated under the Australian Government's Immigration Department as part of the Community Refugee Support Scheme (CRSS). Members met with and mentored refugees accepted into Australia, aiding their settlement process. This involved assisting refugees to find and furnish accommodation, connect essential services, register with Centrelink, open bank accounts, arrange health checks, enroll in English language classes, and, if a family had children, obtain school uniforms and stationery. The volunteers brought various skills to the organisation that enabled them to provide additional services such as marriage and family counselling, teaching English as a second language, special education, and health and nutrition advice. The group rented a storage unit in Indooroopilly to store furniture and other supplies needed by newly arrived refugees.
By 1995, the group had settled around 140 people from countries including El Salvador, Vietnam, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Over the next decade, the group expanded and evolved as volunteers came and went. They organised and participated in various events and activities, including annual Christmas picnics at Orleigh Park in West End, book collection drives, and cookouts and food festivals. Several members were recognised for their work: Barbara Dungavell received a Centenary Medal in 2001, and Audrey Ledwich received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2010.
The group disbanded in August 2010 due to an insufficient number of members in compliance with the group's constitution. Some members continued helping refugees through other organisations, such as the Multicultural Development Association (MDA), which often worked closely with TERSGI before it was disbanded.
Publicists - Audrey Ledwich, Ann and Donald Barton, Denis Connellan, Barbara Dungavell, Andrew Gormley, Charles and Adele Rice, Margaret Wilkinson and Helen Findlay.
Repository
Archival history
Collection was created by the Ecumenical Refugee Support Group Incorporated.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Helen Findlay.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Correspondence, minutes, client records, photographs and other records relating to the administration and activities of the Ecumenical Refugee Support Group Incorporated (TERSGI).
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The collection is arranged into four series: Series A: Administration; Series B: Minutes; Series C: Correspondence; and Series D: Client files.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Restricted access, except for unrestricted access to Box 1 Folders 1-6, and Box 2 Folder 6, Folder 8 and Folder 10. Application for access to restricted material may be submitted to the Fryer Librarian for consideration.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copying, photographing, or reproduction of restricted material is not permitted.
In copyright. Contact the Fryer Library. Can be reproduced for personal research and study. For other uses see About copyright. Please attribute the Fryer Library.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Alma MMS ID
Access points
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Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Revised
Level of detail
Full
Dates of creation revision deletion
Created, Kymberley Doyle, 05-Aug-2024.