Community education co-ordinator Joel Marlan-Tribe said the Right Track Workshop, at the Baptist Church Centre on Saturday, June 24, was about bringing people together to create a lasting change. 

"The subject of asylum seekers and refugees has become a politicised issue, but the community needs to acknowledge that it is above politics,” he said. 

Mr Marlan-Tribe said another aim of the workshop was to share research and help people lead conversations on a local level to broaden the community’s understanding.

“Speaking on behalf of young people, we have an interest in making a difference, but at times we don’t know how to go about it,” Mr Marlan-Tribe said. 

Mr Marlan-Tribe said the workshop was a platform to provide the tools for people who were passionate about the issue and wanted to put forth the change and see their community grow. 

Gariwerd Group of Rural Australians for Refugees, along with Stawell and Pomonal Uniting Church members, will host the workshop.

The Gariwerd Group members are involved with various events including visiting asylum seekers imprisoned in Melbourne’s Refugee centres and hosting the ‘folk for refugee’ concerts as well as welcoming families into their homes.

Gariwerd Group president Carly Parsons hosted a refugee family for a weekend with Home among the Gum Trees.

“The time was just so special. The family were such beautiful people and so happy to be with us. The experience was life changing for our whole family,” she said.  

The group is also involved in various fundraisers throughout the year and liaises with other refugee support agencies on state and federal levels. 

The Right Track Workshop is from 10am to 4pm.

Entry is free but bookings are required via https://bit.ly/hallsgap