THE De La Salle Brothers are offering their motel and conference centre in Narooma as a potential accommodation option for Syrian refugees.
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Provincial Brother David Hawke last week wrote to then Prime Minister Tony Abbott offering up the 45-room facility that is now on the market for sale.
“The Brothers would not expect any rent or other income and nor would we expect to meet any setting up or running costs,” he said.
“I have in mind a maximum term commitment of perhaps two or three years.”
“Of course, we would need to negotiate basic terms and conditions with the government’s service provider and we would not expect to be involved in staffing or managing the facility or related services.”
Copies of the letter were also sent to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the NSW Premier and Eurobodalla Shire Council mayor.
The Red Cross office at Narooma meanwhile is being set up as collection point for financial donations to the Syria Appeal.
Tax-deductable financial donations to the Syria Appeal can now be made at the Narooma Red Cross hub, Shop 4/114 Wagonga Street in the arcade opposite the Commonwealth Bank.
Australian Red Cross has been heartened by the outpouring of concern for the plight of hundreds of thousands of desperate people seeking safety in Europe from war, violence and persecution and says all of us have a capacity to do more to help.
“We’re calling on all Australians and governments to do as much as possible to address this critical humanitarian need and ensure people seeking protection have a safe place to go,” said Australian Red Cross’ director of services and international operations Michael Raper.
Federal Member Dr Peter Hendy has also urged the people of Eden-Monaro to get behind the Australian Government’s response to Syrian refugee crisis.
Dr Hendy said the government’s decision last week to welcome 12,000 additional refugees to Australia was the result of genuine concern for the human tragedy and unprecedented displacement of people from Syria.