A Million Stories – Communities unite to celebrate Refugee Week 2026
As communities across Australia came together this week for Refugee Week (14–20 June 2026), culminating in World Refugee Day on 20 June, we proudly recognise the strength, resilience and contributions of people from refugee backgrounds, along with the staff and communities who support them every day.
This year’s theme, “A Million Stories,” is a powerful reminder that every journey is unique, and every story can inspire understanding, connection and belonging.
We were honoured to celebrate this week at the “One Million Stories” event in Liverpool, hosted by Western Sydney MRC. The event brought together more than 300 attendees, including community members, artists, organisations and partners, creating a vibrant celebration of diversity and inclusion. From live art and client-designed pieces to meaningful conversations and shared moments of connection, it was a truly memorable day for everyone who attended.
A highlight was hearing from our Refugee Liaison Officer, Atoor, who shared her personal journey and the impact of her work supporting people from refugee and migrant backgrounds into employment. Through her lived experience, she continues to empower individuals to build confidence, overcome barriers and access meaningful opportunities. Atoor and Paul also helped amplify this work through interviews with Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia – SBS Arabic and SBS Vietnamese, further raising awareness of the support available.
Across the week, we also hosted community morning teas in Fairfield and Liverpool, where participants came together to share stories, explore opportunities and celebrate culture in a welcoming and inclusive space.
A big thanks to Western Sydney MRC, LRMI partners, genU Training, and everyone involved in bringing these events to life. We also want to acknowledge our incredible team members, Paul, Raewyn, Alyssa, Nathan, Kristine, Atoor, Ric, Merita, Sonia and Emily who are always dedicated and passionate in supporting our communities.
At MatchWorks we know the importance of building a diverse and inclusive workplace and we support participants to get work in Australia, with training and connections to community services.
Discover more about how the support we offer here: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Programs or phone 1300 13 23 63 or email info@matchworks.com.au
