By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
PETER Drew wanted to send a message to middle Australia that ‘real Australians say welcome’; it was received thankfully by asylum seekers and refugees – and by Greater Dandenong Council.
Drew visited Dandenong in April as part of his campaign to crowd-fund $6000 to plaster 1000 “Real Australians say welcome” posters across Australia.
“I was contacted by Greater Dandenong wanting to know they were to ensure they weren’t removed.
“It was refreshing. Usually when I get an email from a council, it’s bad news.”
The Adelaide artist will be a guest speaker at Friends of Refugees awards night in Dandenong on 20 June shortly after lobbying federal politicians in Canberra as part of his campaign’s final leg.
“It’s been overwhelming,” he said of the “campaign of hope”.
“For a lot of people some frustration has been released after being held back for a long time.”
It started out as challenging people to live up to the lines of Australia’s national anthem “with courage let us all combine”.
Drew said it changed when he started to get thank-you messages from asylum-seekers.
“Political change takes a long time but each and every one of us can make them accepted.
“That’s something it can achieve.”
Drew said he’d continue to make the posters, as well as releasing the slogan’s copyright to allow other artists to create their own designs.
“I’d like it to become a slogan that belongs to everybody.”
Drew will be joined by human rights barrister Julian Burnside QC and Greater Dandenong mayor Sean O’Reilly at the awards night – which recognises community contributions by asylum seekers and refugees.
The event, which coincides with Refugee Week, is at Urban Neighbours of Hope hall, 2/6-12 Airlie Avenue, Dandenong, at 20 June from 6pm to 9pm.
Visit friendsofrefugees.org.au.
