Councillor Gordon Markwart is standing up for refugees.
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Inspired by the work of the Rural Australians for Refugees Southern Highlands (RARSH), Cr Markwart wants to experience what refugees go through by fundraising for the Ration Challenge.
The rations include rice, lentils, flours, beans and chickpeas and are meant to last a week.
Inspired by his daughter who did the Ration Challenge in the UK, Cr Markwart decided to do the challenge himself in sympathy with what the refugees go through.
"[Doing the challenge] is about showing empathy," he said.
"At the end of the day, I get to go home but they can't go home. They don't have that security.
"Australian's should step up and look after [refugees]."
While Cr Markwart jokes about being 'hangry' during the next week, he wants people to know that refugees being resettled in the Southern Highlands are people too.
"They don't want to be known," he said.
"They're humans. We have more in common with them than people think, they want the same things we want."
Cr Markwart also put forward a Notice of Motion in council on June 12, calling for Wingecarribee Shire Council to recommit to the Refugee Welcome Zone and sign its name on the Welcome Scroll.
In the lead up to Refugee Week, four primary schools in the area, Burrawang, Avoca, Kangaloon and Glenquarry, prepared an art exhibition with the help of (RARSH).
The art work is based on a number of books they have been reading in preparation of Refugee Week. The books give the children an understanding and help them gain empathy to the plight of what refugee children go through.
The art work is hanging in the foyer of the Wingecarribee Shire Council at Moss Vale, with the opening night on June 14 at 5 pm. Refreshments will be provided.
Margy Bevan , a member of RARSH, said that she hopes the exhibition increases local community's understanding of the traumas, struggles and and hope of the refugees who come to the Southern Highlands. who attend the schools and who participate in the community.
"It's important for [students] to gain an understanding if what life is like for others," she said.
RARSH and The New Empire Cinema will host a cinema screening for the film 'The Staging Post' on June 17 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.Tickets are $12 and include a Q and A with the stars of the film and the director.
Refugee Week begins on June 16. To attend the opening of the Art Exhibition, please email rarsouthernhighlands@gmail.com. To donate money to the Ration Challenge, please click here.