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Refugees gain a permanent link to Australia

Kosovar refugees, given shelter in the Tasmanian Haven Centre at Brighton, will have a permanent bond with the Brighton community in the form of a sister city relationship with Kosovo's third largest city, Ferizaj.

Mayor Tony Foster will travel to Kosovo later this year to sign documentation officially cementing the relationship. "People often ask me if I keep in touch with any of the refugees who lived at the Haven Centre," he said. "They want to know how they are, and what the situation is in Kosovo.

"I have been able to maintain email contact with two former refugees, one of whom painted the mural for our community during his stay, and another who is now a journalist with the United Nations." These men helped facilitate the sister city arrangements.

Mayor Foster said he was excited at the prospect of developing formal bonds with the people of Kosovo, as they had made a significant impact on the Tasmanian community. "It is an opportunity to develop friendships, learn more about our respective cultures and in the long term there may be some economic benefits for both sides," he said. He will be accompanied on the trip by Rahim Duraj, who acted as an interpreter during the Haven Centre's operation.

The idea for a sister city relationship was initiated by Melbourne Albanian community leader Eric Loga. It has been enthusiastically embraced by the local Albanian community and Brighton Council.

Albanian community spokesperson Stefano Lufi thanked Tasmanians for opening their hearts to the Kosovars. He said many people were keen to be involved in developing the bond between the two regions and noted the refugees had been deeply touched by the Tasmanian community's generosity.

"When I travelled with them to the mainland, many told me they cried more when they left Tasmania than when they left Kosovo," he said. "The idea of developing a cultural and social exchange and creating new friendships and renewing old ones is very exciting and can lead to many wonderful opportunities and learning experiences for both regions."

For further information contact Mayor Tony Foster, telephone (03) 6263 0333

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