Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group Inc
Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group was founded in 2001. We are a group of Australians united by the vision of a compassionate Australia where people seeking refuge and asylum are treated with justice and compassion. We are all volunteers. BMRSG has no religious or political affiliation just a commitment to common decency.
The 2025-2026 AGM will be held on November 7 between 3 pm and 4.30 pm in the Joy Anderson Room at Mid Mountains Community Centre (7 – 9 New Street, Lawson). Nomination forms to join the Management Committee can be downloaded here. Completed forms should be emailed to BMRSG Secretary Jane McQueen at secretary@bmrsg.org.au by October 30.
The guest speaker at the AGM this year is Margaret Piper, consultant and refugee advocate. Margaret has held leadership roles with the Refugee Council of Australia, Multicultural NSW and Red Cross, and has contributed to major national reviews on refugee resettlement..
Get Involved
International Day of Peace 2026
The Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group was one of the many stalls at the Day of Peace on the September 12. It was a great opportunity to engage with many people about refugees and talk about the work we do.
The event was organised by the Blue Mountains Peace Collective and included stalls, workshops and speakers on a wide range of topics, including social and climate justice, First Nations, refugee support, anti-war and more.
BMRSG members at the stall
Stay Informed
Click above to read all the latest on various aspects of the situation for refugees and asylum seekers both here in Australia and in the many countries that are affected by war and persecution.
The section on Overseas Countries provides up to date information on many of the countries from which those seeking asylum in Australia come, giving some background to why they are seeking our help..
In Recent Reports: Australia’s Response, read News, Policy, Commentary and Research on how Australia responds to refugees and asylum seekers. The articles are especially informative for those who write letters to politicians and the media.
Women refugees often bear a greater burden than men do. Click on the link above to read more about The Challenges Women Refugees Face.
And BMRSG continues to advocate for a more humane treatment of refugees through submissions to Parliamentary Inquiries and Committees.
Donate
Refugee households supported by BMRSG struggle to make ends meet. Most are in “visa limbo” so they don’t receive any government support. Many don’t have work rights. Many don’t have Medicare.
Here’s a snap shot of how we helped in the 2024/25 financial year:
Rent: $62,229.21
Food: $14,825.00
Medical: $7,077.92
We also helped with legal costs, car registration, education expenses – day to day expenses that many of our refugee friends cannot afford.
It’s only with the generous donations from BMRSG supporters that we can provide this essential support. You can help – just click here
What we do
We offer friendship and practical support for refugees and people seeking asylum to enable refugees to thrive, not just survive as they develop their own skills activities and businesses
Young Supporters Spotlight
“If You Were a Refugee” was an entrant in our Schools Video Competition.
Well done, Oscar Finlay and Matthew Zielinski from Smiths Hill HS.
See more Videos on the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group YouTube channel.
Poster by Hannah Brown from NCAPAHS
See more Posters on the Student Video and Poster page
News and Events
Celebrate 45 years of the Refugee Council of Australia
You are warmly invited to celebrate a major milestone: the 45th anniversary of the Refugee Council of Australia.
This year’s RCOA AGM will reflect on 45 years of advocacy, community and collective action, and look ahead towards the work still to come.
The Hon Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, will join us for a Q&A panel discussion. Please submit questions for the Minister as you register your attendance.
Date: November 12 from 5 pm to 7.30 pm
Place: Western Sydney University, Bankstown Campus
