Celebrating 25 Years of Welcome in Refugee Week
Last Friday, House of Welcome marked its 25th anniversary with a joyful evening at the Granville Centre, celebrating alongside the community that has shaped this journey: past and present clients, partners, volunteers, supporters, advocates, friends and family.
Coming just ahead of Refugee Week, the evening was a powerful reminder that welcome is not a single act, but a long, shared commitment to justice, safety and belonging.
House of Welcome began as an initiative of the NSW Ecumenical Council and has grown from emergency accommodation for people leaving Villawood Detention Centre into a major provider of transitional housing and wraparound support in Granville and Western Sydney.
The night was a celebration not only of 25 years of service, but of the compassion, solidarity and community care that have always been at the heart of House of Welcome.
Ruth Lesmana - Client Services Manager, Angela Arget - CEO & Fabio Forgione - Operations Manager
Reflections from the night
The evening opened with an address from Cumberland City Mayor Ola Hamed, who spoke about House of Welcome as a place of hope, compassion and dignity for people seeking safety as they rebuild their lives in Granville and across Western Sydney.
Multicultural NSW Interim CEO James Jegasothy then shared a personal reflection, marking 40 years since his family arrived in Australia as refugees. He spoke about his father’s memories of House of Welcome’s early days, recalling the compassion shown to people newly released from detention and the deep community care that defined the organisation even when resources were limited.
Board member Margaret Piper brought a powerful sense of continuity to the evening, reflecting on one of the first speeches given for House of Welcome 25 years ago. Looking back, she spoke honestly about how the need for welcome has not diminished, while also affirming that hope endures because of the many people who continue to act with humanity and care.
Margaret’s reflections captured both the reality of the work and the spirit that has sustained it for a quarter of a century:
“When preparing for today, I looked back on what I said all those years ago and was struck by how little has changed.
The sad reality is that the need for the House of Welcome has not diminished over the years. Way too many people from way too many countries have been forced to seek sanctuary far from home.”
Margaret Piper (right) speaking at the opening address for House of Welcome centre opening 2
Client Services Manager Ruth Lesmana continued this thread, speaking with honesty and hope about the strength and humanity of people seeking asylum and the importance of collective compassion. Her reflections centred on the everyday moments that remind the team why this work matters: a neighbour extending generosity, a conversation easing isolation, and a community choosing solidarity over indifference.
“People seeking asylum are too often defined by what they have fled, rather than what they bring. But what I see are individuals who embody the very best of humanity: strength, courage in the face of the unknown, deep commitment to family and community, resilience through uncertainty, and an extraordinary determination to build, contribute and belong.”
Human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti also reflected on the history of House of Welcome, speaking to its beginnings through the Ecumenical Council and the important role it continues to play into the future.
Together, these reflections echoed the heart of Refugee Week: that everyone deserves safety, that stories of displacement are also stories of courage and contribution, and that communities are stronger when they choose welcome.
Food, stories and celebration
After the formal addresses, guests gathered for a group photo with anniversary cake, a fitting moment to mark this milestone together. The celebration then continued with food prepared by The Welcome Table by House of Welcome, the organisation’s catering social enterprise.
The menu showcased the talent and creativity of the catering team and trainees, including Ware Wabatatan Bialliahm by Rheea* (a Palestinian lamb stew served with aromatic spiced rice), a Mee Hoon Goreng inspired dish created by trainee Aisha*, classic fattoush salad, and desserts of watermelon, chocolate cake and ma’amoul by Rheea*. The catering ingredients of meat, vegies and dry goods was generously supplied from of our long-term partners, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer).
Portraits of welcome over 25 years
A special feature of the night was the gallery exhibition, which honoured some of the many people who have been part of House of Welcome’s journey over the past 25 years. Through personal reflections on connection, welcome and what House of Welcome has meant to them, the exhibition offered a moving portrait of community and belonging.
These stories reflected the spirit of Refugee Week: that behind every statistic is a person with dreams, skills, relationships and a deep desire to contribute.
Community that made it all poosible
Following dinner and the exhibition, Abbey, Head Chef from The Welcome Table by House of Welcome, led a graduation ceremony for two trainees who completed their program that day. It was a powerful reminder that House of Welcome’s work is not only about support in the present, but about creating pathways, confidence and opportunity for the future.
House of Welcome is blessed with an incredible community of volunteers and supporters, and events like this are only possible because so many people step up to help. We are deeply grateful to the many volunteers who made the evening possible, including:
Josephite Justice Network (JJN) volunteers, for supporting the kids’ table
St Patrick’s College Strathfield, for helping with set-up, pack-down, food service and providing easels for the exhibition
Loreto Normanhurst, for their generous assistance
Mount St Benedict College, Pennant Hills, for providing entertainment at the beginning of the night
We also extend our sincere thank you to Cumberland City Council for their support of the event, and to the Granville Centre staff for their assistance in setting up and hosting the evening.
For 25 years, House of Welcome has been shaped by people: by those seeking safety, and by those who stand alongside them with compassion and solidarity. That shared commitment continues to guide our work today.
Be part of the next chapter
As House of Welcome looks ahead, the next chapter will be written by this same collective courage and care. In this Refugee Week, and beyond, standing alongside people seeking asylum is a powerful way to help ensure the next 25 years are defined by welcome, justice and belonging.
This tax time, you can be part of the next chapter. A donation to our tax appeal helps provide stable housing, food, casework support, employment pathways and community connection for people seeking safety in Western Sydney.
If you are able, please consider making a tax-deductible gift today and help ensure that House of Welcome remains a place of hope, dignity and compassion for many years to come.
