Residents are invited to share a meal and a story to celebrate Refugee Week with Camden Council at Oran Park Library this month.

The annual celebration aims to create a better understanding between different communities and to encourage successful integration enabling refugees to live in safety and to continue making a valuable contribution to Australia.

Council will host a ‘Share a Meal, Share a Story’ session on Friday 25 June, 6.30-8.30pm, where residents will get to hear stories and experiences from locals with a refugee or migrant background. Residents will also get to enjoy creative performances, screenings and food from different cultures throughout the night.

Local resident Gheti Rezaee, who left Afghanistan as a 1-year-old before moving to Pakistan and then migrating to Australia, said Refugee Week celebrations gave people a sense of belonging, importance and security.

“As children of migrants we have faced poverty, bullying and been disadvantaged in many ways as we never had the opportunity to be able to live normal teenage lives,” Ms Rezaee said.

“I currently live in Mount Annan with my husband Nazir Rezaee and my 3 beautiful boy's Abdullah, Samir and Yasin Rezaee.

“My whole experience moving to Australia and building our lives from scratch has taught me how lucky we are to call Australia home and be able to be part of land opportunities. I want my children to be successful and contribute towards this beautiful land called Australia.”

Mayor of Camden, Cr Theresa Fedeli, said the event was a perfect way to reflect this year’s theme of ‘unity’.

“Helping people from refugee or migrant backgrounds feel at home in our community is very important,” Cr Fedeli said.

“This event will not only allow them to feel heard but also allow the entire community to learn more about refugees, so I do encourage the community to come along.

“I am proud of my own Italian heritage and have seen how important it is to help migrants living in a foreign country for the first time. Camden is home to many refugees and migrants who are living here from all over the world. This is our chance to also celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community.”

Bookings for the ‘Share a Meal, Share a Story’ event are essential and can be made at trybooking.com/BRVML or by calling 4654 7777.

For more information, go to camden.nsw.gov.au and search ‘Refugee Week’.