STARRS Recognised for Governor's Multicultural Award

Tuesday April 09, 2024

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:41): I rise today to highlight the work of two Mount Gambier community members, Sophie Coote and Rhett McDonald, who are torture and trauma counsellors for the Limestone Coast branch of Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service (STTARS).

STTARS is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation with no political or religious affiliations that has been operating in South Australia since 1991. Sophie Coote was an integral part of opening the local branch of STTARS and was joined a few years later by Rhett McDonald. They travel throughout the Limestone Coast, from Mount Gambier to Bordertown, providing support for new arrivals and refugees. Recently, Sophie and Rhett's work was recognised when they were awarded joint winners of the 2023 Community Sector Award at the Governor's Multicultural Awards in Adelaide. When listening to Sophie and Rhett speak about their work, the passion they have for what they do is clear.

Many of the new arrivals they connect with have not had a choice in where they have been placed and face many obstacles when they arrive, including, most importantly, the language barrier. Sophie and Rhett work tirelessly to establish relationships and trust to begin the process of connecting new arrivals with their new communities. They are strong advocates for celebrating the strength of those who have been displaced from their home country through war, violence or human rights violations and recognising the skills that they bring with them. They see this award as a celebration of the larger networks that all work together to help create a smoother network for the refugees placed in Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and Bordertown.

It is vital that we continue to highlight and support the work of organisations such as STTARS. Every refugee arrives in this country with a story to tell and valuable skills to offer. By providing them with the support they need to aid in the recovery of their trauma and connect with our local communities, we can begin to see the important role that migrants play in our communities.

Congratulations to Sophie and Rhett on the Governor's award for their work in the community, and I thank them for their advocacy in empowering local migrants to become integral and valuable members of our society.

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