Archived News

September 2011: Genocide of the Nuba: Melbourne Sudanese Community Plead for Help

Melbourne's Community of Nuba immigrants is worried. Worried about the ongoing mass murder of their friends and family in their original home in Central Sudan.

'Christians in the Nuba region have long suffered persecution,' Father James Grant, from Chaplains Without Borders, said today. 'Attacks include the destruction of the Kardugli Cathedral, Regional Parishes and the disappearance of many of the clergy.' Following a referendum held in January 2011, South Sudan seceded on 9 July 2011.

Unfortunately for the Nuba people, they did not get annexed with South Sudan. New evidence suggests that a wave of ethnic cleansing has commenced in the Nuba Region. 'Civilians have borne the brunt of attacks by the Sudanese Armed Forces, who have engaged both aerial bombardments and ground troops in a campaign that human rights observers have called "ethnic cleansing" against the Nuba people,' Father James went on to explain. 'UN staff on the ground have been harassed and threatened, and over 73,000 people have already been displaced.'

Australia hosts a community of Sudanese people from the Nuba mountains, mostly resident in Melbourne's Northern suburbs and centred on the Jika Jika Parish Community in Preston. Many of the Sudanese Nuba people who have emigrated to Australia have come here as refugees. The Australian Government needs to make a strong public statement condemning the violence in the Nuba region of Sudan and the attacks on civilians and Christians in the area. This would go some way to highlighting ongoing Human Rights abuses and supporting a new vulnerable Australian community.

How can you help?

Please join us in this campaign to raise awareness of the plight of the Nuba people. Write to our Federal politicians and ask them what we are doing to stop the genocide of the Nuba people of central Sudan:

The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister

The Hon Kevin Rudd MP Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Hon Tony Abbott MP Leader of the Opposition

The Hon Julie Bishop MP Shadow Foreign Minister

The Hon Adam Bandt MP Australian Greens

The Hon Martin Ferguson Federal Member for Batman

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 2011

As part of the State Government’s Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, Crown welcomed Sue Stanley, three times world aerobics champion and media personality, to discuss responsible gambling with Crown’s Chaplain Father James Grant and Ann Peacock.

Father James Grant has worked with Crown for over four years in a world first initiative that is part of one of the most proactive support programs for problem gamblers in the world.

Fr James was also a keynote speaker for this week in 2010.

To read the article above, click here.

To download press release, click here.

Neverland Nightclub –
Responsible for Patrons AND Staff

Neverland Nightclub in South Melbourne takes its responsibility for safety to patrons and staff seriously.

'With an 18 to 24 year old crowd, it’s in our interest to let people know that this a safe place to go,' Warren Amster, Neverland's Manager said. 'Chaplains Without Borders participates in our program by being present on evenings - providing someone to talk to, including staff, about problems they may be experiencing.'

Neverland Management achieved this by consulting Bill Horman AM, Former Police Commissioner of Tasmania and Former Deputy Police Commissioner of Victoria. He's worked with Crown Casino and other venues to ensure venues are not only safe but also meet police and licencing requirements.

'We've had stringent compliance rules to meet from the Victorian Government, and we've not only met them we've surpassed them.' Mr Horman reported. 'Being leaders in innovation for nightclubs results in not only reduced levels of violence, but fewer car accidents, a better night out for patrons and fewer complaints from neighbours. One of the many innovations Neverland has included in its package is to have Chaplains Without Borders at the venue as counsellors for people who just need someone to talk to. It's really part of responsible serving of alcohol and a new way of understanding of nightclubs, their patrons and staff.'

62nd Israel Anniversary Celebration

Chaplains Without Borders was pleased to attend the 62nd Anniversary of the foundation of Israel, hosted by the Jewish Community Council of Victoria and the Victorian Zionist Council at the Windsor Hotel Melbourne.

'Chaplains Without Borders does have Jewish Chaplains,
but this was a truly interfaith event,' Fr James Grant reported. 'The Anniversary Celebration not only emphasises ties between Australia and Israel, but also goes some way to promoting harmony, mutual understanding, and tolerance between communities.'

Australian and Israeli cultural connections include not only democracy, transnational emigration and a vibrant press,
but an appreciation for understanding between all faiths.