Annual Reports

COFA has had another constructive and busy year supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Our income, through donations, grants and fund-raising, amounted to approximately $530.000 and our expenditure was not far below this amount.

On behalf of the management committee of COFA, I would like to thank all the Circle members, existing and new, for their hard work and dedication this year. The aims of each Circle vary and include:

• Providing ongoing friendship, mentoring and support for vulnerable individuals and
  families
• Responding to requests from other agencies for one-off emergency help. This includes
  locating and delivering free furniture, paying the initial costs of moving into community
  housing and other necessary out-of-pocket expenses that are beyond the capacity of an
  individual to pay
• Financial support for those living with bridging visas who cannot find work, or sufficient
  work, to pay their rent, utilities and living costs
• Supporting the educational needs of refugees and asylum seekers
• Empowering refugees and asylum seekers to become job-ready and find employment
• Regular fund-raising activities
• Organising activities and events specifically for refugees and asylum seekers
• Supporting families who have been forced to flee from Gaza
• Funding and managing the provision of clandestine education for girls in Afghanistan
• Assisting refugees who now have their permanent visas with family reunion
• Supporting people arriving on Humanitarian Visas and Community
• Support Program Visas to navigate the maze of Australian life and become self-sufficient.

Due to the combined advocacy efforts of COFA, the Vinnies Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service and Red Cross, from January this year, asylum seekers on bridging visas (including those whosebridging visas have expired) are now eligible for the same State concessions that other people on low incomes are able to access.

The COFA management committee has finalised the following policies, which are not only required by law but essential to ensure that all volunteers perform according to a high standard:

• The Child Safe Environments Policy. Thanks to Janet Giles, our Child Safety Support
  person. We would also like to thank the AMRC for kindly permitting COFA members to
  attend their training sessions.
• The Vulnerable Persons Policy
• Updated Code of Conduct

A new volunteer ‘induction’ pack has also been developed and sent to all Circles. It is hoped that this will ensure best practice is followed in the process of recruiting new members.

Trisha Dundon who has been the convenor of the Rapid Response Circle for many years is stepping down as convenor. She has been a tireless supporter of refugees and asylum seekers and we would like to thank her for her enormous contribution and commitment. Since deciding to step down, she has also received many messages thanking her for her efforts from the agencies that refer people to the circle.

The Rapid Response Circle is to be re-named the ‘Emergency Circle’ and will be managed by several teams of two volunteers on a rotational schedule. These changes will be in place by the next financial year.

COFA newsletters are now being sent not only to members but also to donors in order to keep them informed of everything that is going on within COFA.

COFA has continued to advocate on behalf of the asylum seekers on bridging visas who arrived prior to the start of 2014 and those who are now living in Australia after being in detention on Nauru and Manus Island.

Finally, thank you to the members of the COFA management committee and all the members who make up the many and varied Circles within COFA. All of your commitment and hard work has contributed to another very successful year. COFA is also extremely grateful to our donors and for some very generous grants, without which we would not be able to do all the important things we do.

Henrietta Wighton, 2025