A new accommodation facility for refugees in Adelaide has become a safe and welcoming first home for people settling in Australia after fleeing conflict or persecution.

But in a remarkable display of community solidarity, it has also become a vital conduit for the refugee families – helping them build connections into the local community and broader society.

Local schools, businesses, community groups and the council in Regency Park/Woodville gardens community have rallied around to support the recently arrived families, providing them with material goods, fun experiences and learning opportunities.

The Regency Green facility, run by settlement agency AMES Australia in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, opened as a short term accommodation facility in September 2022.

At the opening event, the catering was provided by the local Rotary Club.

When club members learned more about the work being done at Regency Park to support refugees and help them settle successfully and build new lives in Australia they wanted to do more.

The connection with Rotary led to the local Woodville Primary School running a play group for the refugee children at the facility.

The kids were treated to activities such as painting, play doh and twister games organised by Coordinator Gloria Debba.

At the same time Rotary club members donated money for play and sports equipment. And, through the Rotary connection, the local Bunnings store donated cubby houses and sand pits for the children.

The local Port Adelaide-Enfield Council have also become involved in supporting the new arrivals. The council has facilitated visits to a local library and the nearby Kilburn Community Centre, where refugee families can access resources, play groups and markets.

A local business, ‘Australia-wide Resources Recovery’, has gone a step further and provided a truck load of books, toys and games as well as recycled children’s bikes.

The 78-bed facility was conceived of as a first a home in Australia for newly arrived refugees. But it has become so much more.

AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said Regency Gardens has become a welcoming first home in Australia for newly arrived refugees.

“Regency Green is a safe and welcoming place for people who have fled conflict or persecution to begin their journeys to a new life in Australia,” Ms Scarth said.

“But more than this, the facility is opening doors and creating opportunities for our clients. It has given them connections into the local community and also to the broader Australian society.

“The support we have seen from the local community has been remarkable – from visits organised to the local library, to the provision of play equipment for the children and also trips to sporting events – there has been an amazing amount of proactive support,” Ms Scarth said.

The facility is the result of a partnership between refugee and migrant settlement agency AMES Australia and not-for-profit agency UnitingSA.

The site was officially launched by SA’s Minister for Human Services Nat Cook, and UnitingSA Chair Gael Fraser.

AMES Australia’s Accommodation Team Leader Stephen Barker said the support of the local community had had a palpable and effect on the refugees wellbeing. 

“It has been incredible to see how the local community has stepped up to support our refugee clients,” Mr Barker said.

“We’ve even seen a neighbouring mini-golf business offer free golf session to our clients. That has been well received and the clients have really enjoyed the opportunity.   

“We have seen people arrive fleeing conflicts and feeling stressed and out of sorts. But after just a couple weeks because of the support and welcome they’ve received, they are laughing and smiling. 

“As a team we now have fresh opportunities and flexibility to connect our clients with nearby services and community groups and other services and resources,” he said.