Community thanked for generous response to needs of Kosovar refugees

27/5/99
The Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, Mike Board, has thanked the people of Western Australia for their generous response to the needs of the Kosovar refugees who will arrive in Perth today.
Mr Board said more than 1,300 offers of support had so far been received through calls to the Refugee Support Line, established by the WA Office of Citizenship and Multicultural Interests.
"The refugees left their homes in Kosovo with only the few possessions they could carry," Mr Board said.
"However, thanks to the generosity of our community, they will find that they have everything they need when they arrive at the Leeuwin Army Barracks this afternoon.
"There has been overwhelming support - hundreds of people have offered household items, money, toys or games, while hundreds more have offered to take families out for trips or have them for meals in their homes.
"Choirs, puppeteers and other groups have offered to entertain the Kosovars at the Leeuwin barracks and a school has even offered to host soccer matches with Kosovan boys and young men, including providing them with shirts and boots for the occasion."
Mr Board said the response had been so strong that it would take a little time to return all calls.
Media contact: Justine Whittome, (08) 9222 9699