Annual STARTTS Refugee Ball
Last Friday evening, the Cultural Perspectives team proudly attended the 2025 STARTTS Refugee Ball and Fundraiser - an event that celebrates community resilience and supports survivors of torture and refugee trauma.
Hosted annually by the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), the Ball brings together supporters, advocates and community leaders to raise vital funds for programs that assist refugee communities across New South Wales.
This year marked Cultural Perspectives’ eighth year of attendance, three of which we have proudly sponsored, reaffirming our commitment to supporting refugee and migrant communities. Our involvement with STARTTS is a reflection of our belief in aiding healing, fostering inclusion and amplifying the voices of those who have endured unimaginable hardship amid global crises.
The evening was a vibrant celebration of culture and connection between organisations, community members, advocates and changemakers from across the sector. With keynote speaker Shankari Chandran sharing powerful reflections on displacement and belonging, the night served as an important reminder of the transformative power of storytelling in building empathy and understanding. For the Cultural Perspectives team, it was a meaningful experience being able to deepen our awareness of the ongoing challenges faced by refugee communities and the collective action needed to create lasting change for them.
Reflecting on the night, Cultural Perspectives' Managing Director, Pino Migliorino, shared: “The Refugee Ball is always a highlight for us. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of refugee communities, and the importance of standing together to create a more inclusive Australia. The event reminded us of the human stories that exist in this current climate, and the courage and determination needed to rebuild communities.”.
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