The Hon Aileen MacDonald OAM MLC today used the 10th anniversary of the Ezidi massacre to pay tribute to the Ezidi community of Armidale who settled in as refugees around 2017 as part of the Australian Government’s humanitarian scheme.

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Ms MacDonald said she was proud that Armidale had welcomed more than 650 Ezidi refugees as one of the first new regional refugees’ settlement locations.

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“Let’s not forget that 10 years ago this month ISIS terrorists massacred thousands of Ezidi people in Iraq seeking to destroy these people and their culture,” Ms MacDonald said.

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“It’s hard to believe that in this day and age Ezidis were discriminated against in Iraq because of their religion and they were subject to a massacre forcing thousands to seek asylum,” she said.

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“I am full of admiration for Armidale for bucking the image of being a close knit and conservative town and embracing the resettlement program.”

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“The Ezidi settlement has brought nothing but cultural diversity, a broadening of views and so many other benefits for business, farming and the economy,” she said.

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Ms MacDonald praised Armidale for leading the way when it came to offering displaced people a second chance at life when their homeland is no longer safe.

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Ms MacDonald also paid tribute to Settlement Services International for delivering culturally responsive training to service providers and for having established a network of local charities and services to support the newcomers.