Local historian Jade Symons has launched a powerful interview series that shines a light on the stories of REFUGEES, NEWLY SETTLED FAMILIES, AND FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN COFFS HARBOUR. INSPIRED BY HER CLOSE CONNECTION WITH THE YAZIDI COMMUNITY, Jade’s project seeks to amplify diverse voices, celebrate resilience, and foster deeper understanding in her hometown.
Jade Symons
i Jade. As a professional historian and local to Coffs Harbour, what first inspired you to start your interview series? Five years ago, I met a wonderful Yazidi (Iraqi) family and in no overstatement, that changed my life. We have formed a beautiful relationship and my husband and I have been embraced by the welcoming, open and hospitable wider Yazidi community. This is a community that has fled terrorist attacks, experienced genocide and faced many of our worst fears. Yet, their capacity for love is unwavering, and as I say to people; I have had a deeper and more enriching education from rainy evenings at their home than I ever experienced from textbooks or an educational institution. Through this relationship, I’ve been able to see up close how hard it is for refugees and people from diverse backgrounds to settle here. There’s the confusing paperwork, language barrier and cultural differences to navigate, however I very quickly found that the broader Coffs Harbour community
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