Latest News
Podcast of Address by Paris Aristotle to RMIT, April 201306-May-2013
The podcast of Paris Aristotle's address at RMIT can be accessed via the following link https://itunes.apple.com/au/itunes-u/rmit-guest-speakers/id421959925.
On RMIT's guest-speaker podcast p..
Click here to read more
Foundation House 2011–2012 annual report now available 04-Dec-2012
The 2011–2012 annual report is now available in print and online. The 25th anniversary edition of the Foundation’s annual report showcases the agency’s work for the 2011–2012 f..
Click here to read more
VFST releases official statement on work rights and family reunion29-Nov-2012
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture has released a statement regarding work rights for bridging visa holders, and family reunion.
The Australian Government's announcement that re..
Click here to read more
Paris Aristotle laments “destructive” debate on asylum seeker policy27-Nov-2012
An opinion piece written by Paris Aristotle has been published in The Age (27 November). Mr Aristotle, a member of the Prime Minister’s Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, says that the debate on as..
Click here to read more
Projects offer hope to Karen youth23-Oct-2012
The Foundation’s work with Karen young people has been documented in an article published in The Age on October 8, 2012.
Along with several other agencies, educators and individuals, the F..
Click here to read more
VFST director to discuss Expert Panel report at public forum 04-Sep-2012
From the Castan Centre, Monash University.
Public Event: Paris Aristotle AM, member of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, on the Panel's report and its implications
Date: Wednesday, 5 Sep..
Click here to read more
VFST releases official statement re Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers14-Aug-2012
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture has released a statement about director Paris Aristotle's appointment to Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers.
The p..
Click here to read more
Senior UNHCR representative delivers 2012 oration02-Aug-2012
Australia has displayed some of the best and some of the worst examples in the industrialised world of treating refugees and asylum seekers he has seen over the last five years, according to Richa..
Click here to read more
Refugee Week 2012: 'Restoring Hope'19-Jun-2012
Refugee Week (June 17 to 23) has officially kicked off, with more than 100 events and activities planned across Australia.
Refugee Week, which is coordinated by the Refugee Council of Austra..
Click here to read more
Foundation House worker’s film to screen at human rights festival 22-May-2012
A Foundation House employee has written, directed and produced a short film that will be screened on Australian Shorts night as part of the Human Rights and Arts Film Festival 2012.
The film, El..
Click here to read more
Foundation House supports global campaign against detention of children 04-May-2012
Foundation House is supporting a global campaign by the International Detention Coalition (IDC) to end the immigration detention of children.
The IDC is an international non-governmental organis..
Click here to read more
Discussion paper feedback sought27-Apr-2012
Foundation House has recently released a discussion paper 'exploring barriers and facilitators to the use of qualified interpreters in health'.
The catalyst for the paper were regular report..
Click here to read more
Popular schools resource gets e-makeover24-Feb-2012
Launched in December 2011 by the Hon Ted Baillieu MLA, Premier of Victoria, School’s In for Refugees: A whole-school approach to supporting students of refugee backgrounds (2011) is a resource t..
Click here to read more
Victorian premier speaks at Foundation House end of year celebration 14-Feb-2012
The Premier of Victoria, The Hon Ted Baillieu MLA, was the special guest speaker at the Foundation’s end of year celebration on December 15th 2011.
Mr Baillieu also launched the updated ed..
Click here to read more
Stronger human rights protection imminent 12-Feb-2012
Australia’s human rights protection will be strengthened in April with the implementation of a system of ‘complementary protection’ for people who are not refugees but face torture, ..
Click here to read more
Federal Government introduces limited use of bridging visas 11-Feb-2012
The Federal Government will allow some refugee and asylum seekers who have arrived by boat to live in the community on bridging visas while their refugee claims are assessed.
In his announcement..
Click here to read more
Immigration detention concerns voiced in print 06-Feb-2012
The Foundation’s Guy Coffey has published an opinion piece on the disturbing effects of detention on refugees and asylum seekers.
Guy, a clinical psychologist and lawyer, has conducted psy..
Click here to read more
Fundraising Event for Char Horish, a needy school in Bangladesh 06-Oct-2011
Foundation House hosts a FILM NIGHT at Cinema Nova in Carlton
to raise funds for Char Horish, a needy school in Bangladesh. Since 2006, Foundation House has been sponsoring Char Horish, a school i..
Click here to read more
Foundation House statement to the Australian Government and Opposition03-Aug-2010
The upcoming Federal election has prompted Foundation House to release a statement urging the Australian Government and the Opposition to maintain a program of resettling refugees.
Foundation Ho..
Click here to read more
Petro Georgiou delivers annual oration27-Jul-2010
Retiring MP, Mr Petro Georgiou, delivered the Foundation’s annual oration on June 29th.
Entitled “Exploring the dynamics of Australian policies towards asylum seekers and refugees: R..
Click here to read more
Article reports findings on mental health impact of immigration detention26-Jul-2010
“The meaning and mental health consequences of long-term immigration detention for people seeking asylum” is a recently published article in Social Science and Medicine by Guy Coffey, Ida ..
Click here to read more
Attorney General responds to call for elimination of torture22-Jul-2010
Attorney General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, has responded to a letter drafted by Foundation House and two other Forum of Australian Services for Survivors for Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) agencies,..
Click here to read more
Foundation House joins calls for Government to re-think asylum seeker policy28-Apr-2010
The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) has urged the Australian Government to reverse its decision to suspend the processing of new applications from asylum seek..
Click here to read more
Foundation House wins police training award27-Apr-2010
Foundation House was presented with the Victoria Police Multicultural Community Exemplary Award at Victoria's Multicultural Awards for Excellence at Government House in November 2009.
Presented ..
Click here to read more
Settlement services up for tender25-Apr-2010
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced that it will be seeking tenders to provide initial settlement services to humanitarian clients through the new Humanitarian Settlemen..
Click here to read more
Report investigates settlement experiences of young refugees02-Feb-2010
A report looking at the settlement experiences of young people with refugee backgrounds has recently been released.
The report is the result of the Good Starts Study, a five year collaborative p..
Click here to read more
Annual report in print and online19-Dec-2009
Foundation House’s 2008–09 annual report has been published and is now available for download online.
The report includes an interview with the organisation’s Director, Paris Aristotle, and Chai..
Click here to read more
Paris Aristotle chairs new advisory council18-Dec-2009
Foundation House director, Paris Aristotle, has been appointed Chair of a new immigration advisory council.
The establishment of the Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution (CISSR..
Click here to read more
Foundation House 2009 oration now online18-Jul-2009
The annual Foundation House oration, which was delivered by special guest speaker Professor James C. Hathaway, is now available for viewing online.
The oration took place on June 18th, during ..
Click here to read more
Study grant honours lifelong commitment to human rights17-Jul-2009
The Quentin Buckle Study Grant honours a lifelong commitment to human rights, community, social justice and advocacy. The Study Grant will support its recipient/s from a refugee background to unde..
Click here to read more
Government moves to strengthen anti-torture mechanisms26-May-2009
On 19 May the Australian Government signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, a treaty which obliges countries to permit periodic international inspections of its places of d..
Click here to read more
Video of speech by UNHCR High Commissioner Antonio Guterres at Foundation House available online26-May-2009
On February 24, 2009, Foundation House was honoured to receive a visit from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Antonio Guterres. A video of the speech made by Mr Guterres at the..
Click here to read more
Audio from forum - "Asylum Seekers - Where to from here? available19-May-2009
The question of "Asylum Seekers - Where to from here?" was addressed at a free public forum held in Melbourne on May 13. Panel members at the forum included:
David Manne
Co-ordinator, Refu..
Click here to read more
Free Public Forum - Asylum Seekers, Where to from here?04-May-2009
A free public forum entitled "Asylum Seekers - Where to from here?" will be held on Wednesday May 13 at BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square from 6 - 7pm. Foundation House director, Paris Aristotle wil..
Click here to read more
"No Way Back Now" Opinion Piece by Paris Aristotle in The Age01-May-2009
An opinion piece on asylum seeker issues entitled "No way back now" written by Paris Aristotle and Jo Szwarc appeared in The Age on April 18 2009. To read the full article click here (/LiteratureRetri..
Click here to read more
Statement on the Treatment of Rohingya and Bangladeshi 'Boat People' in Asia23-Apr-2009
We, the undersigned organizations, are extremely concerned about the treatment of over a thousand Rohingyas from Burma and migrants from Bangladesh who have been forcibly expelled and abandoned in int..
Click here to read more
UN High Commissioner for Refugees visits Foundation House26-Mar-2009
On February 24, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Antonio Guterres visited Foundation House as part of a whirlwind visit to Australia to view refugee resettlement services and meet refugee com..
Click here to read more
New address for Dandenong office24-Mar-2009
The Foundation House Dandenong office is moving to new and larger premises.
From April 6 2009, the new contact details for the Dandenong office will be as follows:
Address: 155 Foster..
Click here to read more
New school training workshops available09-Jan-2009
New workshops to assist school teachers, administrators and support personnel to work with students from refugee backgrounds are now available for registration. Comprising 3 different workshops the cu..
Click here to read more
2008 Annual Report available online16-Dec-2008
The Foundation House 2007/08 Annual Report is now available for download. Marking the end of another highly successful year, the report highlights newer areas of work including the UCan2 project, the ..
Click here to read more
Indigenous acknowledgment by Foundation House16-Dec-2008
Working with the generous expertise of Yorta Yorta woman, Sue Lopez Atkinson, Foundation House has developed an Indigenous Acknowledgment statement to use at formal occasions, on this website and in o..
Click here to read more
"Where is the Justice?" book launched08-Dec-2008
"Where is the Justice? Stories from behind closed doors" a book by Rosa Vasseghi was officially launched at an event at Foundation House on December 6. The book which tells the stories of women's ..
Click here to read more
HouseNotes Newsletter October edition now available21-Oct-2008
HouseNotes, the newsletter of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture is produced three times each year. The third and final edition for 2008 is now available for download. Click here (/Lite..
Click here to read more
Director voices opinion on asylum approach13-Oct-2008
Foundation House director, Paris Aristotle recently received an important opportunity to advocate on behalf of asylum seekers when an opinion piece he wrote appeared in The Age on October 13. The arti..
Click here to read more
"A Place to Call Home" - Schools honour Refugee Week24-Aug-2008
In schools across Australia, Refugee Week 2008 provided the impetus for both celebrating and honouring the journeys of refugees all over the world. Working with the Foundation House School Support..
Click here to read more
"I saw the fire of a pain that would never be extinguished": Martin Flanagan speaks on tor24-Aug-2008
"I saw the fire of a pain that would never be extinguished": Martin Flanagan speaks on torture.
In the 2008 Foundation House Oration held in June, journalist and storyteller Martin Flanagan sp..
Click here to read more
Government to ratify protocol against torture24-Aug-2008
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture is pleased that the Rudd Labor government has indicated its intention to ratify the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Tor..
Click here to read more
Podcast of Address by Paris Aristotle to RMIT, April 201306-May-2013
The podcast of Paris Aristotle's address at RMIT can be accessed via the following link https://itunes.apple.com/au/itunes-u/rmit-guest-speakers/id421959925.
On RMIT's guest-speaker podcast p..
Click here to read more
Foundation House 2011–2012 annual report now available 04-Dec-2012
The 2011–2012 annual report is now available in print and online. The 25th anniversary edition of the Foundation’s annual report showcases the agency’s work for the 2011–2012 f..
Click here to read more
VFST releases official statement on work rights and family reunion29-Nov-2012
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture has released a statement regarding work rights for bridging visa holders, and family reunion.
The Australian Government's announcement that re..
Click here to read more
Paris Aristotle laments “destructive” debate on asylum seeker policy27-Nov-2012
An opinion piece written by Paris Aristotle has been published in The Age (27 November). Mr Aristotle, a member of the Prime Minister’s Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, says that the debate on as..
Click here to read more
Projects offer hope to Karen youth23-Oct-2012
The Foundation’s work with Karen young people has been documented in an article published in The Age on October 8, 2012.
Along with several other agencies, educators and individuals, the F..
Click here to read more
VFST director to discuss Expert Panel report at public forum 04-Sep-2012
From the Castan Centre, Monash University.
Public Event: Paris Aristotle AM, member of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, on the Panel's report and its implications
Date: Wednesday, 5 Sep..
Click here to read more
VFST releases official statement re Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers14-Aug-2012
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture has released a statement about director Paris Aristotle's appointment to Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers.
The p..
Click here to read more
Senior UNHCR representative delivers 2012 oration02-Aug-2012
Australia has displayed some of the best and some of the worst examples in the industrialised world of treating refugees and asylum seekers he has seen over the last five years, according to Richa..
Click here to read more
Refugee Week 2012: 'Restoring Hope'19-Jun-2012
Refugee Week (June 17 to 23) has officially kicked off, with more than 100 events and activities planned across Australia.
Refugee Week, which is coordinated by the Refugee Council of Austra..
Click here to read more
Foundation House worker’s film to screen at human rights festival 22-May-2012
A Foundation House employee has written, directed and produced a short film that will be screened on Australian Shorts night as part of the Human Rights and Arts Film Festival 2012.
The film, El..
Click here to read more
Foundation House supports global campaign against detention of children 04-May-2012
Foundation House is supporting a global campaign by the International Detention Coalition (IDC) to end the immigration detention of children.
The IDC is an international non-governmental organis..
Click here to read more
Discussion paper feedback sought27-Apr-2012
Foundation House has recently released a discussion paper 'exploring barriers and facilitators to the use of qualified interpreters in health'.
The catalyst for the paper were regular report..
Click here to read more
Popular schools resource gets e-makeover24-Feb-2012
Launched in December 2011 by the Hon Ted Baillieu MLA, Premier of Victoria, School’s In for Refugees: A whole-school approach to supporting students of refugee backgrounds (2011) is a resource t..
Click here to read more
Victorian premier speaks at Foundation House end of year celebration 14-Feb-2012
The Premier of Victoria, The Hon Ted Baillieu MLA, was the special guest speaker at the Foundation’s end of year celebration on December 15th 2011.
Mr Baillieu also launched the updated ed..
Click here to read more
Stronger human rights protection imminent 12-Feb-2012
Australia’s human rights protection will be strengthened in April with the implementation of a system of ‘complementary protection’ for people who are not refugees but face torture, ..
Click here to read more
Federal Government introduces limited use of bridging visas 11-Feb-2012
The Federal Government will allow some refugee and asylum seekers who have arrived by boat to live in the community on bridging visas while their refugee claims are assessed.
In his announcement..
Click here to read more
Immigration detention concerns voiced in print 06-Feb-2012
The Foundation’s Guy Coffey has published an opinion piece on the disturbing effects of detention on refugees and asylum seekers.
Guy, a clinical psychologist and lawyer, has conducted psy..
Click here to read more
Fundraising Event for Char Horish, a needy school in Bangladesh 06-Oct-2011
Foundation House hosts a FILM NIGHT at Cinema Nova in Carlton
to raise funds for Char Horish, a needy school in Bangladesh. Since 2006, Foundation House has been sponsoring Char Horish, a school i..
Click here to read more
Foundation House statement to the Australian Government and Opposition03-Aug-2010
The upcoming Federal election has prompted Foundation House to release a statement urging the Australian Government and the Opposition to maintain a program of resettling refugees.
Foundation Ho..
Click here to read more
Petro Georgiou delivers annual oration27-Jul-2010
Retiring MP, Mr Petro Georgiou, delivered the Foundation’s annual oration on June 29th.
Entitled “Exploring the dynamics of Australian policies towards asylum seekers and refugees: R..
Click here to read more
Article reports findings on mental health impact of immigration detention26-Jul-2010
“The meaning and mental health consequences of long-term immigration detention for people seeking asylum” is a recently published article in Social Science and Medicine by Guy Coffey, Ida ..
Click here to read more
Attorney General responds to call for elimination of torture22-Jul-2010
Attorney General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, has responded to a letter drafted by Foundation House and two other Forum of Australian Services for Survivors for Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) agencies,..
Click here to read more
Foundation House joins calls for Government to re-think asylum seeker policy28-Apr-2010
The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) has urged the Australian Government to reverse its decision to suspend the processing of new applications from asylum seek..
Click here to read more
Foundation House wins police training award27-Apr-2010
Foundation House was presented with the Victoria Police Multicultural Community Exemplary Award at Victoria's Multicultural Awards for Excellence at Government House in November 2009.
Presented ..
Click here to read more
Settlement services up for tender25-Apr-2010
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced that it will be seeking tenders to provide initial settlement services to humanitarian clients through the new Humanitarian Settlemen..
Click here to read more
Report investigates settlement experiences of young refugees02-Feb-2010
A report looking at the settlement experiences of young people with refugee backgrounds has recently been released.
The report is the result of the Good Starts Study, a five year collaborative p..
Click here to read more
Annual report in print and online19-Dec-2009
Foundation House’s 2008–09 annual report has been published and is now available for download online.
The report includes an interview with the organisation’s Director, Paris Aristotle, and Chai..
Click here to read more
Paris Aristotle chairs new advisory council18-Dec-2009
Foundation House director, Paris Aristotle, has been appointed Chair of a new immigration advisory council.
The establishment of the Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution (CISSR..
Click here to read more
Foundation House 2009 oration now online18-Jul-2009
The annual Foundation House oration, which was delivered by special guest speaker Professor James C. Hathaway, is now available for viewing online.
The oration took place on June 18th, during ..
Click here to read more
Study grant honours lifelong commitment to human rights17-Jul-2009
The Quentin Buckle Study Grant honours a lifelong commitment to human rights, community, social justice and advocacy. The Study Grant will support its recipient/s from a refugee background to unde..
Click here to read more
Government moves to strengthen anti-torture mechanisms26-May-2009
On 19 May the Australian Government signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, a treaty which obliges countries to permit periodic international inspections of its places of d..
Click here to read more
Video of speech by UNHCR High Commissioner Antonio Guterres at Foundation House available online26-May-2009
On February 24, 2009, Foundation House was honoured to receive a visit from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Antonio Guterres. A video of the speech made by Mr Guterres at the..
Click here to read more
Audio from forum - "Asylum Seekers - Where to from here? available19-May-2009
The question of "Asylum Seekers - Where to from here?" was addressed at a free public forum held in Melbourne on May 13. Panel members at the forum included:
David Manne
Co-ordinator, Refu..
Click here to read more
Free Public Forum - Asylum Seekers, Where to from here?04-May-2009
A free public forum entitled "Asylum Seekers - Where to from here?" will be held on Wednesday May 13 at BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square from 6 - 7pm. Foundation House director, Paris Aristotle wil..
Click here to read more
"No Way Back Now" Opinion Piece by Paris Aristotle in The Age01-May-2009
An opinion piece on asylum seeker issues entitled "No way back now" written by Paris Aristotle and Jo Szwarc appeared in The Age on April 18 2009. To read the full article click here (/LiteratureRetri..
Click here to read more
Statement on the Treatment of Rohingya and Bangladeshi 'Boat People' in Asia23-Apr-2009
We, the undersigned organizations, are extremely concerned about the treatment of over a thousand Rohingyas from Burma and migrants from Bangladesh who have been forcibly expelled and abandoned in int..
Click here to read more
UN High Commissioner for Refugees visits Foundation House26-Mar-2009
On February 24, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Antonio Guterres visited Foundation House as part of a whirlwind visit to Australia to view refugee resettlement services and meet refugee com..
Click here to read more
New address for Dandenong office24-Mar-2009
The Foundation House Dandenong office is moving to new and larger premises.
From April 6 2009, the new contact details for the Dandenong office will be as follows:
Address: 155 Foster..
Click here to read more
New school training workshops available09-Jan-2009
New workshops to assist school teachers, administrators and support personnel to work with students from refugee backgrounds are now available for registration. Comprising 3 different workshops the cu..
Click here to read more
2008 Annual Report available online16-Dec-2008
The Foundation House 2007/08 Annual Report is now available for download. Marking the end of another highly successful year, the report highlights newer areas of work including the UCan2 project, the ..
Click here to read more
Indigenous acknowledgment by Foundation House16-Dec-2008
Working with the generous expertise of Yorta Yorta woman, Sue Lopez Atkinson, Foundation House has developed an Indigenous Acknowledgment statement to use at formal occasions, on this website and in o..
Click here to read more
"Where is the Justice?" book launched08-Dec-2008
"Where is the Justice? Stories from behind closed doors" a book by Rosa Vasseghi was officially launched at an event at Foundation House on December 6. The book which tells the stories of women's ..
Click here to read more
HouseNotes Newsletter October edition now available21-Oct-2008
HouseNotes, the newsletter of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture is produced three times each year. The third and final edition for 2008 is now available for download. Click here (/Lite..
Click here to read more
Director voices opinion on asylum approach13-Oct-2008
Foundation House director, Paris Aristotle recently received an important opportunity to advocate on behalf of asylum seekers when an opinion piece he wrote appeared in The Age on October 13. The arti..
Click here to read more
"A Place to Call Home" - Schools honour Refugee Week24-Aug-2008
In schools across Australia, Refugee Week 2008 provided the impetus for both celebrating and honouring the journeys of refugees all over the world. Working with the Foundation House School Support..
Click here to read more
"I saw the fire of a pain that would never be extinguished": Martin Flanagan speaks on tor24-Aug-2008
"I saw the fire of a pain that would never be extinguished": Martin Flanagan speaks on torture.
In the 2008 Foundation House Oration held in June, journalist and storyteller Martin Flanagan sp..
Click here to read more
Government to ratify protocol against torture24-Aug-2008
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture is pleased that the Rudd Labor government has indicated its intention to ratify the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Tor..
Click here to read more