There were 30 local helpers who took part in Surf Together 2018, held at Gerroa in February.

Those who could sizzle a sausage, load a ute, toss a salad, or even fly a drone, played a part.

Formerly Surfers for Refugees, the event sees members of Gerringong Uniting Church teaming up with Christian Surfers and refugee advocacy group, SCARF, to host a ministry aimed simply at offering hospitality to newcomers to our shores and building relationships.

Surf instructors helped around 30 newly-arrived refugees get up on a surfboard for the first time.

Gerringong Uniting Church minister, Rev Peter Chapman, was blown away by the way in which such a diverse group of people from varying cultures and faiths came together to enjoy each other’s company in that most iconic of Australian venues – the beach.

“Apart from the obvious excitement of seeing people surf for the first time, we were also treated to some yummy middle-eastern cuisine, and were deeply honoured to hear the stories of our new friends who had fled persecution and war – it really puts our first-world problems in perspective,” Rev Chapman said.