A newly arrived Syrian refugee has been bashed by three teenagers and left with a broken nose in what police say was a racially motivated attack in the heart of Wollongong.
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The incident, on Thursday night, comes just a week before Wollongong is set to host the official NSW launch of refugee Week 2015.
Refugee authoriities have also expressed alarm at a number of attacks on new arrivals in the Illawarra, including school children and taxi drivers.
The latest vicitm, who police say is a 21-year-old Syrian national, was at the Wollongong Youth Centre with friends around 7.20pm on Thursday when police say a female began to racially abuse the group.
An 18-year-old man and 16-year-old boy then allegedly assaulted the man, pushing him into a parked motorbike.
The owner of the bike, an 18-year-old man, was said to have joined the attack, punching and kicking the refugee, who was left with serious facial injuries including a broken nose.
The Mercury understands the man is a client of an Illawarra-based intensive English-language service and had only recently arrived in Australia.
Two 18-year-olds and a 16-year-old have been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.
The two men will appear in Port Kembla Local Court on June 30, while the 16-year-old will appear in Port Kembla Children's Court on June 29.
On June 19, the Illawarra will be the official NSW launch site for Refugee Week. Warrawong High School will host the event, where news presenter Janice Petersen will announce the NSW Humanitarian Awards.
