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Dark Green Elegant Minimalist Our Holiday Photo Collage (1)

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The image appears to show a group of refugees in an enclosed area, possibly a detention center or prison yard, as seen through a metal fence. this is commonly found in Australia.

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In March, Australia released 50 men from Brisbane's Kangaroo Point immigration center. Many had already spent years in island detention centers, losing hope for a new life.

In 2013, I fled war-torn Iraq, leaving my family behind, hoping for a new life in Australia. However, upon arrival, I was sent to Manus Island detention center in Papua New Guinea, where I endured six years of harsh conditions and fear. The system seemed designed to break us, with filthy living conditions and no opportunities for improvement. Even outside the center, we faced hostility and danger. The Australian government’s stringent criteria made gaining refugee status incredibly difficult.

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This photo, from our 'In the Shadows' exhibition is of families at the Nunawading Migrant Hostel (1952-1987), the first home offered to many Vietnamese refugees fleeing southern Vietnam.

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This image shows a man imprisoned in a detention center. Like many this man had to leave his family behind to find a better life. These environments were said to be similar to prison.

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The girl described her journey as a refugee in Australia, having fled her war-torn country by boat. She faced tremendous hardships, including dangerous travel conditions and prolonged uncertainty about her future. Upon arrival, she encountered significant challenges adapting to a new culture and environment, but with resilience and support, she managed to build a new life in Australia. Her story highlights the difficulties and eventual triumphs of refugees seeking safety and stability in a new country.

Marleena Forward

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This picture marks the 20th anniversary of three defining events in the history of Australia’s refugee and asylum seeker policy. Asylum seekers became “illegals” and “potential terrorists” who were arriving in “floods”, while governments proclaimed that their policies had “stopped the boats” and “saved lives at sea”.

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My name is Nazem, and I arrived in Australia by boat 8 years ago, leaving my wife and children in Iraq due to the dangerous journey. I was accepted as a refugee and obtained citizenship, but I am still waiting to be reunited with my family. In Iraq, I led a tribe of 4,000 men; now, I am an old, lonely man in Australia, struggling with diabetes, poor mental health, and reliance on sleeping pills. I have 6 daughters and 1 son, the youngest being 14. My oldest daughter, now a widow, lives with her child at home. In Iraq, women have limited freedom, and my family has suffered greatly from our separation.

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Life as a Muslim mother in an Australian detention centre is a daily struggle. Living conditions lack privacy and normalcy, with overcrowding and insufficient halal food. Limited access to religious facilities makes praying difficult, while the constant anxiety about the future and well-being of my children takes an emotional toll. Inadequate medical care and indifference to our cultural needs add to feelings of isolation and despair. Every day is a battle to maintain hope and dignity in a dehumanising environment.

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Anh Doh's family coming by boat

Anh Do's family fled Vietnam by boat, facing perilous conditions and threats from pirates. Upon arriving in Australia, they struggled with poverty and adapting to a new culture. Despite these challenges, they found safety and opportunities, ultimately thriving in their new home. Anh Do went on to become a successful comedian, author, and artist, sharing his family's refugee story widely.

even when youre a refugee you can be happy