GOLDEN SOIL AND WEALTH FOR TOIL
Australia, it’s a diverse and multicultural land, a place of opportunity for many. And one would hope that the well-hummed lyrics ‘for those who’ve crossed the seas, we’ve boundless planes to share’ in the national anthem ring true.
It’s no doubt that Australia has a long way to go in the reconciliation and acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land. A deeper understanding of our collective history, no matter how dark is essential in creating a more cohesive community. The treatment of refugees seeking a home in our golden soils also has a way to go.
But for some Australia has been just that, a place in which to call home. This portrait series is a look into the diverse nation that is Australia.
20-year-old Osman is a Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, who in 2013 arrived in Australia after fleeing the ongoing genocide perpetrated against his people. He spent nearly three years on Christmas island in community detention “for me it wasn’t really bad, when I was in my country it was almost like detention. Christmas island was a bit easier. There is freedom here [in Australia], and when I came here I got to hold an ID of me with my photo and it was really amazing for me” Osman says sitting in his room of his share house. The Arabic words inscribed behind him read ‘In the name of Allah, Most Gracious and Most Merciful’, a comforting reminder despite hardship.
Osman feels a great sense of pride of the inclusiveness within Australia. Here he’s able to embrace his Rohingya identity despite not being a permanent resident, yet. Making a life for himself he is now the captain of the Rohingya soccer team “it’s a chance to express ourselves while we are playing… We get to meet new people and interact with them and they get to know our culture and who we really are so I think sport like soccer it’s a very good opportunity to show our identity”.
15-year-old Pugalinee, a Sri Lankan Tamil, has lived in Australia for ten years after her family left in 2009 when war ripped through her country. Pugalinee strives to uphold her Sri Lankan heritage and embrace Australian identity. Sitting in front of a photobook with pictures of her in traditional Sri Lankan dress she speaks of giving each culture the same deep respect that they deserve.
“Being Australian means part of a society that preserves individual cultures and background at the same time which has lots of equality and respect amongst us all even if we’re multicultural”. For her, her heritage gives a unique perspective on Australia Day which presents the perfect opportunity to “celebrate and acknowledge the Indigenous people as well”.
37-year old Naby moved to Australia 15 years ago from the Maldives with her six-month-old son. The initial move was difficult as it followed the events of the Cronulla riots. As a Hijab wearing Muslim she faced a multitude of verbal and physical harassment. For Naby her removal of her scarf meant liberation where she could have her faith without being pigeonholed by others assessment of her.
Originally a lecturer, Naby found secured roots in Australia through work in academia. It was here her life truly flourished, building a new community of friends and colleagues. “I’d never lived in a country outside of the Maldives and coming here starting from scratch and so far away from home was hard. To come and do the dishes was a bit of a shock. When I realised when I called myself Australian it was after 5 years of living here and I was still questioning where is home. I went back to Maldives for holiday and I was missing Australia. I was born here [in the Maldives] but I realised it wasn’t home anymore”.
28-year-old Christina was born in Australia after her parents migrated here when they were younger. Her father from China when he was 20 and her mother from Vietnam, barely a woman (15) escaping the horrors of the Vietnam war. Until very recently she grew up shielded from the trauma of her mother’s past. “My ties to my cultural heritage were strong but there was a clash as getting brought up in school one way and at home anther it was a challenge and still is a challenge at times” she says.
Her partner, a European-Australian has always religiously celebrated Australia day but this year marks the first time they discovered it was a day of mourning. “I was much more on the Chinese culture side, never really celebrated Australia day it was just a public holiday. And as my partner is Australian, who celebrates all the days very strongly. He portrayed Australia day being the ‘great day’ and very positive and only recently have we questioned that”.
48-year-old Eric has lived in Australia for 20 years. Originally from the south islands of the Philippines, he first came to Sydney during the Olympics to work as a chef as it was an opportunity for a new life. “For me I’ve never really felt like I’ve missed the Philippines. Maybe it’s because I’m independent but Australia is home for me”. Independent since he was 16, Eric has worked in Manilla and cruise ships around the world. So, the move to Australia was far less daunting.
Now a citizen for the last 18 years “being Australian means being free in a country where it’s full of opportunities, you only have to work hard. And you’re accepted for who you are.”
Nikbakht, a 16-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, has lived in Australia for the past two years with her family of eight. She has been helping her parents to navigate the service systems in Australia all the while learning English herself, but she has taken on this challenge with unending positivity. “I think coming to Australia it’s just a dream, everyone in Afghanistan is thirsty for peace. And here in this country I found that peace. If you think of the sadness you lost you can’t see what you found here. Some people they can’t see the freedom, happiness and opportunity as they are confused with what they lost”.
Diagnosed with a heart condition she underwent open heart surgery once moving to Australia. Despite her constant hardship Nikbakht strives to be happy. She now writes poems in English which draw on her experiences and serve as a way to process what she has been through. “I love living in Australia but it’s still very difficult. I don’t feel Australian yet. But this year because of my poems I am feeling more connected”.
33-year-old Arif is an active member of the Hazara community, he works primarily with new migrants and refugees focusing on their mental health to build a safe and secure network of support. Arif arrived in Australia back in 2005, practically at gunpoint. Fleeing from the Taliban in Afghanistan who issued him and his village an ultimatum “leave or be killed”. “We came from a culture where we didn’t have a basic human right as being Hazara was a crime and shame but here we can call ourselves a proud Hazara”.
Being in such a diverse society Arif has maintained his strong cultural identity and even found time to give back to the Australian community through altruistic pursuits such as raising funds for bushfire relief. “Being Australian is a privilege, it’s a land of opportunities so we [Hazara’s] want to make sure that we also give back to Australia in any sort of means that we can”.