Not too long ago, after the Welcome Petition team had contacted the local councils and communities to tell them about the walk, we received an email and a call from Carol Crowe and Mary Bourke in Euroa. They were very excited about the petition coming through their town and had put together some great ideas. Carol told me that she and Mary had recently convened a public meeting in Euroa with over 40 attendees from the area. “We put out the welcome mat for asylum seekers and r

The worst welcome I’ve received on this journey was from an electric fence, and that’s because I had no business trying to climb over it. I was just a city girl who didn’t know any better! The towns I’ve passed so far should be proud. In every one I have experienced such genuine acts of kindness and I’ve felt welcome. Day 1 – Epping: The first place I had to knock on a door and ask to use a toilet. Both Catherine (my walking companion for the day) and I were welcomed in with

I’ve been trying to write a blog for a few days now and I’m finding it very difficult. My head is swimming with all the things I’ve experienced so far. The walking is giving me time to digest, even though at times the road is very busy with cars flying by. Each time a truck goes by I nearly get blown away! (Don’t worry mum, I’m walking as far from the traffic as possible!) I’m amazed at all the opportunities that have been given to me to learn more about refugees and their jo

Saying goodbye to Catherine – Catherine walked the first day and a half with me and it was a godsend to have her company! Especially after the huge send off! We chatted excitedly for about 12km before realising that we were starving. It was wonderful to have her support and made the beginning a lot less daunting. My cousin Stephen took these photos, he and his family brought a picnic lunch to Catherine and me on the way to Wallan. It was a 30km walk that day and he made me wa

The crowd gathers with supporters from BASP, ASRC, GADRC, BRASA and more! A huge thanks to you all! Thank you to Peter from BeforeLaw for filming the event. I’m still reeling from the amazing day on Saturday at the State Library. After saying goodbye to my friends, family, colleagues and all the wonderful people who were there to support, I walked those first steps down Swanston St, heading towards Canberra. SBS came to grab some interviews and film the day. The day couldn’t

It was the pre-Christmas rush at the Dandenong Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. The powers that be had made some developments which meant that some of the Centre's clients had to get some paperwork in and fast. Despite the pressure everyone was under, they all had an air about them that said "We can do this!" If I was in a pickle, this would be a good place to be. I'd know that I wouldn't be judged and that the people helping me would be absolutely tenacious. This video is abou