The theme for Refugee Week (June 18-24) is ‘Finding Freedom’ which encourages everyone to think about the millions of refugees who embark on dangerous journeys every day for the sole purpose of finding safety and refuge.
Oliver will be giving his talk on Wednesday, June 21, 11am-noon, at Merrylands Library.
He will give an insight to his journey which began in 1990 with his family’s unsuccessful attempt to flee the dangers of the start of the Gulf War. The attempt was thwarted by stringent checks in Iraq.
Two years later they were successful and after nearly two years in Greece, eventually made it to Australia.
Oliver said he was too young to remember that part of the journey, but has “vivid memories of particular incidents during our escape from Iraq, packing whatever little items we could, and our short meetings with other families who were also attempting to enter Jordan”.
“Australia welcomed us in June 1994, we arrived at Sydney airport in the evening, I remember it was a cold rainy night,” he said.
“It was an amazing feeling to know we are now safe and call Australia our new home. I had been excited to start school and make friends and meet new people.”
Since arriving in Australia he has achieved his dream of becoming a lawyer and working in the government sector, particularly in migration law, having now helped many other refugee families who were in similar circumstances.
“From a young age, I had hopes to give back what I can to anyone experiencing what I went through as a refugee,” he said.
Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake said it was an important week to acknowledge the challenges and contributions refugees make to the community.
