Canadian-born journalist Ham is herself a newcomer to Australia in a move made by choice. The plight of refugees from many countries was all too familiar. She worked for six years as an international correspondent in southern Africa, as well as in other countries, and went behind the statistics to hear firsthand accounts of loss, suffering and extraordinary survival.
She is grateful to the families from the Congo, Vietnam, Tibet, Iraq and Afghanistan who spoke to her about their experiences. Also the daughter of post-World War II Polish refugees who had recorded her parents’ stories before they died.
Ham’s research shows that more than one in five Australians speak a language other than English at home; and that half of the people living in Sydney speak at least two languages. Ham found a commonality with the families, their stories of loss, joy, fear and delight in being among the ‘lucky ones’ able to flee their dangerous home countries and find a new country that welcomed them. Each had harrowing stories to tell but stressed that they were not unique, and the final part of the book is about the next generation, their challenges and aspirations.
Ham is passionate in her belief that Australia should be doing more to solve the problem of the 35.3 million refugees across the globe now. As for the xenophobic refrain, ‘Go back where you came from’, Ham asks readers if that should include the descendants of the first boat people who came in the First Fleet in 1788.
The refugees’ stories in The Lucky Ones are harrowing, but their delight and energy at having a secure home have made them exemplary new citizens of Australia.
Reviewed by Jennifer Somerville
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Canadian-born Melinda Ham has been a journalist and writer for more than 30 years. Her career started in southern Africa where she was a correspondent for the Associated Press and London’s Daily Telegraph, The Economist andother international publications. She has also reported from India and Singapore.
After immigrating to Australia, Melinda wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald and Sun Herald for 12 years. She now creates content for large organisations, universities and not-for-profits. Continuing her passion for refugee issues, Melinda has volunteered as a community speaker, tutor and mentor.
Her home is on Scotland Island, in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, unceded land of the Garigal Clan of the Guringai Nation, with her partner Mike. She loves bushwalking, running, sailing — and the occasional visit from her two grown-up children.
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