In the quiet comfort of a Williamstown hotel, Patrick Walsh pores over letters from refugees being held at Broadmeadows detention centre.
It’s an intimidating pile and a harrowing read.
“Some of the stuff that’s written, it’s just heartbreaking,” Mr Walsh said.
“They’re talking about how, back when they were at home, some of their family were murdered in front of them and how that made them feel. There’s some pretty dark stuff in there.
“But then there’s other stuff where they’ll be out in the garden at the detention centre, and [one man] has written a page about how a flower blossomed.”
When they can, Mr Walsh, a refugee advocate, and his wife visit the letter writers in detention.
“Some of the people that we visit have been in detention for more than six years,” he said. “All of the people we visit have got refugee status.”
He said the refugees appreciated the smallest act of kindness.
“We took in some pineapple and a packet of Tim Tams, because Tim Tams always win,” Mr Walsh said..
“I don’t think the Tim Tams were touched; they were absolutely, ‘wow, pineapple’. Even the kids went crazy about the pineapple.”
Mr Walsh said refugees often reciprocated by offering him what little food they had.
“They get given a very small allowance to do their own cooking. They buy their own ingredients and they cook their own traditional meals.
“When we visit, there hasn’t been a time when they haven’t pulled a meal out for us and they’ll feed us. I’ve asked them why and they say, ‘You’re in our home’.”
On November 16, Mr Walsh will run 15 kilometres in the City2Sea race to raise money for long-term and indefinite detainees.
Money will go towards costs for clothing and food, and for detainees to send money home to support their families.
“This is a cause close to my heart, but there is no official charity specifically for this group of detainees, so I am collecting money myself and will present it to them once it has been collected,” Mr Walsh said.
To help, email patrickwalsh@ihug.com.au
