Tri Nguyen rode into Yass on Sunday with no great fanfare. He rode trailing a little boat that he has carted along behind him all the way from Brunswick in Victoria, some 35 days ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tri and his companions, Linda, Daniel and Madji, are on a pilgrimage to Canberra and the message they are bringing is 'thank you'.
We can't publish the last names of Linda, Daniel and Madji. They are Iranian asylum seekers who have been released from detention but are still awaiting their visas.
They are worried about repercussions on their families in Iran, as well as jeopardising their visa applications.
Tri says it is the uncertainty and lack of transparency in the processing of asylum seekers that is perhaps the hardest thing.
Daniel was released from detention after three months.
Madji has a friend who is still there after five years, with no explanation.
But all four of the pilgrims are overwhelmingly grateful to Australia; Tri for the welcome he received as a 10-year-old Vietnamese refugee and Daniel, Linda and Madji simply for being able to live here in peace.
They long for their visas so they can work and study and start to give something back.
A public event has been organised tonight for anyone who would like to meet or support them (they are raising funds for Baptcare Sanctuary) at Yazzbar on Comur Street in Yass, 7.30-9.30pm.
The event is free and you get to hear firsthand stories from asylum seekers.
They will deliver the boat - a replica of the one Tri escaped Vietnam on - to Parliament House on Good Friday.
