As a partnership between Bega Valley Rural Australians for Refugees and Home Among the Gumtrees, initially 13 asylum seekers on bridging visas stayed with local families in the Valley for two weeks from September 21 in a program designed to give them respite and allow them a chance to connect with Australians and rural communities. 

One refugee was 30-year-old Mohammad, originally from Baghdad, Iraq who left the country due to the “problems” there.

“Every day they are killing people,” he said.

Some of his family remained behind, including his father, two brothers and two sisters, however he does have a brother and sister in Australia. 

Mohammad began his journey by flying to Malaysia then worked his way into Jakarta, Indonesia where he paid $12,000 for a spot on a boat to Australia.

“They tell people, it is a good boat, very nice,” he said.

“But when we come to the boat, it is very old, not good [and] small.” 

After the boat broke down during the crossing, the 97 refugees on board were picked up by the Australian Navy and taken to Christmas Island arriving there 18 months ago. 

The majority of the refugees from the crossing were then taken to Bladin Alternative Place of Detention Darwin before they were granted bridging visas and moved to Sydney or Melbourne. 

While on a bridging visa Mohammad cannot work or receive an education, however he receives English lessons from the Salvation Army. 

Although the visa was granted for a 12 month period it has since expired and is now on a continuous basis so he is now stuck in “limbo”, according to his Bermagui hosts Elizabeth and Robert Johnson.

Three months ago his mother passed away and he was not allowed to return to Iraq for her funeral.

Mohammad said the reason he chose to travel to Australia was as he believed refugees here receive more support compared to other countries. 

“Things have changed dramatically in the time since Mohammad decided to come to Australia,” Mr Johnson said.

“The political situation has changed, also the processing of refugees has changed.

“Speaking to him all he wants to do is work, be a contributing member of the country and be accepted for who he is.

“We have had him for ten days, and his single most used phrase is ‘this is paradise’.”

In Baghdad, Mohammad worked as a forklift driver and a textile machinery mechanic, and said there are many things he would like to do in Australia. 

“Like working, have a family, everything,” he said. 

“I want to live in Australia.

“I like everyone who lives here.” 

The Johnsons showed Mohammad different aspects of life in rural areas during his respite visit, from tourist activities such as taking him searching for platypuses in Bombala and visiting Floriade in Canberra, to volunteering at the recent ReBoot in Bermagui.