Speakers from Medicine Sans Frontiers, Indigenous Australian representatives, church groups, refugees, students, doctors and health professionals all spoke of the tragedy unfolding behind closed doors in Nauru and in on-shore detention centres as well.

Skye Etherington of Bega Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) said over 20 regional RAR groups from as far away as Cairns attended the event. She said they spoke of how, as country people, we know how to extend a welcome to new people who come to our towns.

“I was repeatedly brought to tears by the inhumanity of what was being described,” she said.

“The inability for children to flourish in these highly confined and threatening environments is taking a heavy toll on their lives and future development potential.

“This failure to thrive is an identified syndrome being played out in front of the eyes of parents and doctors working with refugees in detention.”

Ms Etherington said doctors said it was critical the children were released and allowed to be nourished and helped in a caring and supportive environment.

“They said that if nothing is done, children will die,” she said.

“It is possible to bring these children and their families to our shores, but only if we continue to put pressure on the politicians, so that they hear our voices.”