Stories of the lucky ones

AUTHOR Melinda Ham is coming to Ballarat to discuss her latest work.

She will be in conversation with local journalist Dellaram Vreeland about stories of resilience, including her own book, The Lucky Ones, at the Ballarat Welcome Centre later this month.

Ham’s book follows the experiences of six refugee families who have come to Australia from Poland/Ukraine, Vietnam, Iraq, Tibet, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan over the last 70 years.

The event is being delivered by Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council in collaboration with the Ballarat Afghan Action Group and the Rural Australians for Refugees Ballarat

“Our organisation is committed to aiding those who choose to call our community home, regardless of their origins,” said BRMC CEO Suzanne Ryan-Evers.

“The Lucky Ones offers us a profound insight into the refugee experience, fostering empathy and unity among us.”

Ballarat Afghan Action Group’s David McPhail said they are pleased to co-host the evening, as an organisation dedicated to assisting and advocating for refugees.

“Melinda Ham’s work is a testament to the resilience and strength of those who have journeyed to Australia seeking safety and belonging,” he said.

Ham has been a journalist for 25 years, working throughout southern Africa, in London, India, Singapore, and now has her own company, Narrate Media.

Vreeland is an Australian-born Iranian journalist who has been covering regional and rural stories for more than a decade, including in The Guardian, and has been a Melbourne Press Club Quill Award finalist.

The event is set for Monday 13 May from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council’s Welcome Centre, 25-39 Barkly Street, Ballarat East.

Light supper will be provided. Register for the free event at events.humanitix.com/luckyones.