Freedom walk for family celebrated

A CIVIC reception at Ballarat Town Hall on Monday has marked the recent permanent residency granted to Sri Lankan refugees Neil and Sugaa Para, and their daughters Nivash, Kartie and Nive.

Friends and supporters gathered in the Trench Room to show their support for the family whose changed residency status means increased housing security and the ability to undertake paid work after 10 years of living on temporary protection visas.

It was also a chance to congratulate Mr Para on his recent 1014-kilometre Walk for Freedom from Ballarat to Sydney aimed at raising awareness of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia.

“I was a man on a mission,” he said. “I had a purpose and goal, because my family had been suffering for a long time.

“Our girls are growing up, and their pathways as adults could have been closed, so my walk was all about opening those pathways for my children.

“I couldn’t bring good news for every refugee, but I could try and bring good news for my family, and raise awareness.

“I didn’t expect I would return with this good news… so I’m feeling very good. I can feel a certainty, and we can plan for our future.”

Now Mr and Mrs Para are permanent residents, they have been able to achieve their dream of securing employment.

Mr Para is working at Laminex, and Mrs Para is with Handy Girl Australia, while applying for further opportunities in aged care.

City of Ballarat’s Cr Belinda Coates said the community couldn’t be prouder of their courage and resilience.

“Refugees can and do make our communities stronger,” she said.