Alison Corke and Para Paheer are the authors of The Power of Good People and will be speaking at a literary event, Sri Lanka to Australia: A Story of Hope, this Sunday at the Uniting Church in Queenscliff.<\/p>\n
The Power of Good People is the story of Para Paheer\u2019s journey from war-torn Sri Lanka and the terrible consequences of violence and ruthless politics, to becoming an Australian citizen. He was recently joined here, after eight years, by his wife and son.<\/p>\n
Para was barely five years old when civil war erupted in Sri Lanka. Nearly three decades later it ended in appalling horror and bloodshed.<\/p>\n
Tens of thousands of innocent civilians died. Survival required courage, ingenuity \u2014 and the kindness of strangers. This is Para\u2019s story of survival against all odds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that I would not have survived without help from many people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany put themselves in danger and at least one person died for me. It\u2019s time for me to remember them, and to thank them.\u201d<\/p>\n
While in Christmas Island Detention Centre, Para became penfriends with Alison Corke, a member of the Apollo Bay branch of Rural Australians for Refugees, in Victoria. On his release from detention in 2011, Para moved in with the Corke family.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom our first letters exchanged while Para was in detention and trying to improve his English, I knew he was an exceptional young man, with an astonishing tale to tell,\u201d Alison said<\/p>\n
\u201cI am proud to be helping him share his story and to find and thank those people who helped him survive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all have the power to do something; only we can choose whether to use that power for the good.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event will be held from 4pm this Sunday March 4 at the Uniting Church, Hesse St. Queenscliff.<\/p>\n
Tickets are $30, bookings are essential, with complimentary drinks and finger food served. Funds raised will go towards helping more refugees.<\/p>\n
To book or for more information, call Di on 5256 1004, Lyn on 5255 2638 or Jan on 5258 2854.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Alison Corke and Para Paheer are the authors of The Power of Good People and will be speaking at a literary event, Sri Lanka to Australia: A Story of Hope, this Sunday at the Uniting Church in Queenscliff. The Power of Good People is the story of Para Paheer\u2019s journey from war-torn Sri Lanka and […]<\/p>\n