To Kirushanhan, Dandenong’s Tamil community is a safety net.
After surviving a lengthy sea journey to Australia in November 2012, he and his family were detained on Christmas Island. “We have been to pretty much all the detention centres, including PNG and Port Augusta,” he reveals.
But even after being allowed to settle in Australia, the challenges continued. Without speaking much English and without an income, “it was really hard in the beginning.”
But thanks to Dandenong’s supporting community, Kirushanhan and his family have found their groove. “We’ve done our best to build a good life here.”
