From Timor-Leste to Australia: Seven families, Three Generations Tell Their Stories

(Paperback)

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A collection of poignant stories and poems of seven East Timorese families living in Melbourne whose experiences belong to that long history of human tragedy created where violent conflict of power, land and resources takes place, inevitably visiting on ordinary people, disruption and loss. Since 1975 to 1999, men, women and children, and even grandparents, have been forced to flee their beloved homeland, their culture, their language, their families and the graves of those murdered in repeated massacres over those years.

Until now, their stories, written by people in their community, have not been recorded and published. With a heritage tied so closely to Australia in so many ways, this collection represents an essential part of the great story of migration, whether voluntary or forced, to this country particularly in the last 50 years. The reader will be moved by these remarkable, courageous, and resilient people, who endured so much, just on our doorstep.

'From Timor-Leste to Australia is an interesting book, which presents the history of one of Australia's closest neighbours, and tells the stories of the subjects in their own words. The stories are self-contained, yet also together tell the same story from multiple points of view in the way that they are woven together. The text is easy to access, enjoyable to read, and recommended for anyone who is interested in learning more about the history of Timor-Leste.' Ethos

Author Bio

Jan Trezise grew up in Springvale South where successive groups of refugees and migrants settled in the surrounding areas. This early experience informed a lifelong activism in support of refugees. After graduating from university, Jan taught in both primary and secondary schools, becoming a principal at Eumemmerring Secondary College in Hallam, and in 1995, the inaugural Principal of Gleneagles Secondary College in Endeavour Hills. In addition, she has been actively involved in her local community all her adult life. When the Enterprise Migrant Hostel was established in Springvale in 1970, she welcomed and supported refugees and migrants to settle into the local community, setting up a program which linked local families to migrant families living in the Hostel. In the 1980s, Jan was an elected Councillor of the City of Springvale and in 1983 became the first female Mayor of that municipality. In her role of councillor, Jan worked towards developing policy to support a harmonious multicultural community. In 2002, Friends of Ermera was formed in the City of Casey to assist the people of East Timor in rebuilding their nation following many years of occupation and devastation. Jan became the President, a position she held for 15 years. Following consultation with the leaders in the District of Ermera, the group has focused on education and training programs for the people of the District. Many families from East Timor, who initially came to Australia as refugees or migrants have settled in the City of Casey. Jan has developed close links with many of these families and has played a key role in interviewing the families for this project.