From Timor-Leste to Australia

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